River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-07-24
A SECOND MAMMOTH CAVE.
Discovery and Exploration of WOnder
It,t Hole ia the Ground Near Nashpiiie.

Discovery and Exploration of "a Wonder
Ittt Hole IVA the Ground Near Nashpitte.
Nashville Special to Cincinnati Enquirer.
News reached this city few days ago of
the discovery of new cave at Newsom's
station, seventeen miles out on the North
western railroad. Many were inclined to
doubt the truth of the report, and the won
derful accounts of the interior. Yesterday,
with four of the neighboring farmers, a
newspaper representative made a visit to the
cave and made a lengthy exploration. 1t is
about mile up the road from Newsom's,
on the farm of a MIR. Hutton. The en-
trance opens on a rough country road,
running around the foot of an immense
hill four or five hundred 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 suf-
ficiently to admit of passage and explored
the cave some distance. They reported their
find at the station, and in a day or two par
ties for miles around came to see the wonder.
To day the exploration was made under
most favorable auspices. Preparing them
selves with lanterns, candles and ropes, the
party of five started on the expedition. For
seventy five 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 re seen nor struck
with rocks thrown inward. All along the
sides were beautiful formations, white and
sparkling in the dim light. 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 over 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
places. Retraeing their steps the next took
the southern passage. mile from the fork
it also divided in two branches. Taking the
right-hand branch, the explorers advanced
some distance, coming at last to large lake
of the coolest and 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 i'll the wider and larger was the
passage and the more frequent the chambers.
The finest formation of stalactites was
found in the utmost profusion. Several
specimens were broken off and brought to
the city. The rooms were immense in size
and weird in outline, fantastic formations
being scattered over the floor and along the
walls. Frequently running streams of water
were crossed, remarkable for their almost
more than icy GOODNESS. This was the third
party that had gone any distance i'll the cave,
and all who had been to the Mammoth cave
declared that this wonder rivaled it.
Some two hundred yards up the road there
is another cave, discovered during the war.
| 1t has large entrance, and consists of one
large chamber several 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 cave the other
day heard noises like striking of stones,
and it is supposed from this fact that the
two caves are connected. Other explorations
will be made III a few days. The proprietor
proposes to commence Immediately enlarg-
ing the entrance and passages. The location
is beautiful one, high up on hill over
looking the Harpeth river and valley. The
discovery has created great interest in Nash
vile.