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William Floyd Collins found dead in Kentucky cave...
William Floyd Collins found dead in Kentucky cave...
Item # 552266
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February 17, 1925
THE DAY, New London, Connecticut, February 17, 1925
* William Floyd Collins... Cave explorer
* Trapped - found dead
* Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
This 24 page newspaper has a three line, four column headline on the front page: "Body of Floyd Collins, Who Was Found Dead In Sand Cave, Will Remain in Natural Tomb; His Aged Father Has Agreed to Arrangement" with subheads and photo of Collins. (see photos)
Other news of the day throughout.
A few small binding holes along the spine, otherwise in good condition.
source: wikipedia: William Floyd Collins (July 20, 1887 - c. February 13, 1925) was a celebrated pioneer caver in central Kentucky, USA. While trying to discover a new entrance to the system of underground caves that is a popular Kentucky tourist attraction, Collins became trapped in a narrow crawlway fifty-five feet below the surface. Efforts to save him became a worldwide media sensation, the first such of the 20th century. After four days where he could be fed, a cave-in closed the entrance passageway to everything except voice contact. Collins died of exposure and starvation after about fourteen days underground, three days before a rescue shaft could reach his location. His body was recovered two months later.
Collins is noted for having discovered Crystal Cave, although somebody else got credit for this discovery for many years; Crystal Cave is now part of the Flint Ridge Cave System of Mammoth Cave National Park, in 1917. He is sometimes referred to as "The Greatest Cave Explorer Ever Known" and this epitaph is inscribed on his tombstone.
Category: The 20th Century