The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-21
DOWN IN A CAVERN.


EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT THE FAR-FAMFD
PAssAlo FALLs--rHE CHANNEL OF THE TOR
RENT EXPOSED TO VIEW NOVEL FISHING.
The prevailing and inc reasins lowDess of the
water in the Passaic River for the first time in
many years given rise serious trouble In Paterson
n D.. all the mills depending upon the river for mo-
tive power have been obliged to suspend operations
at Least part of the time for the past two weeks.
At the far famed Falls Of the Passaic novel sight
presents itself. short distance above the chasm is
the dam of tine Society for the Promotion Of Useful
Manufactures which controls the entire water power
OF the passaic River, immense franchise held by
perpetual charter. Tho society itself organized
by Alexander Hamilton. Between this dam and the
chasm usually rushing torrent. are now to be seen
nothing but naked trap rock and the
river without wetting the soles OF his shoes. At
end of the dam little water il allowed to dow
over it to supply the steam pumps of the
water company on the opposite side. The peculiar
formation of to precipices constituting tho Falls
can now be visSed. Beginning down the river. In
the Valley OF the Rocks whore the names OF some
OF the revolutionary soldiers encamped there under
Washington still to be carved in the
rocks, a chasm probably fifty feet wide divides
the immense strata of trap rock aud ex-
tends some i've hundred feet into the solid
macs. Its sides perfectly perpendicular.
duu from seVenty-tWO 10 eighty Ioet III ueiSut
At the base the water has worn away the rock. and
it is only question Of time to when the sides OF
the chasm will collapse and give the Falls
tirely new appearance. bridge crosses the chasm.
and thousa nds of visitors daily gaze into the black
depths with feelings of awe and amazemsnt. At the
end Of the chasm. some three hundred feet above
the bridge. it divides itself into two immsns
assures. which penetrate deep into the heart
OF the rock and each end in point The left tis-
hmm III
feet and its black shining, perpendicular sides
the visitor to turn aside with shudder, ne
remembers the tragedy which was enacted III 1858
the cliff opposiS 10 and which almost touches the
jagged edge or the right side OF the assure. LII
that year the wife OF the Rev. MIR. Taylor. OF New
the craa. tell forward into the then seething mass
of water below. aud her husband. in q vain attempt
to rescue followed her. 1
FISHING IN THE cHAsM.
The immense rocks that have cruAbled from the
top and lodges projecting from the sides make the
descent OF the right assure possible. though
tremely difficult. Carefully stepping from rock to
rock. sometimes moving on hanas aud feet. HEaALD
every downward step the increasing chilli
OF the atmosphere plainly per-
ceptible, until, when the eighty feet of de-
scent had been accomplished. the temperature
would certainly have warranted an overcoat. Here
among the bleak and threatening rocks. i'll the very
womb OF nature, where tho sunshine never dispels
the prevailing darkness, and where man can place
his loot perhaps but once in generation. were sew
eral fishermen, who. neglectful OF the Implied
law OF nature which to have reserved
this assure. had penetrated to this place
in quest OF sport. The surface of water. inter-
spersed here and there with jagged rocks, which
raise their heads ominously above the surface.
is perhaps some hundred aud fifty feet long, and at
its greatest BREATH some twelve teet VICE. Where
the assure joins its neighbor to create the chasm
accident has heaped rock upon rock. making the
place all that il seems-a dungeon tor the inny tribe.
Black bass being caught i'll large numbers.
but the principal Of all seemed to be to
stir up from its hiding place the immense turtle
which imprisoned there. This animal his been
seen frequently In this wstery prison during the
last few days. and from all accounts is huge snap
per about i've feet long and three vide Among those
to the place by the report OF the presence of
this monster fresh water turtle was Professor Chris
tan Rhinehardt. who ut one time defeated Ira A.
Paine pigeon match With the very gun
with which he accomplished the latter feat
lac anxiously watching the water for the appear
ance OF the head Of the turtle. but his patience
not rewarded with success he, however. expresses
it his determination not to cease his vigilance
til he has secured the prey he is AFTER The ascent
is not laborous the descent. and when the first
ray OF the cheering strikes the visitor. as he
ascends from this dungeon OF nature. the benef
Of Providence III the creation Of sunlight can
be truly appreciated