The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-12-09
Miscellaneous.
From the Lynn Washingtonian.
HOwe's Cataract Cave,
SCHOHAIRE, N. Y.

SCHOHAIRE, N Y.
Having recently made the beautifully pleasant and
unparalleled tour Niagara and on my return visited
very extensive and interesting cave, located in cho-
hare, thrty-two miles west of Albany, which STANCE
as may nppear) excited as much wonder and curl
osity as the Falls themselves. have been induced
to give brief description of it, however meagre and
imperfec, it may be, believing that in odoing shall
be the instrument Of communicating to mpny the
source Of much real pleasure.
The facts that led to its discovery are simply these
1t had been known since the settlement of the
coun,ryor at least for forty fifty years. that during
the months, a current of cold air came out Of
a certain hill.
No one considered it matter of curiosity, and
consequently gave himself any trouble concern
ing it, ill about two years since, when young man
by the name Of Hone, OF fearless and enterprising
spirit, learned this fact. lie knowing that several
small existed in tina, part oil the State, resolved
finding the cause. if possible, being thorough
y convinced, that it resulted from cavern in the
bill. Accordingly lie to the spot accompanied
by two OF his friends.
The external appearance similar to the sur
rounding country, with this difference, that this
time there was small hole sufficiently large TO admit
mans lie commenced to clear away the
gravel and stones, the hill at this place consisted
almost entirely of limestone.
He abored patiently and hard, cheerod on by lis
friends who sat by endeavorng to persuade him to
so home and by relating all the anecdotes they could
conjure up, of men who from dream or some other
cause had imagined treasures to he hidden in the
EARTH and had spent their fortune in foolish efforts TO
discover them
But he was not TO be daunted. One moment he
could be seen lifting large stone, another. as
the entronce grew narrow, lying his back passing
the stones his body his friends After ahorng
in this manner some hours he had the unspeakable
satisfaction of gaining entrance to large passage
where he could stand erect Onward he went while
his friends who had now lost sight Of him became,
more cldmorous, entreatng him as he valued his life
to go no further. Cropping his way in total darkness
several rods, he threw his distance before
it struck which satisfying his curiosity to the
isting Of a cave, he returned.
Since this time the main avenue has been explored
10 the surprising distance OF miles :! Numer-
side passages have been discovered which lead
into large aud splendid rooms
The cavern throughout its whole extent seems to
be cut out of solid body of dark lime stone evident
ly the work of powerful stream of water. Where
it rose where emptied, and when this mighty op-
GRAFTON took place yet remain be learned. Enough
is at every step convince the careful observer
that water must have been the principal agent.
There are IA great number of rooms and passages;
some have names and Others have not. The principal
Washingon's Hall, so called from large siai.
ac,ite, fanced to resemble man; the Tunnel which
is the most difficult passage in the being four
teen rods in length compelling all to humble them
selves and creep and crawl the whole distance,
parts being only large enough to crawl through. A
short distance from the Tunnel there is pond Of wa
ter, tive three rods wide and ten feet deep, which
is crossed in boat Next comes Musical Hall,
much celebrated place Of singing, person
making much music six in an ordinary room.-
There is also in this hall large staacte called the
piano, it being very sonorous. A small pistol dis
charge here produces noise equal to very heavy
clap of thunder; the rumbng and reverberating may
be heard some minutes.
The Rocky Mountains next in order, which
are indeed mountains Of rocks. These extend mile
at least and rocks upon rocks, in places
or two hundred feet high
Frequently in crossing the mountains comes to
the brink of precipce, from which he look into
the darkness beneath nearly two hundred feet. And
he, in the stiffness of everlasting night, sits upon
this lfghtfu eminence, looking into the awful deph
he can easily picture in his imagination the horrible
pit of which some delight to speak; while as he casts
his eyes above and behold the salacl,es Of all forms
and dimensions glistenng like cices before the rising
sun, he can easily imagine them to be the spirits Of
the redeemed, shining in the presence Of the Eternal
and gazing in proud triumph upon The gulph below
The view is awfuily grand and ola rejecting
mind witness it without being forcibly impressed
with the belief, that God does permit his light to
shine upon man.