The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-11-15

ieadlng the way, passed into tho in.
terror. Suddenly bis form shot for
ward, and he uttered shrek Of hor-
ror cs an invisible power bore him
into the bowels of tho earth. That
was the last Of Mays. His eompau.
ions. terror stricken, ied from the
scene, closing the gap behind them.
There is not enough surplus cash in
the union 80 induce one of the sur
vivors to 60 near the place again.
The history of the cave runs in this
wise: In the year l778 Stephen Clay.
ton emigrated from Virginia 50 Ken
tuoky and aettled in Harrodsburg.
He was an experienced woodsman
and had grown up amid the e!syms OF
Indian warfare. He participated il
many OF tho frontier bettles. He
know the Indians; they knew him.
In 1785 he left the older settlements,
crossed the wilderness, oame TO Bss-
rem River aud settled asnr the present
site Of Cleypool. With him came
John WioklitRe, Hut Martin, Andrew
MoFaddin, two brothers and others,
With their several families. Wick
life eettled on @ place known as
Wickisffe Bottom, north Of the river.
Martin founded Martinsville, McFad.
din established MeFaddin's Station,
while Stephen Cleypool and his
brothers patented end setsied on land
south OF WioklifYe Bottom and Mar
tinsville, just across the river, and
founded Claypooi.
At the time these hardy pioneera
came TO Barren river few scattered
Indiaus still skulksd in the forests.
% MIR. Claypool's claim was lodge
occupied By an old Indian and his
uquaw. The old warrior was about 20
years old, and his squaw called him
Wah-sum; he called his squaw Ouita.
This old pair Of natives proffered the
white settlers their friendship. They
were peculiarly religious. In short
time Wah.tum and Mr.. Claypool were
fast friends. Wah.tum frequently
related events that took place in .he
vicinity long before, saying thai that
WiskiiGe Bottom Was hs11se7saa 81
white devils shat had been slain there
many years ago. Piece by pieoo Mr.
Olaypoo! extsessed the whole atory
sEom the olu ohiaftain' aud his aquaw;
both Of whom had been partioir ~
in tho struggle. .. .
Since shen strange fatality hsunts
the place. Many lives have been lost
In che vicinity. Ouita and Wah.sun
witnessed all these events; they
knew where to flnd the cave, but
neither for friendship nor love OF gold
would they reveal to Mr.. Claypool its
whereabouts. When they crossed to
sheir "happy hunting gr6unds" their
Becfes Was buried with them. ~. j., =, =.
Believing their Story, Mr. Claypool
searched out tho cavern, but e.
causes he could not explain failed e.
secure tho treasure. ':The place 10
bewieohed,'. said he; "a.eange fan.
toms guard each avenue 'Faueies OF
eternal darkness all oae's soul VIXEN be
enters the cave. The treasure vault
I disco vered, but I dared not approach
the door. My hair grew from black
70 snow white during the brief period
I was oloseted With the spirits of hsll:
10 that terrible cavern house." Mr..
Claypeol was an honored, truthful
man, and bis descendants are among
the most prominent citizens Of War.
rem county, He died in 1854, fully
believing that great areaaure was
eeoseted In Magic Cave. =. ...: >.: !, .
Since Mays mystel+ous death in
the cave no attempt has been made to
redisoover and explore the interior,
which has been rendered difficult 90
reach on Account Of the eloaing up Of
the river insranee. There is man.
hole on top. OF the bluff opposite
Lillienthal's Leap, which At present
ia the only place Of: entrance. This
is 200 feet above tho floor Of the cave
aud the descent 10 tossnous. .l4.S ii: ,:S= z.|
These facts the writer has cleaned
from records frena statements Or 70.
liable persons, aud from personal
knowledge. Whether: or mot this'
magic cavern will be thoroughly ,ex..
ploled and It's treasure discovered,
in spite Of Lillieuthal' . ghost, remainis
e be- seen. Perhaps soms day men
with courage and daring, enough, will:
brave Ice psrils aud return laden With
its heapa Of gems and gold. e;t; :;.. IS, :5
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