Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-04-08
REMARKABLE D1scovERY-It is well

REMARKABLE DISCOVERY-lt is well
known to our readers that among the
many natural curiosties found in the
extensive caves and grottoes in the Vi
cinity Of the Great Laurel Ridge, Cum
berland Monntains,) many human skel-
etons and bones of animals have been
discovered, some of them in petrified
state. These caves abound in prodigi
Gus vaulted apartments and chambers,
which, when viewed by torch light, ex-
hibit scenes of gloomy grandeur and as
tonishes the beholder. Several petrified
trees have also been discovered on the
banks Of the River near this ridge, and
also bones of mammoth, and other ami
mails, whose races are now extinct
But the most remarkable discovery
that has ever been made in this part of
the country-if not the greatest natural
curiosity in the world, was brought to
light on Sunday, 24th JAM, by two SCI
entific gentlemen with whom we are ac-
quainted, and who are now in town.
They have been several weeks exploring
the caves above alluded to, and gather
ing such curiosities as they wished to
carry away with them.
They are provided for this purpose
with boat Of gum elastic, and capable
ofbuoying two persons. With this boat,
and other conveniences 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 to
spend the whole season among them.
The wonderful discovery which will
now shortly be presented to the public is
three petryied bodies entire, one Of a dog,
and two human bodies, one of them hol-
ding spear. 1t is believed by these
gentlemen, that all three of the bodies
may be removed from their position in
aperfect state-though the dog, being in
a lying position upon flat rock, it will
undoubtedly be difficult task to remove
it uninjured. The human bodies appear
to be those of men-probably hunters.
Their clothing can hardly be distinguish
ed-but still it is evident that that too
was in measure turned into stone.-
They are described thus--one sitting,
with the head leaned as it were against
projecting rock, and the other standing,
with a. spear balanced in his hand, as
though he was surprised, and had just
started on quick walk. The dog lies
as if crouched in terror, or about to
make spring--but the features, or body,
is not distinct enough to determine which
position.
This wonderful formation cannot be
accounted for in any other way than that
these persons were buried by some ter
rible convulsion of nature. The cave in
which they were found is full l25 feet in
to the mountain, and is situated about a
mile and half beyond what is called
Mammoth Grotto, in direct line. The
entrance to the place is difficult, and it is
thought it was never before attempted at
all. At the foot of the entrance of the
cave is a considerable brook of water,
which appears to gather from all parts
of it. There is also valley thence to
the river. The gentlemen who have
made this interesting discovery are ma
king active preparations to bring away
the bodies, which they intend to have for
warded to New York.
Since the above was written we have
had an invitation to visit the cave and
bodies, which we shall most cheerfulIy
accept. We have hitherto declined to
mention the names of the persons to
whom we have alluded toin this account.
One of them is wealthy English gen
tleman, resident Of Philadelphia, John
Chester, Esq. and his companion is Mr.
Jacob L. Davis, Philadelphian. The
object of their scientific researches is
their own gratifcation. We
shall next week give our readers some
further particulars relative to the posi-
tion of the cave, etc., which our visit will
enable us to do.--Hamilton (Tsnn.) o.
seruer.
CoNGREss OF WOMEN. lit is stated
that the Anti-Slavery Ladies Of Boston
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