The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-08-01
q SECOND MAMMOTH CAVE
Discovery and Exploration of
a wonderful Hole In the
Ground near Nash
willie, Tenn.

A report reached Nashville a few
days ago of the discovery of a new
cave at Newsom's Station, seventeen
miles out on the Northwestern railroad.
It is about mile up the road from
Newsom's, on the farm of Mr.. Hut
ton. The entrance opens on a rough
country road, running around the foot
of an immense hill four or FIVE humid
red feet high. The opening is about
four feet by two, and is almost covered
by large bowlder. Two men passing
along the road noticed the hole, and
through curiosity enlarged it sufficient
ly to admit of passage, and explored
the cave some die,zsse. They report
ed the discovery. ne station, and In
day or two parties for miles around
came to see the wonder. In a few
days an exploration was made under
most favorable auspices. Preparing
themselves with lanterns, candles and
ropes, a party of FIVE started on the
expedition. For seventy-fve yards
the passage was so small that they had
to crawl on all fours. Then it grew
larger, widening into large chambers,
the roofs of which could not be seen
or struck with rocks thrown upward.
All along the sides were beautiful for
nations, white and sparkling in the
dim light. A mile from the entrance
there was fork in the passage, one
branch leading north and the other
south. Selecting the northern route
first the party proceeded something
oyer a mile, when they came to what
seemed to be the end. All along
walking was easy, and no idea could
be formed as to how high the roof was
in plaCl Retracing their steps they
next took the southern passage. A
mile from the fork it also divided into
two branches. Taking the right hand
branch, the explorers advanced some
distance, coming at last to large lake
Of the coolest aud sweetest water. No
attempt was made to proceed beyond
this, but going back they started on
the left branch, which they explored
nearly a mile without finding any
prospect of an end. The further they
advanced the wider and larger was the
passage and the more frequent the
chambers. The finest formation OF
stalactites was found in the utmost pro-
fusion. The rooms were immense IN
size and weird in outline, fantastic for.
nations being scattered over the hoor
and along the walls. Frequently run
ming streams of water were crossed,
remarkable for their almost more than
icy coldness. This was the third party
that had gone any distance in the cave,
and all who had been to the Mammoth
Cave declared that this great wonder
rivaled it.
Some two hundred yards up the road
there is another cave, discovered dur
ing the war. 1t has large entrance,
and consists of one large chamber sew
eral hundred feet long and hundred
feet or more high. At the end is a
we'll. the bottom of which has never
been touched. A party in the new
ly discovered cave the other day heard
noises like striking of stones, and il
is supposed from this fact that the two
caves are connected. Other explora
tions will be made in few days. Tho
proprietor proposes to commence i'm
mediately enIarging the entrance and
passages. The location is a beautiful
one, high up on hill overlooking the
Harpeth river and valley.