More Stories For Children

 The Mammoth Cave.

DEAR CHILDREN: When returning from

Tennessee, I visited the Mammoth Cave in

Edmonson Co., Kentucky. I saw much that

impressed my mind with wonder, sublimity,

and veneration. Not far from the entrance of

the cave flows a beautiful river, whose waters

appear as green as the grass on which you

tread. It is called Green River. You will be

surprised when I tell you that this cave, with

all its avenues, extends more than one hundred

miles under ground, varying in width

and height from ten to one or two hundred

feet. Its entrance is a short distance from,

and nearly two hundred feet above, the river.

The land about the river and cave is hilly and

rocky, covered with cedars and other kinds

of trees.

The mouth of this cave is about twenty-five

feet in height by thirty in width, from

which can be seen at all seasons a mist or fog,

which is caused by the condensation of the

moisture in the air, except when the temperature

inside and outside of the cave are alike.

The temperature of this cave is always fifty-nine

degrees, after a short distance within.

No sunlight ever enters there; all is total

darkness; perfect silence reigns. The air is

very pure and dry, so much so that objects

know no decay. Dead bodies will not corrupt,

but will mummify and dry away. I saw

timber that was placed there in 1812, apparently

in a perfect state of preservation. Because

of this condition of the atmosphere,

some have supposed that diseases could be

cured by living there, and as people will do

anything for their health, some consumptives

went there and staid a long time, one person

not seeing the light of the sun for the period

of five months. All that tried the experiment

died, some while in the cave, and all others as

soon as exposed to the outside atmosphere.

This cave breathes once a year. In the winter 

there is a strong breeze blowing into the

cave a short distance; then it is said to draw

in its breath. In the summer a strong breeze

is blowing out; then it is said to be blowing

out its breath. When the temperature is

alike within and without (that is, fifty-nine 

degrees), there is no breeze; then it holds its

breath. Will the family please

find out why this is.

This cave is supposed to have been formed

by water settling in the ground and from 

subterranean streams and springs uniting, and

thereby dissolving and washing away the

earth and soft rock, until a channel has been

formed, causing this great passage-way. This

stream, or river, is still running in some of

the lower parts of the cave. Now, while the

guide is preparing lamps and rolls of paper

saturated with oil for lights, we will rest, and

then start out for a twelve-miles' journey

hundreds of feet below the surface of the earth.

E. B. LANE.

Mammoth Cave, Continued.

WHILE we were waiting, a voice was heard

saying, "The guide is now ready," and we

set off for the cave. It was quite a warm

day. The sudden change of atmosphere at

the entrance caused us to feel chilly, and for

fear of taking cold we lingered a few moments

until accustomed to the change. After

entering, the passage way suddenly became

very narrow, insomuch that we could

touch the roof and sides with our canes,

which we took to assist us over dangerous

places. This small archway, called the Narrows,

extended several rods, when it suddenly

opened into a large room called the

Great Rotunda, where, during the war of

1812, saltpeter was made, after the Government

supplies were cut off elsewhere. The

floor of this room was strewn with wooden

pipes and vats or leeches, used by the miners,

all of them in a perfect state of preservation.

These pipes conducted water into

the vats, which were filled with earth through

which water was leeched and afterward 

condensed, forming saltpeter for the use of 

gunpowder.

Tracks of the miners, their oxen

and wagons, could be distinctly seen, made

in the soft earth and then becoming nearly

as hard as stone.

The ceiling of this Great Rotunda is one

hundred feet above the floor, while its walls

are one hundred and seventy-five feet apart.

To the right is an avenue extending one-half

mile, where can be seen millions upon millions

of bats. The ceiling and walls are literally

black, covered with them.

After leaving the. Rotunda we passed huge

cliffs of rocks on our left, resembling those

on the banks of some large rivers, then came

to a room called the Methodist Church, some

eighty feet in diameter by forty in height.

