Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-08-14
A sILVKs CAvE.
CRverns FILLED with silver ore
The Roof Hung With Stall
aetItes.
Tstritorial Entsrpriss.

1tIfltOIlbl DutcLpElsos
Chief of Police Bradley, who had
Just returned from Downieville, fur
nishes us with some interesting par
ticulars in regard to the recent big
find in that camp. Chief Bradley is
interested in an extension of the mine
in which the strike was made, and
went out to Downieville to look after
his interest, he having two brothers
residing there. The cave wastapped
by a tunnel at such depth that it ex-
tends to a hight Of some 300 feet
above the tunnel level. How far be-
low it may go is a matter OF conJec-
ture, as below the floor of the tunnel
it is filled with water.
The cave is not a vertical opening,
it stands at an angle of about forty
degrees. From the floor to the roof it is
from fifty to one hundred feet in hight,
being quite irregular and resembling a
series Of chambers. Magnificent stall
actites are suspended from the roof,
many being ten or twelve feetin length,
and as white and clear as alabaster.
These sparkle in the light Of candles
like so many huge i%cicles. Not only
are these objects Of great beauty, but
there are also concretions of the same
beautiful material that mimic animals
and other things seen on the surface
Of the earth. There are connections
that resemble owls, rabbits, the heads
of goats, donkeys and many other
things. AT the mine they have a con-
erection that is a perfect representa-
ton Of the head and neck of the swan,
bill and all being very distinct. Chief
Bradley found what was an excellent
representation of the head of a goat,
the horns being perfect and natural,
but he had the bad luck to break of
the horns in securing it.
By bringing the lights to bear upon
the water at the tunnel level, the con
tinuation Of the cave can be very
distinctly traced. The water is very
clear, and with the lights properly
placed one may peer down into a depth
Of tWcaty- FIVE or thirty feet. Down
10 the water, pendant from the roof,
are to be seen the same clusters Of
stalactites and coneretions as are
found IN the part that has been
drained.
Chief Bradley says that, standing at
the tunnel level and gazing upward
along the cave-wheu the lights have
been arranged at the top and at inter
mediate points-the view is magni6
cent. The whole roof seems to be
hung with chandeliers and other beau
tiful objects in alabaster and glass. The
ore lies on the floor and along the sides
the cave, and is so soft that it is
handled with shoVsIs, AS the ore is
scooped up and shoveled into the cars
at the track floor it slides down from
above like so much ashes or loose
gravel. 1t is of q deep red color, and
80 stains the hands aud faces of the
miners that it is a difficult matter to
wash it Of.
While much Of the ore goes up in
the hundreds, it is considered safe to
put the average,as it is shoveled up and
wheeled out, at SIS per ton. The red
dust is SO heavy that a handful Of ii
feels so much like shot, Mingled with
this fine stuff are great bloekso Of galena,
that come rolling down as the shovehug
proceeds. Many of these are so large
that one man cannot lift them, and it
is necessary to break them up with a
sledge.
No one knows the value Of the find,
and it is considered safe to put it at
s250,000. Two carloads Of the ore
we're shipped to San Francisco a day or
two ago to be.Operated upon at works
in that city.