Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-09-11
BLLSS'S MINES.
Ma EorTOR t...
About two miles out of e

AboSt wo.miles opt NJ town, on.
land belonging to Mr.. Richard Shay,
there are several rocky caverns which
have long been known by the name OF
Bliss's Mines. They are said to be So
called from the fact that they were once
the property OF Mr.. Bliss who was q
large landowner in that neighborhood.
He died in l70S. Tradition reports that
he used TO retreat to these caves TO en-
Joy peace and quietness which could
not be had at home, in the society Of
Mrs. Bliss. Perhaps this is mere scandal.
Bul the caves are not fiction, but Il
rocky reality; as any one can see by
taking short ride. There are three
Of them. One il at present separated
from the other two, by mass OF earth
and stones whether by design or acci-
dent, is uncertain. The other two are
but partially divided from each other by
portion OF the solid rock, which comes
down to within foot OF the floor or
bottom Of the cave leaving barely room
TO creep under to the inner or third cave.
Last week il was discovered by some
gentlemen who were visiting these caves,
that there was an opening from this in
terror one % some place farther on, in
an easterly direction, towards the pond
which bounds the land on that side ; the
pond which lies to the north of the first
beach. One of the gentlemen, with n
lighted candle, entered through this
opening (Which was then but just large
enough to admit mans body,) and
found himself, after slight descent, in
a gallery or passage-way, about four
feet high, and varying from foot or
foot and half to two feet in breadth
IL is walled on each side, in a regular
and thorough manner, and covered on
the top with large fiat stones. 1t does
not run in straight line, but makes
several bends, at rather obtusc angles
Subsequent explorations and measure
ments have shown that this passage
way extends ut least one hundred feet.
With the permission of Mr.. Shaw, on
Monday Of this week. il was opened at
the lower or eastern end, by digging
through the soil which was above 1t,
from four to FIVE feet in depth. So that
it is now possible (wi'h candles and
little crawliDg) to pass by an under
ground path from the cave which we
designate as No. 2, to the open field,
about rod from the shore ol the pond.
The purpose Of this passage-way,
and the uses to whic = it and the caves
connected with it were applied, seem
involved in mystery. The opening OF
the dark gallery, nt the lower end did
not let in any clear light upon this
question. Some Of the party who were
present, suggested that the unfortunate
Mr.. Bliss, above mentioned, may have
planned this 'underground railway" to
secure an escape TO the water in case
his better half should find him in the
cave, and begin IA fire in the rear
Others, unwilling to believe such SIAN
derous impu.ations upon human nature
in general, and the gentler sex in par
ticular, maintained that the cavern and
passage were eXcavated by band ol
pirdteJ. This theory ID favored by the
fact that there Is an outlet from the
pond into the sc t., ut the eastern end OF
the beach; an outlet large and deep
enough, at some seasons. to allow boats
10 pass through. Ii ia moreover one oi
the traditions concerning our island,
thatit was infested by pirates during
the reign Of king James the second
Again, it was conjectured that this cave
was the hiding-place. for n time, OF
Goffe Tor Whalley, the rcgicides, one
of whom is reported TO have come into
this part Of the country. (Sce Updike's
History Of the Narragansett Church,
page 350.)
Butt will not occupy your space with
more theories and supposltons. One
gay fellow, in our party, started at
least "A dozen and reiutcd them him
self. 1t is easier to guess than to prove.
But would advise every one, who feels
any interest IN the history and antlqui.
tier OF this beautiful island, TO 30 and
see, with his own eyes, Bis,'s Mines.
b.