To the left of this room is an inclined plane

or walk of rock, leading from the floor up

the side of the wall some twenty-five feet

high, terminating in such a way as to form a

pulpit, from which divine service was held

while saltpeter works were carried on in 1812.

The benches or logs for seats are still there

as they were then used. Passing along we

came to a large room which resembled another

church with galleries many in number.

They projected from the wall, one above another,

in such a manner that many could be

seated around on them. This place is called

Gothic Galleries, and is very beautiful. Next

we came to Grand Arch, which leads to

Giant's Coffin. Here we saw a large rock

of many tons' weight, resembling a coffin

It is forty feet long by twenty wide (greatest

width) and eight high. Above, on the

ceiling, is seen on the white limestone, in

dark figure, almost perfect, resembling an 

animal called an ant-eater. The guide said the

ant-eater was ready to pounce upon the giant's

coffin and devour him. Many such pictures

may be seen in different parts of the

cave. On one of the walls is a picture resembling

a man and woman seated on the ground

passing or throwing a child from one to the

other; also the figure of an elephant and

bear all quite distinct. So you see nature

hangs her walls with beautiful engravings,

as well as we.

My next will commence with a description

of Star Church, which presented the most

beautiful sight in all the cave.

E. B. LANE.

Mammoth Cave (Continued).

THE next place of interest was what is

called "The Star Chamber," which consisted

of a large stone room five hundred feet long,

seventy wide, and sixty high.

The ceiling is covered with a black coating

of gypsum, interspersed with small,

white spots caused by the gypsum scaling

off and showing the white limestone.

These spots strongly resemble stars in

appearance, by our dim lights. One place

much larger than the rest resembles a comet,

and is called such. By looking a moment at

the dark ceiling above, you would almost

think you were looking at the clear blue sky

on a cold winter's night, with its innumerable,

glistening stars. One could hardly

make this seem but a reality.

Reader, imagine yourself there with me

for a moment. The guide tells you to be

seated while he takes from your hand, the

friendly lamp that has thus far guided your

footsteps, to leave you for a short time in the

dark. He tells you to still watch the stars.

While intently gazing upon them, you behold

a cloud coming up on the horizon with

every appearance of a storm. The clouds

push on, become heavier and denser until

you feel sure a storm is gathering soon to

burst upon you. Every star is now obscure,

and it seems very dark and gloomy. You

feel almost like seeking shelter under your

umbrellas.

All that is now needed is to hear the muttering

of the thunders and see the vivid

lightnings flash to make the imagery complete.

Presently the darkness becomes more

and more intense until we are enshrouded

in midnight gloom, or even worse! It is darkness

that can be felt. Should a sheet of

white paper be placed close to your face,

you could not tell that it was white. This

is all caused by the disappearance of the

guide who has passed a few hundred yards

behind a ledge of rocks with all the lights.

Here darkness and silence reign supreme.

When all about us is still and quiet, we call

it silence; but it is not silence when by lending

a listening ear we can hear a thousand

of nature's voices. There is no time but

that we may hear the birds and insects singing,

the wind blowing, leaves moving, or

some of God's creatures speaking, so that

it is not perfect silence. But here the

silence is complete. Not a single voice of

nature can be heard. The silence is so

great that you can hear the beating of

your own heart and even that of others.

One can hardly realize how awfully solemn

such silence and darkness is. Job describes

it when speaking of the grave. He says,

"It is a land of darkness as darkness itself;

and of the shadow of death without any

order, and where the light is as darkness."

Persons exploring this cave sometimes

wander from their guides and the parties

they are with, their lights go out, and in

this darkness they find themselves lost, and

on account of the winding recesses of the

cave the sound of their voices is not conveyed

to the ears of their friends, and the result

is, they are usually found insane, weeping

or praying. If not insane, they are so

pleased to see their guide they can only express

their joy by tears, kisses, and caresses,

flow fitly.  These persons illustrate such as

wander from their precious Guide, Jesus,

upon whom the salvation of their souls depends,

until they get lost in the darkness of

this world, the light of truth shut out from

their pathway, groping their way, until, faint

and weary, with tears and repentance

they begin searching for the light again, and

Jesus finds them again overjoyed to return

to the fold. What an impressive lesson this

may bring to us all to be careful and ever

follow our Guide, not turning aside to the

right or the left, lest we be forever lost.

