Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-06
4 READING MYSTERY.
Dssp subwssssssn Galleries Discovered
Ssasslnd Wsrhmen.

Utfw <0ItfffauSaB V3tftft'r s'srN"
startled werkmen.
The Reading Times says; 1.-TWO days
ago the residents Of the Church-and-
Spring-streets section Of the city were
suddenly deprived Of their usual water
supply, and reported the matter to City
Superintendent-of-Water Harper. Yes
terday the superintendent began an
investigation, and while engaged in
making an opening at the inter-
section Of the above-named streets the
earth suddenly gave way, disclosing to
view an enormous cave. The pick Tell
into it, and was lost TO view. Into this
cave water was pouring from six-inch
main, the pipe having snapped in twain
at the jointure Of the I. The supply
was at once shut of. Not sign could
be had Of where and whence the water
had run. All about the pipes was
yawning chasm leading to nowhere.
The workmen were struck with alarm
over the very unexpected turn Of affairs,
and for time refused to 90 on, end
the investigation wholly ceased.
"The cave is of a remarkable ns-
ture, Three distinct avenues lead into
it, and dark limestone pillars, running
solidly into the ground and widening
apparently as they 60 down, support
the roof Of clay and gravel earth. The
sunlight failed to disclose the depth,
and no one yentured upon an exploring
tour to ascertain the secret and mystery
Of the darkness to which the three ave-
nues lead. The trend Of the cave
is obliquely towards Sixth street.
Over the one avenue the earth is three
and four feet in thickness, but it yields
very readily to the pick. Over the
second avenue the earth is mere shell,
and has evidently been Of that charac-
ter from time immemorial. II trem-
bles as one walks over it, but no one
walked over the shell-covering after
Yesterdays discovery. The SUPPOSE
ton is that the cave is of winding
nature, the avenues leading downward
into some great recess or cavern. Every
indication points to large cave or sets
ofcaye chambers in the earth, such as one
finds at the Crystal Cave near Virgins
vile, on the Berks and Lehigh railroad.
If further examination opens to view
such state of affairs-and a further
examination must be made for the
safety Of the streets and dwelling pro-
perty comprised in the immediate
yicinity-ihen Reading becomes pos
sessed Of . CURIOSITY of 81 Interesting
type. The cave or caves is Of 'ne
usual limestone formation, and its dark,
hidden, and treacherous depths-for
the earth covering gives way to the
touch-promise to be revelation of
wonders.
Councilman Shick, Of the Highway
Committee, and Selectman Rigg, were
on the spot when the pick of the water
superintendent fell into the opening.
The only regret of Mr.. Shick is that
the cave did not come to view at the
junction Of Eighth and Ninth streets.
Then, he said, all the drainage of the
extensive water shed comprised in that
large section of the city could be
turned into it and very trouble
some matter would be scattered
TO the winds. AS it is, the opening
lies too high for drainage purposes.
Both councilmen were of the opinion
that the opening could take in several
houses. Beyond that extent Of the fs-
sures OF openings they had nothing to
say, prefeiring to await developments
at the hands of experts who make a
specially Of ferreting out the mysteries
Of natures eccentric formations. A
supposition was given inference to last
evening that the openings made
are part and parcel of line
of avenues leading down from Mount
Penn and leading under the East Penn
round-houses. 1t is known that water
in subterranean stream form runs under
the city by the above houses, for the
rumbling of water is heard distinctly
near there. 1t is supposed that the
three avenues of the Spring-street cave
lead in some fifty yards and then pitch
at sharp angles down into the earth.
The man who finds this out should have
| N r;oh raward >,