Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-08-18
CAVES In THE OZARK MOUNTAINS
Explorations by q Party from St. Lou-
fs-Voyage up Subterranean River
"A Forest of staiactites-A Notion

Explorations by Party from st. Lou
is-yeyage uPa subterrsnean River
"A Forest Of Staiactftes-A Notion
less River of Alsbaster. .-.-t
|, From the St Louis Republican, Au1. I.
The existence Of several remarkable
caves in the limestone regions of Missouri
has been known to the general public for
years. Some of these caverns have been
explored and descriptions written of the
Isubterranean wonders contained therein.
One, of the most remarkable ofthese cav
erns is located on DR.. Fischer's land about
six miles and half southeast of Spring
field, Mo-, among the Ozark Mountains
1t was visited last week by o party from
thiscity, and as little has heretofore been
known about its peculiarities, brief ac-
count of its striking features from one of
The mouth of the cave is at the bottom
of deep favine, TO which rather steep
descent is made for nearly' q mile. The
cave is in one side of rather an abrupt
hill, and from its mouth there issues 4
clear and cold stream of water, thirty feet
in width and four feet in depth. A boat
capable of holding ten persons. was in
readiness with aguideto ascend the stream;
candies were provided and all necessary
preparation made for q voyage into the
dark recesses of the cavern. Thus pro-
vided, the ascent against the current was
made without much difficulty. The air
was cool, the lights were reflected upon
the water, ana the moisture from the cell
ing, which fell in round drops, resembled
shower of pearls. The average height of
the roof above the stream is about fifteen
feet. Hundreds of beautiful stalactltes
were seen hanging from the natural arch
way, some in clusters. The outside of
these stony icicles were encrusted with a
substance of "grayishi yellow" hue. but
the tips had vitruous appearance, and in
some cases were translucent. The tips
were hollow, but the tubular form soon
became solid where the stalactite was
thicker. q sf-ti''
the length Of these pendant cones, caus-
ed by the constant accumulation of carbon
ate OF lime gathered from the dripping of
the water from the ceiling, was from two to
five feet .
After proceeding some distance, the ex-
plorers came upon an arm of the cavern,
which branched of into huge pocket or
chamber which vas twenty yards across,
and wedge shaped. The floor of this cham
Der was paved with a multitude of small
basins or cups, formed by constant drip
ping Of the water upon the floor of the
cavern. The drops falling upon the soft
substance excavated these dish-shaped yes.
sells, the rims of which rose above the gen.
eral surface of the floor.
These natural cups we're filed with lin.
pid water. from which the party drank
freely. Leaving this singular spot, the
voyagers resumed their trip mp the under
ground stream, and after proceeding about
200 yards they came to small cascade.
The tall is caused by ledge which crosses
the cavern stream, and Is about three feet
higher than the level of the stream below.
The roaring of the water of this chute was
heard at some distance.
The depth of the water below the fall is
five feet, and it was estimated that they
were half mile from the point. Above
this fall the cavern bifurcated into two
branches. The main stream comes down
the right fork, but leaving their boat the
explorers went some distance up the left
fork. The cave narrowed and widened al
ternately, but at length the roof got SO low
that they we're obliged to proceed In stoop-
coming too fatiguing, further progress was
abandoned, and the explorers set out on
their return. The boat hoated down rap
idly and a halt was only made to observe
beautiful formation, on the right shore,
within only 200 yards of the mouth. This
WAS apparently asheet of alabaster, rolling
gracefully over jutting table of lime rock
resembling flowing stream of milk sud-
denly frozen The party soon made their
exit to open air much gratitied with their
exploration. The excavation of this cav
ern was doubtless caused by the ceaseless
action of the, stream that still carries on its
rasph,g, denudmg work, and consequently
is not due as is the case in many eaverns,
to causes which lave long ceased to ope-
vofa