Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1885-06-24
MY VISIT TO MAMMOTH CAVE.
concluded from last week, }

a suspicion of light. The darkness
seemed really heavy as it weighed
down upon us. Almost involuntary
a hush fell on the company. We cared
not we dared not speak. Here In the
presence of the Almighty, shut, by
the deepest Of darkness, in this mighty
work of His hand, our very thoughts
were filled with silent awe. Only a
few careless ones at the further end OF
the party were talking lightly among
themselves. Their words grated
harshly on our nerves.
The guide left us and carried his
light back behind some high rocks
telling us to watchl overhead. AS we
looked up in the darkness the black
sky became dotted with myriads OF
stars. Now fearful storm was brew
ing, across the black heavens threat
ing clouds began to roll. Soon the
storm cleared away, then looking in
the'east we saw that day was dawning
gradually the sun rose and the crow
ing of the cock assured us the dark
ness would soon disappear. The guide
returned, relighted our lamps, and we
left Star Chamber with regret.
It is too bad to spoil the story by
saying the stars were not stars, merely
white points where the gypsum had
scaled off, leaving the white limestone
to show through. And the storm and
sunrise were a mere illusion effected
by the use the guide made of his
lamps.
When we started to see Gorin's
Dome we had to cross bridge and
then ascend ladder some feet in
height. wish could mention with
any satisfaction, what [ saw as !
looked through the window, that
nature had cut in q solid stone wall
into Gorin's Dome. The great dome
had been lighted up by light which
the guide had thrown in. Some hun
bred feet beneath us lay river as
smooth as glass, forming the floor Of
the Dome. Then we looked up one
hundred feet above us to the ceiling
But it is the opposite wall, which il
sixty feet away, that particularly holds
our attention. This wall bears
striking resemblance to a curtain
Every fold hangs gracefully and 81
naturally that one longs to push il
aside and view the mysteries it has
lon hid so carefully.
! When we had gone about half tn
route and for the first began to feel
little tired and thirsty, the guild
brought us up beside clear, crysta
spring. After we had rested and re
freshed ourselves with a drink, we
were ready for the next four miles
| And let me sayhere that this waite
in the cave was the only good drink
ing water we found in all our southern
visit. There are many stairways t.
climb and a few ladders to ascend
but generally speaking the passage
are not as difficult as l expected t.
find.
In one place we passed under tn
Scotchman's Trap as we were goin
down a narrow passage. A grea
stone slab has fallen from above an
in it's fall the top struck against
rock on the other side of the passag
and there it hangs suspended in tn
air, leaving natural arch for us t.
pass under. 1t looks as though it
support might sometime give wa
and then the Scotchman's Trap vii
close forever. But we were assure
that even if this should happen Their
are many other passages by whic
we could make an escape.
And how pretty the rivers looked a
we passed above them looking dow:
depth of fifty or one hundred feet
When we were passing through tn
vicinity Of Echo and Roaring River
gentleman in the party shot offa re
volver, The report was marvellous
quite as loud as cannon; and tn
echo that followed in one long roa
seemed to fill the whole cave.
It would not do to omit mentionin
Bridal Chamber. This is an artist
little chapel with neat archways TO-
} entrances.
i I can not mention all the interestin
points. They are all interesting. Blu
for real fun no place in the whole cav
will equal "Fat Mans Misery" IN
less you except Cork Screw. What
termed "Fat Mans Misery" is q nal
row Zig-zag avenue, fifty yards Ion
and in some places as narrow as on
and one half feet, while at the uppe
part it reached width of ten fee
This path has been cut through th
solid rocks by mechanical action {
water leaving solid wall of stone o
either side as high as four or eve
eight feet. One of the ladies very az
propriately named this avenue Rick
+ Rack. There was fat man in th
party, and it was his misery tina
caused our merriment. The thines
of us could not 60 through withou
, brushing against the sides, Then i'm
agIne what it must have been when
fat man attempts to pull his wa
through. was one of the fortunat
ones who happened to follow him. H
picked his way cautiously, turning
around occasionly to make some livel
remarks to those following, then h
plodded on again. Fat Mans M1ser
{ terminates in "Great Relief" Her
, all the fat man included, took breath
thanked fortune we did not Away
have to walk in such limited space
bowed our heads meekly and move,
on. For time our worthy docto
sank in oblivion for we were now il
'Tall Mans Misery" The Valley o
Humility, "Grecian Bend, )" whateve
| Won wish IN call IT. The fall 1ea,