The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-06
a Wonderful Cave.

correspondent OF the Albany Ecening
Express has written very interesting ac-
count Of Il beautiful and wonderful cave,
discovered by Lester Howe. W bite toX-hunt-
ing in IchobaMe county, n. Y, about TWEEN
,y.tjyc wears $50. He says: Immediately
after the discovery Howe purchased all the
land in the vicinity of the mouth OF the cave,
and established its name as HOwe's Cave. 1t
has been my pleasure to visit this cave, which
is about five miles in length, the entrance
being within a few yards of the railway sta
tiou. II is said to be one of the most re-
markabIe curIosities in the United States.
For beauty. variety. and extent it is only
eoualed by the Mammoth Cave Of Kentucky,
with the advantage of being more convent
ent of access, and without danger. To in
crease the novelty means have recently been
taken to have it lighted with gas AS far as the
lake, this being the only cave in the world
that is lighted with gas.
The wonderful cavern, rs have said, eN-
tends in the rocks for some tive miles, and 1t
is said is not yet fully explored. It has been
visited BY thousands Of persons without ac-
cidcnt, many of whom have repeated their
visits with increased interest each time.
Some Of the prominent points of interest IN
the cave are the following, as named by Mr..
HoWe--viZ.: Reception or Lecture Room,
Washington Hall, Bridal Chamber, Cataract
Fall, Ghost Room or Haunted Castle, Music
Hall, Stygian or Crystal Lake. At the foot
of this lake there is row Of gas jets, giving
the visitor beautiful view Of that portion
of the cave and lake and the side grotto near
by; from thence visitors proceed by boa's
across the lake to Plymouth Rock, and from
thence continue the journey to the Devils
Gateway, the Museum, Geological Rooms,
Uncle Toms Cabin, Rocky Mountains, and
Winding Way.
There are also the usual formations known
as staagmiteS and sta!actites, many OF them
| singular In form and variety. In Washing
ton Hall there are two, named Lady Wash
ington's Hood and Washington's Epaulet,
and beyond there are the Harp and number
less Others. At the head and foot OF the
lake there are two large stalagmites, the for
mer large enough to fill the entire body O
the cave, which has made it necessary to ex
| cavate an artificial passage around it. These
are among the most wonderful forma
| tions in the cave, and of particular lnteres
to the geological and scientific student, pre-
sentins the problem as to the length OF time
they have been forming, and many Other
] questions Of equal interest.
| The average temperature vi kHe cave u
about sixty degrees during the entire year
seeming warm in winter and cool in sum
mer. During the extremes of hot and cole
weather it is luxury to visit it. The air j!
I pure aud invigorating; visitors scarcely fee
tutigued in travelling miles through it. Hlgl
medical authority has pronounced 1t blShl.
beneficial TO those afflicted with pulmonar,
or lung difficulties, and in several cases i'm
mediate relief has been experienced by thos
aboriug under temporary colds and depres
sion of the lungs. No case is known wher
any person has taken cold in being inside tn
cave.
For the accommodation of visitors 1t wa
found necessary TO erect cave-house, ant
since the discovery OF the cave there hav
been two houses built. The hrst-a yer
snowy structure-Was built directly over tn
mouth of the cave, and composed of wood
It was 100 feet in length, dome in the cen
ire, with right and left wing, 1t presente
fine appearance, and attracted much atte
ton from the railroad passengers IS the
passed the place, but it was burned fey
wears ago, 1t has been replaced by another
and, although not ny large, it is neat liltl
gothic structure, built OF blue limestone
taken from the quarrles in the immedlat
vicinity. This stands little to the lett
the cave, and the mouth OF the cave Is NJ
preached by descending winding steps.