Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-12-03
Amen IoFInd ? BY colorado Miners.

THE Silver Cliff (Colo.) Prospect pull
fishes the following somewhat renIarka-
BILE story:
On last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
alseYere snow storm rhged In the'mpun1
tains, extending 70 the valley below.
Tho prospectors in the range, who were
7 out of sight Of their camp, were forced
to seek shelter in the canons and under
the lafgelledges OF rock, it being impos.
dble 10 follow guides TO any designated
point, all traces of paths being entirely
obliterated.
S. j. Harkman, Il. II. Oliver and H.
A. Melton we're prospecting in the San
gre de Clisto range, on the San Luis
side, about two miles north of what is
known as Dead Mans Camp, on Sun
day afternoon, when the storm came
upon them in all its fury, rendering It
dangerous TO travel. Being near deep
canyon, they sought shelter from the
wind by entering. Not far from where
they stood, on the same side, they no.
ticed an opening, and concluded to
make an examination. Drawing near,
by feeling around they found that there
was quite long tunnel, though not
very deep. They determined to enter,
and proceeded 10 gather dry pine for
torches, After getting a sufficient guam
tity they entered on hands and knees, In
single fle. In this position they cTawled
for ten or twelve feet, when they en-
tered into a large chamber, whore they
could easily stand upright. This cham.
beg enlarged for twenty feetl where
fliey reached what seemed TO be a sec
ond passage, when, as before, the walls
closed, and il became necessary for
them 10 proceed In single file. The
second passage was not over ten feet in
length, when they emerged into some
what deeper and much larger chamber,
the walls widening 10 such an extent
that in order TO tell the size of the room
1t was necessary 10 follow them up from
either side of the entrance. About ten
feet TO the right Mr.. Oliver, Who was ID
advance, struck his foot against some
thing that moved very easily, and,
thinking 1t strange, lowered his light,
and to his horror found a human skull.
A fire was then kindled on the floor out
OF extra fuel, in order TO get better
view Of the floor and surroundings. Not
far OFF lay four other human skulls Not
being satisfied with this discovery, they
retraced their steps, and, obtaining
fresh fuel, re-entered, determined 10
know the secrets of the cave. Returning
20 their FIRE, which was still burning,
they lighted new torches and continued
their exploration. About twenty feet 10
the left, and near the western wall, an-
other skull and bones were found
There was no trace Of any tool, knife or
gun--nOthing but the halt decayed
bones. The cave extended 10 the north,
and, as in the previous chamber, con-
tracted somewhat, leaving another mar
row passage. This passage, unlike the
Yother, however, was much longer, and
by no means as narrow, II leading them
into a smaller chamber, the walls OF
which were very irregular, having large
projecting rocks resembling In some
places the shelving in a store.room.
On the western side of this chamber,
near the north end, one Of these shelves
extended to considerable width from
the wall, about ten inches from the floor.
Mr.. Melton, who was examining this
particular spot out of idle curiosity, low
cred his light and STOPPING down looked
under the ledge, and noticing what ap
peared TO be pe1uliar-shaned stones
concluded TO draR them out, whom L
his amazement he found them heavy
enough 10 require his entire strength Z
remove them. He pulled them out
however, and called his companions
who were examining the opposite sid
of the room. They were not long Il
discovering that he had found three gol'
bars that have since proved 70 be wort