Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1886-09-09

especially 10 the local press, our sin
cere thanks for the polite manner in
which we have been entertained.
and for the many acts of kindness
shown us during our sojourn in the
city.
The following officers were elect.
ed for the ensuing year:
John III. Holt, Grafton Standard,
President.
w. NJ. Donnelly, Charleston Ga.
zette, Vice President.
Geo. Bastable, Clarksburg Ne,cs,
Corresponding Secretary.
Z. c. Smith, Jackson Bugle, Re
cording Secretary.
w. NJ. .. Dawson, Preston Co.
Journal, Treasurer and Historian.
c. b. Hart, Wheeling Inteuigen-
Ger, Orator.
Hu Maxwell, Tucker County Pr
Oneer, Poet.
The next meeting of the Associa-
ton will be held at Berkeley Springs
on the fourth Tuesday in August,
1887.
Thursday evening about ifty, in.
Guiding number of ladies who
accompanied the editors to Wheel.
ing, left that city IN a SPECIAL car
furnished by the b. q o. r. r. Co.
for Luray Caves, Va. The party
arrived at Shenandoah Junction just
before the break of day, Friday
morning, and after skirmishing
around the village for a couple of
hours managed to get some break.
fast, after which the crowd took
possession of special coach, on the
Shenandoah Il. r., and as the train
moved at slow rate of speed, an
excellent view of the beauti-
full valley (Shenandoah) was had.
Arrived ut Luray about the noon
hour, and after partaking of good
dinner at the Inn, the editorial par.
ty took hacks for the Caverns. and
spent the afternoon examining the
wonders therein. 1t is impossible
for pen to describe these wonder.
full Caverns. The first descent is
down broad flight of square stone
steps to landing fifty feet below
the surface. a short walk along a
narrow passage leads to the vesti-
bule, or entrance chamber, an irrcg.
ularly-shaped room thirty five feet
high and nearly two hundred feet
in diameter in the widest portion,
the walls descending and contract.
ing in an erratic and picturesqe
manner. AS this was the first cave
experience of most Of the party, the
unexpected magnitude of the cham.
Der, the variety of massive and Gu
rious forms, ETC., filed up the meas.
ure of expectancy. Indeed, had
there been no rooms beyond, far
surprising this one in every respect,
all would have been perfectly satls-
fed. A very remarkable object in
this chamber is Washington's Col
umn, monster pillar, nearly TWEEN
ty-five feet in diameter, and very
highly fluted. An arched, irregular
space beyond the vestibule, studded
with fungoid and stalactites. has re-
ceived the name Of the Vegetable
Garden, from the exquisite varieties
OF the incrustations. In one cham
Der are number Of sonorous dra
Peries of great length. These are
called the Organ, and when struck
by the guide with his finger give
out notes Of charming sweetness.
Luray Cave was discovered by
b. p. Stebbins in 1873, and a. J.
Campbell was the first to enter il.
1t is the only cave in existence in
which the brilliant electric lights
shine Dozens Of magnificent cham.
bers were visited, to describe which
we nave no space, even ia suita.
vocabulary Of words were furnish
cd US. Comparing this great natural
curiosity with others of the same
class, It is safe to say that there is
no other cave in the world more
completely and profusely decorated
with stalactitie and stalagmitic or.
namentation than that at Luray. In
that dark studio Of nature are repro
ductions Of ali those objects which
are wont to fill the mind with pleas.
ure, wonder or alarm-crystal foun.
tains, spouting geysers, cascades,
fiower-gardens, gems which are the
crown jewels Of nature set of
against a background Of velvet
darkness, cathedfals gorecously
sculptured and frescoed, chimes and
deep-toned organs, thrones. spectral