The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-29
HOWE'S GAVE.
Four Miles Under Ground-The Romance Of the
subtsrranean World-A Matrimonial Cere-
mony In Novel Plaoe-A Royal Refuge
HON tAs Heats Of tie UpgSf World
Thermometer $50 Fahrenheit rs,


HowE's CAvs, sohoharie County, N. Y,l
July rs, 1870.
Comparatively few people are aware that
within two hundred miles of New York there is
natural curiosity rivalling, both in interest and
novelty, the great Falls Of Niagara and the Nam
moth Cave of Kentucky. Yet such is the fact,
HowE's CAVE,
in Schoharie county, New York, IL not entitled 70.
be classed among the wonders of the world ), ia.
certainly marvellous illustration of what Dame,
Nature has done in some of her freaks. de-
lghtful ride Of two hours via the Albany and Sus-
quehanna Railroad from Albany-a ride from
Albany by almost any route or conveyance is>
preferable to q sojourn there-brngs the tourist
to a modest little station or hating place but q.
few rods distant from hotel, which is built
directly over the only entrance to the cave.
Until within few years the attractions Of this
place seemed destined never to have other than a.
local reputation; but the opening of the Albany
and Susquehanna Railroad was the impetus for an,
effort on the part of the propretors of the cave to-
make their property a pleasant place of resort.
The hotel was enlarged, the grounds improved;
and arrangements completed for Hospitality enter
tanning any who might desire to visit the place.
The hotel, had it no other attractions than it's
beautiful site on the side of q mountain, facing
the South and commanding fine view Of the
Schoharie Valley-one of the most fertile and
beautiful in the State-deserves to be well patron
lied by health and pleasure seekers.
But the cave, of course draws thither most Oh
its numerous guests, and of that we will endeavor
to give the readers Of the HERALD some account.
1t was discovered by fox-hunters in 1912. How.
long the foxes knew Of it before man did we have
no means of knowing. but Judging from the num-
Der of people who annually visit it, it will never
again become a hiding place for those cunning
animals. We had to undergo o total transforma-
ton of dress before we were permitted to enter.
woollen blouse gray overals, cowhide gun
boats, and glazed cap, were made to take tho
place of our travelling costumes. The ladies
changed theirs for q jacket, very like bathing
dress in pattern and made Of red flannel, and like
US they were provided with pantaloons and q
glazed cap. Armed severally with a torch We
followed our guide and were soon within the
classic precincts of the cave. Twas very warm
day, but we were very soon in more comfort
able climate, where the temperature doesn't vary
degrees above zero. To attempt to de-
different Halls" as they are termed,
would require more space than you,
mould spare in your columns There are echo
Hall Music Hall and washington Hall !" all
terest is In their size. peculiar shape and the
romantic, not to say difficult means by which they
are approached. few hundred feet from the
entrance is a sort of alcove, off one of the main
halls, which bears the sentimental name Of the
Bridal Chamber" It is reached by q staircase,
well carpeted with choice mud, as are, in fact,
the walls and floor of the chamber. Several Of
Mr.. Howe's children have been married here.
Whether they are alive now or not we are unable
to say, but unless the old adage, "A dark begin
ming makes bright ending" be verified in their
the lawful solemnty' Of their wedding day. As
a confirmed bachelor we are bound to protest
against young people commencing married life
amid such gloomy associations. A brilliant sun
music of birds instead of bats, it seems to US, are
indispensable in making ones wedding day at alb
endurable. Passing through various rooms,
whose ceilings were studded with beautiful
of our torches fell upon them, the elaborate fres
scoings of modern drawing room, we came at
length to
iaaj THE LAKE
This is justly regarded as the most interesting.
feature of the cave. Its waters as pure as
crystal, and as our boat pushed from the rocky
shore weirdlike stiffness pervaded our little
party, which was broken only by the sound Of the
guides oar or an occasional burst Of enthusiastic
admiration provoked by the beauty Of the scene
around US. Sometimes the rocky ceiling could be
reached by our hands, and again it would rise
above US to the height of twenty or twenty five
feet. The lake Is about ene-fourth Of mile long.
1t forms the bed Of that part of the cave and Is
from five to fifteen feet deep. In some Places,
however, it IL said to be unfathomable. The lr-
regularity of its shape adds greatly to its beauty
and picturesqueness In some places it is 80 mar
row that the manner Of prOpelling boat was
by pushing first against one side and then the
other with the pole which the guide used an
oar The region beyond the lake is called the
ll5 IC ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
and not appropriately either, for the rocks are
thrown together and apart in such an irregular
manner that travel through, over and under them
is rather tresome not to say perilous. Often we
in order to get through the different passes. A.
mile of this kind of travelling beyond the lake
brought us to halt, and the guide said We
there a as
but the passage to it was small that few people
ever attempted 1t. Two of us, however, insisted
that as we had come far we could not afford to
return without doing the whole thing" So bid
instant that individual had disappeared, all except
his heels, following which we descended several
feet through passage very much resembling
every narrow" For few feet we travelled on
our hands and knees, but were soon obliged to-
lay fiat upon our faces, and, pushing our torches
(Which had marvellous way of keeping right
side up) armslength ahead of rs, edge our way
CATION continued for about twenty-five feet and
our speed was very like that of q "snai going to
the poorhouse." We at length emerged from this
passage which, by the way, is called
FIAT MANS MISERY"
into the rotunda, a room circular in shape,.
whose walls are Of solid rock. Its diameter
is about twelve feet and height estimated
at three hundred feet. We put our lights out,
darkness like that which hung over Egypt in the
ancient biblical days. The moment was one OF