Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-08-03
HIGGINBoTHAM GAVE.
What an Ohio Visitor Thinks of It.
A Sketch of His Trip Through 1t
With a Jolly Party.

allow me space in your invaluable
paper, | will endeavOr to briefly
stateto your numerous readers my
days experience in observing War
rem County's great Natural wonder
"Higginbotham Cave"
Being a stranger in the county, and
hence had never heard of the Cave,
until few days since, some citizen
informed me of its grandeur, and
being a student of things pertaining
to nature, / was desirious of taking
an expedition through it. No sooner
did the genial Charley A. Hopkins
with whom l had but slight previous
acquaintance learn my desire, than
he had party of facetious Tennessee
cans, consisting of Messrs. c. T. Thur
man, ]. Holder, ]. F. Murphy, By
ron Martin, j. Brown, II. Scales, and
j. Woodlee (cOlored,) ready with
abundant provisions, to help him
show the Ohio visitor the great cave.
On reaching the great Natural Won
der, the party was informed that
they might remove starched collars
and cuffs, for the interior had not yet
been improved and was as nature
had left it. Inferior clothing had
thoughtfully been provided, that the
explorers might change apparel.
When everything was in readiness
the jolly party started with the gen.
ial Charley II. at the head. Imme-
diately after we had entered the cave
and gone some distance some of the
boys feel less patriotic. j. F. Muir
ply earnestly wishes to know
whether it would be prudent to first
say his prayers" ]. Holder bids
the atmospheric world an affectionate
"Good bye" The genial leader at
the head smiles and squints his eyes
at the rest of us, who try to keep
quiet. The colored j. Woodlee COM
ically follows close at the heels-of the
leader. I soon learned that some Of
our party (as myself had but little
previous experience in underground
expeditions. But in the course OF
time the crowd quoted and became
interested in the grand sceneries,
which consisted of different kinds Of
rock of various color, shape and de-
scriptiOn, clustering all around us, as
we passed on over rocks and preci
pices. After travelling about a mile
and a half through some narrow
places and loWly novels, we came tt
large spaces, the rocks over heat
resembling huge artificial arches a:
of a bridge, and little further on We
came to two or three openings bear
ing a decided resemblance to al
enormous amphitheatre building
Still more forward and bearing to thu
right, our eyes were delightfully."- at
tracted with a scence like a larg,
cemetery, wherein hundreds of deaC
might be buried, with toni
stones at their graves. In gOinI
straight forward from this place, Their
is first high rocky hill to ascenc
and then the passage is rather good
Its end the party did not reach
, After this hill is overtopped the bes
place as far as known for gathering
specimens for geological museums i
4 reached. Here our party gathere
such specimens as were pleasing t
the taste and attractive to the eyes
; After each had something in hi
hand or pocket, by which to con
r memorate his courageous trip, rt
q treat was begun, and, as we got som
J. distance back the leader wished
e detain us little longer, and he cor
t, Quoted us into passage bearing t
h the left, where we soon came to
!. continuous arch, with below it a r,
semblance of dry river bed. Aftt
pursuing this channel to firing di
lance, the return was again begun, ft
n all began to realize that daylight an
pure atmosphere were necessary fl
. life to flourish best. 1t was SOM
what weary trip, but each value
: his experience very highly, and e!
pressed words of thanks to our leadt
for his skillful method of conductir
p us through.
1t occurs to me that this cave coul
- be so improved with but little expen
that it would become an object
lie great interest and draw tourists fro
all parts Of the world to witness
$ grandeur. 1t would compare vel
favorably with the great caves ar
= natural wonders of the world ar
J, make a place for which Warren cou
ty might be proud.