But to return to our experience in the Star

Chamber. Presently the notes of the

 whippoorwill are heard, and the gray light of

morning dawns upon our vision. Nearer and

nearer is heard the whippoorwill's sweet song,

the light increases until morning has really

come and our hearts are relieved by its

beautiful rays. The guide has returned, and

we are ready to start on. The guide's mimicking

the whippoorwill, and appearing with the

lights, makes the scene appear real.

After taking one more look at the clear,

starry heavens, we pass on to the room

called Floating Cloud Room, because of the

clouds produced by the scaling off of the

black gypsum, leaving large portions of surface

exposed. These clouds appear to be

rifting from the Star Chamber, on in the

distance.

Floating Cloud Room connects Star Chamber

with Proctor's Arcade which we next

enter. This is probably the most magnificent

tunnel in the world. It is a room one-half mile

long, one hundred feet wide, and forty-five

high. The ceiling is smooth, the walls

straight up and down, and look as though

they had been chiseled out of the solid rock.

Our guide carried with him Bengal lights

made of paper, saturated with coal oil, which

would burn a long time. He would occasionally

light them and illuminate different

parts of the cave. He set one on fire at this

point which presented this room in a very

beautiful manner. We next came to a place

called Kinney's Arena. From the ceiling of

this room projects a stick some three feet in

length. It rests parallel with the ceiling,

inserted into a crevice in the rock. How it

came there is a matter of curiosity, as it

could not have been put there by artificial

means. In our next we will notice a city

found in this cave.

 E. B. LANE.

Mammoth Cave, Continued.

AFTER leaving Kinney's Arena, we arrived

at the chief city, situated immediately beyond

the rocky pass. Here I found an enormous

room about two hundred feet in diameter,

and forty feet high. The floor was

covered with heaps of rock, which have

probably fallen from above. They resemble

the ruins of a desolate city.

From this city to the end of the cave,

which is nearly three miles, there are several

places which have the appearance of such

overhanging cliffs as may be seen on the

banks of rivers. What seems to be the end

of the cave has the appearance of rocks

fallen in and filling up the passageway; and

no doubt if these rocks were removed, the

cave would be found to continue on to a

great distance.

We now turn back to take other avenues

or passageways which we have passed, and

travel a few miles farther. There are two

routes in the Mammoth Cave, one called the

short and the other the long route. It

being in the spring of the year, during high

water of Green River, that I was there, it

was then impossible to cross the river in the

cave, which is a branch of Green River. I

could only travel the short route and a part

of the long one. The long route is about

nine miles from the entrance of the cave to

its terminus. The short route, with all its

avenues connected with it, is nearly as long.

There are many divisions that the guides do

not take explorers into, and many more that

are not explored. Nature surely equals art

here.

Our next place of notice was the Deserted

Chamber, the point where the water left

the main cave to reach Echo River after it

had ceased to flow out of the former into

Green River. We then arrived at Wooden

Bowl Cave, which took its name from finding

a wooden bowl there that had long since

been used by the Indians. That portion of

the cave itself resembles a wooden bowl,

inverted. The communication from Wooden

Bowl is by an avenue called Black Snake

from its appearance which resembles a

crooked, or serpentine, course of black walls.

Passing this, we came to a place called Martha's

Palace, which we entered by passing a

steep declivity and pair of steps called the

Steeps of Time. The palace is about forty

feet high by sixty in diameter. There was

nothing here of particular consequence, and

so we passed on. We soon came to a clear

spring of water where we found a tumbler and

quenched our thirst. Presently we came to

points of more interest; a little to our right

I saw what the guide named Side Saddle Pit.

