The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-08-10
Unknown subterranean REGIONS.

Unknown Subterranean Regions.
1t is matter of establishment to those
who have been for several years acquainted
with the fact that while the Mammoth Cave
of Kentucky, is one of the natural wonders
of the world, as famous Us the mighty cata-
raet of Niagara, and yearly draws its ciowds
ofthousaRdass Of wonder seeking visitors to its
remote, secluded, and almost inaccessible
regions, there are unnoticed by the world,
subterranean regions on the Ohio river, on
the great thoroughfare of commerce and
trayel-to be reached in thirty minutes from
the decks of the magnificent steamers, more
than twice the extent of the Mammoth Cave,
far surprising it in grandeur and excelling
il in its yet undefaced and virgin beauties
II is scarcely credible that so grand natu-
raj curiosity should have remained so little
known on one of the chief routes of travel
and trade-and within fifty or sixty miles
of Louisville, and in the oldest American
settlement of Indiana. We have ourselves
lived for eighteen years within 40 miles of
1t and moathly passed the spot, but never
heard Of its existence till two years ago, and
since it has been known, not enough of its
attraction has been said TO awaken an inter-
est sufficient to induce many of our own
citizens TO visit it. From all we can learn
of this newly discovered wonder, the Wy
sndotte Cave of Harrison county, Indiana, is
likely to eclipse in fame the renowned
Mammoth Cave, of Kentucky, and become
the resort of more numerous throngs of Wis
itors. II takes its name from the tribe of
Wyandotte Indians, who inhabited the re-
gion around it and who, it appears, were
familiar with all its halls and passages. 1t
is singular that they never revealed them to
the frst settlers
The cave consists of two principal avenues,
extending in parallel directions, nearly
north and south, varying in distance from
each other from 200 yards to half mile
apart. The longest is over nine miles in
length; the other is one or two miles
shorter. They are connected with each
other by two cross and intersecting avenues.
As plotted upon the map, the cave appears
like two parallel streams that-nke the
Ohio - had cut their meandering way
through alluvial banks; each by dividing
its current here and there, had embraced els
lets aud islands-one or two of large ex-
tent-in its gentle course; FROM each, too,
extend lateral and inferior avenues, like the
tributaries of rivers. The longest cave has
not yet been fully explored, to the north or
TO the south, and many of the branch aven-
ues, arc supposed to have more connections
than arc yet known. This will give some
idea OF the topography Of the caye.'
There is but one entrance to both, and
that is at the southern extremity of the
western avenue; it is so narrow as to be
closed at a shsrt distance from the face OF
the hill by door, which the owner keeps
locked, to preserve the property from the
depredattons of the intruders.
From the rough notes of friend. who
has just returned from visit of exploration
20 this sVbterranean world, and with an &C
curate plot of it, we shall attempt to Civ
our readers some conception of the exten
and beauty Of the Wyandatt Cave, situat
only FIVE miles from the banks of the Obi,
River, in Harrison County, just above tn
town of Leavenworth, Indiana. The Who'll,
distance yet explored and plotted is ninetee,
miles, which is more than twice the length
of the Mammoth Cave; there are severa
passages, descending into deep caverns
aud others whose entrance is blocked VI
and concealed by sand and stalactites, tina
have not yet been entered, and the extent O
which is unknown; future discoveries ma
reveal still more beautiful and longe
avenues, and deeper depths of solitude.
The visitor lands at Cavenworth, sixt
miles below Louisville, on the Indiana sid,
and by ride of five miles over gooC
though somewhat billy road, along tn
banks Of Blue river, reaches Mr.. Rotho1
wiok's, the proprietor of the lands embracin
the mouth Of the cave. For small fee
guide, with plentiful supply of star can
dies, for days consumption, is furnished
and the days labor begins.
The mouth of the cave is in a vale,
aiont one-tbird of the way up the slope
ore of the hills. The aperture appea
as if it might have been, at one time, Il
outlet of an immense spring, whose waite
filed these vast caverns. The first entran'
is about four feet high and ten feet wild
and is surrounded by rough cedar trees
just within the entrance is large roo
which forms shelter and resort for CATTLE
From this room the passage is four feet hie
by two in width, closed by door, throug
which the explorer passes into Fanciul IIa
large and lofty apartment. Passing ;
arch which looks as if il had been G.
through solid lime stone, he enters what
called Washington avenue, through whit
one could easily drive horse and buggy {
third of mile; at the end of this av
IL. =