Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-28

wall. There are two circular aPer'
lures run ming into the body OF the
rock from the arch, one about
twelve inches in diameter, the 9th
er somewhat smaller. Whether
these openings do or do not lead
into large apartments or caverns
III the body of the rock, is not and
probably never will be KNOWN
Tradition relates that at the early
settlement of the country this place
was known to be the haunt and
habitation of the panther, from
which it derives its name.
We have two natural wells in
this county; one at what is called
the Dry marsh, drain of the Ope.
quon, about two miles east of the
creek, not more than a quarter of a
mile north of the road leading from
Winchester to Berryyille. This
natural we'll in dry seasons furnishes
several contiguous families with
water. 1t is formed by natural
circular opening in an apparently
solid limestone rock. It's walls are
undulating, and IN times of dry
seasons the water sinks some six.
teen or eighteen feet below the sur
face, but at all times furnishes
abundant supplies. In the winter,
no matter how great the degree of
cold, small fish are frequently drawn
up with the water from the WE'LL
In times of freshets, the water rises
above the surface, and discharges
a most beautiful current for several
weeks at a time. Tradition relates
that this well was discovered at the
! first settlement Of the neighbor-
hood.
The other natural well is the one
described by Mr.. Jefferson. This
natural curiosity first made its ap-
pearance on the breaking up Of the
hard winter of 1880. All the
old people of our country doubtless
recollect the great falls OF snow and
severity of this remarkable winter.
The author was born, and lived
with his fathers family until he was
about thirteen years of age, within
one and half miles of this natural
we'll. The land at that period was
owned by the late Fielding Lewis,
of Fredericksburg, Va, but is now
the property Of the heirs oftho late
Mr.. Thomas Castleman, in the
neighborhood of Berryville. Ma
ture had here formed a circular
sink of q depth Of some fourteen or
fifteen feet, and fifty or sixty feet
in diameter at the surface. In the
spring Of the year 1880, the earth
at the bottom of this sink suddenly
gave way and fell into the cavity
below, forming a circular aperture
about the ordinary circumference
of a common artificial well. 1t was
soon discovered that subterra-
neous stream of water passed under
the bottom. There being no arti'
fetal or natural means to prevent
the earth Immediately about the
we'll from falling in, the aperature
is greatly enlarged, forming slop'
ing bank, by which man on foot
can easily descend within eight or
ten feet OF the water. The current
of water is quite perceptible to the
eye. The whole depth Of the cayi-
ty is thirty or thirty-fve feet.
CAVES IN THE COUNTY OF SHEN-
ANDOAH.
Within two or three miles OF
Woodstock, on the lands of the late
William Payne, Esq, is an exten-
siye cavern, which it is said has
never yet been explored to its ter
minatiOn. 1t contains many Gu
rious incrustations, stalactites, &c'
From the mouth of this cave con-
stant current of cold air is discharg
ed, and the cavern is used by It's
owners as a place to preserve thelI
fresh meats in the hottest seasons
of the year.
On the east side of the South fork
E of the Shenandoah river, three OF
four miles south of Front Royal
there are two caves but short dis
tance apart, which, like all othel
q caves, contain beautiful curiosltles
, One of them many years ago wal
, visited and explored by the lat'
8 celebrated John Randolph Of Roam
oke but the author has never beeI
o able to learn whether he committed
to writing his observations upon 1t
One of its greatest curiosities is al
4 excellent representation of the hat
n ter's kettle.
r. Within about three miles north
@ west of Mt. Jackson, Skaters cav
/. is situated. 1t has been explored
n about half a mile. 1t 10 not yer.
# remarkable for its production o
s natural curiosities. Tradition re
Y lates an amusing story in connec
n ton with it. A very large human
d skeleton was many years ago foun'
t in this cavern, the skull bone o
l. which a neighboring man had tn
curiosity to take to his dwelling
i house. This aroused the ghost o
y the dead man, who not being pleas
a ed with the removal of his head
# very soon appeared to the depre
L dator and harassed him until he be
l.. anna clad 10 raturn fha 0kull tn IL