Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-02-10
IPrU'a TIE Rock Island Argus, Jan. 81

IPrc'z the Rock Island Argus Jan 6.l
We have the pleasure this evening of
laying before our readers the result Of
one OF the most thrilling and profoundly
interesting subterrane0us exploring exue-
dltlOns ever attempted on this continent.
Ii Is nothing less than an underground
passa ge>way under Rock lslanl-the
present site OF the United States arsenal.
and the discovery of antiquarian relies of
the rares. and most interesting charac-
ter
The entrance 70 large eave-as ou:.
home readers are doubtless aware-is
plainly visible from the Ferry Landing.
as well as from other parts OF our city,
bordering on the river bank This cave
although some ten feet in diameter at the
entrance, gradually diminishes in size
until some twenty-five feet are reached.
when 1t is with difficulty that person
can ettectaa entrance by crawling through
the aperture; but, when fairly through
there Is no difficulty in standing erect
Until the recent interesting disco cries
were made by the enterprising explorers
representing an Eastern scientific socie-
ty, ami who are now sojouruing in our
citv-zthls cave has never been known 70
be over l2u feet in depth, and has pos>
sessed nothing more than ordinary inter
est, except as having been thought BY the
stern, old Sac warrior, Black Hawk, to
haze been the chosen abode Of the Great
Spirit that presided over their destineS
But, upon close examination, at the
terminus of one Of the darkest AMI most
Intricate receSses, a narrow cavity was
discovered IN the rock and, by the aid
OF torch forced into it. an int ri0r apar.-
ment was found, upon entering which
the party were enabled to explore the
subterrane0us passage for distance Of
nearly 900 feet The main passage is
some SIX feet in width and about nine in
hight, and Is evidently natural cavern,
though in several places there are evil
dences OF It's having been widened, as
chisel marks can be distinctly discovered
or the walls-beside numerous small re-
cesses at regular interval, Of fifty feet,
which bear traces of having been hewn
cut of the massive, solid rock
The. second corridor, leading from the
main one, i very extensive, and contains
six ponderous pillars enwreathed with
gorgeous decorations Beyond this is
shorter chamber in which is the entrance
10 the SaRstunl sGRctorUm. and which
=
OF antiquarian curiosities ever discovered
on this continent 1t contains a hue
pedestal in the center constructed Of sol>
id copper, upon which is erected a mag
niticent shrine, which, with It's UNIQUE
inscription, denotes the antiquity of its
deyOtees. Surround - It are the colos-
sal figures of the twelve worsLipers in
knecling posture. and contiguous to them
FL 4
urc of an Indian maiden, with a counte-
nance Of surprising beauty, and strongly
marked features, indicative of deep
thought ana wondering surprise. point
ing with one hand 10 the expressive word
engraven upon the all-Sheol-;ndicat
ing thereby that the end of their DESTINY
ana race Is at hand Above them all
on Its projecting aud creScent-shaned
roof are arranged in systematic precis-
ion, cross-bows, arrows, and other weap-
chs, in warlike profusio,
one OF the ancient sons Of Persia ana
Greece,
The atmosphere Of this apartment is
almost uuf5 to sustain animal life. Je;n.
damp, heavy and very impure The
torches Of the exploring party were sew
eral times eXtin-uished. and the persons
having the expedition in charge barely
escaped sufocation
Immediately adjoining the room con-
taking these wonders IS an obelisk of
solid brass, soale sesen feet in hight.
beautifully sculptured on four sides
There are, in ALL twentv~one small bas-
reiiefs; and above, below and between
them, IS carved an inscription seventy
six lines in length. The whole Is in the
best state Of 1tion-scarceiv
character OF the inscription is wanting.
and the figures are as sharp and rs we'll
defined as If executed on'v few DAYS
ago. One of the scenes represented IS
circle OF the ancient aborigines. sitting in
council, with the aIl-potent pipe of peace
performing its wonted circuit, while the
fortunes Of war and peace are being dis
cussed' in the presence of the whites
scene represented is a ROYAL chieftain
followed by his attendants \ prisons
ct Is at his feet, while men are being in
troIaced leading various animals and
carrying ponderous cross-boyrs. iavelins
and other weapons. The animals repre-
Sentp,. are the elephant. polar bear. lion,
stag, and various kinds Of monkeys The
ornaments, delieR,eiy craven on the robes
of the party, the tasSeis and frin-es. the
bracclst and armlets. the elaborate cgr.s
of the hair ana beard, are ail entire
One of the chiefs stands very erect, ani
carries in his arms an animal resem hing
a chamois, and in his LETT hand a branch
bearing fine flowers Around his TEN.
pies is q tillet adorned in front with q .
settle. One Of the other characters. in
tra-ical attitude, ho.ds square vessel,
resembling = basket, in his left hand and
a drawn dagger in his right, while on his
head Is worn rounded cap. at the base
of which i horn. The garments Of
both consist Of . robe falling from the
shoulders 70 the ankle, and 2 short tGnic
underneath, descending 70 the knee; and
are richly and tas.efGlly decorated with
ambToiderigs and frirEes, whilst the hair
ard beard arc arranged with study and
taste The limbs are deljneatei with
peculiar accuracy, and the muscles AMI
bones faithfully, though somewhat to
strongly, marked
After proceeding further, the party
reached 4 large room with a high archet
root, in which were the entr~ 4ces to ma
ny other chambers. This contained the
crowning gem of the wonders nothin.
less than 4 huge sarcoDhaEus OF conner.
njr.e feet long aud three feet in width
infinitely scuiptured, within and without.
with several hundred figures represent
inE an immense funeral procession and
ceremonies relating II the deceased chief
taiD with cmhiPnS and other tf-viras -