Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-06-03
DUEBAR'S CAVE.


mGnces Brought to Light.
So much has been written and
said of Mamonth cave in Kentucky,
it is surprising that attention has
not been called to our own treasure
trove, which lies outside the town,
through the medium of the press.
However, as this has not been done,
it has fallen by thread of chance
to my humble pen to point out its
wonders. The cave, perchance,
may grow famous, the pen never,
but ergo, it may shine from re-
fiectant spendor, and if so shall be
content In barring to the public
gaze this spot SO endeared to the
young and old of Montgomery
county. 1 am aware OF the sacred
ground upon which / am treading,
but shall endeavor to step lightly
over all the pet spots, where loves
young dream has been whispered.
mystic rites celebrated and mint
julips inbibed; and if | betray any
secrets of state, dear friends, l pray
you keep them for me.
Not long ago we went, in compa-
ny with our popular cave proprie-
tor, Mr.. J. Rice, and his estimable
wife, to spend a day at Dunbar's
and explore its subteranean cham
bers. After charming drive OH a
bright sprihg morning we arrived
at our destination and made
preparations to enter it. Not hav-
been here in three years, and in the
meantime having visited the most
celebrated caves in the world, viz,
those at the Giants Causeway, in
Ireland, and Fingal's, at Stafford,
I was vet wonderfully impressed
and delighted with the grand semi
circle of rock ouerhung with MOSES
| and vines which make a stately
canopy over the mouth of the cave.
There can be no finer entrance way
| chan is this in the world, and to
this fact alone should our cavern
become famous were there nothing
else to commend ii. But where
can a more delightful summer re-
sort be found? Surrounded as it is
by lovely forest trees and woodland
retreats, wild flowers and ripping
waters, it is an enchanting spot,
and if in a Northern State would
be TO the Yankee tourist slice out
of Paradise. He and all his friends
would build themselves pretty
little cottages upon the level below
the cave, club together and build
fine hotel for visitors who would
surely flock to see the curiosltles,
and thus reap Il golden harvest
year after year. Why can we not
do this also, dear friends? But
am here specializing upon the ways
and means of our Northern brothers
and failing to enter the cave; but
having duly admired the outside,
we followed our kind host through
a little door in slender wire screen,
shutting out all intruderS from the
entrance, and proceeded with the
aid of lighted candles to view the
interior. Going a short distance
down some steps cut i'll the floor, |
we stopped in front OF great rock,
solid save for small opening in
the side next us. $50 in," said our |
guide, "for this is the Bar Room"
We did so and found it a perfect |
and artistic one, the kind hand of
nature having arranged convenient
shelves and crevices for the setting
of bottles and laying of glasses and |
for the making of the afore said
iulips. Judge Scales gives it as his |
honest opinion that sit is the finest |
place in the world for growing or
raising of mint" secret number
one.
From the Bar Room we passed |
into the Music Hall, fine, large |
room with an arching roof and good
echoing powers. One of Theodore
Thomas concerts in which hun
dred instruments play would be
something marvellous in this wide
auditorium. Suppose we invite
Mr.. Thomas down. He would
enjoy it, for on one side of the room
runs wide and deep stream into
which he could quietly pitch any
miserable beggar of cornet player
who dared to make falsettO note
in his august presence.
From the Music Hall winding
passage called the Grand Rotunda,
leads the way irto dismal cham
ber called the Society Hall. On the
way, however, is Relay House
called the Indian Hut, a round,
dark hole of whose use shall pres
entity enlighten you, as we will pro-
ceed to the description of Society
Hall. This room is shaped some
thing like the Coliseum at Rome,
and has seats running around it in
true Coliseum style. The entrance
to this underground amphitheater
can be guarded by single man
and here soon the gallant Pythian
knights intend TO celebrate their
gladiatorial sports. Like the Ro-
mans of old they are preparing a
gorgeous banquet for feasting and
revelry, and the Indian Hut will /
be used as a store house for the
nightingales tongue, peacocks breast
and ruby liquids with which they
are to be washed down. 1t is dark
ly limited that the prize fighter, a
young and slender attorney of our
city has in the heat of excitement
gone SO far as 10 clash swords with a
chief of the Mystic Crewe to try his
metal, but on account of his extreme
youth, numerous victims and rush
of blood to the brain, he has been
received with open arms by the ]