Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-11-01
An Oklahoma Mystery.

account.
An Oklahoma Mystery.
A cavern, or rather n series of cav.
ems, has been discovered at White
Horse falls, about twenty-five miles
northeast of Guthrie, l. r., on land
HON esteaded by Mr. Couch of Sa-
line county, Missouri. The falls are
on deep-banked creek of the same
name, whose banks are so steep and
precipitous that no vehicle has ever
crossed it, or, indeed, for that mat
ter, animals either. except the wild
and ferocious beast who alone inhab-
1t tho mountain regions, and until
last week the cavernous curiosites
that are hidden III the depths of the
earth at White Horse falls were to-
tally unknown to civilized man, and,
indeed, to but five of the wild Otoes,
who lead a rowing life of idleness on
this reservation, a short distance to
the northeast of the falls. When
these caverns, or rather chambers,
for there are thirteen OF them, OPEN
ing one into the other, were accident
ally discovered, the Indians pleaded
total ignorance of them, until by ac-
cident Col. John Onstott ques-
toned one of their chiefs.
who, upon being pressed
closely, reluctantly admitted that
he and four, other sub-chiefs were ac-
quainted with the Falcit-Regnal-
hell chambers-but declared that
none other of this almost extinct
tribe knew of their existence. After
much persuasion his tongue was loos-
ened little, says a Globe Democrat
correspondent, and Col. John Ons-
tott, who even talks Otoe with the
fiuency OF full blood, elected some
very interesting information concern
ing the Governs and incidents connect
ed with them.
Mr.. Couch was in total ignorance
OF the existence OF the caverns. but
says that on three occasions an aged.
but erect, Indian has been seen loaf
ing around the falls, with some other
Indian, butno notice was taken ofthe
men. Col. Onstott, who is well ac-
qualnted with the nomadic habits of
the Otoes, is of the opinion that there
Is q sacred chamber not yet found by
the party of explorers, into which the
relics and valuable treasures of these
Indians are deposited; he is of the
opinion something startling will he
discovered on further exploring. The
colonel is also endeavoring to
organize stock company to
purchase the homestead on which
wild Horse falls are situated, but
1T is extremely questionable wheth-
er Mr.. Couch will sell at any price
TOR the present, though he has agreed
to allow additional exploratiotions.
Among those who will accompany
Col. Onstott and party on the next
exploration of this world-beating
cavern will be Mayor d. b. Dyer, Col.
ID. M. Ross, the entire city council of
Guthrie, and other territorial digni-
taries.
On entering the caverns it is neces-
sarv to crawl and drag oneself along
for over ten feet. Then, for about
twelve feet, it is possible to advance
on hands and knees, and the explor-
er finds himself in n comparatively
high chamber. Ten feet farther this
opens into a moderately sized cham
Der. about 10 by Is. With lighted
improvised torches, made of oak
boughs, which had to be relighted
every few minutes, the search was
continued until thirteen of these
chambers, varying in sizes from 10
by Is to 27h by 62h feet were found
and partially examined. In the larg-
est chamber the side walls were 12b
feet high. Six of them were as dry
and smooth as if an iron plane had
been used upon them, while in three
the atmosphere was damp and chilly.
and through four of them on the
eastern side a ripping stream of wa
ter, two inches in depth, runs along
the floor mt the eastern wall, and dis
appeared beneath the partition wall
in the second chamber from the en-
trance OF the cavern.
The floors in all the chambers.
though not exactly smooth, were r.
markably even and level, while the
ceiling in all the departments visited
presented solid and smooth appear.
ance. With the imperfect means of
examination, and in the absence of
proper lights, it is impossible to give
anything bordering upon a correct
impression of this remarkable discov-
cry, and time and future examina.
tions alone must tell the wonders con-
tanned in these caves or subterranean
dwellings,, if dwellings, they once were.
The party of explorers, though light
~ clad, knowing nothing of these
caverns when they got to the falls,
experienced very little Inconvenience
from dampness, and when Col. Ons-
tott returns the party will go pre-
pared to visit every part of this
wonder, if it takes weeks to do it.
The colonel informed the correspond.
ent that it was his purpose to secure
the Otoe chief, Tail of the Wolf"
and compel him to go into the cav
elm with the party, and if there be n
secret chamber known only to him
and his suh-chiefs, he will find it and
the relics and treasures it contains.
il there be such. In the meantime.
the colonel had arranged to see that
no one enters tho cavern until he
gives the word to do so.