The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-02-12


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A Su5terranean Passage Waq and Cav.
nt ern Under Roek .Island- Wonderful
w. Relics Of Abrog,nal Antiquity-Sta
IN CoPper-An Obelisk If sol,d Brass,
~ Num6erless, Other Discoveries, Ire:. : :
"ALL.HopE ABANDON, r. VINO ENTER IN. y
We hsvsthe-pisssure this even
ing Of laying before our, readers
the result of one Of the most
thrilling and profoundly interesting
sabtsssaasous aszpacring expeditions
ever attempted on this continent.
Il is nothing less than an. under
ground passsge-way under Rock
'Island-the present site Of the
Uaatsd -Ststes arsenal, and the
discovery Of antiqaarian relics oi
.theI rarest and most interesting
character. a;2 >. a.. ..'-- :.
The entrance to . large cave
as our home readers are doubtless
aware-is plainly visible from the
ferry landing, as we'll as other por.
tions of our city bordering on the
river bank, and, although some ten
feet in diameter at the entrance, it
gradually diminishes in. size until
some Is feet are reached, when it 10
with difficulty that . person can ef-
fect an entrance by crawling through
the aperture, but, when once fairly
through, there is no difficulty in
standing erect. ... ,
the recent interesting dis
covcries were made by the enter
prising explorers, representing an
eastern scientific society. and who
arc now sojourning in our city. this
cave has never been known to be
over 100 feet in depth, and has
possessed nothing more than ordi-
nary interest, except as having been
thought by the stern old Sac war
rior, Black Hawk, to have been the
chosen abode of the Great Spirit
that presided over their dcstinics.
But upon close examination at the
terminus Of one of the darkest and
and most intricate reccsses, . mar
row cavity was discovered in the
rock, and by tho aid of a torch fore
ed into it, an interior apartment
was found, upon entering which the
party were enabled to explore the
subterraneous passage for distance
Of nearly 1000 feet. The main
passage is'some six feet in width
and about nine in height, and is
evidently natural cavern, though
in several places there are evidences
Fits having been widened, as CHS.
ell marks can be distinctly discover
ed On the walls-bss;des numerous
small rccesscs at regular intervals
Of fifty feet which bear traces Of
having been hewn out Of the mas
sive solid rock : - .s@e
The second corridor, leading from
the main one, ,Sis very extensive
containing six pondrous, pillars en-
wreathed with gorgeous decorations.
Beyond this is q shorter chamber
in which is the entrance to the
sanctorum, and which con-
tains one Of the grandest collect
ions Of antiquarian curiositics ever
discovered on this continent. It
contains huge pedestal in the cen
ter constructed Of solid copper, up
on which is . magnificent shrine
which, with its unique inscriptions,
denotes the antiquity Of its dcyo-
tees. Surrounding it are the colos.
sal figures ofthstwelve worshippers
10 kneeling posture, and quite con-
tignous to them is the symmetrical
though dininutive figure Of an In
dian maiden, with q surprising
beauty, and strongly marked fea-
lures, indicative Of deep thought
and wondering surprise, pointing
With one hand to the expressive
word engraven upon the wall
SHEoL-indicating thereby that the
and Of their destiny and race is at
hand. Above them all, on its pro-
ecting and crescent-shaped roof,
are arranged in systematic precis
on, cross bows, arrows, and other
weapons in warelike profusion-re-
ninding one Of the ancient sons Of
Persia and Greece.
The atmosphere in this.apartmsnt
5 almost unit to sustain animal
ifc, being damp, heavy, and very
impure. The torches Of the explor-
ng party were several times extin-
yuished, and the persons having the
expedition in charge barely escaped
,uffocation. s
Immediately adjoining the room
containing these wonders is an OBJ
,lisk of solid brass-some seven feet
n height, beautifully sculptured on
our sides. There are, in all, 21
mall bas-rsliefs, aud above, below, J
md between them 10 carved an in
IS lines in length. The
vhole Is in the best state. of. preser-
'ation-scarcely . character Of tho
inscription is wanting, and the fig
lres are Is we'll defined o if exc
'uted only q few days ago. One oil