The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-02-05
81 WONDERS UNDERGROUND.
y magnificent Cayerns Newly Discovered
4 IS s In Virginia.

'ls :
Newmarket, Va, Cor. New. York Herald.
The whole country lying between the
i Blue Ridge and the Alleghanies in Vir-
]. ginia, comprising the Page and Shen-
/ andoah valleys, whica are separated by
the Massanutton range, appears to be
honeycombod with caverns. The land
throughout this region is of q rolling
character and is mostly under cultiva-
ton. Here and there are to be seen
houseS Of q considerable size, built of
brick or of wood, with verandas; these
are the plantation homes of the oiden
time. Most of the other habitations
outside of the villages are small one
stored cabins, many of them being of
logs. But it is the underground world
that in this region has most interest for
the visitor. The existence of q cave is
usually indicated by numerous depres-
sions of the land, into which surface
water runs freely in wet seasons and
from which draughts of air are observ-
ed to come. Scores of these openings
have been explored, but few of them
have been found to possess any consid-
cradle dimensions. The Meyers, the
Madison and Fountain caves were the
largest known until within year. They
were discovered about seventy-ive years
ago. They are situated five miles from
Weyers Station, on the Valley Branch
ofthe Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and
their entrances are all within the com.
pass of halfmile. The great LuraY
cavern was discovered about one year
ago. 1t is situated in the town of Luray,
about 16 miles northeast of Newmarket
Station, on the same railroad. The Cir
cumstances under which it was found
were as follows: a travelling photo
grapher visited the place, and, becom-
ing interested in the subject of caves,
commenced making investigations.
Soon he was joined bytwo residents of
Luray who had. made some explora-
tions, and the three made systematic
examination of the whole region. One
day, in an open field, within a short dis
tunce of several houses, they removed
some loose stones at the bottom of a lit
tie hollow and found a passage large
enough to admit q man, leading verti-
cally into the ground. One of the three
was lowered with rope, while the 9TH
ers remained outside. In the meantime
party of boys had come to the spot:
When the man came up he was pale
with emotion, so grand was the subter-
ranean world of which he had q glimpse
while below, but seeing the boys and de-
termined to keep his discovery secret
with his own party for the time being,
he declared. that another failure had
been made. The three managed to get
money enough together to purchase the
field, and the value :of the discovery
i was not made known to the public un-
I til the deeds had been passed and pos
session of the property: secured. :.
NEWLY DISCOVERED WONDERS.
About six miles southeast from New.
market Station, in the foothills of the
Massanutton range, and on the land of
Mr.. Reuben Zirkle, q farmer of indie
pendent means, indications of cavern
have been noticed for years. A few
weeks ago, Mr.. Zirkle and one or two
members of his family were strolling
about the place, and, removing few
stones which they thought might cover
an aperture, revealed jagged open
ing, descending almost perpendicularly..
Having procured lights they descended,
and at the depth of thirty feet found
themselves in roomy chamber. Ex-
5ploration has been vigorously prosecut-
ed by Mr.. Zirkle and his two sons, J. G.
sc,1d A. n or1 <ho%1 hi ,n =, - %<s <l:o dot,