River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-10-23
AN OREGON CAVERN.
Another Rival OF Kentuoky's Famous
Mammoth. Cave. s- 3D.

The following is-ap account Of the dis
coyery of q wonderful cave in Douglas
County, about four miles from the farm
of M. c. Rhckles, on the line Of the
Southern Pacific railroad, and is told as
nearly as possible in the language of one
Of the discoveries, .........
"A few days ago, while out hunting,
one OF our dogs scented a track and fol.
lowed it to what looked like 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 OF
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
ventured in, crawling through the
aperture, which was hardly large
enough to admit the body OF a human
being. What was our surprise, after
proceeding about twenty feet. to find
that we were in large room. 1t being
very dark, we lit what matches we had,
and could then see that the room was
decorated with numerous large crystals
hanging from the roof, which, from the
reflection of the light, looked like a
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 ex-
plore farther, we crawled back to day
light and went home. Provided with
lanterns, we returned next day and pro-
ceeded to investigate. After leaving
the first room we went through a narrow
passageway which led to 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 we threw it down the pas
sageway where the water was falling,
and when it reached the depth of about
twenty-five or thirty feetit struck against
what appeared to be the side of the
cave, making a noise like the report of
cannon. When on the verge of retrac-
ing our steps we saw small hole in the
face OF the cave, which, on closer in
spection, proved to be a continuation of
the passageway. We were now in, and
ventured on. After proceeding about
fifty feet we came to some stone steps.
After reaching the top of the steps we
were in what appeared to DO a sacred
hall, for on the walls we could discern
hieroglyphics of the sun, and also
people who all appeared to be
travelling in one direction. Some were
on foot, while others were mounted on
what looked like camels. Right under
the sun was book which lay as if open,
and, hardly discernible, were some char
acters or writing of some extinct race.
Near these were twelve persons in a
group, while little wayi 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-woWhipers. On the
floor was some pottery, also some spears
and darts. They looked as if the wood
work had been destroyed by age. As we
were starting on in search of further
knowledge, we were all at once sur
rounded by bats, who made it so I'M
pleasant for us that we were forced to
beat a hasty retreat and leave all fur
Their researches to future day."-Rose-
burg (Ore,l Plaindealer