The tale, according to Mr. See:
So Called Old Poker Hole.
Probably very few living in this vicinity at the present time know of
the existence of a cave within the corporate limits of Pleasantvillle. In
a ravine on the west side of Mr. George Robbin's farm and a few rods
southwest of Mr. Stephen R. Smith's residence is or was an entrance to a
cave. About forty-eight years ago Mr. Charlton Millrose and others dug
away the earth at the entrance so that a man could easily enter in an
upright position. Abram See with another started with a lighted candle
and followed the cave through what is now the Banks Cemetery 'till they
reached a point under the roadway near the present horseshed. They said
at the time they could hear a wagon passing overhead. They then retraced
their steps, probably fearing to go further. About this time a young
colt belonging to Mr. Benj. Hays wandered in there and never again
appeared at the entrance. People for a long time after came miles to
see the cave. As a small stream was running close by, the entrance soon
began to fill up, and for many years it has been entirely hidden, but
the writer and a few others can point out the exact spot. Mr. Elijah
Montross remembers entering the opening for a short distance at that
time. It would be of interest to the people of the community if the
cave could be reopened.
There are varying stories about the closing of the cave. In addition to Mr. See's account of a stream closing the entrance, there exist stories of the cave being intentionally sealed, either because of the colt that disappeared inside or for fear of children playing within it. Some say the closing occurred in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, others place it at the very beginning of the twentieth century.
Repeated attempts to locate the entrance have all failed. Those who said they had at one time seen the entrance or who had been in it could not, so many years later, remember precisely where the entrance was.
Those wishing additional information on the cave should consult:
DeVoe, Howard. 1957. Pleasantville's Lost Cavern: 1882-1957.The
Westchester Historian, July, August, September, vol.33,
no.3, pp72-74.