The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-08-22
THE WONDERFUL WIND CAVE.

| THE WONDERFUL VINO CAVE.
Down 1000 Feet Below the Earth's
Surface and Two Miles from
any way Of Exit!
Millions upon Millions Of Tons Of Mag.
nificcnt Rock Work Of Nature's
Choicest Designs.
A few days ago party Of Ho.
Sprigns people, accompanied by STAR
reporter left the city bent upon seeing
Wind Cave. Upon reaching the home
of the genial and courteous Mr.. Mel Don.
aid, who is manager and guide, we ate
a lunch and at once prepared to
go to the soon to be world-famed
Wind Cave, which is located about
ten miles north of Hot Springs.
After walking up the canyon from
our guides home for two hum
dred yards, we came to a newly erected
log cabin that covers the mouth of the
cave. As we stepped into this and into
one corner, where cellar-like door
stood open, we were greeted by very
strong cold wind. "Where does all the
wind come from?" one Of our party
asked, and was answered by being
told that's what many people would
like to know" After being plenti.
fully supplied with candles, we made
our way down the stairway against the
very strong wind, and then began our
descent proper, into the wonder full, In
describably wonderful, cave down,
down into the very "bowels of the
earth. We were soon told by our
guide, snow we will go down these
ladders for 125 feet So it was. We
climbed down two strong perpendicu-
lar ladders Cor 125 feet. Then began
the true novelty of "cave seeing"
After passing over some distance, first
crawling, then walking, then sliding
through narrow chasms, under masses
of huge rocks, through dark, deep
openings to the regions below, we came
to the 'hog hole This place very
much resembles what, in the Hoosier
state. would be known as "hog wal
lew" Here we squeeze ourselves
through and down below. No, we
have not reached the beauty or grand
eur vet, nor will we for some distance.
Now we begin gradual decline, be-
ing already 200 feet below the surface.
After crawling and stumbling over the
numerous precipices and mammoth
rocks. we find ourselves in the Brides
chamber" We could not learn why
it was thus called. It Is large.
square, room-like apartment,in the CEN
ter of which is large alter or pile Of
beautiful formations. In this roomthere
was to have been two romantic lives
made one by the strong tie Of matri-
mony on August 3D., but tsome unknown
circumstance prevented this occurrence.
We have but little time to dwell upon
Natures more than beautiful work IN
the high, massive walls and the lovely
glittering ceiling, presenting a most
brilliant, yet rugged appearance; but
let us so on, over tae rough path, over
which we are compelled to climb, up,
then down. over great precipitous
ledges, standing over deep. dark chasms,
perhaps 2 feet wide and many feet
deep. whose walls seemed to gradually
close at the bottom. Some times pick :
ing our way over huge projecting rocks,
then squeezing our way though verv
narrow passages, at last we came into
another room where we were able to
walk or leap from rock to rock.
After leaving behind us this room
we passed through another rough, al.
most lmpassable route, and then found
little rest in being able to walk erect
down the far from smooth path, wind
ing down into the deep. rocky depths
below, until we reached Snow Ball
House" Why should it be so called?
Well, it is only because it presents
very much the appearance Of having
come in contact with a mob of nervy
snow ballers, and had the worst of the
battle. The balls had stuck fast to
the surface of the walls, flattening
themselves as they stuck, thus giving
this room the name of Snow Ball
House.
We proceeded to descend, and then
after tiresome trip over a short dis
tance we will mount the camel's back,
or rather the dromedary's back. Here
is large formation resembling greatly
the back of a dromeaary, with the
large "hanks' on its back. We sit
here and rest for a few minutes. drink
ing in some of the loveliness of natures
most exquisite handiwork. As we looked
on either side Of us, way down into
dark chasms and among the great,
bold masses Of rock, which were thrown
one upon the other,unknown ages ago,
we could but feel terrible sensation
when we would think Of being in
such place with no prospect Of
escape. But we must move on to the
next place of particular interest,
known as the Post Office" Here are
sights that no mind can imagine, or
tongue describe. but to know you must
see. Stepping into the "Post Office y
the guide tells us we are now one
fourth of the way to the end Of our
route. We then sit down and look in
blank amazement, almost speeches. at
the scenes about us. This room is
called the post Office owing to the for.
nation covering the ceiling and
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