The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-12-11
A Rich "Find" by Colorado Miners

THE Silver Cliff (Colo.) Prospect pub
fishes the following somewhat remarka-
j. BILE story:
On last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
severe snow storm ragged in the noun
taias, extending to the valley below.
The prospectors in the range, who were
ont of sight of their camp, were forced
TO seek shelter in the canons and under
the large lodges of rock, it being impos-
sible to follow guides to any designated
point, all traces of paths being entirely
-obliterated.
S. j. Hartman, E. r. Oliver and H.
"A. Melton were prospecting in the San
gre de Cristo 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.
dced 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 to gather dry pine for
tity they entered on hands and knees, in
single file. In this position they crawled
for ten or twelve feet, when they en-
tered into large chamber, where they
could easily stand upright. This cham
Der enlarged for twenty feet, where
they reached what seemed to be a sec
ond passage, when, as before, the walls
closed, and it became necessary for
them to 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 to such an extent
that in order to tell the size of the room
1t was necessary to follow them up from
either side of the entrance. About ten
feet to the right MIR. Oliver, who was in
advance, struck his foot against some
thing that moved very easily, and
thinking it strange, lowered his light
and 10 his horror found 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. No
O1lnk N0NAonNQ WIN lillS ulsCONCIN1 OuC1
retraced their steps, and, obtaining
fresh fuel, re-entered, determined t.
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 t,
the left, and near the western wall, an
other skull and bones were found
There was no trace of any tool, knife o
gun-nothing but the half. decaye'
bones. The cave extended to the north
and, as in the previous chamber, con
tracted somewhat, leaving another mar
row passage. This passage, unlike tn
other, however, was much longer, an
by no means as narrow, it leading Their
into a smaller chamber, the walls c
which were very irregular, having larg
projecting rocks resembling in som
places the shelving in store-roon
On the western side of this chamber
near the north end, one of these shelve
extended to considerable width fror
the wall, about ten inches from the flool
Mr.. Melton, who was examining tn
particular spot out of idle curiosity, low