The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-06-12


oi a river, and is covered with gravel
sand or clay. The skies OF this under
world are rocks, tho shores Of the mystic
lakes and rivers are herbless, tho lishet
that dwell in them are eyeless, the crick
cts, bats and rats, and the other creature,
that illustrate life in these cavernous
depths, are Of distinct natures unknown
in the sunlight.
II isClGimed that at least one hundred
and fifty milcs Of travel are required tt
visit the cave as far as discovered. 1t il
supposed that tho riyerH Of tho cavc have
sublerraneouS communication will
Green river. The entrance Of the cave
is about a quarter Of mile from the ho
tel. 1t is reached by passing down 4
wild, rocky raVine. Tho opening sur
rounding the mouth Of tho cave is irregu
larly iunnel-Hhaped; the walls arc steep
and forty or fifty feet high, and abou
seventy.tive feet across the top OF the
tunnel, the whole surrounded by 4 dcns,
forest.
A change Of season is unknown in the
cave; day and night have no existence
within its dark domain. The atmosphere
throughout the entire cave is remarkably
pure and wholesome. Tho cave breathet
once year; in summer, wheA the TEN
perature Of the external air 10 above thai
Of the cave, the current sets from the lat
Ter 10 the former, and rice versa. The
temperature OF the cave ia always 59o.
Our party OF five reached the Cave al
tiVO olock in the evening, and immediate
ly after donning cave suits proceeded into
the dark, mysterious realm. We wer,
fortunate to have for our guide tho ole
colored man Matt. BransfOrd, who is Tho
Oldest guide now living, having been il
the service for moro than thirty.sevcr
years. We were ready to despair Of get
ting q view Of the Cave with the ligh
emitted from our small lamps, but sOor
our pupils began 20 expand and we OBJ.
tanned a very satisfactory view Of tht
dark interior. The mysterious passages
silent, waters, awful domes and vast cham
bers were iu turn visited.
In this limited article it would be use
leSs to attempt full description Of thC
Cave. We took the short route first
knowing it WAS matter Of little conse-
Quence whether it was day or night with
out as perpetual night rcigned within
We traversed and climbed about si1
miles Of the Cave, and came out at ter
o'clock that night. Tho next morning w
took the long route, which occupied oul
time from eight o'clock in the morning
until after four in the afternoon, having
walked fully eighteen miles.
The Cave iu full OF rotundaS, avenues
rivers, cliffs, &c. I can only mention
prominent points. The floor OF the first
portion Of the walk ia strewn with re
mains OF vats, water.pipes, &c, used b,
lalt.peter miners in 1872. At the en-
trance OF Audubons Avenue sevcra
small stone cottages still stand; they wcrl
occupied by dozen or more consump
tives, none were benefited and but ono 0
them was able to be removed to his home
The Methodist Church ia so feet in diam
eter, forty high; the gallery or pulpit,
ledge OF rocks, is 26 feet high; here tn,
Gospel was preached more than Eft,
years Sgo, the logs used as seats remain
Gothic galleries are 30 feet high, GO wide
Tho Giants Coffin, an immense sarco
phagus, is 40 feet long, 20 wide, s i,
depth; ithas been detached from the sid,
Of the avenue, and presents a striking
resemblance to a coffin. The Deserted
Chamber is 100 feet in length, ceiling low
Side Saddle Pit il 80 feet deep, 90 across
The "BottomlesS Pit" ia l75 feet deer
causing usto shrink with terror as tn
guide ignites Bengal light. Ia
mans misery is marrow, ,tortuOus avenue
$50 feet, which has been cut out Of AOlil
rock by the mechanical action OF water
The lower part Of the avenue varies from
IS inches to three feet; the upper part
from mans chest 10 head, from 4 10 II
feet; in height 1t is from 4 TO s feet; re.
quiring a stopping posture exceedingl,
painful to the back OF tho passenger. Til
largest man that ever passed througl
weighed 2G0 pounds. Great Relief Hal
comes next, 90 feet wide and to 9
ieet high. In Bacon Chamber may b
seen fine collection Of limestone ham
and shoulders, suspended from the cell
ing, as in Il smoke.house. The Dead Sea
forty feet below the terrace, ia 10 Zee
deep, 20 wide and 50 long; il Is IA gloom
1s its namesake; there is u terrible gran
deur here. The river Styx ia about Is
yards long, 10 10 40 feet wide and 80 10 A
deep. The Natural Bridge spans thi
river, 80 feet above il: when the iarthe
bank Of the river WAS Illuminated by thC
guide by = Bengal light, tho vic,
from the bridge was aWtully sublime
Lake LOthe, $50 yards long, 10 TO 40 fec
wide, and 3 to 80 deep; ceiling 90 fee
above water.
Echo river 10 three-quarters OF q mil
wide; length unknown, ~ itcourses unde
rocks. The avenue At the entrance OF III
river ia about three and half feet big
rather q contracted space for a boa
with its human freight TO pass beneath
Considerable stopping was necessary {
pass under this low arch on our outwar,
bound voyage, but on our return ris
in the water caused us 10 get down o
our hands and knees, even lower, TO pas
the arch. Matt, our guide, made th
walls echo and ro.echo with his negr
melodies. The Bengal light illuminRtio
enabled US to witness a most gorgeous
awful and sublime scene. Upon thi
fairy river many have enjoyed the cor
cord OF sweet sounds. The water in tn
river is very transparent. Rocks can b
seen ten or fifteen feet below the surface
under the illumination made BY the Ben
gal light, The guide propels the boa
with a paddle, but under tho low arch
way uses his staff and hands.
sillimans avenue Is II miIes long, .
to 200 feet wide, and the ceiling 20 10 4
feet high. Ole Bull performed In III
room named for him in this ayenu,
NI.,.kaI. v;on,.,J I. rnacb.J l..