It bore a close resemblance to a lady's Side

Saddle, for horseback riding. I stepped to

its edge and took first a look up into a dome

above, and by holding my light in front of

me, could look up about sixty feet. It seemed

like a small cavity and as though I could almost

reach across it with my cane, and to

look up so high seemed grand. I drew as

near to it as I could, when the guide gave

me a gentle warning not to lean over the

edge too far or I might fall. He then lit one

of his lights and dropped it below. I watched

it till it struck the bottom. It went down,

down, nearly one hundred feet. I felt as

though the guide's warning was timely, for

if I had moved a few feet farther I would have

fallen all that terrible distance. How foolish

I would have been had I not heeded the

warning of the guide, had my own way,

stepped a little further and plunged off in that

terrible pit in such extreme darkness. Just

so with you, dear children. When your

parents and others warn you of the dangers

of evil society, or bad playmates that they

know to be dangerous, and you do not heed

them, one step more and ruin is certain.

About twenty feet to the left of this pit

is a place called Minerous Dome. I do not

know that I can better describe it than to

compare it to an inverted cistern ten feet

across and fifty feet high. With its smooth,

gray surface, by our lamps it looked very

beautiful.

A little way on and the guide cried out,

"Danger on the left." We halted a moment

while he lighted another "Bengal light" and

hurled it down a terrible chasm. I watched

it till it struck the bottom. I was again

frightened, to think that one or two steps farther

to one side, and I would have plunged

down this chasm one hundred and seventy-five

feet. This pit is from fifteen to twenty-five 

feet wide, and has a wooden bridge across

it by which we could pass over, presenting

a good view from all sides. The guide said

they called this Bottomless Pit. After viewing

this place, we took a look above us and

saw an inverted pit or dome that penetrates

the rock over our heads about sixty feet.

The rock that forms this pit and dome is

gradually dissolving so that they are enlarging.

At the bottom of nearly all these pits

water can be distinctly heard, showing that

water dissolving the rock is the cause of

these frightful chasms.

Our next will open with an account of

Gothic Arcade or place where the Indian

mummy was found.

E. B. LANE.

Mammoth  Cave,  Continued.  

AFTER  viewing  those  frightful  pits  and 

high  domes  mentioned  in  our  last,  we    

entered Gothic  Arcade,  a  long,  arched room 

situated  at the opening of  a  branch  of  the 

main  cave.  Mammoth  Cave  is  one    

continuous subterranean  passage,  with

 numerous smaller  ones  leading  off  to  the

  right  and left.  In order to visit the points of

 interest,  it is  necessary to  quite  often leave

 the main avenue  and  enter side caves which 

 open into the large  one.

Gothic  Arcade  forms  the  opening  into 

a branch division, situated fifteen feet above 

the floor  of the main  avenue.  We  ascended 

into  this  apartment  by  a  flight of  wooden 

stairs  placed there for that  purpose.  The 

first  point  of  interest  in  this  room was  a 

small  niche  in  the  left  wall,  where  an    

Indian mummy was found.  This hollow is just 

large  enough for  a  person  to  sit  in.  The 

body  found  there  was  that  of  a  female, 

dressed in the skins  of animals, and adorned 

with such  trinkets  as  are  usually worn by 

the Indians.

Near this mummy was also found the body 

of  an Indian  child,  dressed  and  attired  in 

the same manner, in sitting posture, resting 

against the wall  of  the cave.  It is  thought 

they wandered into this  apartment and,   

becoming  bewildered  and  lost,  sat  down  and 

died  in  the  positions  in  which  they  were 

found.  They certainly were not preserved 

by  art and  placed  there,  but,  on  the    

contrary,  must  have  been  preserved  by  the 

purity of the  atmosphere  of the  cave, which 

is  so  pure  that  whatever  is  placed  there 

knows  no  decay,  but becomes  perfectly    

embalmed.  I am  told that when the  cave was 

first  discovered,  many  of  these  mummies 

were found there.

