The New York herald., 1869-11-04
INTERESTING DISCOVERIES IN ARIZONA.

Singular Caves-Traces OF Old Civilization.
correspondent OF tho Cleveland Herald writes
esng Of the recent cave discoveries IN that
territory
Well situated on Beaver creek, about eight miles
distant The wen u about 100 yards back from the
yards In Width ana about 100 feet down TO the water
which is surrounded by perpendicular walls OF rock
color ns ~s and il very very strongly impresnatsd with me
sulphur, soda, iron aud other minerals. II has no
inlet but the 0Ss Z Dy sm
which It empties large volume OF water.
the whole country between the Sierra Prieta and
the Moyallon ranges or mountains Is limestone
formation, and full OF caverns, some OF which are
quite extensive, as was shown by the result OF the
days explorations. All along the bufls OF the Rio
Verde and Beaver creek, wherever these caves ex-
ls they found to have been the dwelling places
Of race 81 peophe WGcn @ mas long since passea
tale; but 1t Is generally supposed that they are Of
very ancient character, probably older than the
The OBJECT OF the expedition was to explore the
caves and ruins by wnicn the place Is surrounded,
we Spu Ne took with US rubSer bag "a Which was
inflated and launcned. DR.. W. Ii. smith, post
surgeon, and myself undertook TO MAKE the
tory masner but with great deal 'e of labor and
at imminent peril owing t9 Thick growth Of water
some twenty feet from shore, and through when 1t
was next to an impossiblity to swim; by great ax-
erton the difficulties were overcome and the sound
inss made which ia the deepest place was eleven
fathvIds.
All around the well in the high walls were caves
which, too had once been occupied, and from their
sheltered position, all remain nearly as perfect TO-
day as they were when abandoned, probably hum
dreds OF years ago. The openings are built up with
and loopholes Tor protection. The walls overhead
are blackened with the. smoke OF their
plastered walls show the prints OF their hands
as plainly as II they were made but yesterday.
Corncobs, pieces OF gourds, mescal and seeds are
found in the plaster which Is conclusive proof that
they were an agricultural peope-and for similar
reason 1t Is believed they were manufacturing peo
pie, as good article Of cloth and pieces of common
twne have been found in these caves, and which
were preserved In the same manner
To-day we discovered new cave which no white
raltar of this ancient ctythe name Of which to US
forever lost Upon enterlDg The great front room.
inches IN the rocks had been built up with
loophoed walls, forming. as It were, coun-
impregna6e to any enemy except starvation Lead
ing from here are numerous passages which have
not yet been explored One passage led down into
great chamber, at the lower end OF which stream
OF water was found, evidently branch Of the outlet
to the we'll. Owing to the poor improvised torch
That we had, 1t was not deemed prudent to explore
any of tho passages leading from this room.
These caves are strange place TO live in. Some
Of them are up almost perpendicuiar walls Of rock
cultes with an incredible amount OF labor, they
have carried great rocks immense timbers aud other
M oune "."'s.., "ASS AN 70 '.Aos. au.possioio
which they ground their corn, acorns and
mesquit beans. pieces OF broken ollas in
which they cooked their food, pieces Of
pottery, painted and glazed, are found everywhere.
1t seems as every inhapitabe place teemed with lie,
and that this country was once us densely populated
any of the Eastern States Of the Union to-day
The most perfect OF any OF these runs and which
Is IN the best state OF preservation, Is In cave on
Beaver creek, about one mile and half from Camp
Verde. IL is IN perpendicular wall OF rock, be-
tween 200 and 800 feet in height; the lower entrance
Is over 100 feet above the valley below 1t Is four
stories In height aad like all the others, has its
terror lines OF defence. The floors are elaboraely
constructed Of small timbers covered with straight
Sticks, placed closely together, and upon this s
placed the cement Tor flooring usually six inches
thick. TIE upper floors seem to have been con-
strncted entirely for defence. crenated wall
breast high overhangs the whole structure, from
which can be seeu the surrounding country, and
river loo hundred feet below.
The excellent state OF preservation OF the wood
and materials used III these caves due to their
sheltered position and the dry, hos climate OF the
been known OF these people, as everything perish
able which had been used In the construction o
| these houses has decayed whenever 1t has been ex
posed TO the weather
Much has been SAID OF these ruins and many
specuations have been made as to the builders; bu
IL is all speculation, as no one knows who they were
volume might be written on this bject aud still
| leave 1t unfinished.
| RAILROADS IN THE UNITED STATEs.-A total o
1920 miles OF railroad have been completed the
| last forty years and are now in operation in this
country besides $4,000 additional miles which ore
| now III progress Of construction. In a short time
TINS list WIN be swollen to so, co., which, taxing
! si4,o0o as the average cost per miie would make
the capital Invested IN railroads In this country
alone $1,000 600 0oo The $4,000 miles OF railroad