Nebraska advertiser., 1878-01-10
Remarkable Cave discovery In Illinois
Waterloo IIllfnoIs) Times.

Remarkable Cave discovery In Illinois
Waterloo lIIlinoIs) Times.
On Sunday, December 8, near the
town Of Chester, and upon the Peni-
tentiary grounds, a party of gentle
men discovered an opening on the
hillside, which. upon being investi-
gated, proved TO be a cave of no mean
dimensions. On Monday, the day
following. party OF explorers pro-
ceeded to the locality, and with the
. assistance OF ropes. lanterns, etc, ef-
fected an entrance, after removing
obstructing rocks and debris. A
newspaper reporter headed the explor-
o ing party, and found big bonanza I'm
the shape of material for an article.
The cave is located on the north
side of the hill. and its full extent has
not yet been ascertained, though suf-
ficient is known TO class it among the
largest subterranean caverns in the
country. excluding the famous Ken
tucky cave.
The smallest man OF the party was
first lowered into the opening by
means Of properly adjusted rope. 10
distance of about thirty feet, finding
. bottom. Having a lighted lantern
nothing could be discerned from that
standpoint, when he commenced
clambering the rugged, rocky sides Ct
the cave, and. after laborious work
found an opening leading in an east
erly direction, through which crevice
he found no trouble in gaining admis-
sion. The light of his lantern having
disappeared from the view of his ter
restrial brethren, and the sound of his
hammer being audible TO their ears.
they soon became convinced that the
bowels OF the earth thereabouts con-
tained wonders that were not dreamed
of OH terra firma. Soon n invitation
TO join the first adventurer In the re-
cesses OF the earth was com piled with
and half dozen eager curiosity seek
ers made their way cautiously to view
the splendors and wonders that had
for centuries been hidden beneath the
Indian mounds that cover that section
Of country. An ascent from the bot
tom of the shaft of six feet found q
horizontal opening of about ten feet.
Then anarrow crevice, through which
it became necessary to crawl, was en-
countered. Having successfully pass.
ed through these devious windings,
the assiduous party was repaid for
their labor by view Of unsurpassed
grandeur. a beautiful chamber,
about 20 feet in height and 40x50 feet
in dimensions. festoOned by magnifi.
cent hanging stalactites, and repre-
senting growth of trees, shrubs, etc,
of fantastic shapes, and various COL
ors, were presented to the view of the
wondering beholders. About the
center Of this immense dome was sus-
pended large and sparkling pennant,
of chandelier shape, which gave grace
and srtistic finish to the marai of
smaller dimensions. When struck
with a hammer, this huge pendant
sounded clear and beautiful. not un-
like a well-strUng drum. The floor
Of this beautiful and and capacious
chamber is composed of the same
clear substance as that of the orna-
mental hangings, and the walls on
either side are splendidly encased and
finished, as if by a master hand,
whose skillful handiwork had
wrought as it were. by magic. Upon
the floor of this room was found bat
tle-aXe and flesher, such as were in the
early dayes of this country used by
the red men in the dressing Of hides,
etc. Numerous bats were discovered
housed within this chamber, and the
light emitted by the lamp seemed to
disturb their peaceful repose. Still,
proceeding further, another room was
found, which WED with the first in
spiendOr of decoration and elaborate
ness. 1t was larger in size, and scme-
what dissimilar in furnishing, yet
with the same general outlines. Ra-
dating from this chamber were two
passages, each of which were followed
by the party, hnt In each case admis-
sion was barred by what seemed to be
lake of water. From the first ch am-
ber passage was also noticed bearing
In different direction, but from the
fact of the party being insufficiently
provided with lights they were COM
PEELED to defer further exploration.
Numerous hieroglyphics were also
discovered, none of which could be
satisfactorily desiphered.
About three hours were spent in the
exploration, and the party are enthu-
siastlc and confident that hidden
wonders are yet remaining undiscov-
cred, which will mark this cave
among the most wonderful, if not the
largest, upon the continent.
a number OF beautiful stalactites.
and other quaint specimens of ma
lures underground work, were car
rled away for inspection.
Neighborly Affection.