Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-03
CAUGHT IN A CAVE.
f. WHITMOkE,
Publish er and Proprietor

rIence In "a Nevada silver Mine.
Virginia Territorial Enterprise.l
Below the groupings of the Gould
and Curry mine is to be seen large
cavity or sink which marks the
spot under which great cave oc-
CURED during the superintendency
of Charley Bonner. Happening to
pass over the ground yesterday we
were strongly reminded of rather
perilous trip which we made into
the underground regions of the
mine at the time the cave occurred.
Luckily ample warning had been
given by the settling Of the ground
within the mine and the swapping
and splintering of timbers; there
fore no lives were lost in the cave.
News of the grand crash in the
mine spread rapidly through the
town, and all who heard Of the
accident gave a sigh Of relief when
told that all the miners escaped un-
injured.
The full extent Of the cave, and
the damage done thereby in the
interior of the mine, was not known
for some time, but from the cavity
| formed on the surface was Judged
to be very great.
Being desirous Of obtaining, il
possible, full particulars in regard
to the condition of the underground
sections of the mine, we called
upon MIR. Bonner and made known
our wishes.
81 have not been in the mine
for three or four hours, and there
fore am unable to give you an ex
act account of the present condi
ton of the caved portions. How
ever, if you will venture with me,
said Mr.. BonDer, we will go in al
far as possible and see how thing
look"
Having agreed to Mr.. Bonner
proposition, two lanterns were pro
cured and we soon found ourselves
| on the level where the creates
damage had been done, The min
ers had all left that part Of tn
B mine. Nowhere was to be seen tn
r friendly twinkle of either lamp o
candle; all was dark as the caves O
! Cimmerii, save where the light G
our lanterns fell upon the walls o
the tunnel along which we wer
advancing, or where the ray
streamed far ahead and were r(
| llected back by points of polishe
:. pyrites or bright quartz crystals.
At first, too, all was silent as tn
!, tomb, but as we moved forward tn
sharp snap of falling timber Q
the dull boom Of a heavy fall
earth reached our ears. Thes
y sounds constantly grew more di
N tinct. Soon was heard a sort
running fire of sharp little snal
from the bent and splintering tin
he bers. with ever and anon startling
musket-like report as some larG
timber broke in twain or was rel
- asunder.
We were now fast nearing I'll
scene of the cave. AS yet Il
ground about us was sound, al
all the timbers stood intact in the
, places. Our advance was slow
and cautiously made. At tim
some unusual commotion cause
ussto halt and listen half q minut
with bodies inclined forward ~
ewes strained to pentrate beyor
) the light thrown out by our Ia
terms. Few words passed betwo'
us. "Wait Il Bit or "Now let
move on" from Mr. Bonner, W
about all that was said.
~ Presently We came to q ar
e. leading from the tnnnel we b
been traversing. The snappl'
~ Y and grinding sounds were NJ
md more distinctly heard.
re. Ps- at is in this direction" 81
IL, the Bonner, leading the way into
ite. DRIFT. ,e
icy We had not proceeded far bei'
lely we came to where the timber
iliS niiS the drift we're badly bent and c
lTsS NS placed. We were in spot wh
lose the ground was settling. A X
H. or tcLino noise came from the !