Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-02-27
A HOLE IN TIE GROUND.
The Celebrated Gypsum Cave Of South
Dickinson Visited.

The Celebrated Gypsum Cave Of South
Dickinson Visited.
1t is not generally known that in
south Dickinson county in Hope town
ship, there is a miniature mammoth
cave, excavated in a strata of solid
gypsum eight or ten feet in thickness.
The cave was evidently produced by
the action of water, percolating through
the soft, yielding gypsum, so abundant
in that part of our county.
At Hope and other points this ma
terial is being extensively manufac-
tured into superior quality of plaster
paris or, more properly speaking
stucco, an article regarded with great
favor by mechanics for house-fnishing
purposes, and the business Is destined
in the near future, to become a large
and paying industry.
The small capital required for plant,
the small force needed to operate the
same, and the constantly increasing de-
mand for the output, recommend" Tho
business as safe and nr"",. o,,o So.
0n'' Gnu We hazard the prediction
! .nat the gypsum fields of Dickinson
county will not long remain undevel-
oped.
| VISITING THE CAVE.
A party of several men on business
in the near vicinity and having few
moments leisure, concluded to visit this
local wonder, under the guidance of
that veteran pioneer, and political
oracle of Lyon township, Uncle Dan.
Weaver. We entered the bed of one of
the numerous draws that constitute
the head-waters of Turkey creek, and
following the channel for distance of
about ten chains, found ourselves
facing the mouth of the cavern, an
aperture two and half by three feet
in diameter, and recepticle for all the
waters flowing down the drain we had
followed. How many ages it required
for natures sculptor to carve this open
ing, and what becomes of the waters
flowing into it, whether they again ap-
pear at the surface, or become lost in
the bowels of the earth, remains an
unsolved problem, and matter of
speculation.
| LOOKING DOWNWARD.
Intent on exploration, and having
faith in the adage that HE that
humbleth himself shall be exalted" we
assumed the attitude assigned by Oar
win to our remote ancestors, and under
the leadership of that bold buccaneer
and relic of COW boy days, Henry Pew
rich, started to examine the interior,
but being unprovided with lanterns OF
lamps, our investigations were neces-
sarily confined 10 narrow limits.
An attempt was made to illuminate
the cave by igniting bunch of prairie
grass, but as nature had neglected to
provide chimney to this subteranean
chamber the result was mOmentary
fash revealing the white walls of the
entry, followed by a dense smoke, fill
ing eyes, mouth, ears and nose and
compelling the party to turn tail and
hunt daylight and fresh air, emerging
from the aperture somewhat soile1 as
to apparel, somewhat dimmed as tr
vision, but otherwise unframed, save q
demoralizing effect on our friend, a
Kandt, who hinted at becoming rob
Der bold and utilizing the cave as re.
treat and fortress against the minions
of the law.
VARIOUS HYPOTHESIS.
Parties who claim to have explored
the interior represent that the cavern
extends several hundred feet. widenin.
in places into spacious and lofty cham
bers, three at least. Other partie
equally reliable represent the chamner
as contracted, barely large enough TO
three or four persons to stand erect, til
entry in places narrow and difficult o
. passage and the air impure.
, Anyone desiring to settle this ques
? ton by investigation can do so if will
: ing to run the risk of being snake bi
or having his heels snapped by wolf
Our own opinion is that as summe
resort, or camping ground for pic-ni
4 parties it is lamentable failure. bu
Y as revelation of the extent, quality
;: purity and richness of the gypsum de
posits il is a great success and leave
upon the visitor an impression that,
the language of Col. Sellers, There al
/. L rn;lIio.,n In. 81 D