Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-10
WONDERFUL GAVE
Partly Explored Under Lookout
MOuntaiD.
Chattanooga Times, 9.

Allusion was made in the Times {
few days since to the unexpected re.
suits OF explorations of q cave under
Lookout mountain, known as the "old
Blowing Springs cave" The mouth
OF the cave is at low waters edge, neal
the Nashville and Chattanooga railway
track, but few hundred feet from the
large cave further up the mountain
slope, which is so we'll known to all
our citizens.
A party explored the Blowing
Springs cave for a few hundred feet
last week, aud returned with a tale oil
marvellous discoveries aud wonderful
experiences. Tuesday last a party
vas organized by Mr.. j. P. McMillin,
of this city, to continue the investiga-
tien. He was accompanied by Mr..
Mark Long, the well known civil en-
gineer, They were supplied with coal
oil torches, pine knots, lanterns, ropes
and all other equipments, beside tax
ing along leveling rods and transits.
Although the river is very low, the
water laVes the mouth of the cave, and
the entrance was obtained only by
crawling through the water, when al
once the scene changed and they stood
in an immense chamber.
The party entered at 9 am, and re.
NAMED until 3 p M, and we're walk
ing nearly the entire time. By actual
measurement they traversed distance
OF 1875 feet, and from all appearances
the wonderful cave extended to an in f.
definite length. Their explorations
met with the happiest results and
THE WONDERFUL SIGHTS
which met their astonished gaze seem
more like views in fairy land. They
first entered a succession Of large cham
bers from which huge EtaisgtiteS ilung
suspended In countless myriadS and
glistened in the Pickering lights like
diamonds About 200 feet from the
mouth they encountered another cave
but it extended only short distance
Returning to the main cave, thew
proceeded further and following a
branch to the right came upon a huge
subterranean lake. They we're 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 waterfall. its
height being q feet.
A branch led to the left, and within
a short distance they beheld another
waterfall, the cliffs rising to a sheer
height Of $50 feet. The water came
oyer with a roar like thunder, the
volume being fully IL inches in diam
eter with the meagre facilities at hand,
they could not proceed any further in
that direction and returning TO the
main channel, again advanced, until
their explorations were brought to a
sudden stop by PERCEPTIONS wall of
solid rock rising to a height of fully
100 feet. They then stood in an inn
mense chamber, fully 200 teet wide,
almost circular in shape; walls of
solid stone rose on all sides, and the
roof sp,1ned il as a dome. From the
center Of the dome a stream of water
poured, falling in the center of the
chamber; the stream was fully twelve
inches in diameter, it was icy cold and
clear as crystal.
The party stood almost speeeblass
with admiration at this sublime spec.
tacle, but were barred from further
progress by PERCEPTIONS walls.
The distances were carefully meas,
ured and in a day or two Mr.. Long
will run lines on the surface to the
different waterfalls, end will bore to
Mr., Craveus, on whose property the
cave lies, is anxious TO ascertain
whether the water is available. If it
is near enough to the surface of the
ground to be used, it might becope an
important factor il supplying the city
with water, The highest stream was
fully 100 feet above low water mark,
and it is quite likely that there are
waterfalls beyond.
This wonderful cave may yet untold
untold mysteries, and fuller deVel.
opments which will prOpably soon
ensue, will be awaited with intense
interest,