Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-05-08
sbspbsrastomn Register.
9, 1850.
THE NEW CAVERN.


would undertake to explore the cave re.
Gently discovered below town, near the
Potomac Cement Mills, and report to
our readers the result of our invesliga-
sion. So on Tuesday last we in compa-
ny with one of our ''imps" started for
the scene of action. On arriving at
the cement quarry We found, aud press
ed into service, our friend, the clever Su
perintendent, Mr.. Lucas, who consented
TO pilct us through this subterranean
palace o: wonders.
The entrance to this cavern is within
ABOUT one hundred feet of the quarry,
along the bank of the Potomac and
about mile below town. After climb
ing up the cliff about twenty feet, We
came 10 the entrance. Here we found
our greatest difficulty, for the opening
being small (this could easily be rene
dicd( We had to come down on our
hands aud knees to get inside; never
,hrless with "Dort' as leader, whose
large statue We could follow anywhere,
Sc succeeded in squeezing ourselves
in; aud once inside, and with the help
OF our lantern and candles, which we
had provided ourselves with, We started
on our tour of investigation.
We first entered narrow passage,
whose stalsctile covered walls OF attic
shape, compelled Us to stoopin orderto
make our way along. This passage is
abou, one hundred feet in length, and is
handsomely decorated with stalactite for
nations From this gallary or passage,
YOU descend into what is already been
termed, the BALLROOM" This is
room of about forty feet square, whose
archcd ceiling towers heavenwards.
Stalactites aud Stalagmites protasely
decorate and adorn this beautiful apart
rent, to which can be added its carpet
ing of fine yellow sand, which only en-
hances the loyeliness of the scene. This
Sand, while of yellow color in the cave,
is changed on being brought and exposed
10 sunlight, TO a beautiful white, resemb-
lingin appear zee, the finest quality OF sli-
yer sand Just al the entrance OF the ball
room, on the right hand side, hangs
large gong OF staiactite formation, which
when struck upon, sends forth its deaf
ening sound through the entire cavern.
70 SEQ aud examine this curiosity
alone, il is worth the trouble of explora,
ton. Leaving the ballroom, We next
GENE 10 "Muscum Hall" large octan.
gular shaped room, which adjoins the
rooM which we in compliment 10 our
guide, styled "Dorts' "Bed Chamber"
This hall is museum OF natural curios-
tiles, of stalactites and stalagmites; also
of peculiar formations Of limestone. In
this room can be seen the impress
of natures architect. Here upon the
walls in plain representations, can be
seen characters of birds, beasts and fish.
Trees. leaves and flowers, are as it were,
photographed upon these walls.
We come next, through marrow pas
sage, TO ''Dort's Bed Chamber" which
from the dilninutiyeness of its size and
popularity Of formation, warrants its ap-
pellation. In it is bunk or lounge,
naturally formed, and about four feet in
length, over which there hangs dra-
perry of beautiful stalactites. Leaving
this room we found ourselves again in a
narrow passage of downward tenden-
cy, aud which on following, brought us
TO the edge of pond Of water, and
which as well as We could judge was
about 6fteen feet across to the other
side. Here we had to stop our explora-
tons, as we were not able to bridge the
chasm. With the aid Of our lights we
could discern that the cavern extended
far in the distance. This pond is either
on a level with the river-which we are
inclined to think tie case-or else it
has an under current, for it seemed as
saltwater, though cool, clear and of
considerable depth. Having seen all
we could with our teint 'luminary" we
retraced our steps for sunlight, happily
satisfied with the result of our inyestiga-
ton, and to Superintendent Lucas we
heartily return our thanks for his kind
assistance.