Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-12-08

H.1.rF aM. mH.H---H
lions to the present debt don't make
much difference IS it won't be paid for
long time. Yours, b
DkscREPxToS oF THE wONDEEFUI
CAVERN UNDAR LOOKOUT NOUN
TAIN.
Furnished Tor the Appeal from notes by an Ex.
plorer.l s.r-
The most interesting curiosity in the
vicinity 81 Lookout MOentain b the inn
kmense cavern that-lies underneath It.
During several years past, and especially
during the late war, the cave was used
by the Confederate Government for the
manufacture Of saltpetre, large qusRti-
ties Of which are hedded In Il at various
points. Several explorations have been
made, b1t until recently the immensely
of its extent was unknown. The 1ndi-
ans, however, have a tradition that the
cave communicates with Nicajackj and
is more than twenty miles ia length.
They also reported to have used II as q
depository for their dead, and investiga-
ton proves this to be true. Capt. Har"
veyMathis, who has q special penchant
for exploring holes In the ground, made
a tour of inspection over q distance OF
two miles, aud reports the cavern 70 be
one Of the greatest cuTiOsities OF the kind.
heever visited is that is more magnth-
cent and immense than Mammoth Cave.
Several persons have penetrated 10 8 dis
lance Of eight miles from the entrance.
The cavern is a great curiosity, and /
am certain that accurate surveys OF Il
VIII exhibit more wonders and a greater
extent than those of-tbe famous cave Of
Kentucky. This will add to Lookout
Mountain another point Of extraordinary
interest and serve to make the
place very attractive to visitors.
The roadway from the entrance is com-
paratively smooth t0ths saltpetre works,
q distance OF over a mile. A half mile
from the mouth, a deep ravine crosses
the passage and this is scaled by ladders
that arelet down from each side. Passing
farther into the mysteries of the cavern,
We encountered enormous expansions in
the rocks, some of which are iimitless-
the lights not penetrating to their bound
aries. Numerous narrow passages lead
from these to other chambers, all of
which vary in size and character. A
theater, with its stage, side scenes, or
chestra, raised seats, an irregular gallery
and the arched dome frescoed and pic
tured, next rises around and overhead.
Another chamber has immense sides,
and from its ceiling are long, pendent
deposits OF calcareOus formations which
glitter like stars in the firms.
ment. The lights flashing on
them make them sparkle and
shine like a sky full Of jewels. The
air becomes very cold and damp as we
descend to a murmlTing dark river, In
whose waters eyeless fish abound. A
whisper here kisses and surges along the
walls ike 8 loud voice. A shout echoes
and T~everberates and stuns the ear. A
pistol shot resouBds like a hundred
FOUNDER in the open air. This stream
we named Elena river, in honor OF g
fair daughter of Memphis. An irregular
Of rocks permits = crossing to be
madsl by explorers. From this point a.
succession Of rocky Lodges and steps
composed of fragments Of stones, are
found and present q rough obstacle to
the pedestrian. TOiling over the weari-
ascent TO a distance Of a third of a
mile, we reached q smooth and level
passage way. Looking back yer the
range Of mountain road, we were re-
Of like passage in the initiation
ceremonies of the Sons Of Malta, and
groaning over the memories of both, we
named it The Rugged Way.
Passing through an avenue, whose
smooth sides reach upwards into illimit-
able and unexplorable space, We entered
4 succession of chambers, whose outlines
and contour do not vary much in char
acter. The floors Of these are generally
smooth, occasionally they are covered
stslagmites and broken stalactites,
whose fantastic formations glitter u
with gorgeous and magnificent
reflections One room is 50 like the de-
,ign OF ST. Peters and st. PauFs Church,
we named it after that sacred edi-
ice. Mountainous paths appear, and
he road becomes exceedingly rugged
hen another series of chambers are
'0und, One OF these has IN immense
-Ound chimney, ascending whittier we
cannot even conjecture. The wind rushes
ii with a strong dTaught, and
makes a peculiarly sweet sound in the
,ransit. This we chose 10 call " EOtus'
It evidently communicates
an opening to the outer air, some
where near that point. Then another
and startling chamber comes to
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