It seems  to  be  a  peculiar trait of  Indian 

character to manifest great regard for their 

dead.  During  some  difficulties  with  them, 

which  resulted  in war,  hundreds  of  these 

mummies were  carried out  and  burned,  to 

provoke  the  Indians  to  leave  their  secret 

retreats,  and  come  to their rescue,  in  order 

to  give  their  enemies  more  advantage  by 

open  contest;  but all  to  no  account.  The 

Indians  paid  no  attention  to  the device  of 

the whites,  thereby proving  that  those   

deceased were not their dead,  but belonged to 

some other tribe.

I procured a photograph of the one found 

in Gothic Arcade, which represents  a different 

tribe from  any I  have  ever seen.  This 

mummy  was  taken  out  by  a  Mr.  Nahum 

Ward, of  Manella,  Ohio,  and  was    

photographed by B.  Klauber,  of  Louisville,  Ky. 

It  was  then  placed  in  the  rooms  of  the 

Antiquarian  Society  of Worcester,  Mass., 

in the year 1815.  From the appearance of 

the photograph,  I should think this person 

was about medium size, possessing more than 

ordinary  strength.  Her  forehead  is  very 

high  and full,  the top of  her head flat,  and 

slopes back  from  the  organ of benevolence, 

which  is  very full.  The  back  part of  the 

head is quite fully developed, while the most 

striking characteristic of  her head is an    

utter  lack  of  the  organ  of  reverence.  Her 

feet  and hands  are quite  small.

But  I will  not stop  longer with  this    

description.  It is  a little singular  how  these 

persons  could have climbed up to  this place 

from  the  main  cave,  a  distance  of fifteen 

feet  of  perpendicular  rock,  and  then,  

becoming  lost,  die  in  this  condition.  But it 

is still more wonderful  to  know what  an    

effect  the  silence  and  darkness  of  the  cave 

has  on  the mind.  On one occasion a gentleman 

wandered  away  from  the  guide  and 

party he was  with,  thinking he would  have 

a pleasant time making  explorations  alone 

He had not gone far when, by accident,  his 

lamp was extinguished,  and he left  alone in 

that terrible gloom  of  silence and darkness, 

surrounded  by  dangerous  pitfalls.  In this 

condition  he  became  immediately  insane, 

and  crawling behind  a  large rock, remained 

in  that  position  forty-eight  hours;  and    

although  the  guide  repeatedly  re-passed  the 

rock behind which he was secreted, in search 

of him, he made no  noise;  and when finally 

discovered,  he  endeavored  to run  and make 

his  escape.

Another instance was of a  lady who     

allowed  her  party to  get  so  far  in  advance 

that she  could  not hear  their voices,  and in 

attempting  to  overtake  them,  fell  and    

extinguished her  lamp,  when she  became   

terrified  at  her  situation,  swooned,  and,    

although  discovered  in  a  few  moments  after, 

was found in a state of insanity,  from which 

she  did  not recover for  years.  Persons quite 

often wander  from  their  guides,  and when 

found,  are in  a state  of  insanity,  or in the 

act of  crying,  or  are  earnestly  engaged in 

prayer.

I  cannot  refrain  from  here  comparing 

such  with  our  condition  in  this  world  of 

darkness and sin, without our precious guide, 

Jesus.  We soon become bewildered and   

insane,  and  are  likewise  in  danger of  many 

pitfalls  of  error.  Let us  not  think  for  a 

moment that we can go  alone;  for  our light 

will soon, by accident, become extinguished, 

and  we  ruined  and  lost.  But if we have 

thus  wandered,  let us by tears and prayers 

await  our  returning  Guide,  who  will  not 

forsake,  but will  come  to  our relief.  I will 

not weary you longer.  We have not traveled 

far on  our way this  time,  but  next we  will 

find  some  interesting  things  in  Gothic 

Chapel, Register Room, and  other places.

E.  B.  LANE.

Mammoth  Cave  Continued.

