Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-08-09
AN OHIO CAVERN.
The Buckeye State Presenting Rival to
Luray aud the Mammoth.

Henry Griende, living on Limestone
ridge, over the line in Wyando,
county, was plowing Yesterday, says a
letter from Findlay. O., when one OF
his horses broke through the earth in
to deep hole. 1t was rescued from
its position with great difficulty. Upon
examining the spot Griendle found a
large hole leading perpendicuIarly
down into the earth. He dropped in a
stone and heard it rumble and rattle
in its downward course till the sound
died away in the distance. ENag-
gerated reports of this discovery
reached this city, and an exploring
party was made up yesterday and drove
over 10 the ridge to ascertain what
was at the bottom of the story and the
hole.
The party consisted of half IA dozen
well-knOwn gentlemen. including a
reporter, who were provided with
ropes, lights. fireworks, etc. to make
a thorough exploration. Having fixed
everything in readiness for descent
the question arose as to who should
first 90 down. The men looked into
the dark, mysterious hole. mentally
made a calculation as to the proba-
bility of finding a nest of rattlesnakes
at the bottom. aud each one was per-
fectIy satisfied To let several of the rest
go first. DIR. e.. started on the un-
certain descent alone. As he was
lowered down. down. down. the light
of his lantern could he seen growing
fainter and SMALLER until only a tiny
L.
the rope about 100 feet a faint, muiiied
whisper announced that he mad found
solid bottom. The reporter went down
next, aud finally the whole party found
itself At the bottom of the suaft.
The hole descends through limestone
rock all the way down. and varies in
diameter from three To thirty feet
The bottom is dry rock. aud the place
proved 10 be capacious cavern. The
place where the landing was made was
estimated To be sixty feet in width,
and. while the ceiling at that point
was low. it gradually rose like u dome
to the height of fully fifty feet. The
floor was very uneven. The party had
not gone quarter of a mile when they
We're suddenly confronted by yawu-
ing chasm ten feet IN width and of an
unknown depth. Beyond this im-
passable cleft they could see the roof
glitterlng in the light Of their lanterns.
Several Roman candles were fired into
the space. but the side walls could not
be so seen tnat there is no telling how
far the cave extends in that direction.
The fireworks revealed numerous
stalactites and stalagmites of beautiful
N.xs -i.t. a.
hess glisteued and shone respiendent
IL the vari-colored lights The root
which reflected The rig1r from -fnyrfad n
of shining points as though the whole
dome was set ia diamonds.
Rctracing their steps for some distance
the party found to the right small
opening at the top of q steep ascent,
aud entering il were obliged TO crawl
on hands and knees for distance of
perhaps ten yards. Then the cavern
suddenly opened into another mann
moth chamber. apparently V much larger
than the trst one, and possessing more
of the curious stalactite formations
AT great distance from the entrance
they came upon "A lake of pure cold
water. as clear as crys al and of un-
fathomablc depth. Holding the lights
to the water shining penny was
dropped III and its gradual descent
watched until il had fallen apparently
nifty feet. when all trace of 1t was lost.
Ine water of the lake Was perfectly
still and dead. there being no current,
and uu sigus Of iIsh or animal life were
visible. 4 few shells were picked up
on The shore of the lake. aud being
"A gain shut utl from further advance
the party rctraccd their steps. OPEN
inSs were seen ii other directions, rs
though :he cavern EXTENDED IL, wings
still further. but the fear IF losing their
way and OF the oil ia ting lanterns .Iv-
lnS out prevented further explorations
al nr,.s.nr