The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1883-08-22
A WONDERFUL CAVE.
A Natural Phenomenon Near
Chattanooga Which Rivals nl
the Mammoth Cave of
L4es Kentucky.

Chattanooga Times. Allusion wa
made in the Times a few days since &
the unexpected results of exploration
Of a cave under Lockout mountain
known SIS the sold Blowing Spring
Cave" The mouth of the cave Ia. a
low waters edge, near the Nashville
and Chattanooga railroad track, but I
few hundred feet from the large cave
further UP the mountain slope, which
is so well knewn to all our citizens.
A party explored the Blowing
Springs Cave for few hundred feet
last week, and returned with tale OF
marvellous discoveries and w >nderful
experiences. Tuesday last party was
organized by Mr.. J.. p. McMillih. OF
this city, te continue the Investigation
He was accompanied by Mr.. Mark
Lsng, th's well-knewa civil engineer.
They were supplied with coal-oil terch-
es, Pine-lrnots, lanterns, ropes and all
ether equipments, besides taking along
leveling rods and transits.
Although the river is very low, the
water leaves the mouth of the cave, and
the entrance was obtained only by
crawling through the water, when at
once the scene changed and they stood
in an immense chamber.
The party entered at o'clock a. M.
and remained in until 8 p. M, and
were walking nearly the entire time.
BY actual measurement they traversed
distance of 1895 feet, and from all ap-
Pearances the wonderful cave extends
to an indefinite length. Their explor-
ations met with happy results, and the
wonderful sights which met their as
tonished gaze seem more like views in
fairy lanel. They first entered a sue
cession OF large chambers from which
stalactites hung suspended in count
less myriads and glistene I in the flick
ering lights like diamonds. About 200
feet from the mouth they encountered
another cave, but it extended only
short distance. Returning to the main
cave, they proceeded further and, fol-
lowing branch to the right, came
upon huge subterranean lake. They
were unable to proceed further in that
direction, and again returned to the
main cave and advanced. Ahead of
them was heard the roar of rushing
waters and they soon encountered /
its hight being twenty-seyen
feet. -s
A branch led to the left, and within
a short distance they beheld another
the cliff rising to sheer
hight Of 150 feet. The water came over
with roar like thunder, the volume
being fully twelve inches in diameter.
With the meager facilities at hand they
could not proceed any further in that
direction, and returning to the main
channel again advanced, until their ex-
plorations were brought to sudden
stop by PERCEPTIONS wall of solid rock
rising to hight of fully 100 feet.
they then stood in an immense cham
Der, fully 200 feet wide, almost circu.
ar in shade; walls of solid stone rose
IN all sides, and the roof spanned it as
dome. From the center of the dome
stream of water poured, falling in
he center of the chamber. The stream
vas fully twelve inches in diameter.
md was icy Geld and clear as a crys-
al.
The party stood almost speechless
With admiration at this sublime spec
acle, out were barred from further
progress by preeipitous walls.
The distances were carefully meas
Ired and in a day or two Mr.. Long will |
un lines on the surface to the different
and xill bore to them.
Mr. Cravens, on whose property the
ave lies, is anxious to ascertain wherh- |
r the water is available. If it is near |
nough To the surface of the round, to
e used, it might become an important
actor in supplying the city with
Vater. The highest stream was fully
so feet above low-water mark, and it
J quite likely that there are waterfalls
ey0nd.
This wonderful cave may yet unfold
ntOld mysteries, and fuller develop
lents which will probably soon ensue, |
sill be awaited with intense interest.