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The Scene Of a Terrible Crime, Now a Show Place For Springs Guests. The Martin County News says: “The picturesque spot upon which the famous Saltpeter cave is situated, wherein it is alleged that Sam Bunch was murdered by the Archer gang, has been purchased by Elwood Wells, pro prietor of French Lick Springs, and the surroundings cleared up and made attractive. It is said that at the time Bunch was mur dered the cave was dry, but in cutting the entrance larger and cleaning up the interior of the cavern, a spring opened up,from which the water flows freely. Last week this place was visited by John Neal who says that the coldest water he ever drank comes from this place and a cold breeze, also, constantly comes from this spring. ‘The mouth of the entrance has been cut to 12 x 14 feet, in which a door has been placed and visitors are charged an admittance fee of twenty-five cents. Mr. Wells has placed a one-armed man by the name of Kerns in charge of the place, who keeps the cave and sur roundings in good order and in return receives all fees collected. There are many guests from the well-known summer resorts of West. Baden and French Lick Springs who visit this place dur ing the summer season and there are parties there almost daily and thus Kerns derives an in come which keeps him in com fort. The tragedy which gives this place its notoriety is well remem bered by our citizens. In the spring of 1846, Mart, Tom and John Archer and John Lynch were arrested, charged with the murder of Sam Bunch, and taken to Washington for safe keeping. While there John Lynch turned State's evidence to save his own neck and told, ‘am brief, the fol lowing tale: The Archer gang became suspicious of Sam Bunch, (Bunch and Lynch being mem bers) and it was decided to place him beyond the power of doing harm. One evening late, he was decoyed from home and being securely bound, was taken to this saltpeter cave, across the Martin county line into Orange county. He was seated upon a rock within the cave while his fate was being decided. The conclusion was reached that he must be killed; the party return ing to where he had been placed, shot him into death as he sat up on the rock. Later the body was taken from the cave and placed upon a pile of logs and brush and was burned. The confession of Lynch caused a great sensation and later when the prisoners were brought back to this coun ty and placed in jail ready for trial, a mob battered down the jail doors and taking the prison ers to the court house yard, hanging them to the trees. The next morning this caused a greater sensation in this city, when the news rapidly spread that the Archers had been lynch ed and that their bodies were hanging in the court house yard and a large crowd rapidly assem bled to view the ghastly sight. None of the parties who took part in the lynching were identi fied and no arrests followed. Sam Archer, a young nephew of Matt Archer, was implicated by Lynch and later he was arres ted in Fountain county and brought here for trial. To avoid a repetition of the lynch ing, the State militia guarded the jail during the time of the trial. Public sentiment was so strong at that time that young Sam Archer's fate was decided before his trial. He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. A high fence was built around the jail yard and a scaffold built within, but at every moment it was expected that the Governor would reprieve him. The day of the execution dawned bright and clear and an immense crowd from this and surrounding counties gathered and surround ed the jail and yard. There were probably one hundred and fifty people within the enclosure when Sam Archer mounted the allows. The noose was adjust ed, the black cap placed over his head and a few moments later Sheriff John A. Padgett pulled the lever which launched the soul of Sam Archer into eternity. The word reached outside of the enclosure that the drop had been sprung and one of the most disgraceful scenes ensued that has ever blighted the fair name of Martin county. The immense mob, drawn there by curiosity, tore planks loose from the en closure and made a rush for the gallows. Blows were struck and for a time it appeared as though many would be injured, however, cool judgment and efficient of ficers prevailed and the mob was brought under control. The body was taken down and turned over to relatives for interment.’
Newspaper Details
Bedford Daily Mail
Bedford, Indiana, US
Fri, Jun 25, 1897
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Kenton A.
USA 09 May 2026
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