Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-03-04
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CAVERN UNDER Roux Island.

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CAVERN UNDER Roox ISLAND.
From the Rock Island Argus, January s.
We have the pleasure this evening
of laying before our readers the result
OF one Of the most thrilling and pro.
foundly interesting subterraneous ex.
pc 'itions ever attempted On this con.
,inent. 1t is nothing less than an M.
deryro.nd passagecay .nder Rock Isla.I
The present site OF the United States
arsenal, and the discove. y of antiquarian
relics of the rarsst and moet interest.
ing character.
&The entrance to large cave--as bur
home readers are doubtless aware-is
plainly visible from the ferry landing.
az well AS other portions oi our CITY
bordering on the river bank, aud Al.
though some ten feet in diameter At
the entrance, it gradually dimirishes
IN size until some Is feet are reached.
when it is with difficulty that q person
can effect an entrance by crawling
through the aperture, but when once
fairly through, there is no difficulty IA
standing erect.
Until the recent interesting discov-
cries were made by the cnterp, ising
explorers, representing the scientific
society, who are now sojourning in our
city, this cave has never been known
to be over l2O feet in depth, and has
possessed nothing more than ordinary
interest, except as having been thought
oy the stern old Sac warrior, Black
Hawk, to have been the chosen abode
OF the Great Spirit that presided over
their dsstinies. But upon close exam
nation n the terminus OF one OF the
marrow cavity was discovered. ii the
rock, aud by the aid OF torch forced
into it. an interior apartment was found,
upon entering which the party were
enabled 10 explore the subterranean
passage tor distance Vt nearly 1000
feet. The main passage is some six
teet in width aud ABOUT nine in height,
and is evidently a natural cavern,
though in several places there are evil
dences OF it's having been widened, ~
chlsel marks can be distinctly discov-
cred on the walls-besides numerous
small recesses It regular intervals OF
fifty teet which bear traces OF having
been hewn out. OF the massive solid
rock.
The second corridor, leading from
the man one, is very extensive-con-
tanning six ponderous pillars enwreath-
ed wltL gorgeous decorations. Be-
yond this is shorter entrance in which
Is the entrance TO the saHctxm saMetorwm,
and which contains one OF the grandest
collections OF antiquarian curioslties
ever discovered on this continent. 1t
contains huge pedestal in the centre,
constructed ofsolid copper. upon which
70 .rected . magnificent shrine, which,
WITH lts unique inscription, denotes the
antiquity OF its devotces. Surrounding
It are the colossal figures OF the twelve
worshippers in kneellng posture, and
quite contiguous to them is the sym
metrical though dlminutivc figure Of
m Indian maiden, with . countenance
OF surprising beauty, and strongly
marked features, indicative of deep
thought and wondering surprise, point.
ing with one hand to the expressive
word cngrsven upon the fwall-HAes!
- indicating thereby that the end Of
their race is 1t hand. Above them all,
ON its projecting and crescent.s shaped
roof, re arranged in systematic pre-.
cision, cross bows, arrows, and other
txsapons in warliks proflsion--remind.
ing On0 OF the anclent sous Of Peruis
and Greece. Il
The atmosphere in this apartment ID
almost unfit to sustain animal lite, be.
ing damp, heavy aud very impure. The
torches OF the exploring party were
several times extingnished, aud the
persons having the expedition IN charge
barely escaped snffocation.
Immediately adjoining the room con
talnlng these wonders, is an obelisk oi
solid brass-some seven feet iu height
beautifully sculptured on four Sides
There are, in al, II small bas-reliets
and above, below and between them i,
carved An INSCRIPTION 76 lines in length
The whole is in the best state Of pres
eryation-scarcs!y z character OF the
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