Welcome to Retracing Our Roots! Join us as we delve into the heart of the Ozarks, uncovering the stories and lore that have shaped our perception of the unseen world beneath our feet. Since the Ozarks boast one of the largest karst topographies in America, it's no surprise that these underground wormholes, tunnels, cathedrals, and rivers captivate our imagination and inspire many to journey into the unknown.
First, we journey across the Missouri-Arkansas state line to the renowned Bear Caves in Ozark County. In 1896, this cave system was a popular spot for picnics and recreation on hot summer days. Unfortunately, some explorers enthusiastically embrace the challenge without fully calculating the risks. Fortunately, one such group venturing into these caves was rescued by a search party.
Next, we travel to 1925 and uncover a gripping story from Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave system involving an explorer named Floyd Collins. Mr. Collins built quite a reputation for discovering new caverns and making connections within Mammoth Cave. However, fate dealt him a tragic hand when he became trapped in a cavern known as Sand Cave. His ordeal captivated the nation, inspiring widespread discussion and even ballads memorializing his death. But the Floyd Collins story didn’t end with his passing. His fame continued to grow, and in 1989, he was finally laid to rest—for the fifth time.
With this historical backdrop, we turn to a cave tragedy closer to home: the heartbreaking loss of two young teenagers from Calico Rock, Arkansas.
On March 18, 1956, Samuel David Napier (age 12) and Philip Wayne “Shorty” Cantrell (age 13) set out to explore a well-known cave in Calico Rock called Bergman Cave. By nightfall, the boys had not returned home, prompting search parties to scour Bergman Cave for any sign of them. Additionally, the banks of the White River were searched for clues.
Almost two years later, on March 2, 1958, articles of clothing and bones were discovered. The boys’ families confirmed and identified the small remnants of clothes and shoes found in a smaller nearby cave known as Needles Cave. The Arkansas State Police investigated and determined that there was no foul play in the boys’ deaths. Today, these two young men rest together in the same grave plot at Spring Creek Cemetery, just outside Calico Rock, Arkansas.
As we wrapped up our episode, we posed a trivia question for our listeners to answer.
Rapp’s Barren name changed to Mtn. Home by voting. What voting token were used by throwing them into a circle drawn on the ground?
- Goobers
- Rosy Arkansas Marbles
- Prairie Rose petals
- Corncobs
Email you answer to sammy@ktlo.com. We’ll talk about the answer on an upcoming show.
Thank you for your continued support, emails, and suggestions—they fuel our local programming! As always, a special thanks to Rapp’s Barren Brewing Company for sponsoring Retracing Our Roots!
