Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-22

THE MYSTERIOUS WORK OF Al &c
CENTRIC OLD SOLDIER

Boutwell, IL an old War Veteran and Hero.
Tho Cave 20 Be the Cellar of . Msgnih-
osnt Home--wAitins fAsr His Claim.
His Dsydresm.
" A subterranean cavern 200 feet In length
and 20 feet below the surface, chiseled out
of q solid ledge Of limestone rock, II the
result of five years. labor performed by q
very peculiar and ecoentric old man who
lives four miles west of Topeka Daniel
w. Boutwell,, who hrs 'excavated this re-
markable underground cave, for what pur-
pose no one but himself knows, IL n man
of noteworthy record. His cccentricities
through life have been the subject OF re-
mark by all who have known him, but
his latest enterprise, which he has carried
on without the knowledge Of his nearest
neighbor, rounds out the career OF one OF
the most peculiar characters.
Daniel w. Boutwell, endcared himself to
every loyal Kansan In an OK xWbition OF his
bravery during the late civil war. This
Wa as heroic rs II was daring. When
Confederate General Prices army was
moving toward Kansas, Boutwell, was the
private soldier on the Union side who
and notify General Pleasonton, who had
sufficient force TO repel Price, and thus
save young Kansas from visitation Of
fire and shell from Prices army.
Five years ago old man Boutwell, erected
shaft over well which had been sunk
to the depth Of about 90 feet and announced
that he was going to prospect for coal. At
the same time nc laid the foundation for
IA ten room residence which he intended to
build as soon as the government should
pay his claim'of $40, 900 for extra hazard
Gus services performed during the war.
The foundation was distant from the well
about goo feet. Midway between, another
well was sunk. This was followed by the
sinking OF still another well near the foun-
dation walls. All OF these wells are 90
feet deep, and the water In each stands at a
depth of feet.
Constructed above the main well are an
ordinary shaft and hosting apparatus. A
tub, rope and pulley, with n small boy 20
feet distant TO operate a "whim," make
up the outfit. Mr.. Boutwell, did not need
the services Of the boy to aid him In reach
ing the mouth OF the cavern. Although
65 years old, he secured the rope at the top
and climbed down with the agility OF a
boy OF 90. The Others, composing party
OF four, went down one at n time, with
the aid Of the boy at the "whim."
The opening from the well into the cav
ern was barely large enough to allow one
to pass by slightly STOPPING. This narrow
passageway extended about 9 feet, when 1t
opened out into large room, which Mr..
Boutwell, had brilliantly lighted with
lamps. Improvised seats about the walls
gave the explorers chance to rest and
mediate over the strange idea which in
duced old man Boutwell, to penetrate the
bowels of the earth and dig out such "a
hideous and grim grotto.
Another narrow passageway led to
room No q. 1t was not so large as room
No. /, but II anything it was more dismal
and gloomy Here an ordinary miners
lamp was lighted, but the fickering blaze
only added terror to the situation. In
stantly heavy draft Of air shot through
the cavern, and the dim light was gone.
None of the party could find a match. A
ray Of light could be seen through the mar
row opening ahead of them and the party
proceeded. Soon the explorers stood upon
the brink of the middle well. The journey
was only half completed, but all agreed
that they would prefer to return to terra
firma than to attempt further explora-
tion Of terro incognita
Boutwell, was anxious to go on and ex-
planned that the other half Of the cavern
could be explored with more ease and
comfort than the former, but his urgent
appeals were fruitless. Beyond the middle
well, in one Of the dark and gloomy cham
bers. he had placed Pickering lamp,
which we could see from our stopping
place. The blaze was just bright enough
to present weird and dismal aspect
The subterranean cave he has made and
the foundation he has laid for a palatial
home are 80 rods away from the rude
house he now occupies. One end of the
cavern is to connect with the cellar under
the house. The construction of this new
home, overlooking the capital Of Kansas,
Is daydream with Boutwell,. "When an
unjust government pays me for saving
Kansas from desolation and ruin, then
will erect on this spot home that will
give comfort and shelter to me in my de-
clining years" When old man Boutwell,
uttered these words, tears stood in his
eyes, and he became speechless.-St. Louis
Republic.