Holsinger  Baroody
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The Endless Caverns were discovered October 1, 1879 by two boys with their dogs chasing a rabbit through a mountain pasture. For several years there were explorations and there were "illuminating days" for special events such as weddings and dances.
However, The Caverns were not open to the public until August 14, 1920. Various groups from The Explorers Club, the National Geographic Society, and the Museum of Natural History, explored the winding labyrinth in an attempt to find the end of the passages. In 1925, the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh, placed two bottles at their point of furthest penetration. Again, in 1941, a third bottle was placed on the upper level; sealed inside all three bottles were notes stating the trip date and the names of the persons on each trip.
On New Year's Eve of 1965, John Holsinger and Bob Blackburn began a systematic map of the cave. At one point while mapping they came in on a lower level to a room which they called Blackburn's Room. It had a 75-foot ceiling with holes high up on the walls. Later, they got into an intermediate level of the room.
On later survey trips, they penetrated to a room at an intermediate level, and finally on a higher level, discovered a small tube that could only absorb one person at a time. Roger Baroody decided to push the tube.
Roger entered the tube feet first with the apparent intention of descending to a ledge he had seen on his reconnaissance trip. The ledge was further down than he had expected, so he had Holsinger lower him on a cartridge belt. The belt snapped, and Roger landed on the ledge causing the ledge to to move! Blackburn was hurriedly sent Out of the cave for a handline while Holsinger held tight to Roger from the mouth of the tube. After an hour Blackburn returned, and Roger was rescued.
On later survey trips, they penetrated to a room at an intermediate level, and finally on a higher level, discovered a small tube that could only absorb one person at a time. Roger Baroody decided to push the tube.
Roger entered the tube feet first with the apparent intention of descending to a ledge he had seen on his reconnaissance trip. The ledge was further down than he had expected, so he had Holsinger lower him on a cartridge belt. The belt snapped, and Roger landed on the ledge causing the ledge to to move! Blackburn was hurriedly sent Out of the cave for a handline while Holsinger held tight to Roger from the mouth of the tube. After an hour Blackburn returned, and Roger was rescued.
Other persons who participated on this project which was completed in 1966 were Lew Bicking, Michael R. Kelley, Richard Peterson and L.L. Voss. --J. Holsinger.
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