Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-11-09

aI1aL -, LUsAr, Page County, Va, 80 I

been discovered about one, mile west of
this town, and about three hundred
yards north of the Newmarket and
Speryville Turnpike. At this point
the land rises Suddenly some three hun
dred feet, withta width varying from a
quarter of mile TO mile and q bali,
and running north in more or less bro
ken ridges for several miles toward
what is known as the Fort Mountain, q
small spur of the Massanutton range.
This land is of rather poor quality, but
has been more or less under cultivation
for years. The south side or larger
knob of this ridge has been always
known by the name Of "Cave Hill
from the fact of a small cave having
been discovered there, probably CEN
tury back. This cave is of small dimen-
sions and not very easy of access, there
being an almost perpendicular descent
of over seventy; teet., The interest in
this has long since worn out,and OF late
it has been seldom visited. However,
this has been the key to the discovery
just made.
HOW IT WAS DISCOVERED.
In the town of Luray, which is just
one mile distant, resides photographer
by the Eame of Stebbins. Stebbins re-
moved to this place few months ago
and opened his small gallery. He was
moderately patronizet, but was not
growing rich and had plenty of idle
time on his hands. Being of some
what romantic nature he was in the
habit of spending portion of his time
in roaming through the adjacent woods
and fields. On one of these expeditions
he came across the small cave have
described This led him to thinking
and examining further. He finally came
TO the conclusion from the topography OF
the country and other reasons that there
must be other caves in the vicinity.
With this in mind he proposed TO sew
eral parties in town to make thorough
search, in hopes of discovering an open
ing. He was finally Joined by two
young men named Campbell, SONS OF
the Sheriff Of the county, VIM. Camp
bell. These parties ip one of their ex-
petitions stopped to rest in a little
clump of underground on the east side
of the ridge, in the middle of which
they discovered what they supposed to
be rabbit hole. They commenced
digging, and as they pulled out the
earth and stones the hole became larger.
They worked at it the rest of that day,
and then went home with the under
standing that they were not to say any
thing to anybody, but were to meet
s4here early the next morning. This un-
aerstanding was faithfully complied
with, and the next morning, bright and
early, found the explorers on the
ground; They went to work with re-
newed energy and before night saw
enough to convince them that their
work would not be In vain. The next
day, after hard labor, they reached what
they thought was the mouth Of small
cave, the opening being about two and
half feet square. This they quickly
enlarged. Then lighting a couple of
candles they proceeded to enter. To
do this they had to assume q stooping
posture. After few steps they found
they could straighten up. - m
a0s THE ANTE. CHAMBER. .-.
As their eyes became used 10 the
gloom and the faint light of the candies
shed heir rays on surrounding objects
they found themselves in an immense
vaulted chamber about ninety feet
square, with a height of thirty-fye or
forty feet. They were utterly astound-
ed, but pressed on in search of further
openings, which they found on every
side. After an hour or two spent in
this way they saw that the task of dis
covery would occupy days. They, how
ever, saw enough to show them
that they had a small fortune within
reach. They held consultation, found
that the land on which their cave was
situated was TO be sold at the next term
of the Circuit Court, September 20,
which would occur in few days. They
determined to say nothing of what they
had discovered, but purchase the tract,
which contained about thirty-eight acres.
Accordingly, when the sale took place
they bid it in at $500, which was con.
sidered a fair price by the uninitiated.
After tins they went 10 work in earnest,
and have added daily to their discov-
cries.
UNDERGROUND WONDERS.
Your correspondent having an invita-
ton to visit the cave, in company with
Judge Stewart, of the Page County
Court, aud several ladies, proceeded to
the place OF interest. After good view
of the surrounding scenery, we descend
ed to the entrance of the cave Here
we found Mr.. Stebbins, the Messrs.
Campbell and several masons and car
penters all, busily employed fitting up
the entrance. Mr., Stebbins and Mr.
Campbell accompanied US and after
each had been furnished with candle,
we descended the temporary stairway
distance of thirty feet to the entrance
proper, which is now about six feet
high by three in width. This has been
recently improved by door frame and
door. The entrance is surmouDted by
a massive rock made by nature into
well finished archway. After entering
the door we stopped 10 light our can
dies, and then proceeded downward
about ten feet more, when we came to
a level floor. Here we found ourselves