The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-10-23
ALONG THE FOX.
Debolt's Springs. Sand Cave-..The Gray Goose,
and Ravens Den.

tT'or the Free Trader
DRBOLT's SPRINGS,
located little below Wedron bridge, is n curlos
ity in the way of a spring. 1t differs from any
thing Of the kind have ever seen, and Is, TO sa
the least, an odd production OF nature. For quit
distance away the laundering roar Of rushing
waters within this unexplored cavern can b.
heard, while at the same time you behold boiling
up from beneath massive rock water enough
"to turn mill stone" | have been given to m
dcrstand that the spring, or cave beneath Tn
rock, has never been explored; and what NOR
this is than an immense fountain or miniature
Niagara, has, so far as anything but mere specu
ton goes yet 10 be discovered. The spring itsel
Is wonder and well worth visit; while 1T
mineral properties are said to equal any sprinl
Of the kind in the country, That waters will
such wonderful healing qualities-and also GU
Ottawa Mineral Springs-havc not been utilized
is to be lamcnted. Were this or our Ottawa
Springs situated in some other region, surround
ed by like charming and lovely scenery, as thu
banks OF the Fox and Illinois afford, to sa,
naught of the many other advantages, grant
summer hotels with numerous cottages, board
ing houses and all the other enjoyable affairs
would be erected, with special trains bringing in
valids and pleasure seekers from all sections o
"our great and glorousw The papers would be
tceming with notices Of miraculous cures per
formed by the use Of these waters. Perhaps
some angel like she that, according to ST. John
"came down and troubled the waters of Bellies
da," may be induced to pay morning call and
thus glorify Its name and fame! But alas for the
owners SO dormont to their own interests and
the welfare Of suffering humanity! and especially
the negligence OF the committee that controls
the Ottawa Mineral Springs; for, until they have
passed in their chips" and gone above, or 10
that region where no mineral spring bubb!eth
up for them to own, control and kill by cxorbi
tant charges and bad management, Ottawa must
take "A back seat as summer resort and paradise
for lnvalids for years yet to come.
SAND CAVE,
which lies opposite Wedron, or Just little above
the bridge that crosses the Fox at that point, ID
most remarkable curiosity in cave formations.
Ii is Of the same character Of rock as the rest OF
those creations 80 numerous in the county, and
resembles in formation the Swallows Home, on
.
trance from the shore is down deep and peril
Gus incline along the edge Of the bluff, over
stones, logs and other rubbish. The least care
lcssness, causing a stumble or slip, would pre-
cpitatc into the river at least fifty feet below
Within its arched dome, one feels the inspirations
Of awe, while at the same time sort Of gloomy
appearance pervades the entire region. There
is nothing Of the fantastic nature about it, Of
that wild and rugged grandeur SO common in
many OF the other caves, but partakes rather OF a
milder form. II has two apartments, aud might
with proprcty be called the Double Cave" as
one part is almost shut out from the other.
There Is vast difference in their sizes, yet both
are quite large. There are very few lodges or
rock projections to be seen, and scarcely any YER
dure except at the entrancc-brush, sapphngs
and weeds and Is entirely devoid Of moses or
'erns. 1t is in arched or oval shape, and irregu.
lar; and beginning on level with the floor grad
laly rises to its summit at the entrance, till it
reaches q distance OF eighty feet or more. From
the brow OF the bank above hang vines and trees,
many Of the latter peculiar feature. One is as
Ionished to bee with what little they support
ed, and 1t would seem that good blast Of wind
might uaroot them from the rock and hurl them
INTO the river-ffty feet or more below, which at
this point goes dashng along at a rate that is
quite astonishing.
THE GRAY GOOSE,
rs the Wedronites call it, is another OF those
sandstone caves or alcovc formations, like the
one previously described, only little more mild
and modest. The entrance from the river is the
most desirable, but the path from above though
steep is quite safe About fifty feet or more from
The waters edge the cave or Gray Goose looms
up in all its modest beauty. The rock, from base
TO the height OF twenty feet or more, is composed
IF lodges or steps, with numerous holes, and
'paringly covered with foliage Above and clear
On to the summit the whole is profusely covered
with foliage, hanging vines and evergrecns. The
loor is uneven and filled with u con slomcrated
mass OF dirt, stnmps, rocks and other rubbish,
dctracting from the beauty and cheer.
'ulncss Of the rest OF the GooscCD But for all
hat, tits a marvel Of beauty and will repay the
visitor for time and trouble in taking 1t in.
THE POINT.
Passing on up the river We come to what is
'alled The Point, which, as may be Inferred from
Is name, is n point OF rock extending out into
The river. From this the finest and most charm.
ng view on the entire river is to be had For
over mile along the east shore, or right bank
going up, the rock presents an exquisite appear.
lnce, unique IN the way of formation Some por.
lions OF this rock seem a. white as the immacu-
ate snow; others, buff or brown; while other
parts look dark and sombrc. But a description
Of this Point and the view obtained is almost i'm.
possible II must be seen to be understood; and
once the eye rests upon it the picture remains
engraven on the tablets of the memory. 1t to
be regretted that none of our artists have been
able TO take" this, rs 1t would be most charm
ing view for the stereoscope.
the RAvEN's DEN,
Or Dannehoe's Glen, just opposite Indian Creek,
is not only wonderful, but truly astonishing in