Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-27
MAGIC CAVE.

huntinE Of Alabama, says Fort
Payne Ala Especial to the Chicago TIElss
Indian tradition told q q great cave il
he Lockout mountain, in whose chambers
was the tomb Of a "ManitOu," or Great
Spirit, this particular one being known a:
.sThe Great Storm Spirit" The legend
runs that when the world was young the
Cumberland mountains ieft the bleak
north and j0urney5d southwark. They
reached the broad Tennessee river, and
the more timid were afraid to cross. But
the Lookout, more bold and larger than
er sisters, stepped across the river and re
mained. the 0nly great mountain south Of
the Tennessee, where her great length
stretches from Chattanooga eighty-seyeu
miles southwest. But she was sad when
she found none Of her sisters had courage
to follow her, and Wept from her thousand
eyes-the thousand springs that burst
from the mountain side. One Of these
springs. in Its eternal grief, wore away
with its dropping tears great channels
and rooms in the mountains bosom. On
the crest Of Lookout the storm spirit
dwelt for ages. When at last he died his
kindred spirits laid his body TO rest in
the cave in the bosom Of the mountain.
where away from the sunlight, but beside
4uA II AA4A= y aArA = AAct ACdltc4 q Nlu4.
upon which should ever fal the eternal
tears Of grief and carve out fantastic
forms for cOmpaniOHship in his endless
sleep.
such was the beautiful legend which
the CherOkees told Of the cave in explain.
ing its presence 10 the whites who came
among them. Far in its interior Is still
seen the name Of Milo Smith, surgeon at
the fort in the valley, with the date Of July
n-1mr ~arraT
OF earth were dug from il and leached for
the saltpeter il contains. to make powder
for the Confederate Government. At the
point where they ceased digging the marks
OF the pick are as plain as though work
was done there yesterday. The place has
been known but little beyond its own
neighborhOOd. where what the natives
o. call rock houses are common along the
mountain side. Within a few months.
however, a newcomer began TO explore it,
cleared the path Of its worst distractions,
and gave names 70 most of the
beautiful formations and rooms.
Once OF twice local papers have
given partial descriptions Of il, but
: his is the first detailed account yet writ
ten. Although the farthest point yet ex-
plOrsd Is thought not 70 exceed one and a
Naaif miles from the entrance, the fact that
be stream which runs its whole length
4
pether with the peculiar formation OF the
mountain on the other side, impresses
one with the belief that little work OF
exploration will disclose new chambers
and galleries Of an extent that viii rem
der those now known merely anteeham-
bers TO new subteTranean wonders.
The mouth Of the cave is on the west
side Of Lookout mountain, one hundred
eet from the base, and about one thousand
= in nd .
nile nom the town, overlooking the IIcl
and beautiful Little Wills valley, through
which runs the Alabama Great southern
road. Right in a great clif Of limestone
is an opening Of about eight feet square
From the interior flows forth a strong
current OF air Of about Al degrees, too cold
to encounter at once after brisk walk
The torch-bearers arrange long spllnts o.
ssfat'' pine, two or three together, light
them. and when the party has recovered 8
normal temperature, enter the great ante
room. which descends gently for about
fifteen feet TO the level of the main or up
per gallery. The air within soon becomes
pleasant. the thermometer standing at 3;
10 20 degrees. Although a stream passe:
{ through the entire length, except at points
where il finds passage underneath great
rocks OF banks Of earth. there is but LITTLE
mud. But little work or expense would
Passing from the anterOOm through &
narrow entry in the rocks, and along the
shelf Of the gallery. the tomb Of the Man
itOu is the first object OF interest. 1t IS Z
great stalagmite. perhaps twenty feet il
height. in the exact shape Of the ''Indiar
mounds throughout the Ohio and Missis.
sippi valleys, a tumulus whose shape
must have suggested the legend to the
Indian imagination. The visitor stands
cir m q ErTr
being down below. 1t is as regular in form
as If carved out by a sculptor for royal
mausoleum. Passing along the narrow
ledge beyond, closely hugging the wall on
the right the flaring light Of the torches
fail TO reach the depth Of the Cimmerian
darkness below, and but dimly touches
the high ceiling above. 1t is about eighty
feet from top to bottom, and the spice o.
real danger IN the journey adds
Is piquancy to the trip for
about twenty-five feet. Next comes
Esthe cathedral" where the lofty Gothic
arches formed BY the dOwn-hanging stall
actites invite religious contemplation.
The ssstalls Of the monks" at the side,
formed by thin, jutting wings Of stone,
add 70 the illusion. just step further a
slight descent leads to the "baptistry,' .
the half OF a truncated cone flung against
the side Of a rock. six feet across at the
base, the top a basin full Of water so
pellucid that only when the light is held
close can il be seen. spring Of water,
cool, Hmpid and refreshing. Still further
below the musical murmur Of the stream
calls attention to a tiny cascade. where
the water dashes down a descent Of ten
Z Get in its rocky bed. Returning TO the
2 allery above, the visitor comes TO Giants
hail. where is the counterpart OF Her
cules extended on a huge couch, near his
great Here is the s'Dromedsry. -
3 stalaetite, perfect in every hump. Be-
ow il hangs a wreath Of flowers. In a
? ecess 70 the left is 'sThe HAL Of Statu-
ary.- Leaving these, the guides cry out
Look uptS and lift their torches. The
ceiling seems studded with stars. 1t is
natures frescOIng. Beyond is the stalag-
mite OF The OWL just above the en-
trance Of the next room are seen two
lambs reclining. From the ceiling de-
pends a masked face. Here a gallery, al
most an exact counterpart Of a railroad
tunnel. leads 10 the MUSHROOM. A hori-
zOntal wing Of stone gives forth a rolling
sound ike a drum when struck. With
care in selecting the places for the blows,
the whole musical scale may be sounded.
Farther on are the s'pipes Of the organ. .
with a loft behind and above filed with a
choir inclOSed by stalactites hanging in
folds ike 3 curtain. Passing above a
small lake IS seen hanging basket, close
uT what farmer MUUtQ Know as NyuacE0.
hung in a drying-barn, while a perfect
alligator is outlined in the ceiling. which
8 supported near By By huge pillar from
the floor. The face Of ssThe Old Man Of
the Mountain cOnfrOnts the visitor next.
while beyond huge frog contemplate a
leap into a placid pool below. The en-
trance Of the next room is guarded By
( The Bear and Cub while side BY side Is
sThe Eagle and the huge Horses
Head with the mouth open as if 70 seize
on the intrepid mortal who would pene-
rate the mysteries Of the mountain. Be-
yOnd is The Ballroom" where a wide
chamber affords ample opportunity for
terpsich0rean exercise. On the right Of
the room, above the stream, rises The
Castle OF the Rhine a stalagmite model
in exact pattern. In the " Dressing
room'' are many beautiful formations.
At the farther end Of the lofty ballroom is
seen the Organ LOTT Next is s'Stalac-
lite Hail. filled with beautiful forma-