Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-30
A, Novel ExhfbifiOn-A Mammoth
ri Cave ON, Manhatt IN Island.
rU,.o,, Az, Me- Veil.

szsat tlss az lFronthe New ork TlmesJ ysfe
a1,.sg gGreatiexcitement has prevailed during
ae,the last few days among the hysterical
-d2oold maids, fdgety old batcheiors, hypo-
n, - chondriacs and nervous people generally
-ignwho reside in the neighborhood of Broadai
way and Thirtieth street, in consequence
of the reported discovery of subter-
ranean cavern in that vicinity, into which
Il a a1dckless Fenian had fallen while ex-
cavating for the foundation of new
building. = The select few who were
, permitted by the,owner of the premises
to enter the newly found cave, came forth
Z from their explorations with the most
marvellous tales of fsthe wonderful sights
they had Seen, each one adding to the
stock aef rumors ahoat, and increasing
the curiosity or the trepidation of the
dwellers round about. All sorts of grave
8 ;snfmises and eonjectures were pnt forth
and discussed at tea-tables and dinner
eiu parties as to the age, origin, and npast
uses of the mysterious cavern. Some
D.. .lcontended that itwas part and parcel Of
that ancient civilization of the North
American Continent about which we
hear so much, and the proof of the ex-
istence. of a great and magnificent city
ooT on. Manhattan Island long anterior to
Columbus, and, may be, to Noah. 9th.
ers maintained that the cave must have
been of Indian origin, and that it was
oo5 used asa hiding place by the red sava-
ges to protect themselves from the in
osf eursions of hostile tribes Still others
held the opinion that it was an excava-
tion made by robbers and pirates. and
SSg Capt. Kids Of the olden time, and they
+. # had no doubt large heaps of treasure
would be found as the explorations of
e,s the cavern progressed. .oI
o'' 1t was held by many that the cave was
sidug ont by our Jolly Dutch ancestors. as
% place for drinking and carousing. where
they might escape the vigilant; eyes of
their temperance-loving fraus. And fin
ee's ally there were a few who insisted that
n the cavern was nothing more than a
90, freak of nature, like the Mammoth Cave
Ool of Kentucky, or the Sibyps Gave of
Hoboken.- But all these idle conjectures
- and surInisesFwere dissipated yesterday
by man in the neighborhood who was
seen to emerge from the cavern about
daylight, and who announced to the by
islanders that his name was Banvard; that
g g he had been at work for a year, or
more constructing. this wonderful
Il subterraneana cave, that q it was, a
9a fdc sfmile of the famous Mammoth Cave
q 5of Kentucky, and that it would be open
y9P to. the inspection of the public on and
n. after Saturday evening next. Our re-
porter paid a preliminary visit to the
= Acaye last night, and can testify that it is
. one of the most unique and interesting
90 exhibitions ever offered to the New York
ot public. The cavern occupies the entire
"a area underneath the Museum, corner Of
aoBroadway and Thirtieth streets, and ap-
s'Ip;l Ipp;alrent1y several blocksabesides. The Wis
I'd tier enters it from the, interior of the Mu-
iisseum with a,guide, who holds in his hand a
torch o1ightthe pilgrim ON his travels. AT
81 first the descentis easy, like Virgil s road
to hell. but when one comes to retrace his
= Steps, after threading the dark passages,
u traversing the spacious chambers, cross
q ing ing. the mysterious bridges and 'fording
the swift running streams, he finds it q
~ more difficult task, and is fain to call on
the torch bearing guide to lead the way
Among the wonders of the cavern are
Cathedral chamber, the SNOWFALL cham
berthe Altar the Pulpit, the Internal
Passage, the Bridge of Sighs,, the River
1rrLethe, and many other notable places
together with stalacites, stalagmites
projecting cliffs, pillars and columns in
Vulnerable; The cavern is to be per.
nanent adjunct to the attractions of the
!" r,,,saum. and will well repay a visit,