Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-02


runs across its bottom. The au-
thor, several years ago, visited
this place, and partially explored
it; descending about one hundred
feet into it. Two young men de-
scended about one hundred feet
below where the author stopped.
In the county of Frederick eX-
lists "a cave on the land now owned
by DOct. Walker VI. llitc, near the
waters of Cedar Creek. 1t is not
so remarkable for its size as for It's
production of natural curiosities.
Several years ago the author ex-
plored this cavern, but had abun-
dant cause to regret his undertak-
ing. He became SO excessively
fatigned that it was with great
difficulty he was enabled to get
out. lie was reminded OF an
anecdote of a Dutch woman Two
men in the county OF Shenandoah
had missed their way in the night
and got into the enclosure OF n
farmer, found the house, and asked
the way out. The woman of the
house replied, $50 you come in so
you got out again" There are
several other caves the author has
not seen. There is one on the land
of Geo. f. Hupp, ESD, the former
residence of Mr.. Joseph StOver,
near Strasburg. This is said to be
pretty extensive, and contains
much stalactte matter.
On the land Of Mr.. Israel Allen,
in the county of Shenandoah, cx-
lists a most valuable cavity, form
ing one Of the finest dairlcs the
author has ever seen. At the early
settlement of the country, 1t was
discovered that a small cavity in
the rocks, Oh a pretty high hill, led
TO a charming stream OF delight
ful water. But it was attended
with some difficulty to descend and
ascend the aperture to get the water.
At the depth of thirty-two feet below
the surface, he came upon bed OF
black alluvian mud, IN removing
which he found a very large human
skeleton, which was greatly above
the common size Of the human
frame. Mr.. Allen himself was
rather upwards of six feet high
| he stated that he placed one OF the
| lec bones and measured it by his
own leg. 1t was between two and
three inches longer than his own
| leg. From this data, it is probable
the individual owner of this skele-
ton was little under, If not full
eight feet high. Mr.. Allen opened
and improved the mouth OF the
cavern, and constructed one among
| the most valuable places for pre-
serving milk, butter and fresh
meats, in our country. The aper-
ture from the milk house to the
water is still open, and in warm
weather discharges a constant
current Of cool air into the dairy,
and keeps it perfectly cool In
winter the current of air is tepid
and protects every thing in the
dairy from freezing.
HARRIsON's CAVE.
In the county of Rockingham, on
the land Of Mr.. - Harrison, on
the Turnpike road leading from
Winchester to Staunton, is to he
seen most beautiful cave, seven
miles north of IIarrisonburg, the
seat of Justice for the county. Mr..
Harrison has improved the en-
, trance into the cave with steps, so
that it is very convenient to enter
il. This cave (which the author
explored,) presents several most in
terestlng works of nature. Near
the centre, a splendid column OF
about twenty-five feet high-a
stalactte fOrmatiOn-stands as II
: designed to support the arch. Pret-
" near this column is setting the
! bust of q very large old woman,
5 covered over with beautiful white
Q drapery, in numerous folds-the
walls generally covered with stal
! actite formations, several of which
T. have a strong resemblance 10 the
! pipes of an organ. The whole length
f does not exceed three hundred
3 yards. The floor is pretty level
/ and convenient to walk upon. II
q is generally above twenty-five feet
f high from the floor 10 the arch, and
e thirty.6ve OF forty wide. The au
0 thor heard of several other caves
, in Rockingham, but did not visit
{ them.
; At the head of the South Branch
J.. man by the name of Ruthledge
4 was shot through the body by ar
@ Indian; the ball penetrated thu
4 left breast and passed ont withir
4 an inch of the spine. This man re
q covered and lived many years after
n There were two female children
4 daughters of John Moore, taken 10y
n the Indians and grew up with them
, The elder had two children by
4! white trader; the younger became
r the wife of the distinguished wa
q chief Blue Jacket. She left an In
= dian son with his father, was en-
d CENT, when brought home, ant
s brought forth daughter, who grew
j. up and married man by the nam'
of John Stuart. Her father, Blu'
v Jacket, secured her a tract of lane
II .,.o..r. 90 oio Erio 4,