Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-04-04
Strange Discoveries-A Remarkable Cave
in California. -


The Shasta California; Courier has a
long article about two Portuguese arriving
In town from prospecting tour, bringing
rich specimens with them. The direction
they had been is indicated west by south of
Shasta, where they had seen much snow,
many deer, bear and other game They
made discovery of avast cave, and endeav-
tpred TO penetrate it with pitch pine torches,
but their light gave out before they had DIS
covered its extent. The marks of various
kinds OF animals were distinctly seen as far
as they went, and being curious to find a
termination returned to make preparations
on larger scale. OF the second attempt
at exploration the Courier says:
Arriving back at the point from which
they had started, they determined to pack
small mule they had with them with blank
cts, little provisions, and great deal of
pitch pine, and fully arming themselves,
again started. Thus equipped, they resum-
ed their search more leisurely and with re-
newed confidence, and were soon beyond
the point of their former exploration, and
at least mile on their subterranean travels.
Close examination of the trail they were
on satisfied them that the place had been
travelled by Indians, and hence they came to
the conclusion that there might be an outlet
somewhere in advance of them Soon their
progress became more difficult, the passage
narrowingin some places so as to make it diff
cult TO squeeze the little mule through and
then it would open out on scale so grand
that their lights failed to reveal any thing
but walls OF darkness. As yet no living
thing had presented Itself to disturb the
mon0tony or the darkness, and the poor fell
lows began to think that they might be on
the route TO the lower regions. Soon, how
10 h.
glimpse of daylight was had, and after
few minutes scene burst upon them such
as to strike with wonder and awe the behold
ers Even the mule manifested surprise at
the scene presented.
They stood on the bank of asubterranean
stream of great volume and rapidity of cur
re mt, as wide as the Sacramento-or about
2 Q feet-and apparently of great depth.
The bank on either side was sloping, and
| covered with rank growth of rushes and
coarse bunch grass. The scene was lighted
| up by an aperture In the mountain over
| head, seemingly some hundred feet above
them, and to the eye apparently no larger
than mining shaft. The opening at the
| base seemed from 40 to 60 rods-the whole
presenting the appearance of vast inyert
ed funnel Lying about them were the
bones of animals that had evidently been
| killed e, food by Indians, the indications of
old camp fires being plenty all around. The
| water was pure and pleasant to the taste,
| having no unusual flavor.
Finding no road to travel onward, nor a
| boat for internal navigation, they returned
| from the place from whence they started.
| On their return they examined more closely
the sides, and when they could the top of
this wonderful opening. They found the
walls OF hard granite, occasionally of a
| broken or shelly character. but generally so
firm as 10 cause no fear of its falling. They
| noticed several quartz veins that were cut
by the vast tunnel, but saw no great indica-
tions of wealth about them. In fact, they
say they felt somewhat in a hurry to get
away, and did not care to spend the time
| necessary to a minute examination They
will return about the first of May, and say
that they will take pleasure in showing to
the curious the wonders they have discovered.
The location of the above cave, says the
Red Bluff Independent, is supposed to be
in the vicinity Of Yoliy Bolly, almost direct
ly west of Red Bluff. At least cave was
discovered in that locality by a hunter last
summer, who explored it as far as half
box of matches would carry him. An In
dian who accompanied him tried to dissuade
| him from going near the cave, stating that
it led to the everlasting hunting grounds of
his tribe, and if the hunter persisted he
would be dead man. Another Indian who
accompanied the party, but was not present
when the hunter explored the entrance to
| the cave, corroborated the statement of the
first, and added that none living had ever en-
| tered that cave and come out alive. The
revelations made by the Portuguese in the
above story will lead many to explore the
whole of the Yolly Bolly region next sum-
| -