The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-06-12
Arizona Catacomhs.

The Phoenix Herald gives the follow
ing description Of recent discoveries Of
Arizona catacombs by an exploring
party, which will be read with interest !:
The discovery was made about one
mile east of Mountain Spring station, in
the southeastern part Of the Territory.
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 candles placed in a small
board and this fastened to long pole,
which was carried SO high that the light
was cast far ahead Of them, and danger
from pits and 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 vari,,
Gus points by which to find their way
back, there being innumerable chambers
branching out in all directions, they con-
tinued their way through one chamber,
the walls OF which, though presenting
the appearance Of stalactic formation,
We're black and dingy, which was ac-
counted for 10y 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 al kinds Of animals lay scat
tered around, no less than 200 deer
antlers being seer, ana othey evidences
Of life-destructio-l and feasting. Animals
may have done the work, but if SO they
must have had great strength to carry
Their prey to such distance.
Into this cavern they CROPPED their
way for distance Of 500 feet and found
no end. In some places the cave was so
small they would have to creep through,
and then suddenly would find them
selves in a large room, full Of gloomy
grandeur, still as death and as full of
mystery. Their candles giving out at a
point about 800 feet from the entrance,
they returned to the light Of day for re
freshments and more candles
Upon re-entering they explored the
passage 20 the left. The entrance to
this branch is about three fee high, but
marrow and irregular for 500 feet but
passing through the aperture, the party
found themselves in a large .hamber
with beautifully draped stalaoite cell
ing, fully IS feet above the floor Here
was glittering grandeur, with thousand
varied beauties and fantastic figures
This point is about $50 feet lower than
the entrance From this chamber the
cave, OF caves, bore upward. There
We're three distinct passages, one above
the other, and the explorers taking the
upper one, went on and up for distance
of about 5000 feet, until, as they be-
lieved, they were approaching top en-
trance, the purity of the air in this hail
leading them to the conclusion that
there was an exit above Here again
their candles gave out 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 immense cham
bers and shafts without bottoms Ev-
cry now and then the ring of the pas
sageway from their feet warned them
that the floor upon which they stood was
the roof or covering of another subtcr-
ranean cave or pitfall. For five hours
they penetrated into the dark recesses of
these wonderful passages, chambers and
complex catacombs, only to arrive at the
conclusion that to explore the great
natural wonders before them would take
days and perhaps months.