NOT far from the seat of the mummy is 

a large  column  extending from  the floor  of 

the  cave  to  the  ceiling  above,  called  Post 

Oak, because it resembles that kind of wood, 

although  of stone.  The guide on one   

occasion  placed  his  lamp  behind  one  of 

 these, near the wall,  and,  to my surprise, the

 rock was quite transparent, so  much  so  that

  the lamplight  could  be  seen  quite  plainly 

through it.  It was composed of alabaster 

stone.  I saw a great many curiosities made 

of this material.

We  now  come  to  Echo  Arcade,  a  cave 

over  another  cave.  By pounding, or striking 

forcibly  on  the  floor,  you  can  hear  a 

hollow sound,  showing it hollow  beneath.

We  passed  on  till  we  came  to  a  place 

called Register Room.  It was about three 

hundred  feet  long,  forty  wide,  and  from 

eight  to  fifteen  in  height.  The ceiling  is 

white  and  as  smooth  as  though it  had  been 

plastered.  This  place  is  called  Register 

Room,  because  almost  everyone wishing  to 

leave his  name  will take his  lamp  and with 

the smoke of the blaze  trace it on  the white 

wall.  I did  not stop  to  count  them,  but  I 

should think  a  great many thousand  names 

were written there.

Gothic Chapel is  a  large room the ceiling 

of which  is  supported  by  natural  columns 

of  stone.  Sometimes explorers will hang 

their lamps  on  these  posts,  lighting up  this 

chapel,  causing  it  to  look  very  beautiful. 

In  this  room  several  persons  have  been 

married.

Next we came to Vulcan's Smithy, a room 

the floor  of which  is  strewn with what looks 

very much like  cinders of a blacksmith shop. 

They  are flakes  of stone  called stalagamitic 

nodules,  colored  with  black  oxyd  of  iron. 

Then  came  a  ledge  of  rocks  called    

Bonaparte's  Breastworks.  We  pass  these  and 

come  to  what looks  very much  like  an    

armchair,  formed  by  a  notch  in  a  column  of 

stone,  with  the  remaining  portion  forming 

the  back  and  arms of the  chair.  This was 

the  most  natural of anything  I saw  in  the 

cave.  Jenny Lind, while in the United 

States, visited this cave and sang some  of 

her beautiful pieces sitting in  this  chair.

The  next thing was  a portion of rock   

projecting from  the  wall  of  the  cave,  looking 

very  much  like  an  elephant's  head,  and 

took  that  name.  As the  guide  pointed

out,  and  asked  me  what  it  resembled, 

I told him.  He  replied:  "Well  now,  you 

have seen  the  elephant."

The  next  "point" of interest was  a long, 

pointed  rock  projecting  sixteen  feet  from 

the  floor  over  a  chasm  seventy  feet  deep. 

After viewing this, we  entered a pass  called

Elbow Crevice a crevice in  the rock, fifty 

feet high,  from three to five feet wide, winding 

a long distance  and opening into  an    

interesting  room  in  the  side  of  the  cave. 

After seeing this room, we returned, passed 

Gatewood's  Dining-table,  and  arrived  at 

Napoleon's Dome.  This  is fifty  feet  high, 

and from twenty to  thirty feet wide.  After 

passing  this,  we  came  to  Lake  Purity,  a 

pool  of  water  rightly  named,  for  I  never 

saw  such  pure  water,  never.  My  guide 

told me  to  look  down.  I held my  light    

before me  and stepped  on  a  pace  or  two,  and 

to  my  surprise  was  standing  in  water  so 

pure I could  hardly discover  it.  I plunged 

my  hand  down  to satisfy myself that it was 

really water,  when I could  only tell  by  the 

feeling where  the  water  was.  The  purest 

glass I ever saw was  hardly  as  transparent 

as  this  water.  I  could  only  think  of  the 

Paradise of God with its pure river  of  life, 

clear  as  crystal for  a  comparison.

E.  B.  LANE.

Mammoth  Cave,  Concluded.

