Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-08-11
,FFEE sT0NEwAzL HAND IN CAMP.

this county.
Messrs C. E. Van Pelt, Charles lesser. and
Clint. Barkman went down on Saturday night
and when the Band arrived on Monday morn
ing they found the tents up ana things nicely
arranged for their accommodation, and were
soon doing justice to an ample dinner.
The spot selected for the camp was beauti'
full sandy grove, on the banks of South River
about one hundred yards from the entrance tc
the Cave-a spot familiar to many of our PEG
pie as a favorite picnic ground.
The members present were Messrs. Webb
lesser, j. A. Armentrout, Wehn, Hintz, Blake
more, Smith, VIM and A. E. Harnsberger'
Schmid, Witt, Gibbs, d. G. Barkman, Baker
Armentrout, Coyner, Harry Haines, Van Pelt
G. e. Haines. Splitter, Hamilton, Switzer, Ba-
ker, and W. II. Barkman. Three or four gen
tlemen of color were also with the party, to
serve as cooks and deck hands. and the gener-
al verdict was that the table was excellent, be-
ing remarkable for its variety, well as quail
ity.
Some of the party were able to spend but a
few days in camp, but most of the Band re-
manned the entire week. from Monday until
Saturday evening.
number of citizens visited the camp and
remained several days. Prof Hintz and Mr..
Adolph Loeb remained the entire week at the
viewers Cave Hotel and visited the camp dali
ly.
The party was well supplied with tents. The
weather was fine, the fishing was excellent,
and they enjoyed the weeks rest and recrea-
ton exceedingly.
The camp was but quarter of q mile from
the Weyer's Cave Hotel, and Mr.. Mohler and
his sons did everything in their power to en-
terrain their visitors, aud the members OF the
Band feel that their warmest thanks are due
this courteous, hospitabie. large-hearted fami-
~ for their untiripg efforts in their behalf,
which they assure them. were fully apprecl-
ated.
On Wednesday evening, the Band gave an
impromptu concert on the lawn in front OF the
residence of MI. Jacob Mohler, and on Ihurs-
day evening, full dress tuniform) concert was
given on the grounds in front of the Hoiei-a
large audience from the surrounding country
being present, and the occasion was fuliy Ell
loved by both Band and audience.
On Wednesday and Friday nights, the party
was taken through the caverns by Mr.. Len
Mohler. assisted by his brothers, Jacob and
Fd-some of the more spacious chambers be-
ing lighted by magnetism lights on Friday
evening.
In view of the more recent fashionable rush
to the marvellous Caverns of Luray, word
or two about our own Augusta county wonder
may not be out of place. There is remerka-
bic similarity about the Luray and Weyefs
Caverns, yet both are totally unlike. The Lu-
raw Caverns surpass our own Augusta county
Caverns in three points mainly-in extent, be-
ing about one-third larger; in the wonderful
richness OF their stalactitic and stalagmit1c
formations and in-advertising; but 1t Is no
disparagement to these celebrated Caverns.
which Justly deserve the most extravagant
praise given them. to say that the Weyers
Caverns undoubtedly surpass them in some
points-for instance, in picturesque beauty
the winding, narrow defiIes. ups and downs
over natural stone steps, creeping through mar
row crevices and diving into unpromising-
looking holes. to emerge into spacious cham
bers-surpass the Bgly board sidewalks and
wooden stairways which disfgure the Luray
Caverns, and while making ones explorations
more convenient and comfortable, yet remind
one of an Illinois town in muddy weather.
The formations in the Luray Caverns have
taken the shape of stalagmites and stalactites'
These are found In wonderful richness and
profnsion.
- yFi3le.Tot wanting in Weyer's Cave, Come
of them Or enormous proportions yet they are
nv no means as numerous as at Luray-the
formations in Weyers taking on more OF Inc
character of heavy dTapeEies. These adofn the
sides of the different chambers in wondrous
profusion-their heavy, laminated folds sweep
ing gracefully from ceiling to floor in VAST
proportions, and in profusion and beauty I'M
known in the Luray Queensland 1ully equal
to the stalactitic profusion of the latter, while
there is probably nothing in the world equal
to the magnifcence of the justly-famed Hall
of Giants,' in the Luray Caverns, yet the Ca
thedraI," in Weyer's Cave, is fully as beautiful,
-civ nc anJffino in the i.Ilray
Caverns, and there is surely nothing in the
latter that will compare for stately magnih-
cence with the vast, majestic washington
Hail." in Weyers, with its imposing Indian
chief statue in the middle of its two hundred
and fi(ty-six feet of length, or the vast cham
Der containing the immense span OF the
natural bridge, as well as the monstrous TOW
err of Babel" under its ninety-foot ceiling The
effect of which, when lit by the magnetism
lights, being superb. while the superbiy ex-
uuisite beauty of the wondrous 'Shell room"
when properly seen by the same light, Is be-
yond the power of words to describe. and very
far superior to anything to be found in the Lu-
ray Caverns.
These comparisons are not made hastily, but
are the result Of repeated visits to and close
observation OF both Caverns, and if seen under
the same favorable circumstances-the cleo
trie iiGat--our own Weyer's Cave would not
suffer by comparison with the world-renown-
81 ed Caverns of Luray, but would surpass them
in these points. at least.
On Thursday night, six or eight of the Band
Instruments were taken into the Caverns and
played softly in Washington Hail. which is
noted for its beautiful musical effects, and the
effect was superb.
The party enjoyed the visits to the Caverns
exceedingly. and one of our visitors brought
home with him, and treasures highly as a re-
markable formation 81 small jug handle pick
ed up OFF the floor by a Band member and
handed him, with the Information that it was
"meliethite"-a rare and peculiar formation,
and cautioned him to say nothing to the guide
about it, which caution he promised TO OBJ
serve and another individual was presented
with "a ich deposit Of talow- drip from the
candles as q specimen of the beautiful, pure
white formation with which the Caverns
abound.
Many amusing incidents occurred that will
long be remembered hy the party, but space
does not permit US to chronicle them; yet we
cannot refrain from mentioning one or two. A
member who has noted rep. hug sleeper,
went fishing. and from his avowed intentions
the party was led to believe that the table
would be loaded down with fish. He went
and returned with-wet clothes, having lost
both tackle and bait.
The cook whose knowledge Of fishing is very
limited, was told to bait with cid cigar stumps,
and When asked when he came in how he sue
cseded replied
ST put de stump on de hook and flung it in,
and little perch come to de top and axed me
for match, and pulled de line up and struck
for de camp"
The thanks Of the Band are due Messrs Van
Pelt, lesser, and D. C. Barknnan for the able
manner in which they performed the duties OF
an executive committee and the splendid ia
BILE with which they supplied the camp, as " ell
as the general smoothness with which every
thing moved; and the complete success of this
the first annual encampment of the Band, is
proof sufficient that their duties were well per-
formed, and we assure them that their efforts
were fully appreciated
The Band returned Saturday evening, and
were met at the C. & o. depot by the members
who remained at home, and the full Band