The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-21
NATURAL WONDERS.
rnE BEAUTIES or MlssoUai'S RE-
mARkAeLe MARBLE CAVE

Fnhferrauean Wonders that 1fo e"S"'
.s-waIIs OF Jasper and Onyx.
p,.. cnt in Stone That sculptors
Can Scarcely Initiate.
In the deepest businesses OF the mysteri-
.rs OZARK mountains, eighteen miles south
..s, ~ this city, Is what Is perhaps the
,,~aa,est and most wonderful natural for
mation in the world. The famous Nam
moth cave. of Kentucky, has long been
looked upon as the greatest marvel OF the
Lind in the known world, but its greatest
depth is only nine miles from the entrance
hidden away IN the Ozarks is cavern
which extends over thirty miles and mas
qualifications which, when fully explored
will undoubtedly show cavernous cham
bers with openings extending more than
300 miles.
Deep in the heart OF Wilderness ridge,
the highest peak Of that highest ridge OF
the Ozark mountains, is Roark peak. On
the extreme summit Of this elevated peak
Is an immense craterlike depression, the
sides Of which extend almost perpendicn-
laylv down for distance OF 200 feet. In
the center of the bottom n o narrow slit
like opening. To reach this Opening
hundred or more steps have been cut IN
IN. steep sides Of the crater, and then the
explorer sees at his feet yawning ABYSS
extending down into deepest darkness.
Descent is made into this abysmal depth
by means of a series Of rope ladders, ana
going deeper and deeper at last he nnds
himself al the bottom, $50 feet from the
entrance and on level floor, and can just
see daylight streaming through the open
ing far above him.
Now as the eve becomes accustomed to
the darkness and the feeble light of the
torches penetrates dimly the recesses OF
the cavern, il is found that the entrance
leads directly into most magnlhcent
chamber-magnificen both AS 10 size and
decoration. This grand amphitheater IS
almost circular in form, 700 feet In diam
eter. while the ceiling 225 feet above, APP
pears 10 be held in place by immense col
umns OF onyx and marble. On all sides
are 20 be seen exquisite forms standing
against the immense walls as il carved by
the hand Of an artist, and the imagination
can depict the varied forms Of sculpture as
seen in the galleries Of the Old World.
Some of these rival in massiveness and
splendor the heroic statues Of the world,
while others bear all the delicacy Of cary
ing OF the flowers which adorn the entrance
of the cavern Giant columns rear their
heads 10 the roof. their bases standing on
pedestaIs Of incrusted marble and jasper.
INTERVIEWING among these majestic col
umns can be seen delicate tendril-like
veinings which appear to be some beauti-
full vine turned suddenly TO stone. Athwart
nj raoroccspU N hQ
seen what at first glance appear to be
punches OF beautiful flowers, showing all
the varied tints Of the rainbow, but which
examination shows to be delicate incrusta-
tions across the cbalcedony and onyx,
forming tendrils and leaves as perfect as II
formed by the hand of nature on the flora
Of the upper air.
But there are more and grander beauties
30 be seen in this gigantic cavern of the
Ozark. From the grand amphitheater
there extend five immense galleries, lead
ing TO other chambers which equal and,
in some instances, surpass the first great
room at the foot of the descent. From an
opening off to one side there tricklesa little
stream of water as cold as If il came from
an iceberg. Following this to its source
the explorer reaches the springroom, the
walls of which are as white as pure jasper
can make them.
Here the temperature is constantly at 80
dogs. Fahrenheit, and the moisture which
is in the air of the larger rooms and pas
sageways condenses on the alabaster walls
and trickles constantly down in streams
which form the rivulet which runs into
the grand amphitheater This condensa-
A. l. . L. ,,,rt rrlr
able curiosities of the immense cavern. So
great is the supply that it is estimated
that twenty gallons per minute pour off
the walls of the small, barrel shaped niche
called the shower bathroom, and runs
down into the circular spring of youth.
This water Is so pure that it leaves no
deposit whatever and is really distilled by
nature just us it is by science above
ground. This shower bathroom and spring
room rivals in beauty of design any cham
Der decorated by art in the known world.
Delicate veinings of onyx, alabaster,
chalcedony and beryl interlace in such pro-
fusion on the marble wall and with such
delicate tracery that the whole presents a
picture Of rarest design. Along the base
Of the room runs dado of reds and grays,
formed by the notified and discoiored
marbles which have received the drippings
of water washing over portions stained
with iron.
Leading off in another direction from the
grand amphitheater is lofty passageway,
with succeed roof and arched entrance.
Following this the throneroom is reached
and here, in solitude, is a grander throne
than was ever built by man or designed by
human brain. The great white throne
stands alone in the middle of magnifi-
cent chamber with lofty ceiling full 800
feet above From side to side the floor
measures 200 feet, while from end TO end
It is $40 feet. The throne, a majestic ovate
stalagmite, stands in the center, formed Of
pure onyx and jasper, with markings Of
chalcedony and beryl.
Standing thirty-six feet across and TWEEN
ty-six feet from front TO bsck it rises in
grandeur to height of sixty-tive feet
being twelve feet in diameter at the top
An immense niche faces the entrance to
the room, and here is the imaginary seat
Of some prehistoric deity. The throne is
hollow, and beneath the seat ara three
beautiful rooms Of alabaster whiteness
No work OF art can compare with it, and
words are inadequate to fully describe its
beauties and wonderful construction.
To the right OF the immense throne rises
10 the ceiling pure white fluted pillar
about three feet in diameter, resting on a