The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-09-06
Missouri Lead and Copper Caves

We CLEAN from his account rs follows:
We visited first what is called Carpenter |
Cave, entering it near the river, under goth |
ic arch Of immense proportions. The day
was quite sultry, but at the mouth of the cave
a refreshing draft of cold air met us, and we
were glad to put on additional clothing for
comfort Our candles being lighted, under
the guidance Of the General, we entered its
wide mouth; Immediately we came upon. a
deposit of saltpetre earth, and large tanks
filled with it. There must be hundreds of
tons Of this earth in the two caves visited by
us this day, which could be proftably worked.
We soon reached large hall, the size of
good large church, with level rock floor. /
threw, with considerable force, some stones
into the space overhead, but did not succeed
in reaching the top of the dome. Teams
could readily drive into this hail. and q SIX
horse tenn turn with great ease. Indeed we
saw deep ruts in doorway for some distance
inside the cave We were struck with awe
amid the beauties of nature thus revealed 10
us in this vast cavern. Ii was inhabited by
large numbers of bats, which few around our
heads sAd in their way bid US welcome. We
found large deposits of bat manure in large
heaps, like guano, and considered fully equal
to it in richness. 1t has been gathered here
tofore, and used in enriching the gardens of
some of the proprietors. Time would not al
low us to linger longer, and We reluctantly
turned our course to the outside world. The
change of air was very perceptlble as We
emerged into sunlight From thence we rode
to what is called "Persimmon Gap Cave,
which we entered and passed entirely through,
coming out at the top of the hill. The same
deposits of saltpetre earth and of bat s manure
were visible in unlimited quantities. But in
addition, we found a much greater variety of
scenery, large halls, vast rotundas overhang
ing stalactltes and uprising stalagmites, in
some cases meeting each other, and jointly
forming fantastic shapes beautifully diversi-
fed; the holes or pockets at the sides were
full of crystals of carbonate of lime, some of
which we knocked of. Our three taIlow can
dies gave but feeble light to show us the hid
den beauties by which we were surrounded.
As We emerged at the upper mouth of the
cave, we found q singular formation which
appeared like cardinal in his ample flowing
robes, guarding the entrance to his dominions
below. The bats were having gay and fes-
tive time flying in and out of the cave. We
gathered basket full of stalactites and sta
lagmites, some of the saltpetre earth, and
wendell our way back to our quarters, where
our landlady had prepared for us bountiful
supper OF fried chickens, which rapidly di-
minished under the united attack of three
cave explorers.
On Tuesday, we started early, visiting a
small lead smelling furnace Just completed,
situated In the village of Stanton near the
railway. During the late war the rebels had
burned up one that formerly occupied the site.
was surprised at the simplicity of the fur
mace. Six hundred dollars would pay every
bill for its construction ready for work. Ii is
what is called ''air furnace wood being
used as fuel. They fired up at six o clock and
at nine had already commenced moulding the
ff,x1 = II
amid the surrounding hills, costing four cents
per pound and its hauling to the works. Two
or three men are sufficient to keep the works
busy night and day when supplied by the mi
ners with ore. The ore yields eighty per cent
OF pure lead Stag or refuse is left which
will increase the per centage when subjected
to blast furnace. Twenty-four tons Weld
three Thousand three hundred pounds of lead.
In three hundred working days over one mil
hon pounds OF lead are produced at this little
insignificant affair. was perfectly astounded
at the results, and could but think what could
be attained with capital, energy, proner ma
chinery and a full supply of mineral.
We passed on to the Stanton Copper Mine.
some two miles from the town. Here $40. 600
worth of copper has been taken out. The
buildings are IN dilapidated condition. the
cabins occupied by refugees and the road
ways filled with grass and weeds. Still everv.
thing bore evidence of abundance of conner
and now that peace is once more supreme. a
few months will no doubt see this now de-
serted spot All alive with the hum of machinery
ana the earth Welding forth her supply Of
copper to the willing hands seeking for the
same. The property is truly a valuable one
We gathered some specimens of the ore. and
following the valley which led us to the Fisher
Cave, soon were out of sight of these scanas
for perhaps mile or more we followed our
leader until he drew up for dismoupting at
the entrance of the cave. This was not so
grand, TO our eyes, as was the second cave
we entered, but it admitted us to its treasures
which we were not long in finding. We had
10 oena our bodies to pass safely inside for
some distance; In error we turned to the left
but soon came to the end of that ayenue. bnt
IN climbing up this passage way we were we'll
repaid for the depression IN seeing the nocle.s
or little basins worn by the water: thew uyaro
crescent shaped, quite deep and full of clear
water. Once more on the main ronte u,a 60,
began to see the beauties of this calabratoJ
cave, We could walk erect. On Ali s;aas os
well as overhead, we beheld the delicate water
work OF nature. Stalactites like needles
again, broad ana ieaf-shaped, We're visible IN
all directions, many of them of largo &C
others small and delicate. of pure White oolnr
As we progressed we entered cbamhers tar
surprising oil we had before met Althouch
TINS cave, as well as the two Others. ara oy,,sa
by our friend, the general and his rar, neu'
yet he never had been into this caya 90 f. =,
we ventured. Some two or three rav;nes
which before had been considered irnnassa ,i,'
are now safely bridged, and we passed ON -
pehoid inc gorgeousness of the danc;nc bau
one vast chamber in which seem TO he CO.
pined the jewels of the cave-all We ho5 ha
lore witnessed was here surpassed Cast;s.,
our eyes upwards, the whole arcbwav -
studded with advancing stalactites IKE tbon-
SANDS OF swords all pointed towards she he.
holeer, WINE at the sides again We saw those
ieaf-shaped massive forms, giySno var;a,s -
me scene AT one side of this hail had r.. -
erected tsiIii remainirg) a floor canahls Of
accommodating four eotillions. with a re,,.;
clans statld ad'eaning, and beyont, wers ~ Mo-
evidently usea Tor dinner pa. VII .apaes
ttes Tor cfndlesticks W. .o,,ja WIN a 1.''i a
neye the words OF Governor Fletebar tho,
month of 80 sur passed them ALL In the
cav n " s"'e = e with 100 others visited this
upon ms with the food OF hight thrown
eauaJ r chamber the scene must have been
tins some fairy revelling Jubilee Beyond
b. we had not time TO proceed much farther,
at were cid for half a mile it was one con.
tinuei pathway of beauty. We we're too much
hurried; cur few moments allotted to this