Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-06-03

Some excitement was created in town
yesterday afternoon by the reported dis
covery of a cave in the limestone hill on
the lands of Messrs. Youngman & Walter,
in Dry Valley, four miles below Lewisburg.
In company with a numerous party from
this place, we repaired to the spot, and
verified the report by personal explora-
tion. We found the entrance at the lime
kilns and quarry of Mr.. John c. Hess;
about two hundred yards south of Gibson's
Hotel. The entrance is small opening,
about two thirds of the way up the hill on
the south side, made by recent blasting,
and not large enough to admit two persons
abreast. Once admitted the visiter finds
himself in an arched hall, averaging twelve
feet in width and some twenty-five feet
high, descending westwardly at an angle
of about thirty degrees for distance of
fifty yards, when it abruptly ascends for
some distance, and then winds along irreg
ularly to point about two hundred
yards from the entrance, when it becomes
quite narrow. What lies beyond has not yet
been ascertained At the lowest depres-
sion small body of water was encounter
cd, and at various points there are lateral
openings that have not yet been expired.
The most striking feature Of this cave is
the remarkable variety and beauty of the
stalactitcs and other formations peculiar
to limestone caves but much superior to
to those usually found. Pendant from the
sides and ceiling, are seen hollow speci-
mems, Of the diameter Of pipe stems and
straws, from two to six feet in length
others like huge iciclcs Of the same length,
some isolated and some hanked by delica,
tcly ribbed curtains one fourth of an inch
thick, presenting several square feet Of sur
face,and hanging in waving folds as grace
full and naturally disposed as if Of cloth
instead of stcne-some pendants terminating
in sharp crystal point, others round, ant
others again shooting out into small clust err
of rounded frost work, like countless snow
white blossoms.
From the floor spring up pillars six inches
in diameter with rude rings at the top, whicl
from their height and shape have been christ
ened "hi,ching posts There have also beei
found exact limitations of good sized swee
potatoes, the finest one, in the possession o
Mr.. Hess, being seemingly a compromise be
tween a sweet potaioe and a pine apple, tn
lower side partly imhedded in the rock from
which il was torn One of the most beautiful
specimens was slender, symmetrical shat,
two feet In heighth, half an inch in diameter
AT the base and taperins TO point, sprinslns
pcrpcndiculary from pedestal on the fiool
IN the shape of mass of yellow crystals, ,som'
four inches in average diameter. In detachin!
II, the needle was unfortunately broken.-Bu
these productions are of such curious and fan
tastic shapes, that they must be seen TO b
appreciated. Quantities have been ALREADY
carried off by visitors, but many of the fines
are in the hands of Mr.. Hess, Mr.. Gibson, an'
lohn Youngman, ESQ., which will confirm on
statements. Many more yet remain IN th
cave. Mr.. Hess intends 10 have the openini
blasted away So as 10 make roomy and sa
entrance for ladies' as well as gentlemen an
the spot will doubtless become an attractiv
place of resort.