Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-06-15
MAMMOTH AND DIAMOND CAVES.
New Attractions this season, ana
What They Are.

what They Are.
A recent visit to Mammoth and Dia-
mond Caves enables us to speak advls-
eddy of the facilities afforded visitors Tor
reaching and enjoying a sojourn IN TINS
neighborhood of natures most astound'
ing works. Mammoth Cave has been
an object of wonder for many years
and has been too often described for q
repetition. The place has been sought
by people from all the States and
from nearly every civilized country
in the world yet it is singular to fine
people of means and ostensible good
taste who have never visited the place
although they may have frequently
passed by within few miles. Tourists
and scientific men come over from Eu
rope to see the Mammoth Cave, and tint
people within few miles of the place
who take no interest in the subject what
ever. This phenomenon we do not otfel
to explain; but as there may be some o
our readers who have never been to the
cave and would like to go, or who hav
ing been before intend going again, {
few suggestions may be acceptable tc
such.
Those who have been to the great I'M
derground wonder in former years will
find a new wonder in the Diamond Cave,
which is more interesting in many re-
spects than the first named place. The
nearest railroad station to either cave is
Glasgow Junction, on the Louisville and
Nashville railroad, only seven miles
from the Mammoth Cave This is three
and half miles nearer the cave than
any other station. Glasgow Junction
was formerly known as Bells Tavern; it
is ninety-one miles from Louisville.
The Diamond Cave is on the stage road
to the great cave, and is only two miles
from the station. 1t is not so large, but
is full of wonders. Everything within
is nearer like the original work of ma
ture, and has not been smoked and de-
faced so much, nor have visitors sue
ceeded so far in carrying away so many
of the beautiful formations in their
pockets. The first exploration was
made as early as 1859, but was closed
during the war. The stalactites and
staglamites are said to be the most re-
markable and numerous to be found in
any or all the caves of the world. Nam
moth Cave is grand, and fills the soul
with sublime emotions. Diamond Cave
is beautiful and poetical; it should be
seen first, and then Mammoth Cave.
Those who are in hurry can see
both in twenty-four hours and rejoin the
moving world above and without; but
the more philosophic tourist who enjoys
with nature and the happy
social amenities always found here, will
linger for weeks and find some new nov
city and pleasure each day and hour.
Every comfort is provided. In the first
place, Colonel George NJ. Proctor and
his estimable lady, who make everyone
feel at home, keep a first-elass hotel at
the junction and give travellers genu-
inc Kentucky welcome. No one ever
went there without feeling well treated
and coming away fast friend of the
host. There is also all the necessary
at the Diamond Cave, in
competent and intelligentguides.
A good line of stages connects with the
trains both ways, and visitors
will find nothing lacking to make stay
in the neighborhood comfortable and
pleasant. The tide Of travel has already
set in and promises to be unusually
large this summer Parties are expected
from Nashville, Louisville, Memphis,
New Orleans, Mobile, and several other
cities. There is room for all, not only
in the caves, but at the hotels. Mr.. d.
L. Graves is proprietor Of Mammoth
Cave Hotel, and has it in splendid order.
His coaches make the time to the sta
ton in one hour and twenty minutes,
over fine road, which commands most
beautiful forest scenery. The table
abounds with everything good; the bar
with Kentucky's best brands the
grounds have been laid off for all the
popular games, as croquet, base ball,
etc. and Green river, near by, abounds
with fish Taken altogether there is not
a more attractive place to be found in
America