Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-14
A subterranean Passags-way and Cavern
Under Rock Island.

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From the hoos Island Argus. :, snuAl, ~
We have the pleasure TINS evening "
laying before our readers the result "
one OF the most thrilling ana p.oiouno'y
interesting subterraneous exploring eA-
petitions ever attempted on tn's con
tinent. 1t IS nothing Tess thsn an qnoer
ground psssage-way under ROCK isianu
the present site OF the oniteo states
arsenal, and the discovery Oh antiqualian
relics OF the rarest ana most inleresuhs
character.
The entrance TO large cHve-as our
home readers are uouptiess awareis
plainly visible from the Terry ianding, as
well as otner portions OF our city ooruer-
ing on the river bank, and, although some
ten feet IN diameter al the entrance, u
gradually aiminisnes In rise un.'i some
Twenty-Five ieet are reacneu' wnsn y
with difhculty that person can euect an
entrance by craving through tne aper-
ture, but when once fairly through there
Is no difficulty In standing erect.
Until the recent Interesting discoveries
were made oy the enterprisingex explorers,
representing the scientinc society ana
who are now soJourning IN our CITY, TINS
cave has never been known 10 De over
one hundred and twenty 1eet IN deptn,
and has possessed notning more tnan Or
binary interest except as naving oeen
thought by the stern ola oac "arrior'
Black Hawk, 10 nave Deen tne CHOSEN
abode OF Inc ureat SPirit tnat presided
over their destinies put upon ciose ex-
animation at Inc terminus OF one OF the
darkest and most intricate recesses,
narrow cavity was discovered IN tne
rock, ana oy tne aio OF . loren sorced
into 1t, an intsrior apartment was louno'
upon entering which' the party were gu
abled to explore the suo'erranean pas
sage Tor distance OF nearly one .nou
sand feet Inc man passage is some
six feet IN width ana ABOUT nine 10 hlgn,,
and is evidently aturai cavern, lnoegn
in several places there are evidences Oh us
having been w'oeneo, as cnisei MARKS
can be distinctly discovered on tne wals'
besides numerous smaii recesses a. regu-
lar intervals OF MY iee., Wnien pear
traces OF having oeen ne"n ou' VI 'ne
massive SOHO ROCK. =,
The second corrider, ieading rom the
maiH one, 10 very extenslve-c1nts'nlos
SIX ponderous pillars enwrea,neo WIN
gorgeous decorations. beyona TINS is
shorter entrance IN wnicn Is the entrance
to the sancfnm sdncsorum' ana wnicn
contains one OF the grandest coliecuons
OF antiquarian cnriosIt'es ever oiscorereu
on this continent IL contaiLs 1uge
pedestal 10 tne center, cons'ruc.eu VI
soiid copper, upon waicn 10 erec1eu .
magnificent shrine, wnicn, win rs unique
inscription, denotes the anuqui.y OF us
devotees- surrounding IL are tne colos-
sal hgures OF the Twelve "orsnipers 'n
kneeling posture, ana quite contiguous
to them IS the symmetrIcai tnougn III
minutive ngure OF an Iauian na'oen,
with countenance OF SURPRISING oeauty,
and strongly marked ieatures' indica.iVe
OF deep thought ana wondering SURPRISE
pointing with one hand 10 the expressive
word engraven upon tne wan-Sne9t-
indicating tnereoy tna' tns emu OF lne.r
race Is at nano. ABOVE ,nem al, on US
projecting ana cfescenrsnapeu rooi' are
arranged 10 systematic precision, cross
bows, arrows, and other Weapons IN war
like profusion reminding one OF the
ancient sons OF Persia ana dreece.
The atmosphere In tnis apartment. ID
almost unht TO sustain amman NE, oerng
damp, heavy ana very impare. Inc
torches oil the exploring party were sew
eral times exunguisheo. ana the persons
having the expediuon In charge barely
escaped suffocation.
Immediately ADJOINING the room con,
tanning these wonders is an ooelisk oil
solid brass-some seven feet In hight,
beautifully sculptured on TOUR sizes.
There are, In all, twenfy-one small oss-
reliefs, and above, below and between
them is carved an inscription seventy-six
lines in length. The whole 10 In the
best state of preservation-scarcely a
character of the inscription IS wanting,
and the figures are as sharp and we'll
defined as if executed only few days
ago. One of the scenes represented Is
circle Of the ancient sborigines sitting IN
council, with the all-potent pipe OF peace
performing its wonted circuit, while the
fortunes OF war and peace are being dis
oussed in the presence OF the white-winged
presiding genius. Another scene repre-
scented royal cbieftain followed by his
attendants; prisoner is at bis feet,
while men are being introduced leading
various animals and carrying ponderous
cross-bows, javelins, and other weapons.
The animals represented are the ele-
plant, polar bear, lion, stag, and various
kinds Of monkeys. The ornaments dali
cately craven on the robes of the party,
the tassels and fringes, the bracelets and
armlets, the elaborate curls Of the hair
and beard are all entire. One Of the
chiefs stands very erect and carries in
his arms an animal resembling cha
mois upon his right arm, and in bis left
hand branch bearing fne flowers.
Around his temples are 6llet adorned
in front with rosette. One Of the other
characters, in a tragicsl attitude, holds