The New York herald., 1878-11-21
Investigating the Recent Discovery
in Page County, Va.
THE CAVE FEVER.
a Three Hours Walk Under
a Rocky Roof.
N AT u RAJ r u I N S.


natural wonder like the great cavern at this place
Is not easily found within ordinary travelling dis
tance for the curious who dwell In the cities of the
Atlantic coast. yet the distance ever 80 much
greater 1t would amply repay all the trouble and Ia
tigue Of the journey to wander through the subter
ranean labyrinth that has been recently opened on
hillside close to this little mountain-surrounded vii
lage. resting under the shadows of the Blue Ridge 1t
IL curious to note the gradual radiation Of interest
from the centre of Luray growing stronger as one
approaches the place itself At Baltimore the caverns
have been heard Of and people say. eve read in
the HERALD good deal about big cave found
somewhere down in Virginia; wonder is it all
that is represented 2? AT Washington the remark is,
"Some people in Page county, Va. have found
pretty big cavern. The New York HERALD says it
is remarkably large and inc. At Hsrpcrs Ferry the
talk ia about the luck of them fellows down in Page
county" At Winchester people say. Reckon them
chaps that found the big cave have good thing.
During the war was camped for three months on
that hill and never knowed there there. "
Pushing on to New Market. the railroad station
whence the traveller takes tho stage for Luray
body talks about the and little parties made
up to visit it on Sundays. Indeed, stranger can
not show himself in the town but it Is at as
sumed he is going over to the at Luray aud
information concerning is volunteered by host Of
AouuBeEs aIOuuu Tie llttlo puDllc mousse Wuere tue
stage stands waiting for passengers and pack
ages. But it is Ut Lnray that the
excitement eliminates; there nothing but cave
Is talked morning. noon and night. and cave is the
motif Of every inhabitants dream. From what can
learn there is not . promising rat hole in Page
county that has not been "opened up" in the hope
that It led to great spaces below where
might roam among the glttering stasgmites, stand
ing like crystal monuments in the gloom and ggan-
tic stalactites. hanging like the pendant wings Of
monsters from the lofty roofs Of the vaults The
sue Of little stream from rock Is regarded by the
'cave sharps' . certain indication Of big hole
somewhere. Tney argue. not without some reason
that the water comes from somewhere. that 1t got
there from somewhere else aud that. consequently
the two "somewheres" in combination acted on
chemically by imagination and highly diluted geo.
logical knowledge acidulate by envy Of the luck Of
Campbell and stebbins, must form big cavc on tho
particular explorers farm. The gold fever Of 10 is
probably, not equalled by the fever of Luray;
but any one needing observation 70 stimulate his
Imagination in regard to what the former was need
only note what the latter is just at present.
DREAMS OF \ GREAT FuTuRE.
OF course the discovery has set speculation Wild a
to its effects the future Of Page county general
and Luray in particular In this very secluded region.
where people talk of going the mountains to
New Market they might in village Of central New
York of going to the great metropolis ITSELF exag
gerated deas prevail Of things going beyond their
ptne-clad and sometimes cloud-capped horizon.
NORTH" a. they cali it. everybody s rich. There
enterprise energy and capital beyond the noun
tains which, If their influence could be brought to
bear Page Valley aud Luray. would revolutionixs
this little world. meet old people Of unusual intel
lisencs who have never aeen city. big or small;
who. In fact have lived their long lives
In and about Luray and suffered in the
most distressing the ravages Of the war. for
this region seventeen years ago the battle ground
where Stonewal Jackson. Sheridan, Shields and other
famous leaders fought and raidcd burned aud paged
In the struggle that ended ct Appomattox Beyond the
experiences Of that cruel war; which brought them in
contact with the horrible phases of civilization the
inhabitants have had very few to disabuse them Of
their queer notions Of things going in such distant
places as Washington. Baltimore and New York. Hence
It is only natural that when something has occurred
to draw the attention of the whole country TO Luray
and perhaps steady stream Of visitors, the widest
hopes Of prosperity in the future excited in
the breasts of people who have touched hardpan and
think any new thing good thing.
In order to give foundation to these the visitor is
told about the unrivacd attractions OF this really
besutiful valley How mineral springs of cxtraor-
dnary virtue abound the hillsdcs forests full OF
game for the hunter. streams full of Ash for the
angler pure air and mosquitoes. besides entire
immunity from that terror of country boarders. the
fever and ague. "Ah, SIR" said old resident. III
We only had a railroad here what . fine thing this
would be for Luray" Sure enough it would
help things amazingly and would open up a new field
for the hotel nend and quack hydropathst but fear
the material benefits TO be enjoyed by the people
would be countcrbalanced by moral evils that would
change . kind-hcarted hospitable. courteous and
honest community into . of boarding house
harpies similar to that which infests all districts
where people seek "summer quarters at quiet farm
house." say on Long Island the banks Of tho
Hudson. It will take long time before Luray looms
up great city, and when it docs is greatness will
have reliable foundation than the sttractions
offered by the big cave. a#ofl
cASPDErL AND sTEBBISs' SHOW ROOMS
1prepared myself on coming here for first class
disappointment That Is to say, allowed at least
eighty per cent discount the description OF the
wonders of the cave. feeling satisfied, however that
the subterrancan show rooms contained objects OF
much interest On the night of my arrival and after
hasty supper. organized party for the purpose Of
making general exploration Of the portions of tho
cave reachable by people wearing decent clothes.
don't mean by this that complete examination Of
the place requires any sacrifice Of modosty, but
good coat or other garment Of equal Importance
would DO completely ruined by tour Of inspection
worthy Of the name. drive Of about quarter Of
IN hours duration brought us to the low. baro
Till that covers the cavern. In tho utter
darkness that prevailed and the Loneliness Of the
place we looked like party of rcsurrectionists
going steathily to dcspoil some cemetery.
Closely wrapped up, for the night was bit.
serly cold, wo walked up tho hill to tho
little shed where the proprietors keep supplies Of
candles and rejecting holders. Those ad-
justed and each person provided with good hight.
we then walked the head OF the stairway leading
downward to the door between two retaining
wallis OF masonry. The descent is about fifty feet.
On looking down this passage tho idea Of
going into great vsult In cemctcry grew stronger.
The place had such weird. dismal appearance The
dim light carried down by ono of the proprietors.
who opened the cave door. shone with ghastly