, 1889-03-14

The second new chamber was something
altogether new in one particular. The
entrance bore a striking resemblance to .
city coal hole, and it was so called.
INNUMERABLE cAyERNs.
Over the sandwiches and through the
subsequent smoke INDUCED in at the bot
tom of the entering shaft the converse,
ton became general. The interesting
chat of the enthusiastic biologists filled
the reporters with joy. That the mum
Der of apartments was practically
inestimable was patent. They existed in
every direction, and each led to another.
By the widening of an aperture one
could continue the s~ubterranean journey
indefinitely. Twenty-seven rooms had
been entered. There are many more,
probably hundreds, extending many
miles.
FORMATION. EXTENT, oRIGI
The Cheyenne caves are, geologically,
of the sub-carboniferous formation or age,
comparatively soft and easily worked.
As to extent--that is an unknown
quantity. The actual distance traversed
in yesterdays explorations was considera-
bly, more than 1000 feet. Innumerable
unopened chambers exist. 1t would not
be surprising if within a very few years
an inspection of the Laramie county won
derland involved a journey of ten or fiji
teen miles. Investigation alone will set
tie this question.
No satisfactory theory of the origin Of
the caves has vet been advanced. The most
plausible was that they were the remains
of a defunct geyser. which had spouted
and belched and roared until the material
for its displays of bad temper had become
exhausted. However, no external evil
dences of the existence OF a geyser at any
time could be discovered.
II was about agreed that either a land
slide or a fearful rush of water had
made the cavities and that the natural
action Of the elements was responsible for
the remainder.
DARING LADIES.
Mrs. McPhee and daughter and Miss
Kinney were the first ladies to visit
Cheyenne Caves. .
As Messrs. knight and Hart, men of
great experience, hoisted about half a ton
of specimens to the surface Yesterday it
is fair to presume that the articles are
rare and valuable aquisitions to even the
best cabinets. The crystalizations are es-
pecially fine.
No sightseer could resist the attractions
of the caverns, as there are none APP
proachable on the continent. The expen-
diture of a few hundred dollars would
place the caves in splendid shape for the
entertainment of visitors. The air is
pure and temperature agreeable, while
the place is very easy of access.
Railway officials here have already
evinced an interest in the discovery as a
summer resort and it is more than prob
able that they will proffer aid to have it
opened up properly with a view to run
ming excursions to the point. 1t would
paw if properly managed, as the attraction
is surely there.
OWNERSHIP.
Whether the caves are beneath gov
eminent or railway land is unknown, but
the matter will be investigated to-day.
They are worth owning and will command
a fabulous figure at an early date.
DISCOVERY.
The discovery of the caves is generally
credited to Mr.. Ed. Lannen, who in life
lived at Cheyenne Pass, a few miles
away. To Messrs. Knight and Hart be-
longs the credit of developing. In this
they received the helpful corporation of
Mr.. Donald McPhee. Many have
threatened to prospect the caverns, but
the subject has always been dropped after
a short agita ton, Now it will be
pushed.
II CAVES.
This morning the indefatigable geolog-
lists leave for Hartville, where they pro-
pose opening up another cave, of
which much has been said, but about
which very little is known. The result
of their venture will be learned later.
The writer has heard of the existence
of several caves in the Wind River and
other mountainous regions of the terri
tory. All of these will doubtless be ex-
plored at once.
COME ON.
Cheyenne is tie healthiest place in the
West, and has just added the finest cave
on the continent to the other side attrac-
tons. The Union Pacific is building
million dollar shops here and the town is
booming. Come one, come all. One
ticket admits to the entire show.