Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-10
Mysteries of Howe's Cave.

the dull sound of the falling stone, dropped
into the " Bottomless Pit" as it goes bound
ing and leaping on its way towards that vast
sea of molten lava, which geologists tell us
of, and which must be more easy to imagine
than to describe, or to engage the services of
Charon, aud explore the unknown wonders
of the cold, black Styx," or listen to the
tales Of ancient Indian towns 10 the interi-
! or Of the cavern'5 nav, and wonder how the
race lived, and when they died. Indulging
such reveries, many have sighed that distance
and expense render q visit to this cave to
them impossible. nor seem aware that near al
hand cave of almost fabulous proportions
and features is found and even q slight and
imperfect sketch Of it may prove acceptable to
our readers.
Howe's Cave " is situated in the town Of
Cobersk Schoharie county. in the State of
New York, and deserves the celebrity so gen.
orally awarded to it of being the greatest nat
ura curiosity in the United States aud many
who have visited the cave of Kentucky prefer
| to linger here
The town is easy of access either from Cher
~ Valley or Canajoharie Having safety
landed (for not being able to describe na-
ture's laboratory as it is, must need give our
the Cave House" aud having dOnned suit
Of clothes that seemed to have suffered in q
desperate struggle for existence in the old
clothes man, We descended o few stone steps
aud entered with ii shudder (perhaps OCCASION
ed by the cold blast that saluted u.s. this won
drOIs boudoir of Dame Nature.
In Entrance Hall we found ourselves,
and after lighting our torches, discovered it to
be a rocky passage. two hundred and sixty
feet in length, by thirty-fye in width. Being
satisfied with our view of stone and smell of
damDaess. we entered " Washington Hall
which is one hundred feet long aud thirty
wide here is a beautiful stalactite, resembling
the Father Of his Country, or what is really
imagined to be his statue. His mantle IS fall
ing in graceful folds from about his command
ing person, while his epauets, removed from
his shoulders, are hanging on the wall beside
him. On the opposite side Of the wall hangs
" Lady Washington's hood" every fold in the
ample cape distinctly visible. Near by, at an
elevation of twenty-five feet, is an altar, kneel-
ing at which many have taken the most holy
ties, that bind for life. The ceremony solemn
lied iu such place, the walls blazing with the
red glare Of torches the solemn voice Of the
Officiating minister, must stamp the memories
OF the assembled guests and produce impress
son, lasting as the granite walls that echoed
their responses. \ little removed Is q small
statue OF woman, sitting in char-al>o a
withered hand with beautiful sta,actite ter
miaatjoas. He-ni.'s Celi' is the next ob-
iect OF curiosity, 5nt deserves 10 particular
meutlol save that al above Us, attached 10
the walls, are Images of birds. beasts, trees,
and fishes, until one is almost ready 10 believe
that he stands 10 natures scorehouSe Of pat
terms. and these are carved oat Of black and
white marble in the matchless style of the
Creators hand alone Passing through the
Tunnel We enter Cataract" which is FIVE .
hundred and forty feet high, and thirty-f7e
feet wide. through the nlidSt OF which stream
ripples and murmurs in its darkSone way to- .
ward O cataract never yet s-en by man.
But applying our ear 10 fSspre in the .
wall. the distant roar of waters was distinctly
heard. its heiSh. or depth unknown, The .
very mystery attending it renders additional
interest 10 the hidden waterfall At the
= Lake" large body Of water reNCSiny 10 4 .
huge stone reservoir, We step into 4 large boat,
and Is the torches llrii glare falls OF the dark
walls the sight is bewillerei by the multitude
and beantv Of the groups Of figures on which
the light is thrown. Corniccs, statues, men,
birds. beasts, and fishes, are seen on every side
and excite the wonder and admiration Of all
who. Ike Us. experience the pleasure OF a visit
TO these enchanted halls. In Music Hall,
near 10y. Is huge formation called the Harp"
weighing nearly q ton, which, or being struck,
sends echoes through the cavern il t0aeS OF
fuest melody aud sounds Of deepest pathos aud
most witcA.ng tenderness. The musical edl-
IF (
cavern. has no; been neglected, and if they
could not 90 to the mountain, the high Gnd
towering peaks Of the Alps" have come to
them, ami from their SUBMITS We look far
down into a chasn called tue Pirates Cave
Leaving Mouat B.ane behind rs, We to.'ei
IN the Rolky Mountains" c.anbering over
huge rocks aad >cramlliEg through hagc
chasaIs. until We gained height Of i've hun
dred feet when We began cur descent into the
:, Valley Of JehOsaphat,' passing the " " nd
ing Way a narrow passage heEn oui OF the
solid rock, or, perhaps, chaanelad by narrow
stream. and ilst wide enough 70 admit one
person ct q time, so crooked that We could see
scarcely three feet in advance, while the walls
are orbsmeatsd with the most beautiful SpeCi
mems Of carving. We came 10 the Devils
Gaugway," which leads 70 the Rotuada,
room sfx hundred feet in height. This alti
tcde was ascertained by c figh. of rockets
Being sat isfed with having penetrated foar
miles aud balf, we commenced orr return
when once again the suns bright rays fell on
rs our JOY seemed too great for ntteraRce.-
Those 6cmes aad rocked ribbed haHs showed
superhuman skill Of the great agchichect's own
Inspiring. Those scRlpture3 Gnd wcn3rous
forms Of stone seemed angels work, and not /
the work Of chanSe-the water-drppings Of
ten thousand years The Lake and Winding
wsv excite oar interest the Hidden Water /
fall and mystic Harp stir feelings in or 6reas.
that gives Us pain, and such pain IS delicious
Rr- II ! the srnShjae-the bright -iorious sun