The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-05-02
CASH PAID FOR.
HIDES. S. COOK.

Professor Jordan suggested that the ''S'' in
the sign was mistake. That it should be:
Cash paid for
Hides Cook
A debate sprang up among the gentlemen
of the party as to whether they should liqui-
date their bills at the hotel before leaving
for the Wyandotte or wait until they came
back to Levenworth. Major Smith sug.
gested that it was immaterial which was
done, "as if we left without settling, the
Motel proprietor would be 'Ourbacker +"
until we returned. Professor Cox, like all good
commanders, looked out for transportation
as well as for supplies. He procured fur
niture wagon, drawn by four stout horses,
and in it the party took passage for the Wy
andotte. Our route was up the Ohio until
we struck the Blue, then running north
near the beautiful waters of that river to the
cave. The road is rough and tortuous one,
seldom level, and often almost PERCEPTIONS.
At lively trot and sometimes at gallop
we were driven on to our destination, and
when the wagon wheels would strike stout
rock embedded in the earth, tossing the par
" lhlO Tic oil W Tic SuOCh, luOAC lndn OlC
member of it wished for smoother path
and better road to the cave. We reached
the Cave house about o'clock, and soon
procured guide and started for our object
i've point. l shall attempt no description of
Wyandotte cave. Those anxious to learn its
history, so far as it has been written, and to
know of the geological treasures hidden
within its murky chambers, must look else
where for information. 1t may be found in
a book published by the owners of the cave,
and in the printed reports of Professor Cox,
our state geologist, whose present trip was
made with the view of increasing his al
ready extensive stock Of information upon
this subject. To these works the reader
who desires to know something of the his
tory and natural formations of this wonder
full cave is most respectfully referred.
The party entered the cave under the
guidance of Mr.. Rothrock, the proprietor of
the Cave house. Each was provided with
lighted star candle and supply of lucifer
matches. How necessary the latter were to
the safety of the party will appear farther
along. The opening of the cave is large
enough for one to enter without difficulty.
When inside the cave the party leisurely in
spected the objects of interest that
came to light under the blaze of
the candles. Professor Jordan soon had
his pockets full of bats, but when
reminded of the fact that they could be
caught Just as easily upon his return as
upon his entrance, he carefully replaced
them upon the rocky sides of the cave and
babe them remain there until he returned.
The tenderness with which he restored these
little imps of darkness to their perches re-
minded one of young mother placing her
first baby in its cradle TO sleep. Prof. Cox,
although the oldest member in the party,
was its most active member. McGreggor in
the highlands of Scotland was not more at
home than was the professor in WyaEdotte
cave. AS the guide sang out the names of
the various chambers through which we
passed, our leader would step about from
place to place and from one person to an
other, expatiating upon the peculiar won
ders of the spot with all the enthusiasm of
lover when depicting the beauties of his
sweetheart. Thus did the party proceed in
its underground journey until il reached
Fat Mans Misery" Here an opening was
found, about three feet in diameter, which
had once been closed by a wooden door set
in frame. This opening is not of an in
viting appearance, for to the eye it seems
but dark hole in the floor of the cave, lead
ing from a place of security to
one of uncertainty and doubt There
fore, although the guide and Pro
fessor Cox spoke eloquently of the wonder
full things TO be seen in the cavern below,
Mr.. Woollen's heart failed him and he re-
fused TO take upon himself any part OF the
Fat Mans Misery. He saw hic companions
descend one by one into the opening and
disappear in the darkness below, and not
relishing solitude in cavern $50 feet below
the earth's surface, he turned his face from
Misery's hole and started for the mouth of
the cave. Candle in hand, he felt his way
among the broken rocks as carefully as a
Dolifician in search of an office feels the