The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-11
CAVE HOUSE, HowE's CAVE, N. VI
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CAVE HOUSE, HowE's CAVE, N. VI
July 8, 1878.
Society shows some similitude of sense when, in
her meanderings after the glittering wlll-othe-
wisp OF pleasure, she iorsakes the crowded quag-
mires where are sunk so many skeletons OF idle
hours, and wanders along the secluded borders Of
streams, the frlneed edges OF sylvan lakes, or in
the pensive shadows OF deep and quiet glens and
the yawning vaults OF miraculous grottos. Nature
In such places presents herself in phases both
beautiful and marvellous not yet tanned by the
trite f0ostep Of the Indifferent tourist and his
thousand and one deputies. But society does not
often follow this sage course. Her eyes and ears
seem closed to the language that may be read and
listened to in these hidden acoves of the colossal
library Of the earth, and II she is ever led into
them by the example Of some one of her troop
who comprehends 1t more deeply and widely than
the rest 1t is with stupid, sensuous indifference
that she inhales the aromatic breezes, views the
emerald waters the rich-hued foliage, the grandly
majestic hills or the awe-nspiring cavernous won
ders. She cannot be weaned from folly, even by
the influence OF poetry and romance in their ma
tive reality.
While Saratoga and Niagara are now thronging
and simmering in the July heat, this Out-of-the-
way, hil!encompassed, quiet and cool resting place
is as nearly forgotten as II 1t did not possess
OF the seven wonders OF the world. The iron horse
has just begun to climb the hills with energetic
putting through his great nostrils, when the bell
announces q station and the train stops-stops on
the very verge Of deep, green valley, into which
one looks from the Car windows with O half shud-
der and sees nestled far below, among graceful
and gigantic ems, small, homely farm houses, in
picturesque contrast with the deep, verdant
meadows and the sombre- wooded hillsides. The
train speeds on around the sharp, jutting edge Of
yonder precipice Its rumble is family heard
through the great mass OF the hill behind you.
You find yourself standing beside the track with
your gaze fixed upon grand and lovely prospect
Ct your very feet. The elevations Of the ridges
CAST UP BY ANCIENT GEOLOGICAL STRUGGLES
are not 80 great as among the Adlrendacks but
they are sufficiently so to leave an impression Of
their holiness and immensely OF breadth upon the
mind and 80 mellow and harmonized in color and
strikingly beautiful In form as to create gentle
not violent, but appreciative feeling OF admiration
a very comfortable and epicurean realization OF
pleasure The golden and amber shadings Of the
sunset hues were lingering II they were in
truth as the poets say, the loving caresses OF the
dying day on the rounded hilltops, and thin haze
formed sort OF cOronal for the dark, richtinted
forests that cover the SUBMITS
mile southeast OF my lookout. snugy ensconced
In deep gorge which begins at the top of an In
termedate ridge between two immense hills and
extends to the bottom OF the valley, dumping q
small turgid stream into the clear current OF the
Coolies Kill, is the home OF Howe, o comfortable
red-panted farm house. with snow white shutters
and plethoric oranges. The gray-haired old man
who now at the age OF three.score and ten. sits in
its porch at eventide comfortably smoking his
pipe, Is no other than the dlscoverer of Howe's
Cave, next in size and equal in interest to the
MAMMOTH CAVE OF KENTUCKY.
In his decline of life he shares more OF the glory
OF the discovery than Of its profit, having, through
some folly OF his own, renquished his right of pos
session for the paltry sum OF $4,000, while, few
years ago, he refused for 1t $4,000 in cash. Law
struggles did 1t. The entrance or the cave is now
owned by ex-senator Ramsey, and, there being no
other access to its interior, the possession of the
whole is not disputed
Thirty-one years ago, on an afternoon in May,
1912, Howe, with his shotgun on his shoulder, was
scrambhng up the hillside on which l now stand.
He was chasing fox, which had escaped his fire.
His dog was in full pursuit, but suddenly the iox
vanished and as suddenly the dog stopped before
dark cavity, barely large enough to admit mans
body, and which seemed to lead into the very
bowels OF the earth which are mentioned in Scrip
ture. There came from within strange and infer
nal noises. Howe approached and then stopped
aghast, but soon, mastering courage, he entered
ON his hands and knees, dragging his rife with
him. He went In as far as he could without losing
sight OF the daylight that shone through the en-
trance, and then returned.
THE DAMP WALLS WERE COVERED WITH BATS,
and hundreds of them were circling in the air and
uttering dabolical screeches. Far in the distance
he heard the rushing and whispering of falling and
dripping water and the rumbling echoes of his
cautious footsteps. His curiosity was intensely
excited. He secured neighbor as an ally, took
SmyStt, htvn Afr .tl0aa and nfo fhn
cave second time. For fear of getting lose they
used twine to mark the way by which they came.
fastening It at the entrance and unwndng 1t as
they proceeded. Their explorations extended as
far az placid and motionless sheet OF water, quite
deep and perfectly clear, where, as they had no
boat, they were obliged to pause. subsequently,
however, boat was built on Its banks, the other
shore was reached, and by degrees the exploration
OF the cave and its many side passages was pushed
TO the present limit of knowledge OF its extent
Some Of the avenues were SC very small that
Howe and his companion were obliged to drag
themselves through lying dat on their bellies: but
many OF these were afterwards artincially en-
iarged, and at one time team OF donkeys and
devrls Howe had an eye to O possible fortune,
and, before the secret of his discovery was known,
purchased the land about the mouth OF the cave.
He then erected large hotel and invited visitors
TO his wonder gallery, charging fee Tor admit
ago, however, 1t never was widely known and his
enterprise was not very successful, although he
spent much money In striving to advance It, His
hotel was burned down, and since the cave has
been sold new building, much smaller but more
pleasant, better kept and having all the improve
Iments of the age, has been erected. IL commands
q very fine view OF the surrounding scenery, and,
being Immediately over the place OF descent into
PlutOnic regions, Is very convenient for tourists.
Howe in his Old age must feel somewhat dis
Rusted with the meagre fruits which he has reaped
from his good luck; yet he can find plentiful ex-
amples of the neglect and poverty OF discoverers
and inventors II ne but read the pages OF modern
history.
transient visits, stopping a day or so on the way
80 Sharon, Saratoga, Niagara or the North Woods.
But during each OF the past ten years the cave mas
now ses down as one OF those things that "a Ieler
must see. you know" or else be accounted nobQdv.