The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-04-09
The Arizona CatacOmbs.

Among some of the many wonders of
that Wonderland of America y Arizona,
which has made it famous and served to
surround this isolated region with halo
of mysticism and romance, the recent
discovery of its catacombs by au eNplor-
! ing party, described insbn Arizona paper,
will prove of interest.
The discovery was made about one
mile east of the Mountain Spring station,
in southeastern Arizona. The cave was
! found to have an arched entrance about
| three feet wide and four feet high. Two
of the explorers took the lead with can
dies placed in n small board, and this
fastened to long pole, which was car
ried so that the light was cast far ahead
of them and danger from pits or other
obstacles thus avoided
After proceeding about 100 feet down
an incline they came to the two main
branches of the cave. Taking the one to
the right and leaving candles at various
points by which to find their way back,
there being innumerable chambers
branching off in all directions, they con-
tinued their way through chamber,
the walls of which, though presenting
the appearance of stalactic formation,
were black and dingy, which was nc
counted for by the finding of ashes and
other indications of fire, evidently very
old. Here no doubt was one of the
haunts and resting-places of the Apaches.
Bones of all kinds lay scattered around,
no less than 500 deer antlers being seen,
and other evidences of life destruction
and feasting. Animals may have done
the work, but if so they must have had
great strength to carry their prey to such
II distance
Into this cavern they CROPPED their way,
down, down, right and left for dis
tance of 500 feet, and yet they found no
end. In some places the cave was so
small they would have to come down on
" all tours and creep through, and then
suddenly would find themselves in large
room, full of mystery. Their candles
giving out at point about 500 feet from
the entrance, they returned to the light
of day for refreshment and more can
dies dies. Upon re-entering they explored
the passage on the left. The entrance to
this branch is about three feet high, but
narrow and irregular for 300 feet; but
passing through the small aperture, the
party found themselves in large cham
Der with beautifully-d stalactite
ceiling, fully seventy-tive feet above the
hoor. Here was glittering grandeur,
with thousand varied beauties and fam
tastic figures. From this chamber the
cave, or caves, bore upward. There were
three distinct passages, one above the
other, and the explorers, taking the upper
one, went on and up for a distance ofabout
1900 feet, until, as they believed, they
were approaching a top ontrance-the
purity of the air in this hall leading them
to the conclusion that there was an exit
above. Here again their candles gave
cut and they were compelled to return,
only to behold more and varied wonders;
caves leading in every direction. Here
and there was small hole in the wall,
into which the curiosity seekers would
thrust their torches. only to behold i'm
mense chambers and shafts without bot
tom. Every now and then the ring o
the passageway from their tread warned
them that the floor upon which they
stood was the roofor covering of another
subterranean cave or pitfall For five
hours they penetrated into the dark re-
cesses Of these wonderful passages, chap-
bers and complex catacombs, only to Nr-
rive at the conclusion that to explore the
great natural wonder before them would
take them days and perhaps months.
They brought out with them many beau
titul specimens Of stalactites and some
fine deer antlers. The curiosity of the
party is just sufficiently excited to war
rant another expedition in a short time
and we hope it may be soon, as there is
no doubt of the existence of many Won
ders and beauties in these natural cata-
combs of Arizona.