The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-08-11
Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana August IIth 1859
From tbs Louisyiils Courier.
Namm 9th Cave.-C oil loaAal Cav ern a ne w
DiscoVePy.

From tbs Louisviils Courier.
MANN 9th Cave..CoiIoa.al Cavern. "A ne
Discovery.
Eds. Louisville C,urier:-In the fall Q
1858, Mr.. L. ]. Proctor, the proprietor Of tn
Mammoth Cave, in company with two assis
tants. undertook ths exploration OF a cave
one entrance to which is situated in Barren
county, mile and half from the Louisville
and Nashville railroad, aud ten miles from
the Mammoth Cave.
Up TO ths time of explorations made BY
Mr.. Proctor, nothing was known as to Tia.
direction, distance Of this vast subterrsnear
region, which have ventured to name COL
lossal Cavern, and which in extent grand
eur and sublimity much excels the Nam
moth Cave, as the latter exceeds any cave
heretofore discovered. Since the explora
tons Of Mr.. Proctor were made, the writer
of this article has verified that gentleman
observations. and 10 order TO facilitate the des-
criptions of the cave, has conferred the names
mentioned below on the principal points Of
interest.
The first mile of the avenue leading from
the entrance of Colossal Cavern runs in a
north eastern direction. and varies from TWEEN
ty 10 sixty feet in width, and from ten TO for
ty in height. Stalactites and stalagmites of
almost every conceivable form and great va
riety of color are found in this avenue. This
is called Stillo Avenue, from the staaclitic
formations which are found in it.
! On leaving tn, Stillo Avenue, an avenue
is entered which is three miles 10 len 9Th, and
which gradually ascends for its entire dis
tance. The walls, flonr and ceiling of the
avenue are lined with alabas-er flowers of a
variety of forms and of indescribable beauty,
many of which are over eight inches in di-
ameter. Like the flowers in Clevelsnd's
Cabinet in the Mammoth Cave, they are
composed of the sulphste Of lime. and are Of
a pure white color. Ga the floor of this av-
enue successive crops of stuceo flowers may
be observed resting one above another which
have detached themselves from the wall and
ceiling from time to time, by their own
weight. These flowers always form in ave-
nues destitute of moisture. and with exceed
ing slowness. The seasons required Cor the
successive growths of subterranean flowers,
are not to be reckoned by months, but by CEN
turies; for, as can be observed in the Nam
moth Cave. where gypsum flowers have been
detached for a period of fifteen years, the
crystals that compose them are barely per-
ceptible. emerging from the parent rock at
the present time. This avenue is STYLED the
Floral Temple.
Floral Temple communicates with an av-
enue about half a mile in length. which leads
10 cascade and the entrance of river. The
river a. the point at which it is viewed, is
seventy-five feet wide, and gives an echo
louder than that of any river in the Nam.
moth Cave. There being boat upon the
river, it has not been explored, although it
has every appearance of great length. This
body of water is called the Mysterum.
On the right bank OF the river Mysterium
an avenue arises which contains the most
N magnificent collection of stslactites ever dis
covered. This avenue was explored for a
distance of three and half miles without
discovering a terminus. AT this point in the
explorations a stalagmite was discovered,
which is a perfect statue of General Wash.
ington in his military costume. The stone
of which this natural statue is composed is as
white as statuary marble. and exceedingly
compact. Washington Avenue is the name
conferred upon this portion of the Cave.
On returning to the Mysterium, an avenue
may be entered which runs directly north for
a quarter of mile, terminating in dome,
which in size and general appearance resem
bles the mammoth dome in the Mammoth
Cave This is called Proc,or's Dome, in
honor Of its dscoverer, Mr. L. J. Proctor.
From Proctor's Dome to the cliffs, On the |
banks Of the Green river, the principal ave
nue. resembles in size the main cave of the |
Mammoth Cave. The entrance to Colossal
Cavern on the cliffs of Green river is one
hundred aud fifty feet above the bed of that
stream, and is eleven miles on direct line to |
the entrance in Barren county. The Green
river entrance is in Edmonson county, The /
avenue which leads from Proctors Dome to
the Eimonson county entrance is named |
Green River Avenue. The walls and ceiling |
of Green River Avenue for a distance of three |
miles and half, are covered with nodules |
of gypsum, which resemble snow balls.
Seven days were occupied in the first ex
plorations of Colossal Cavern by Mr.. Proc |
tor, and the second entrance was discovered |
on the fifth day, which was the first and on
" time the light of the sun was seen during
the explorations.
Besides the avenues briefly mentiooed. I
seventy f. We others which intersect them have |
been counted. the extent of which is not
known; and the aggregate distance which
has already been explored is not less than
forty miles.
hope, at no distant period. to give a more
detailed account of Colossal Cavern, which
presents such vast field for subterranean re-
search to those who take an interest in trog
lodvtean lore C. ". WRIGHT.
Mammoth Care, July %, 1859.
H~ A South Carolina paper appeals to
well known historical facts in support of lis
statement that many of the best families in
tha, State have Moorish blood 10 their veins.
It saws that after the overthrow of the King
dom of Ferdinand. many Moorish leaders
sought refuge in France and settled there
They subsequently, became Hugenots. and
after the repeal of the ediet of Nantes, emf
grated to this country, and are among the
early settlers Of South Carolina.
Tu.T New YoRE WEDDING The New