Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-10-25
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
The Growing Wonder
FRONT ROYAL, Va, Oct. Is, 1879.

| Llray, distance OF twenty live miles,
to visit the wonderful caverns recent
ly discovered there. Arriving some
time after dark we put up at the
Rust House" N. E. Rust, proprietor,
where we were treated very kindly.
The fare is good, terms low and visi-
tors can't do better elsewhere.
Refreshed by a comfor table nights
rest we partook of hearty breakfast
and started for the cave, one mile
distant out the New Market road. 0
my what scenery the Blre Ridge
puts on at this POINT in the way of
peaks, knobs, etc. The "Gravelly
Springs" "Mary's Rock" the "Ket-
lie, "Hawksbill," etc, were pointed
cut to us, But here's the Caveholse.
We are asked if we wish to go in the
cave. Answering in the affirmative
we are handed candlestand and
large reflector holding three candles.
Following our guide, F. P. Smith, we
seemed to be going down in a deep
cellar when, upon opening door, we
are ushered into the presence Of
"Washington's Pillar" in the Grand
Entrance. The effect is stunning.
Next we throw our light upon the
Natural Flower Garden" displaying
great clusters of 4 wers of all colors,
but they are stone; (3) "Amphithea-
tre;" a. Muddy Lake" (5) "Natur-
al Bridge" (6) Fish Market hun
dreds apparently fine looking fish
formed from pc ri6ed limestone water,
seemingly frozen, as they all wriggled
one way; CD "Elfn's Ramble." Ibis
room comprises Sc e1al acres under
one ceiling; two very small columns
our guide said, "were all the support
it had" Of course we Knew better.
No. s finds US leaning on the railing
Dor. .ering "Pluto's Chasm," IS feet
doep and 500 feet long; (l0) ugh"
that cod chill that runs up our back
as we behold Spectre Column" white
as snow, rising out Of this gulf Of
darkness and ending i'll darkness
away up the chasm; QD "Eearl
Spring" 1t is peculiar how clear
the water is in the cave. My
friend, who visited the cave once be-
fore, said "a lady who plunged her
hand in 81 ring, surprising it only
few inches deep, lost her balance and
immersed her ann ne2rl y to TIE
shoulder (l2) "Proserpi1e'g Pillar"
four feet in diamater-graad; Q3)
20 beams Grotto," "a "Tutan's
Veil;" (l5) "Frozen Forntain," which
gsne3 out of limestone rock high up,
tumbles down in a waterfall of snowy
wilderness, and falls to the ground in
long icicles of stone. We are 60
ing on without naming the thousan IS
of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains,
drapery. ETC., many reminding one OF
Joseph's coat of many co!ors. (l6)
'Lady's Bathroom" beautiful foun-
tain within one peers cautiously, as
if expecting to tnd the lady; but we
will find her leaving the Ballroom"
farther on, (l7 "Sarcine Tert' and
the Fallen Column" II feet in d.
ameter. From calculations mado it is
thousands Of years olGer tan the
world is said to be, and they seem to
be credible; (lS) Angels Wing "-na
tural; (l9) "O.gan room and Organ
the staIaetite pipes run down from
tie largest to the Wee little ones
from the most me odi1us to the highest |
key. We played the 'sweet bye and
uye." Another can play base 9 feet
away on the same organ; COY Chap
aans Like" where an unfortunate
Explorer by that name, In his eagerness
. aspect .ometh;rg beyond, not no
icing Lis sterping ground, plunged
n; (2D Tower of Babylon in all
is alabaster grandeur; (22) "Sultan
Column" BIRD Column" and "In-
dian Squaw." Ia head Of "Giant's
Hail we noticed 6 column for
which we suggested BARRIERS Pole"
as good name, whereupcn our
guide informed us that that was its
name; (23) Double Column" so feet
nigh and Is feet in diameter. There
is another column forming beside Just
ike it only vice versa. ca Frozen
Cascade" "a most beautiful formation;
25) Hanging Rock" (26) BALL
Room" CD "Dancing Platform" 40
by 50 feet; (28) Grave Yard with
It's white 'ombstones (2gD Riding |
Whip (4O) Cinderella Leaving the
Ballroom natural trail Of pure
white; (3l) Crystal Spring" which
flows down in hoEeycomb formation
IF springs and is beautiful" 1850 |
"Brand's Case de; go "Lsdy's Toi-
iet;" (3S) Skeleton in Skeleton
Gulch."
Tie skeleton was evidently an In
liam and the first iiscoverer his
Hoccas!n track is still to be seen in
trusted in limestone in a shallow
y ring. But his greet discovery cls,
lin his life and proved his tomb.
Persons Soius IN tho cave zee some
hing never seen before, not even al |
ne C.ntennil When on the road |
coming out j, is still all new to them.
Wit the many Thousands o. sialac-
tites, columns, We = sL.wIs, &,.--
fancy Int thin,y Ia vs,. .nt"rycnc,
Brlwern some far city aud me
There are few who have been there |