Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-08-19
THE HARPEfe'S FERRY CAVE.

We take the following interesting de-
scription of the cave recently discovered
near Harper's Ferry from the Wheeling
Daily Intelligencer, of the 9th instant:
Mr.. Ed. Ii. Dick returned yesterday
from Harper's Ferry, where he has been
visiting relatives for several weeks, en-
loving the beautiful scenery and the cool
mountain breezes. While exploring the
country about this ancient and historic
place in company with Mr.. q. y. Benter.
OF this city, they found the entrance TO
cave, the existence Of which was known
TO the neighbors, but which no one had
ever had the hardihood to explore. 1t was
on the farm Of Rudolph Rau, Esq, back
OF Harper's Ferry, and within short DIS
lance OF the b. s. O. track, on 4 proml-
neuce known as Prospect Hill, or Rau's
lower farm. Messrs. Dick and Benter
determined TO explore, aud In company
with two of Mr.. Rau's sons they went
into the bowels Of the earth about ono
mile, few days since. Mr.. Dick gives Il
glowing description and pronounces IL
one of the grandest places he ever saw,
heard or read Of, and doubts if the famous
Mammoth cave Of Kentucky or that OF
Luray can compare with 1t in grandeur,
scenery and natures moulding of the
rocks.
Entrance is had through hole or CHM
new that barely allows the passage Of
large-sized person. This chute, if so one
is disposed TO call it, extends downward
about seventy-five feet ut an angle of 40
degrees the explorers slid down by a
rope, armed to the teeth for they did not
know what they would encounter. They
were also provided with lights and pro-
visions for twenty hours. Arriving at
the bottom they found themselves in a
vast irregular shaped hallway Leading
slightly downward into which an innu-
merable number OF rooms opened. There
is no telling how long the cave is; the
gentlemen explored about a mile and
could see 10 sign of the end they believe
that it leads under the Potomac, as at one
place they heard the sound of rushing
water As If over head the opening faces
towards the Shenandoah. The size OF
the rooms average 2OX3o feet and from 10
TO 20 feet in height. The walls and cell
inSs especially the latter are covered with
staiactites caused and formed by the drip
ping water, water that has dripped drop
by drop, perhaps since the creation. These
formations reflected the light from the
torches in very brilliant manner and
appeared to be masses Of jewels.
was found striking resemblance to = Ca
thedral, the ceiling being delicately FROST
ed as if frescoed, while large pillars eX-
tending TO the ceiling formed the vaulted
roof, the naves and asles in realistic
manner, while small stalactites answered
very we'll for candles. Another room,
round in shape. with domed roof, very
regularly formed with brackets and chan
daliers, made very pretty little opera
house, if one chose to let his imagination
work. At one point a very deep well was
found, it taking several seconds before
the striking of falling pebble OIL the wa
ter could be heard. In another place, in
an excavation in the side, spring of ice
cold water bubbled up. while on either
side were large and lofty columns. One
bearing a resemblance to woman's form
with Jug by her side, was called "Re-
becca." Again, huge formation resem-
bling 4 coffin was found, with stalactiteS
standing around like so many candles.
The party was lost In wonder at the
work done by natures hand. The floors
were often of limestone as white as the
driven snow, while it was also found in
the walls as well as blue, black, gray and
white marble: flnt and birthstone were
also encountered. There was difference
Of 40 degrees in the temperature OF the
cave and of that found outside. As far
ia known, the explorers were the first
human beings ever in this wonderful
Mace. The above account does not relate
the half of what was seen. Mr.. Dick says
the silence of the place was something
wonderful and mysterious, and yet, they
were drawn further and further on by
the wonderous beauty of the pendant
caves or cylinders of carbonate of lime
that hung like icicles from the roof and
sides of this strange place, formed by the
oozing out of the bicarbonate OF lime in
solution. Some of the stalactites he says
are indescribable in shape and the colors
they reflected.
The discovery Of such magnificent
place in our State will undoubtedly lead
to the place becoming in time quite q re-
sort, as other places Of this nature are.
From what the writer knows Of Harper's
Ferry and that locality he has no doubt
but that if hotel was built, say on Boli-
var Heights, and the cave taken hold of
by proper parties, parties who would
clear it out so as to make 1t pleasant
place for excursionists, the venture
would pay. Harper's Ferry, with its
John Brown and war associations Is
MACE for the summer tourists to put In q
day or two anyhow, for, althoug the place
IA now Quiet and dead, the scenery there
abouts Is lovely, and the air bracing aud
delicious. The scenery 70 said 70 rival