AFTER returning, we entered the Labyrinth 

from  Deserted  Chamber by  descending  a 

flight of stairs.  This Labyrinth is a narrow, 

rugged causeway,  and the only object of   

interest in it,  is  the  figure  of  the  American 

Eagle on the left wall.  We then ascended 

a flight  of  stairs  ten  feet  in  height,  and 

reached Gorin's Dome, which is viewed from 

a  natural window,  situated  about  midway 

between the floor  and  ceiling of  the  dome. 

Taking a seat in this window, I held  my 

light in front of me,  and first looked up two 

hundred feet over my head, where I could see 

an  opening in the solid rock, like the steeple 

of a church, growing narrower until  it came 

to a point.  My guide then lighted a Bengal 

light,  and hurled  it below.  Down, down it 

went till it struck  the  bottom,  nearly  two 

hundred feet below the window in which we 

were sitting.  I think this was almost equal

to Star Chamber for sublimity.  This dome, 

nearly four hundred feet in height and only 

about sixty feet  wide  at its base,  was  hung 

with curtains of stone, pending from  the top, 

very thin and white, which were truly grand. 

After viewing this  for  a  long  time, I 

could but think that nature has more hidden 

beauties than art can possibly reveal.  Echo 

River can be plainly heard running through 

the bottom of this dome.  When the river 

is high, eyeless fish can  be observed. There 

are  avenues that communicate with  the top 

and bottom  of this  dome.

There are about one hundred and fifty 

avenues in Mammoth Cave  that  have  been 

explored,  many of which  are never  entered 

by  visitors.  There are also many which 

have never been  entered,  and  doubtless  all 

the  different  passages  would  measure    

between  one  and two  hundred miles.

Having followed the extent of my  explorations,

I will now close these articles by   

relating to  you  a story  concerning 

the discovery of this cave.

Years ago, when Kentucky was a wilderness 

with but few inhabitants, and they composed 

principally of hunters, a man was

hunting in the woods, and  finding a  bear, 

chased  him  till  night,  when  the  bear  ran 

into  a  cave.  The man followed the bear in 

the  cave,  till he feared to follow him farther, 

then  he  left  him,  and  returned  home.  A 

few  days  after,  the  hunter  visited  another 

hunter,  and  in  conversation,  made  mention 

of his  bear  adventure  and  cave  discovery.

He asked his neighbor what he would give 

him for his cave, and the right of discovery. 

After some conversation, the man was offered 

a side of  bacon-pork, which  he  accepted. 

The man that now owned the cave, after 

seeping his right some time, offered to  trade 

it  to  a third person,  which he did, disposing 

of it for  an  old shot-gun.  This third party 

kept the right till he died, and then it passed 

on to his  heirs,  who  are  its  present  owners. 

Explorations were made which gave it    

notoriety.  There are now nine heirs who have 

each  been  offered  one  hundred  thousand 

dollars,  but will not accept  that  amount for 

it.  I do not suppose one million dollars 

would  purchase it.  Nearly three thousand 

acres  over  the  cave  are  owned by  the    

company,  to  keep  others  from  making  other 

entrances  into  it,  thereby  cutting them  off 

from  their gains.

Thousands  visit  this  cave  annually.  A 

large  hotel  at its  entrance will accommodate 

hundreds of people.  It is thronged in the 

summer by  tourists from  all  parts  of  the 

world,  who come  to visit the cave.

Here we find a greed of gain displayed. 

No one can visit this cave without its    

costing him from eight to fifteen dollars.  Being 

situated seven miles from  the  railroad,  you 

are obliged to leave  the  train;  and  though 

you may get to the  cave  in  time to  explore 

it,  and return, still the  guide  will  not  wait 

on you in time to reach the next train.

You  are  therefore  obliged  to  stay  over 

night,  and your board will  be three or more 

dollars  a  day.  Your cave expense will be 

five dollars for both routes, besides your fare 

to and from the cave.  Notwithstanding all 

this, I felt well paid for all expense and 

trouble. 

 E. B.  LANE.