Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-03
The Lurasy Cave.
THE TRUE HISTORY OF ITS DISCOVERY.


The Page Courier gives the following
account of the discovery of the cay,
near Luray, which, it says, sis in every
way correct" = ,f-
Sometime about the first of last July
B. T. Stebbins, T. w. Lillard, and VIM
b. Campbell visited the cave on the tor
OF "Cave Hill," and now known as the
Odd Cave" for the purpose of examin-
ing it, some of the party having never
before been there. The following week,
in conversation between VIM. B.
Campbell and Stebbins in regard to the
old cave, the latter proposed to revisit it
for the purpose of trying to make an
other opening more convenient, and
asked who wonld be suitable person to
assist. Campbell replied that Andrew
| Campbell would go with them, and he
was accordingly sent for. He came,
and. when informed of their purpose.
remarked that he didn't care to go in
the old cave, but would readily engage
In a search for new one. After some
further conversation, it was agreed to
form q company, composed of the two
Campbells, Stebbins, and T. w. Lillard,
for the purpose of examining localities
where they might find any Indications
of the existence of cave. They at
once went to work and prspected at va.
rious places, with such poor success,
however. that Lillard became discour-
aged and abandoned the project. The
remainder of the party continued their
explorations. The last attempt, prior
to the successful one, was on the west
side of Cave Hill on the land of Isaac
Williams. Falling at this point to dis
cover any opening they returned home
and gave up the search for that day
On the next day, as they were returning
to the same side of the hill to make fur
ther examination, they got over TIE
fence separating the land of A. Broadus
from yhe field in which is located the
opening o. their discovered cave, and at
point near the said opening. After
advancing few yards from the fence,
VIM. Campbell remarked, "Let us ex-
anime this sink" and the party accord
lngly went down into the sink. In q
few moments, VIM. Campbell, putting
his hand over small opening, remark.
ed that the air was coming out of the
hole, and Andrew Campbell made the
same remark in regard to hole he had
discovered. 1t was agreed that they
had as well work there as anywhere
else, and they began to dig. After |
about five hours labor, in which they |
were assisted by son of VIM. Camp
bell. ST., who had followed them that
day, they made an opening large enough |
to admit the body of q man, and An
drew Campbell, taking a rope in one
hand and candle In the other, forced
himself through the opening into the |
great unknown and hitherto undiscov-
cred vault. After getting through the |
opening, Campbell released his hold !
upon the rope, which fact alarmed |
VIM. Campbell, who remarked. "Boys.
he has let go the rope" Andrew, who |
could hear what was said, replied, I'm
all right; don't be uneasy" Andrew
had advanced about fifteen or twenty |
feet, when he was joined by the son Of
VIM. c., above referred to, the remain
der of the party remaining all the time |
on the outside. After sufficient exam
ination to satisfy himself that their eff
forts were at last to be crowned with
success, Andrew, cautioning his nephew
to be "mum" and say nothing about |
what they had seen, determined to re-
trace his steps, and they beth went back
through the opening. After rejoining
their party, they reported that they had
found nothing and that they had better |
abandon the enterprise. The party, to-
gether with certain disinterested persons |
who were present, started for home, and,
after they had gotten to themselves
Andrew Campbell reported his discov-
cry to Stebbins and VIM. Campbell
The same night they returned, and, af- !
ter having made partial exploration |
OF the cave. closed up the entrance
This occurred on the 18th of August, |
and from that time till the confirmation
of the sale, they having in the mean
time bought the field in which is the
OneniuQ 10 E2rther an frs N ca 1uas uada q, |