Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-29
LETTER FROM THE SOUTHWEST

INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF THEIR Won
DERs-GossIP CONNECTED WITH THEM
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIP AND EXPLORATION.
CoRrSrH, Mss, Dec. IL. 1873.
It is the general experience of life that its
realities in latter days do not prove equal to
the imaginary pictures of our boyhood.
have found this so often true when reached
some spot had long desired TO visit, that
was hardly in a state of mind to be moved
much by the work of nature, however beauti-
full it might be, when left the train at Glas-
cow junction, for visit t, Mammoth and
Diamond caves. This feeling was not dis
PEELED by passing the night in quiet room on
the ground floor, without fastening to door or
window, and no fire to greet me on my mid
night arrival at the hotel, together with
damp, disagreeable morning and sky that
threatened rain. However, a nice breakfast,
with the usual fried chicken and corn bread
of this section of the country, was keenly rel
ished, and was told that the stage was ready
for Diamond Cave, which could be visited be-
fore noon, in time for dinner, and visit
thereafter to Mammoth cave before night.
The season for travel being over for the
year, was the only visitor. The stage was
soon at the door, huge, shaky affair, SO bad
indeed that our veteran stager of kennebec,
who does not hesitate to use rough wagon
in 'smud times" would discharge a driver
who venturei to suggest that such thing
would do for single trip to Togus or Bel
grade. A good natured negro took the crib
bons" Every sad looking ribbons they were as
you may imagine) and the vehicle drawn by
two "fery steeds," as they might be termed
if one had an imagination sufficiently vivid to
assist in such wicked scheme of misrepre-
sentation, started out over q rough, muddy
road for Diamond cave. In the box by the
driver was pail for the purpose of watering
our team, and when we were fairly on our
way found that "Shelby," the driver, had, as
usual, taken along his bugle to announce his
coming, SO that the guides might be ready
with their lamps for the descent, and that he
was no mean player. So as we wound along
about the hills, meeting here and there the
people, men, women, and children on horse
back, travelling on business or pleasure, the
clear, sweet notes of the bugle would echo
from the hills and valleys through which we
passed the various army calls, as if the caval-
ry forces that moved backward and forward
across this section had returned to their old
camping grounds. Suddenly we halted at
low, log structure, and foundltwo boys waiting
with lamps and red lights to illumine the cave.
Down through narrow passage we went,
each with several lamps, which in o triangu-
lar wire frame are easily carried, and soon
were among the wonders of the cave. 1t can
not be described in single letter, so full it is
of all the varied beauty of form and color Of
stalagmitc and stalactite, from hugest masses
and pillars and domes, to the most delicate
tracery, as clear and bright as if the brilliant
ice-work that sometimes dazzles our eyes az
ter storm in our Maine winters, that has
frozen upon the trees, had been suddenly
transformed to stone. Sheets of this curious
substance hang like curtains, through which
the light shines dimly, and ring most must
cally with single tap of the staff; indeed the
guides said that in summer it was often the
case that a party with music here would have
an accompaniment, played by one of the num-
Der on this rude stone harp of the cave.
am sure from the variation in the tones from
the different sheets, this might readily be
done Here we found many pits and curious
formations, bearing resemblances to animals
of various sorts, which had been named by
travellers, among the most curious of which
was a serpent's head near the entrance Of the
cave, that with open mouth seemed to warn
the intruder to depart. We remained as long
as time would permit, and our eyes from en-
trance to termination were surfeited with tae
sight of these wonders of the subterranean
world. After dinner was over the team and
driver again appeared, and we started for
Mammoth cave, which we reached in season
to enter at the regular afternoon hour. 1t
happened that was the only person to enter,
and therefore received the full attention of the
guide, who was profuse in his explanations
and original in his wit, remarking by way of
apology at the utterance of anything striking,
that "dese sayings, sab, dey neber go outside,
sab; dey all belong to de cave" This cave
is well worthy the term ''Mammoth," for
everything is grand in its proportions, and,
however fully it may have been described, it
must strike all who visit it with awe and won
der by its grandeur and extent, as much as
Diamond cave delights with ito display of ele-
giant adornings. The entrance is barred
across by an iron door, for it is not intended
that q survey shall be made of the cave, lest
other entrances should be found, and so di-
vide the revenues of the place. After passing
this door you soon come to the line that sep
arates the inner and the outer air, which is as
plainly perceptible as when one enters warm
room from the street. Here, at this season of
the year, great numbers of bats cling to the
walls in torpid state, in masses and clusters,
till one is almost inclined to believe that all
the bats have here q general winter rendez-
vous. They are torpid, and can be easily
knocked down with the staff. The pits are
here which were worked during the war of
1872 to secure saltpetre for use in making
gunpowder, and the marks of the wheels and
footprints of cattle that were worked in the
cave may be readily distinguished. The "Gi-
ants Coffin" and 1.-THE Pulpit" along the main
avenue, are points Of interest, and several
clergymen have gratifed themselves and in
terested very considerable audiences with
sermons from this pulpit" in the main hall.
Behind the "Giant's Coffin" we pass on
toward the ''fat mans misery" which is high
passage in the rock, as crooked as can be,
and very narrow, and close to it the "tall
mans misery" which is narrow enough, but
very low. In one of these was punished as
all must be in one or the other. ''Be careful
sah," said the guide on entering "tall mans
misery" ode ceiling hab been tested, sab; it
don't give back one bit if you hit it with your
head, sah"; which found to be true. The
hall which one enters on emerging from these
narrow passages was well named the "Great
Relief" and soon after the bacon room is
passed and the river Styx is heard foaming
along about 400 feet under the surface of the
ground. 1t is SO much swollen at this season