THE RULING PASSION-1870

DUNCAN, ROBERTS, MATTOX, SHACKLEFORD

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 1/11/2019 at 17:47:26

Dubuque Daily Times, Wednesday, Mar 30, 1870, Dubuque, IA Page 1

THE RULING PASSION-Our friend Mr. E. O. Duncan, is somewhat noted as a chess player. He is also fond of prying about in the bosom of mother earth to ascertain the richness of her mineral deposits.Yesterday, a fine cave was discovered exactly under the residence of Mr. Shackleford, at the head of Fifth Street, and our friend Duncan, in company with T. C. Roberts and Henry Mattox, went down to examine its beauties. In working their way through the drift to the cave, it became necessary to pass over an old shaft thirty-two feet deep, which had been put down many years ago. Two of the party made the attempt in safety, but Mr. Duncan who was stumbling along in the rear, walked straight into its yawning portal, and fell with many a rumble and thump to the bottom. His horrified companions turned back under the impression that their comrade had been killed, but their suspicions soon turned to laughter, for as Mr. Duncan struck bottom he broke the silence and proclaimed his safety by crying out loud enough to be heard a mile, that phrase familiar to some many a chess player, "check." It is needless to say he was soon rescued from his perilous position, boasting of nothing more serious than a few bruises.