Daily Republican., 1879-06-11

tuO Suluhts Aaf WcAo P'oNco@N5 -
the eastern slope towards Luray when
the attention of Mr.. Stebbins was called
to slight depression which he noticed
to be at times, after hard rain partic-
ularly, filed with water, which water
would disappear without any apparent
outlet. As a last resort he thought he
wsuld try this spot.
lie did so and after digging down to
depth Of about ten feet hs suddenly
came to an opening. The hollow sound
and tho distant echo as tools struck the
hard surface impressed him with the
belief that their efforts were about
to be crowned with success. Mr..
Campbell entered. The minutes went
by but he did not return and a young
brother of his who was with Mr.. Steb-
bins on the outside, thinking that some
thing had befallen Mr.. Campbell, went
in search of him. He entsrsd the aper-
ture and tindirg nothing but vastness
he sat down. Soon the elder Mr.. Camp
bell returned and seeing, by the fam
beau, the form of his brother demand
ed to know what brought him there
The cause was assigned, and there in
the darkness compact was entered in
to between the two Campbells, the
younger would do as his BROTHER did.
Mr.. Campbell came to the surface and
there being a number Of boys around
he remarked sorrowtully ''just like the
rest, nothing but hole ip the gronnd."
CampelI confirmed the words OF mis-
brother aud so the matter was kept Sc
cret until a favorable opportunity offer
ed itself for repeating the true nature
of the wonderful discovery to Mr..
Stebbins. This was done, and that
evening, and in fact every succeeding
evening for weeks the partners went to
the spot under the cover Of darkness
and made their explorations.
The property on which the cave was
situated at that time was in the court to
satisfy creditors of the owner who was
bankrupt. Mr.. Stebbins at once took
the matter in hand and by raising 10
per cent. on the property according to
the State statutes was given possession
under decree of the court. There were
we're 30l acres, including Hutfner's
Cave, for which tLe amount Of ST. an
acre was paid. The whole thing was
done legally and much 20 the surprise
of all who thought that the lunacy of
the two men had reached eliminating
point for no amount of conjecture could
bring forth a satisfactory reason why
they wanted such wild and worthless
mass of land. On the 10th Of Septem-
Der following the discovery the sale
was effected and the inhabitants of
Lurey were fairly startled with the
wonderful intirmation that ensued.
The explanation was out and they un-
derstood.
TIE EXPLORATION.
The above is the history of the pecu-
liar circumstances that led to the dis
covery of the wonderful caverns of Lu-
ray. After arriving at the hotel at this
place and taking dinner we were joined
by Messrs. Stebbins and Campbell, and
We proceeded to the cave. The entrance
is covered by neatly constructed
building which will, when completed,
serve not only as an Office for the pro-
prietors, but as depository for cavern
ic relics to be disposed of to the visi-
tors. Here we were joined by another
party, some of whom were ladies. iwo
of us were fortunate enough to secure
overalls and other fit apparel, and were
thus fully equipped for our subterra
mean journey. Tin retectors with can
dies brightly burning afforded US the
necessary light.
We, one by one, disappeared down a
long flight of stone steps until We came
to sort of landing. Here was the EN-
trance to the cave. From this landing
we went on down flight Of wooden
stairs until We all stood grouped togeth-
er on q solid floor. 1t was some mo-
ments before We were enabled to take
in the surroundings, but when we did
there was general expression Of sur
prise. We were standing in an immense
chamber. Directly in front of us was
a huge column that seemed to us
like tluted marble. 1t was some time
before the party recovered from the as
tonishment, that vas, by the light of
the candle, seen plainly depicted upon
the countenance of each. The large for
nation that stood in our path was
known as Washington's Pillar, twenty
five feet high and ninety feet in girth.
We passed through an opening i'll
the right and then came out in a
passage-way known as Stebbins' Ave
nue., where we saw standing at its en-
trance a perfect statuette. On lifting a
trap door in the floor we were informed
that the opening that was disclosed led
into immense chambers below, four of
which had been explored. Returning
we passed around Washington's Pillar,
and proceeded along an avenue and
crossed what is known as Muddy
Lake. When the proprietors first dis
covered the spot they found this lake,
now dry chasm, filed with muddy
water, across the surface If which they
had to be ferried. The water gradually
disappeared and left it in its present
condition.
After crossing the bridge We came to
square place close to the left side en-
closed by fence where thousands upon
thousands cf accretions met our view
strongly resembling flower garden. Up
to that time the party had not spoken
but were merely observing. So strong
lyl did the magnifcence Of the scene
strike us that our feeling left us no
other alternative but to remain quiet.
TO give expression to thoughts that
would do the remarkable sights justice
would have been impossible.
After gazing apon peculiar forma-
ton known as "the fish market" we
traversed passages innumerable;so dev-
ious and SO grandly immense in their
vastness that we lost all bearings and