Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-02
CAVES AND cAvEnSs.
what n Proprietor struck on Pros
pect Mountain.

what n Frospector Struck on Pros
poet Mountain.
Whenever locals are scarce with the in
evitable Dan de guile, he ~straightway dis
covers a cave, and in consequence the col
umns Of the Enterprise are adorned with G
glowing account Of its wonders. We do
not intend to impugn Dams yeracity, and
only mention il to illustrate the fact that
the Lord is good to those who follow in
his paths, aud he is reaping the reward be-
slowed on the righteous. We may have
read his descriptions with a slight tingc Of
envy for Notwithstanding we live i'll a sec
ton, the geological formation OF which is
peculiarly favorable TO dens and c%averns,
there is a sameness about their interiors
that forbids a repetition OF the subject.
The monstrous beauty of these interiors,
the stalagmites and stalactites, fairy vege-
tation, crystals, ETC., repeat themselves in
every new opening, and one description
answers for all. AT least that was our idea
until Yesterday, when we found that there
was a variation in the article, and were
IOIIiDHIt GlDtlSH w Z tii0 . anu
explorer, u hardy prospector, Kelley by
name, who has stumbled upon o genuine
sensation. In company with a companion,
he, while roaming over Prospect mountain
last week, found a small opening in q ledge
Of rocks on the west side Of that elevation.
Curiosity led him to attempt an entrance,
and he crawlcd through a narrow passage
way until he had reached a distance OF
forty feet. Here he desisted on account of
the darkness and the difficulty Of penetrat-
ing further without due preparation, but
he returned the next day with his partner,
and this time his efforts were crowned
with success. A toilsome progress of sixty
feet on their hands and knees brought
them to a place where the cave expanded
TO immense proportions. The roof rose to
a height Of fifty feet, the walls receded un-
til a width Of over three hundred feet was
gained. and the length was estimated as at
least three hundred yards, and possibly
more. The fioor pitched abruptly into the
mountain at an angle Of IS degrees, and
there we're numerous windings and turn
ings to other smaller but connecting open
ings. Mr.. Kelley describes the place as
grand, dark and gloomy, Impressive i'll its
stiffness, and depressing in its surround
ings. The walls were smooth and regular,
the floor free from the debris that usually
obtains, and there was no evidence OF damp
ness visible. The strongest portion OF the
result Of the explorations remains to be
chronicled. The floor was strewn with hinge
bones, the size and structure OF which
hintad at fossil monsters, Megatheriums,
Ichthyosaurians, mammoths and various
other beasts and reptiles that once inhab-
tied tie land or sported in the ancient
seas.
SCIENCE INDoRsED.
Here let us pause to pay a tribute
to science. How often in these columns
has our local scientist, Captain Foley,
%discoursed upon the seas that laved the
foot OF old Prospect, ages ago. With what
enthusiasm he has written about Silurian
beaches, Deyonian limestones, Carbonifer-
Gus deposits, and SO on down until he
reached the Tertiary epoch, when these
very creatures, who seem to have selected
this cave as a mansolem, dragged their
huge lengths along TO this family vault.
The Captains theories are triumphantly
vindicated, and we feel like acknowledging
the fact, and recording it as an instance Of
the confusion of skeptics and doubters.
But we iigrcss. Not only were these an
eicnt remains found in profusion. but there
were evidences of more recent occupants.
Traces of a fire, such as burnt brands,
| ashes, etc, were met i'll one place, and an
oyster can, a bottle labeled whisky, and
several empty yeast-powder boxes were
strewn about. These things pertain to the
present time, unless we refer them to some
extinct civilized era antedating our knowl-
edge. 1t is said that there il nothing new
under the sun, not even monographs and
telephones and it is hardly possible that
the toothsome mollusk was canned and
imported from the sea shore. or put on the
spot, ages ago. This theory is hardly ten
able. as the whisky bottle bore the firm
level OF Thatcher & Co. Another article.
found in close proximity. also forbids the
above supposition. This was nothing less
one of Wells, Fargo 4 Co.'S express boxes.
A DEN OF RoBBFGs.
This leads us to the true solution Of the
identity Of the occupants. Some years
ago, a stage was robbed betwcen Phoebe
and Eureka, and it was well known that
the band Of hiShwaymen brought their
plumber, consisting Of several bars of bull
ion and a small amount Of treasure to this
vicinity. They succeeded in finally dis
posing Of il, and were never apprehended.
That they knew the secret Of the existence
of this cave, there is little doubt. Here
they hid until they could negotiate with
outside confederates and get rid of their
booty. The treasure box is a demonstra-
ton of this being the case.
The length OF our article forbids a fur
Their dwelling upon the interesting features
of this cavern. The reported inscriptions
on the walls, stone arrow heads, etc, will
furnish material for another item. A par