Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-04-06
MISCELLANY.
REMARKABLE DISCOVERY.
From the IIamilton (Yenn.l Obserrer

<IOHI INC ILuHttflOH eiLN cOSeTCeT.
IL is we'll known to ouT readers that, a.
mong the many natural curiosities found in
the extensive caves and groltoes in the vici-
NIFTY of the Great Laurel Ridge, (Cumber-
land Mountains) many human skeletons and
bones OF animals have been discovered, some
of them in petritied state. These caves "a
bound in pIodIgiOus vaulted apartments and
chambers, which, when vie wedby torchiight,
exhibit scenes OF gloomy grandeur which as
tonish the behoder Sc, eral petrified trees
have also been discovered on The bank of
the river near this ridge, as also bones of
mammoths, and other animals whose races
are now extinct.
But the most remarkable discovery that
has ever been made in This part Of the coun-
try-if not the greatest natural curiosity in
the world, was brought to light on Sunday
24th Jan. by two scientific gentlemen with
whom weare acquainted and who are now in
town. They have been for several weeks
exploring the caves above alluded to, and
gathering such crriosties as they wished 10
carry away with them.
They are provided for this purpose with a
boat of gum elastic, and capable OF buoying
two persons. With this boat, and other con-
veniences procured for the purpose, they
will undoubtedly, before they leave their
task, penetrate every accessible hole in the
West Cumberland mountains-for they are
determined 10 spend The whole season among
them.
The wonderful discovery which will now
shortly he presented TO the public is three
petrijied bodies entire, one OF dog and Two
human bodies, one Of them holding a spear. 1t
is believed by these gentlemen that all three
of the bodies may he removed from their po>
slion in perfect state though the dog, be-
ing in lying posture upon a flat rock, it
will undoubtedly be difficult task 10 re-
move il uninjured. The human bodies APP.
pear TO he those OF men-probab!y hunters.
Their clothing can hardly he distinguished
but still il is evdeD, that that too was in a
measure turned to stone. They are desCrib-
cd thus-one sitting, with the head leaned as
II were against projecting rock, and the
other Standing, with spear balanced in his
hand, as though he was surprised, and had
just started on quick walk. The dog lies
as if couched in terror, or about TO make a
spring-but the features or body, is not dis
tinci enough TO determine which position.
FhiS wonderful formation cannot be &C
counted for in any other way than that these
persons were buried by some CONFUSION of
nature. The cave is which they were found
is full l25 feet into the mountain, and is sit
uated about mile and half hey ond what is
called Mammoth Groito, IN a direct line.
The entrance 10 The place is difficult, and it
is thought that it was never before attempted
at all At the foot Of the entrance OF the
cave is a considerable brook of water, which
appears 20 gather from all parts of it, There
IS also valley thence 10 the river. The
gentlemen who have made this interesting
discovery are making active preparations TO
bring away the bodies, which they intend 10
have forwarded 10 New York.
Since the above was written, we have had
an invitation TO visit the cave and bodies,
which we shall most certainly accept. We
have hitherto declined 10 mention the names
of the persons TO whom we have alluded in
this account. One Of them is wealthy En-
glisb gentleman, resident of Philadelphia,
John Chester, Esq, and his companion is Mr.
Jacob l.. Davis, Phila6elphian. The OBJ
Ject Of their scientific researches is principal
!y their own qualification. We shall next
week give our readers some further particu-
lars relative TO the position Of the cave, etc,
which our visit will enable us 10 do.