A Cave in Columbia

There are but few people who live in Columbia know that a cave runs through a portion of the town.

About fifty years ago Dr. S.B. Field, who owned the property in which Mr. Geo. H Nell resides, commenced having a well dug in the corner of his barn lot, the barn standing on the corner opposite where Mr. W.C. Murrell now lives. The hands had gone down about fifteen feet when they struck a hollow. Upon investigation it was found to be of some magnitude, and the whole town gathered upon the scene. The writer [and] W.C. Murrell, then small boys, and another boy, whose name can not be recalled, concluded to explore the cavern.

They entered at the opening of the well started by Dr. Field, and walked and crawled to what was known then as the Milton P. Wheat residence, located where Walter Ingram's store now stands [on the Square]. At this point they came to a basin and discovered that a well was walled from which water was pumped. The boy whose name can not be remembered, got in the well and climbed to the top, stepping out upon land, it being an old time well.

W.C. Murrell and the writer then retraced their steps, coming out at the place from which they started.