St. Paul daily globe., 1890-05-08
AN OREGON GAVE.
Another Rival OF the Kentucky
Wonder-Driven Out by Bats.

Another Rival OF the Kentucky
Wonder-Driven Out by Bats.
Roseburg (Or.) Plaindealer.
The following is all account of the
discovery of wonderful cave in Doug
lass county, about four miles from the
farm of M. c. Ruckles, on the line of
the Southern Pacific railroad, and is
told as nearly as possible in the Ian
guage Of one of the discoverers:
"a few days ago. while out hunting,
one of cur dogs scented track and fol-
lowed it to what looked like a coyote
den. The dog went in and remained
quite awhile. Thinking he might have
been killed by some wild animal in the
cave, we went up to the hole, and while
looking around the mouth of the cave,
heard the dog barking vigorously in
what sounded like a large chamber Or
room in the mountain. We at length
called the dog out, but he Immediately
started back and again began to
bark. Being of an exploring turn
of mind, we Yentured in, crawl
ing through the aperture, which was
hardly large enough to admit the body
of a human being. What was our sur
prise, after proceeding about twenty
lCCt, w uf10 tldt NO A0CtO III inl 81
room. 1t being very dark. we Lit what
matches we had, and could then see
that the room was decorated with num-
erous large crystals hanging from the
roof, which, from the reflection of the
light, looked like mass of diamonds.
While taking in all this splendor in
silent admiration, we could hear the
sound of running water, but not having
anything at hand to explore further.
we craWled back to daylight and went
home. Provided with lanterns, we re-
turned next day and proceeded TO In
vestigate. After leaving the first room
we went through narrow paSsageway
which led to a large body of water.
which appeared to come through the
top of the cave and fall into another
cave below. Taking up stone which
lay near by US we threw it down the
passageway where the water was fall
ing, aud when it reached the depth Of
about twenty-five or thirty feet il struck
against what appeared to be the side OF
the cave, making noise like the report
of cannon. When on the verge of re-
tracing our steps we saw a small hole in
the face of the cave, which, on closer
inspection, proved to be continuation
of the passage way. We were now in,
and ventured ON. After proceeding for
about fifteen feet we came to some
stone steps. After reaching the top of
the steps we were in what appeared to
be sacred hall. for on the walls we
could discern hieroglyphies of the sun,
and also people who appeared to be
travelling in one direction. Some were
one foot, while others were mounted on
what locked like camels. Right under
the sun was book, which lay
as if open, and, hardly discernible.were
some characters or writing of some
extinct race. Near these were twelve
persons in group, while little way in
| the lead was another person, who, from
the position of his extended arms,
looked as If he was urging them on.
After looking around we were led to
believe that the people who inhabited
this cave at some past age were sun
| worshipers. On the floor was some pot
| terry, also some spears and darts. They
| looked as if the woodwork had been de-
stroyed by age. AS we we're starting
on in search of further knowledge we
were all at once surrounded by bats,
| who made it SO unpleasant for us that
we were forced to beat hasty retreat
and leave all further researches to a
! future day."