Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-04-13
BIG OREGON CAVES.
Mysterious Caverns Disco vered In the I'm.
mediate Vicinity OF Oakland.


mediate Vicinity OF Oakland.
For several months past there has
been considerable interest in the but
little known Cooper caves. Since the
discovery of human bones in these
caves last spring by some adventure
Gus young men. various parties have
visited them.
Prompted by desire to ascertain
the truth regarding these caves, their
exact location. characteristics, sub
terrahean construction. etc, the Enter
PRISE detailed party, armed with
torches. rope. extension ladders, com.
pass, and scientific apparatus to prose-
cute thorough search. The search
ing party Started for Oakland Sunday
morning ut seven o'clock. and after a
pleasant trip through the picturesque
valley. distance of four miles, halt
was ordered, the torches primed,
water secured. etc. From this point
to within two hundred yards of the
caves is most beautiful though steep
incline. which winds gracefully around
the mountain sides. with overhanging
branches. of green laurel, the tall.
stately fir and shady oak. This lonely
trail has been called Cave avenue.
Having gained the summit and all
being ready. the torch was lit, ropes
adjusted. and the party began to de-
scend. Having reached the first level.
distance of thirty feet, instruments
were compared and the journey begun.
After leaving the level for ten feet
large chamber fifteen feet high and six
teen feet 10 ig. containing large cav-
ties. projecting rock. ETC.. was found;
a narrow passage leads from this to
another chamber ten by five feet, COM
posed of granite forma ton. with
here and there decaying sandstone.
From the main entrance west one
hundred feet, thence northwest and
north two hundred and fifty feet another
and smaller chamber was found, con-
nected by narrow lead southeast to
the ten-foot, AMI another due south to
the fi'teen-foot chamber back to the
entrance. Some of the leads are ex-
tremely narrow. and extend down and
in for thousands OF feet. Evidences of
animal and vegetable life were found
In many places. A species of bat was
found having no eyes. On the top of
the mountain. which is largely of solid
stone. one can strike with stick or
stone. and sharp, well-defned hollow
sound is produced. proving beyond
doubt that these caves extend perhaps
for miles into the bowels of the earth.
Parts of a human skeleton, supposed
by many to be that of an Indiana
skull, right and left innominata,
coccyx. a portion of the vertebra, right
and left femur. two tibia, one fibula,
one humerus, one radius. two ribs, por-
ton of ulna, phalanges, metacarpal
and metatarsal bones found on
Sunday, March IS. in the largest cavity
of the Cooper caves. Those who have
seen them say they are upward of one
hundred years old. and if not an In
dams bones. they are probably those
of some hunter or early settler who lost
his way and sought shelter in these
caves. The parts Of skeletons now in
the museum at the Umpqua Academy,
it is stated. were also found in the
largest cave, which has never been
fully explored.
The scenery from the top of the
mountain. where the caves are located,
is grand. From down in q yawning
chasm thousands of feet below comes
the musical sound of rushing waters,
as the mad, foaming stream courses its
way onward. until lost in the recesscs ,
of the distant hills. Here. too, one can
form an idea of what splendid farms
and cultivated valleys we have in
Douglas. The secluded valleys, nestled
among the gigantic mountains. with
fields of ripening grain swayed by
every passing breeze. the sheep. cattle,
horses and swine grazing laz ly on
every sward, suggest to our mind all |
nature in holiday attire. - Oakland En-
terprise.