The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-09-27
An Oregon Cave.

The following is an account of the
discovery of a wonderful cave in Doug.
lass county, about four miles from the
farm of NJ. c. Ruckles, on the line of
the Southern Pacific Railroad, and is
told, as nearly as possible, in the lang
uage OF one of the discoveries, says
the Roseburg (Ore.) Plaindealer:
A few days ago, while out hunting,
one of our dogs scented track and fol
lowed it to what looked like a coyote
den. The dog went in and remained
quite while. 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 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 lighted what matches we had, and
could then sec that the room was decor
ated with numerous large crystals hang
from the roof, which, from the reflection
of the light, looked like a mass of dia-
monds. 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 further, 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 us We threw it down the pas
sageway where the water was falling,
and when it reached the depth of about
twenty five or thirty feet it struck against
what appeared to be the side of the cave,
making noise like the report of can
non.
When on the verge of rctraoing our
steps we saw a small hole in the face of
the cave, which, on inspection, proved
to be a continuation OF the passageway.
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 Il sacred hall, for on the walls we
could discern hieroglyphics of the sun,
and also people who appeared to be trav-
cling in one direction. Some were on
foot, while Others were mounted on
what looked like camels. Right under
the sun was a book which lay as
if open. and, hardly discernible, were
some characters or writing of some
extinct race. Near these were 12 per-
sons i'll 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 pottery, also some spears
and darts. They looked as if the wood.
work had been destroyed by age As
we were starting out in search of further
we were all at once sur
rounded by bats, who made it so I'M
pleasant for us that we were forced to
beat hasty retreat and leave all further
to a future day.
81 he