The Excruciating Death of Floyd Collins, Cave Explorer

It’s been said before someone had to be brave enough to try mushrooms and then differentiate between those that are poisonous, edible, or hallucinogenic. Someone had to risk their safety or health to know what we know about science. And someone had to bravely face the wild for us to have any idea what the world looks like, either through photos or on a map. Sadly, in all the instances of people learning about the world, some have lost their lives, including explorer Floyd Collins.

Floyd Collins Becomes an Explorer

Floyd Collins was born in Logan County, Kentucky, in 1887. His parents, Lee Collins and Martha Jane Burnett, owned a large amount of land, and Floyd Collins discovered a thirst for adventure. In 1917, Floyd Collins discovered the entrance to the cave, and his family began charging visitors to see the cave. Floyd Collins was thrilled to explore the caves on the property from very young, eventually exploring a neighboring cave known as Sand Cave. It was here that Floy Collins would eventually meet his demise.  

His family’s business hadn’t done as well as they’d hoped because it was much further off the main road. Around that time, the “Kentucky Cave Wars” were on the rise, a competition to discover the next big tourist attraction. Ultimately, this event led Floyd Collins to begin an exploration of the neighbor’s cave.

A Quest for Something New

Floyd Collins embarked on his first expedition to Sand Cave on January 30th, 1925. Rescue teams worked relentlessly for two weeks to save the beloved explorer. In fact, he was so popular and well-loved that his disappearance made national headlines. Sadly, this would be his last big adventure as around 17 days later; he would succumb to the elements.

It turns out that Floyd Collins was looking for a way to make a larger entrance, hopefully drawing in a larger crowd. However, in some of the spaces, tunnels were no larger than 9 inches tall. Therefore, in some places, he squeezed through on his stomach with only a kerosene lamp. Ultimately, the lamp began to run out of fuel, and the 37-year-old explorer got stuck. Dropping his lamp, he was now in total darkness. His foot then slipped, becoming trapped under a rock. There was no way out. Tragically, he was a mere 150 away from the entrance.

Flooded with Support

People could easily enter the cave, and many did, trying to save the brave explorer. William Burke Miller eventually won a Pulitzer Prize for making his way down the tunnel many times for interviews and bringing Floyd Collins food and water.

However, every attempt was futile and only caused Floyd Collins further injury. On February 4th rescuers were met with a huge hurdle that could not be overcome. The cave passage collapsed as a result of rapidly melting ice. Many believe that although thousands of people came to witness the rescue and show their support, they also lit multiple fires to keep warm at night, ironically causing more damage.

Floyd Collins Tragically Passes

Another shaft was dug elsewhere as the attempts to rescue Floyd Collins weren’t yet over. On February 16th, the rescue team finally reached Floyd Collins. Tragically, they found him already dead and cold, presuming he’d already been dead a few days by then.

Sadly, it would be another month before his body would be removed from the cave. His brother Homer and some friends set out on a final retrieval attempt on April 23. He was buried on his family’s property, the Crystal Cave Grounds.

Not Letting Him Rest

The family property was sold two years later, in 1927. The new owners had their own ideas about what to do with Floyd Collins’ buried body. His remains were dug up and placed in a glass-topped coffin and placed in the middle of the cave. The new owners hoped it would draw in tourists, and it did. Sometime later, a tombstone was added with an epitaph that read, “Greatest Cave Explorer Ever Known.” 

Two years later, his body was stolen but retrieved and remained in the cave until 1989, when his family had him reburied—this time, in Mammoth Cave Baptist Church Cemetery.

Paying Respects to Floyd Collins

In 1940 a 30-foot monument was erected in his honor. However, a man with a truck ran into it, ultimately destroying it. Additionally, for a brief period, a couple owned a bed and breakfast and operated the Floyd Collins Museum until it was shut down in 2013. Now, the only thing left of him is the memorial in the church cemetery, where visitors can still go pay their respects.  

Some have speculated that Floyd Collins’ ghost is still lurking about, but either way, his thirst for adventure and contributions as a cave explorer has impacted the lives and hearts of thousands of people across generations.

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