Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1883-11-27
THE SHOSHONE CAVE,
A ''TIMES'' REPORTER VISITS THIS
CURIOSITY.

1t Is Probably One Of the Underground
River Channels which Occur Through.
ont the Lava-Fields-A Good Ball.
Room.
Ever since the first settlement of
Shoshone reports Of the existence of a
marvellous cave in the Immediate
vicinity of the town have been current
on Wood River. About week ago
a TIMES reporter was detailed to Sho.
shone to ascertain what, if any, found
alton there was for the reports.
Going to Shoshone the reporter fell
in with party which had been organ
lied to explore the cave. 1t included
c. x. McCrum, James Code, Charles
Dudley, VIII. Gilmore, r. Maker, aud
Jos. Sullaway-all business men of
the junction town-and the TINES re.
porter.
Leaving Shoshonc on a stagecoach
drawn by four good horses, the party
soon reached the vicinity of the big
butte which can be seen about four
miles to the southeast of the town.
This is in the very midst of the lava
fields, and locomotion is much better
on horseback or afoot, than in a
wagon. All hands therefore aiighted,
the driver being let in charge of the
stage. After about an hour spent in
looking for the cave and chasing a
fine deer which approached recklessly
(but with entire safety near the rc-
volvers in the hands Of the party, a
loud "Halloa!" brought the party to-
gether.
This shout was uttered by Mr.
Maker, who, Invested of hat and coat,
which he had lost in chasing the deer,
had stumbled across the mouth of the
cave.
All hands now provided themselves
with matches and candles, and cautious
ly descended into the cave. The descent
is on broken rock, gradual and easy.
"A natural arch or bridge formed by
the washing away of the ground be
meath i: marks the entrance of the
cave, but this cannot be seen unless
by the initiated or by mere accident
as it is situated in one Of the depres.
sions which occur all over the lava.
fields with the frequency Of waves upor
the surface of the sea.
On entering the cave the visitor.
found themselves in IA chamber or oper
space about so feet deep and 800 long
This chamber is high enough for som,
distance in to admit Of tall ma,
. standing erect and walking abou.
When in 100 feet or so, however, tn,
place is so low that IA person is com
, PEELED to stoop, and even crawl G,
!, hands and knees. After crawling
about so feet another chamber, mucI
smaller than the first, is seen, and be
You'd this again crcvice large enou.l
to admit small man, but of unknow
h extent and depth.
G Ibis Is to the left Of the first cham
. Der. TO the ri .ht is another opening
s similar to that ust described, but il
}. this mighty roar, as of Il rushing eur
X rent, is heard. And this probably ex
e plains the mystery of the caves form
1 alton. 1t is an Underground rive
S channel through which a watercours,
: flowed for countless ages, wearin!
1 away the soft strata of rock, and form
;, ing one of the many caves or cham
t bers which are observed at variou
n points throughout the Law; -ill /,
I These are probably the channel
through which much Of the water pro
ducea by the melting of the SHOWS of
the Sawtooth range finds ITS way to til,
0 eat Snake river.
But the cave is nevertheless quite :
S cavern; and the gentlemen of IT,,
party all agreed that it would be
splendid place to which to have
moonlight excursion and ball, mex
y 4th of July. All that would be r.
: CURED to make fine ballroom of tn,
place would be a dancing platform
. which would not be very expensive.
Hard to Please.
u The Belleyue literati are hard t