Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-04-30
The Arizona Catacombs.

The discovery was made about one
mile east Of Mountain Springs Station,
in Southeastern Arizona. The cave
was found TO have an arched entrance
about four feet high. Two of the ex-
plorers took the lead with candles plac-
ed in small board and this fastened to
long pole, which was carried 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 innu-
merable chambers branching off in all
directions, they continued their way
through a chamber, the walls, of which
though presenting the appearance of
| stalactic formation were black and din
gy, which was accounted for by find
ing ashes and other indications of FIRE,
evidently very old. Here, no doubt
'aS OAiN OA tit
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 feast
ing. Animals may have done the work
but if so, they must have had great
strength to carry their prey to such a
distance. Into this cavern they groop-
ed their way, down. down, right and
left for a distance of 500 feet, and vet
they found no end. In some places the
cave was so small they would have to
come down on call fours" and creep
through and then suddenly find them
selves in large room. full of gloomy
grandeur, still as death and as full of
mystery. Their candles giving out at
a point about 500 feet from the entrance
they returned to the light of day for re-
fresbment and more candles, Upon
reentering 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 a large chamber
with beautifully draped stalactite
ceiling, fully seyenty-five feet above
the floor. Here was glittering grand
eur, with thousand varied beauties
and fantastic figures. This point is
about $50 feet 10 yer than the entrance.
From this chamber the cave or caves
bore upward. There were three dis
tinct passages, one above the other and
the explorers taking the upper one,
went on and up for a distance of about
5000 feet, until, as they believe, they
were approaching top entrance, the
purity of the air in this hall leading
them TO the conclusion that there was
an exit above. Here again their can
dies gave out and they were compelled
to return, only TO behold more and va
ried wonders, caves leading in every
direction. Here and there was small
hole in the wall, INTO which curiosity
seekers would thrust their torches, only
TO beho.d immense chambers and shafts
without bottom. Every now and then
the ring of the passageway from their
tread warned them that the floor upon
which they stood was the roof or cover
ing of another subterraDean cave or
pitfall. For five hours they penetrated |
into the dark recesses of these wonder /
full passages, chambers and complex /
only to arrive,,at the conclu-
sion that to explore the great natural !
wonder before them would take days =,
and perhaps months. They brought |
out with ther many beautiful speci-
mems of stalactites, and some fine deer
antlers. The curiosity of the party is
Just sufficiently excited to warrant an
other expedition in a short time and
we hope it may be soon, as there is no
doubt of the existence of many won
iers and beauties in these natural cata-
combs of Arizona.