The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-07-16
SUN WORSHIPERS.
discovery of a Cave That Was Once the
Temple of an Extinct Race.

discovery of Cave That Was Once the
Temple of an Extinct Race.
The following, says the Roseburg
Ore Plaindealer, is an account of
discovery of wonderful cave in Doug
lass County, about four miles from the
farm of NJ. C. Ruckles, on the line OF the
Southern Pacific railroad:
"A few days ago, while out hunting
one of our dogs scented track and foi-
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 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 aper-
ture, 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 n 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 mass OF dia-
monds While taking in all this SPLEEN
dor in silent admiration, we could hear
the sound of running water, but not
having any thing at hand to explore fur
Their, we crawled back to daylight and
went home.
"Proyidcd with lanterns, we returned
next day and proceeded to investigate
After leaving the first room we went
through q narrow passagc-way which
led to largo body of water, which APP
peared to come through the top OF the
cave and fall into cave below Taking
up stone which lay near us we throw
itdown the passage-way where the water
was falling, and 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 q noise like the
report of n cannon. When on the verge
of retracing our steps we saw small
hole in the face of the cave. which, on
closer inspection, proved to be con-
tinuation Of the passage-way. we were
now in and ventured on. After proceed
ing for about fifteen feet we came to
some stone steps. After reaching the
top of the steps we were in what appear
cd to be a sacred hall, for on the walls
we could discern hicroglyphics OF tho
sun and also people ~ho appeared to be
travelling i'll one direction. Some were
what looked like camels. Right under
the sun was book which lay as if opon,
and, hardly observable, 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 were 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."