Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-08-16
CAVES IN THE OZARK MOUNTAINS.
Explorations by a Party from st. Louis-yOyage
up a subterranenn Rivera Forest Of
stalactites-A Nj ouonless River Of
Alabaster.
From the St. Louis Republican, Aug. /.

From the ST. Louis Republican, Aug. l.
The existence of several remark
able caves in the limestone regions
of Missouri have been known to the
general public for years. Some of
these caverns have been explored
and descriptions written Of the sub
terranean wonders contained therein.
One Of the most remarkab of these
caverns is located on DIR. Fischer's
land about six miles an half south
east of Springfield, Mo-, among the
Ozark Mountains. 1t was visited
last week by party from this city,
and as little has heretofore been
known about its pecuharities, a brief
account of it's striking features from
one of the visitors may not be devoid
Of interest.
The mouth Of the cave is at the
bottom of deep ravine, to which a
rather steep descent is made for
nearly mile. The cave is in one
side of rather an abrupt hill, and
from its mouth there issues clear
and cold stream of water, thirty feet
in width and four in depth. A boat
capable of holding ten persons was
in readiness with guide to ascend
the stream candles were provided
and all necessary preparations made
for a voyage into the dark recesses
Of the caver'. Thus provided, the
ascent agains. the current was made
without much difficulty. The air
was cool, the lights were reflected
upon the water, and the moisture
from the ceiling, which fell in round
drops, resembled a shower of pearls.
The average height Of the roof above
the stream is about fifteen feet
Hundreds of beautiful stalactites
were seen hanging from the natural
archway, some in clusters. The out
side Of these stony icicles was in
crusted with substance of q "gray-
ish yellow" hue but the tips had a
vitruous appearance, and in some
cases were translucent. The tips
were hollow, but the tubular form
soon became solid where the stalac-
tite was thicker
The length Of these pendant cones,
caused by the constant accumulation
of carbonate of lime gathered from
the dripping of the water from the
ceiling, was from two to five feet.
After proceeding some distance,
the explorers came upon an arm Of
the cavean, which branched off into
hugo pocket or chamber which was
twenty yards across and wedge
shaped. The floor Of this chamber
was paved with a multitude of small
basins or cups, formed by constant
dripping of the water upon the floor
Of the cavern. The drops falling
upon the soft substance excavated
these dish-shaped vessels, the rims of
which rose above the general surface
of the floor
These natural cups were filed with
limpid water, from which the party
drank freely. Leaving this singular
spot, the voyagers resumed their trip
up the underground stream, and after
proceeding apout 200 yards they
came to a small cascade. The fall
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 a mile from the
point. Above this point the cavern
bifurcated into two branches. The
main stream comes down the right
fork, but leaving their boat the ex-
plorers went some distance up the
left fork. Toe cave narrowed and
widened alternately, but at length
the roof got so low that they were
obliged to proceed in STOPPING pos
ture. This mode of progress becom-
ing too fatigueing, further progress
was abandoned and the explorers set
out to return. The boat floated
down rapidly and a halt was only
made to observe beautiful forma-
ton, on the right shore, within only
200 yards of the mouth. This was
apparently sheet of alabaster, roll
ing gracefully over a jutting table
of lime rock, resembling flowing
stream of milk suddenly frozen. The
party soon made their exit to open
air much gratified with their explo-
ration. The excavation of this cavern
was doubtless caused by the cease
less action of the stream that still
carries on its rasping, denuding work,
and consequently is not due, as is the
case in many caverns, to causes
which have long ceased to operate.