The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1885-12-26
LEHMAN'S WONDERFUL CAVE
The Subterranean MarveIs Of East
ern Nevada
4 RIVAL TO THE MAMMOTH.
What Has Been Discovered in the
Hollow Limestone at the Base of
JEFF Davis Peak.

TConespondence San Francisco Chronicle.l
SNAKE vALLEr white Fine Co.. Ney.b
December l, 1885.
Hsviag seen so many accounts OF
late published in the Chronicle of
cave in Calveras county, Cal, |
thought would send you a discrip-
tion of cave we have in this State.
Il is situated at the foot of JET Davis
peak, in Snake valley, in the south
eastern part of the State, and as far
removed from the ordinary lines of
communication as it could well be.
What shall write will be but con-
dsnsed account of the place, for were
I to attempt AN accurate and detailed
description of this series ef under
ground galleries and halls, | should
cDvsr page of the Chronicle. The
entrance to the cave was first discovered
nine years ago, but little attention was
paid to II then. rs il was thought To- be
but small cavern. Six months ago,
however, A. Lehman. who owns large
ranch about two miles from the cave,
determined to explore it. A party was
made up, ropes, lantern, and ladders
taken, and the following extraordinary
discoveries made: The entrance, or
arst room. was found te be a large
apartment, reached by descending a
twenty y-Rve-foot ladder, and was called
the dressing room. Its Dimensions are
4Ox20 feet. By passing through .
crsvice in the rocky side of the room,
just large enough to admit one person
at time, = ledge is reached from
which, by second ladder, descent
Is made to q long aud lofty department,
40 feet long and AS many in height,
which has been called the room of
the aacisnt gods. To the right, rs ore
enters this spacious hall, lies large
CLOCK OF gray limestone, of a peculiarly
csskst-liks appearance, To which has
been given the name of the old ladys
coins. Opposite the entrance rises a
towering stalagmite, which. extending
from the floor to the ceiling. reaches a
depending stalactitc and forms mas
sive pillar that seems to support the
immense vault. On all sides are
superb columns, statues, monuments
ana other and innumerabls objects.
GALLERIES AND PASSAGES.
The way out of the Room of the
Ancient Gods lies through : tunnel of
nve feet in width, which runs in .
:outhsrly direction for 800 feet. At
IT'S further end the tunnel widens into
Wnst has been called the Music Gal
lsry. Here stands = long row of
shsstsd stalactitss of a pale-ysllow
soscf, and about fifteen feet in height,
nnlch, when set vibrating by the rub
O,ng OF any rough object across them,
give forth . very sweet tone. The
aaslc Gallery ends at rocky barrier
spont ten feet high, which, being
nounted By means of ladder, gives
.ne visitor access to narrow hallway,
srhich has been called the Needles
Eye. This seems to be snly passage
osel rock fer at its end another lad
udis found necessary for a descent of
ses iest. At the foot of this ladder is
.oula the Round Room, large, irres-
s'As'y shaped apartment, handsomely
sIhAnsnted with stalactitss Of a lovely
.ass celor. A large bowlder of .
ps'e yellow lies in the chamber, and
sss'iy resembles q rhiaozerous in
'".Ps. Once more q ladder Is called