The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-09-24
From the Sacramento Daily Union.
Excursion to Mammoth Cave in
California.


Comfortably placed in a ca, ryall
with two powerful drought animals the
main brace carefully coilcd under the
scat, we took our departure from Suffers
Fort at 2 T. NJ, course northeast, passing
over Daylor's Ranch Wilson's Suspen-
sion Bridge, across the Cosumnes. and
arrived at Q Ranch at r. NJ, passing
through Sebastopol and lone Valley.
Mine host, Charley Green, did the hand
some, though his house was crowded and
| better accommodations could not be
wished. Procured horses the following
dny aud rode down tho valley to tho ranch
| Of Mr.. Martin: witnessed the fertility
of the bottom lands, cultivated with
much care, the crops matured far in ad-
vance of any otter seen on the route.
This valley is reputed, for both beauty
and productivcncss to he equal to any
in the State. Monday noon. left for
Jackson. over a good road, found tho
! place locking thrifty, the citizens hospi
! table, and the acatcr excellent. Drove
| to Mokelumne Hill that evening, 2 2
hours. crossing the Mokclumne river
/ the road down and IN steep hills. not
permitting speed. This town contains
many fine buildings, constructed of free.
stone, found in that vicinity in large
quantity, A canal company supply wa
ter. with head and 50 abundant as to
furnish it at moderate rate and enable
it to bo carried to the loftiest house in
the place. Left tho Hall Wednesday
morning. for San Audreas. 2 9 hours,
over fair road where four superior sad
| die horses were obtained of Russell &
Co.. and 9 hours ride over q beautiful
road winding the hill sides through vale
and grove. brought us 20 Cave City, en-
bosom,d in wild glen and apparently
shut out from the world
Mr. Wasleigh the proprietor, furnish,
ed each caudle. and we proceeded to
explore the
| MAMMOTH CAVE Entering tho hill
( at tho now entrance near the base and
on lovc. with the road. The first
I chamber, about twenty feet in diameter,
is called the lodge Room, "the Know
! Nothings having held their first meeting
therein Next the "Rcgistry Room
the sides aud ceiling covered with names,
many of them in Chinose.--Thc guide
says they come in gangs Of twenty, from
| long distances. to visit
Next is Cataract Hall" named from
the gurgling water fall heard down
yawning chasm' '~Passir g. rough pass
age, so low you bend double. you enter
the Cathedral, sixty feet high, and at
least fifty wide suspended from the cell
ing, in the centre, is huge stona. look.
ing like the sounding board in an old
fashioned church. The sidc shelvc to
the floor, and opening, not yet explored,
invited adventure. The rock Of lime.
stone and marble, is piled up into fanias-
tic shapes, forming shelves and slabs Of
curious appearance. Thenext was name
less, and 10y permission, it was dubbed
Sacramento Hail." the size being equal
to the Cathedral 1t is said forty nj.
ncrs camped in this for three months in
1850. during the heavy storms, and the
blackeucd walls, differing from the 9TH
ers, seemed to verify it. Next to this
is "A lake Of pure spring water twenty
feet in diameter aud Gfteen feet deep, \
refreshing draught was taken and found
to be free from any kaline taste. From
here the formations of staact tas increase
in siz, and beauty; and en- terng tho
Bishops Palace, you stand amazed at
its size, tho flowing drapery that appears
to hang on the walls. the huge rocks
that hang above, and the endless variety
of queer shaped stone Next beyond is
tho Bridal Chamber " and. though pre-
pared by your journeys thus far to wit
ness more marvels, You cannot but stand
amazed at the georgeousness of this ap-
proIriatcly named chamber the ceiling,
sides and floor rocks are studded with
stalactites and staelamites with ele-
plants ears, sharks and whales teeth
some dazzing white others dirty white
or yellow mIrble color, some black, many
transparent, and Of endless variety Oae
formation, about three feet squire was
desired hy some gentlemen from San
Francisco, who offerd $3.50 to have it
sawed out for them. A few days before
our arrival a dentist packed away two
sacks Of material, thinking that he had
discovered felspar. Leaving this de
parimeni, which cannot be described
hlbi-i lAl''', N''h SpNNi nv VI 'N'4N
where some huge wings are formed, aud,
striking them with stick you obtain as
great variety Of sounds as ever 90
taihed - the Swiss Rcll Ringers. This
was not the least curious Of all the won
derful sights to be seen in this imper'
fccily described cave. Nothing but eye
witnessing its beauties can eSplii0 it,
and it will become ono Of the most IA
nous of the many curious objects in tho
State for the tourist to examine.
The cave chambers extend 400 yard:
in one direction. and 100 yards in width
altogether New openings are made
from time to time, and the adventurous
can iud onough to stimulate then
throughout.
Tha air was not closo-tbe candle!
burn steadily and clear, and you feel hn
little effect from confinement in emerg
ing to the light and open air. There are
no accommodations for travellers a
Cave City, and parties going had better
put up at the Knderbook Hotel, in Slr
Audreas, and make days journey oft
to visit aud return
~