The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-07-06
From the DubaQue Htesl1.
A Remarkable Cave IN =Ioyvae.sorea
Natural CArAnsAH~y

From the DubsQue Htrsll.
A Remarkable Cave 1n=Ioyva..surea
Natural Curiosity.
We doubt if there are many of our citi.
zens who fully appreciate and are acouaint.
ed with all the objects Of interest and won.
der abounding in the romantic region Inst
about US. 1t was surprise to as to learn
OF the existence Of cave in Jackson ccun.
ty, which in extent, popularity Of structure
and location. must rank among the greatcst
curiosities Of the West The most unu-
sual and extraordinary freaks of nature aIe
exhibited in its formation. A workman.
ship OF rarest intelligence and perfection ia
visible in all its parts. 1t is located in the
forks OF the Maquskota, about eight niles,
west Of the village, bearing the same name.
Surrounded by we'll timbered, romantic
country, broken continuously by deep and
precipitous gorges, it is nevertheless easy
OF access and exploration. In one of those
sorges the cave is found and can be reached
very readily by descending about one hun
dred feet. The entrance is surrounded bv
massive, perpendicular wall OF rock, ono
hundred feet high and several rods in ex.
tent, which presents on its face neither
seam, chasm, shrub or vegetation of any
kind. From the mouth Of the cave bridge
of solid stone extends across to the oppO.
site side of the gorge, and this bridge con-
tains under it an arch about thirty feet
high. The bridge is eight or ten rods long,
twenty-five feet wide and covered with q
thin soil which grows trees Of goodly dimeu.
sions. On each side Of the bridge is wall
of solid stone, twenty feet wide and nearly
one hundred feet high without mark or
seam, almost smooth and extending from
one ridge to the other. The mouth Of the
cave is twenty feet wide and neatly arctsed
as if fashioned by master mechanic. The
cave is a quarter Of milo in length, and
except in one or two places, of nearly uni.
form dimensions. tits all completely arch.
ed and presents no craggy, jutting rocks
AT the farther end it opens into circular
room, with capacity sufficient to accom-
modate a thousand persons. Its floor il
smooth, even and level and the roof is corr
cave, nearly one hundred feet high in tho
centre, where there is an opening sufficient
to furnish an ample and splendid sky-Iight
for the entire chamber. On one side Of tho
room arc projecting rocks formed something
like pulpit, which have been frequently
used for that purpose while religious meet.
irgs have been held in the spacious, natural
amphithcatrr. This room opens out upon
tremendous gorge of rocks of every con-
ceivablc shape and appearance, presenting
scene Of wild, picturesque beauty which
would puzzle an artist to portray. At tho
mouth of the cave a large spring Of purest
water leaps forth-then loses itself in the
cave, and afterwards emerges several rods
from the room just described, and lcaping
over the rocks soon mingles with the waters
of the Maquoketa. This curiosity has al.
ready attracted many and promises to be.
come an object of public interest and
place Of resort for the lovers Of The curious
and marvellous in nature. We have learn.
ed these facts from A. Sartwell, Esq, who
resides at Iron Hill, but a short distance
from the cave, and who will gladly take
pleasure in serving any who visit tue
locality.