Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-12-31

CHARLoTTE-A BRACE OF NATURAL Cur
IEs.-There are among the Charlotte
| hills numerous caves, connected with which
are traditions for the curious. some Of them
| We authenticated. Others are attractive
to the man of science for their peculiar for
nation. Among these are two which have
already found place among the curiosities
of the State as well as of the county, and
which. during the past season, have been
visited by Prot Seely Of Middlebury Col
lege, and other scientific men, besides a
large number who were simply slght-seers.
These are cave and d" the oven" SO called
situated In the southeast corner Of Charlotte.
and in the northwest corner of Monkton.
The cave is found on the farm of Joshua
NJ. Dean, in mountain on the dividing
line between Charlotte and Hinesburgh.
The mountain runs north and south, ter
minating somewhat abruptly at the south
end. and at the north end sinking into hilly
pastures. Running east and west along the
north slde or end is a clearly defined vein
OF iron ore, extending to a considerable dis
tance on the western side. There has been
no attempt at working the vein, but good
judges pronOuce In flavor of possibly pro-
htable development in the future. After
leaving deep ravine, the path follows
slipping to either side. on tho one hand
gradually, on the other dropping off with
q precipit9us descent far too dangerous TO
admit Of stumbles or missreps. 1t seems
as though the whole mountain had been
lifted BY some mighty CONFUSION with the
greatest force at the centre, leaving ii roof
shaped. Just at the point where the south
ern dap commences Is the entrance 10 the
cave Down some ten or fifteen feet from
the top OF the mountain Is the entrance to
Glen IN the rocks, barely wide enough for
one 10 walk at time. This cleft Is about
twenty feet III depth. wider at the top. in
places than at the bottom, while here and
there one passes under huge fragments of
rock. wedged 10 between the sides Fol-
lowing this course some SIX or eight rods.
the visitor comes to the entrance to the cave
and here none can enter unless they have
hrst learned 10 st0Op OF even to crawl.
Having entered two good-si.ed rooms are
found, one on the " ground door" and the
other i've or siI feet above, reaching 40 and
back number ot rods into the mountain.
until alter various turns the visitor sees
daylight through small opening s.l.l fur
Their up, where one could creep cut into tho
entrance ehasm, provided he were small
enough. The cave, on the sides and over
head, has the appearance OF having been
finished by the hand of man. ~ regular j..
the irregularlty. aud one, in gazing at the
projection on the one side corresponding
with the indcntation on the other, c0mpGt-
ing the tons and tons that must have filed
these rooms, and Vet seeing the rocky door
nearly Tree from debris, cannot bat tremble
al the exhibition of power
Abou; halt a mile from the cave ! found
V hat gtIRnf TtF
natural curiosity, the oven The rock
formation here conflicts with some OF the
accepted theories on such points. The oven
arches over Hat bottom, and the stones,
from foundation TO key stone, have exactly
the appearance OF having been cut and LAID
by the hand OF sk.lful mason la the
vicinity are several places where the same
formation prevails. though not in 70 mark
ed degree - ". ~ Hig5es. n -rm0E.
farHcr.
The children of tuo Congregation
al society met a. tie church Christ
mas evening, where they had short con-
cert, after which they were treated u a
nice supper from b0untliully spread table.
upon which was d small tree, trimmed with
bags OF nuts candies. etc. Tor their special
benefit. Then the children of larger
growth quickly disposed OF the remnants OF
the feast 1t was pronounced by all very
pleasant time.
As Ii. c. Loavonsworth TWO young
sons and daughter were returning home
from East Charlotts. Christmas eve, they
were overturned. AMI the horse ran a dis
lance Of some two miles The horse and
half OF the wagon was returned t. MIR
Lea7onworth's house. the next day. By Mr.
U. 4 Jones