Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-07-22
Going through Wind Cave.

1t seems almost futile for one to at
a description of what may be
seen in a jaunt through Wind Cave.
Upon different occasions representa-
tives Of the STAR have gone out to the
cave and have been most kindly enter
tanned by Mr.. Mcdonald and his sons.
Last week the writer, in company
with DR.. Wade, went out for an all
nights journey into this most wonder
full place. Over the cave entrance is
built a log cabin. When one enters
the building he might imagine himself
IN a tlour mill, the roar of the wind
from the ave so strongly resembling
the grinding Of a mill, or the rushing
of distant waters. The customary par
aphernalia consisting Of blouse, over
alls and skull cap-which all candidates
for admission must don without regard
to sex-was brought forth and we
were soon prepared to descend. We
wish to impress upon anyone who
contemplates this prospecting tour, the
fact that they will not need much of
their own clothing on after they have
followed the guide for several miles IN
to the cave, for although it seems cool
at first you will soon get warmed up
to the situation, and sigh for less
clothing.
Sometimes the wind is coming from
the cave, again blowing in. 1t was ex.
haling upon this occasion, and with a
velocity that when the trap door was
raised from the floor the light of our
candles was blown out. A. +. Mellon.
aid started with us as guide. Down
down into the darkness we went, into
an unknown and ''unsightly' abyss
until we reached a point where the
breeze subsidized. Here our candles
were relighted, and we find ourself in
a narrow confne surrounded by cold
gray walls, with narrow steep stars
above and below, winding and twisting
in all directions. Down we go, unit
finally the guide announces that we're
at the bottom of the stairs-fourteer
flights down. or about $50 feet. Then
we strike out into the cave at an angle
of about IS degrees. 1t is easy going
here, for much work has been done all
along, the passage having been en-
larged by blasting out the rocks 81
that one a walk nearly erect, instead
Of crawling upon hands and knees a.
formerly. There isn't much beauty tt
the place until Bridal Chamber j.
reached. This is an opening of per
haps IL feet square and about thai
height. How it received its name wa
Economically related to us by the
guide.
Then on through Snow Ball room
with its glittering frost work, to the
Post Office, a good sized apartment
with the walls and ceiling covered
! with curious box work, where numer'
GUS visitors have left their cards ani
thereby claim a post Office box. Some
where along the route in this viclnit,
where the water is trucking down the
walls, we notice many cans set exactly
under where the water is dropping
The guide picks up a can full and W,
drink from it-cold. fresh water-ant
the guide takes the can Of water along
for he says we soon leave those dfib
bling brooks and we must have water
Later on we find he knew whereof h.
spoke. From Post Office we pas
through Red Hall, Opera house, Devil
Lookout pit of dense darkness, full
of holes, by-ways, pitfalls, and one
might imagine it "beset with rufian
if not with murderers.' Then Milton
Study, a most solitary recess, Sampson
Palace, Swiss Scenery, where will
candles in behind the beautiful varie
gated box work we witness a charmin,
sight; on to Milk Maids Mishap, wher'
the moist m~ilk-colored floor might lea
one to imagine that a bucket Of mill
had been spilled; then the Drawn,
room, and on to the Methodist Churcl
where a party Of ministers held a shor
prayer meeting last year, but as tn
guide insisted that he had already he'll
his customary divine worship befor
we routed him out Of bed, we passe
on through the church to the Dinin,
Rom, where we likewise got left, a
there didn't appear to be anythinI
suggestive of a dining room, but tn
guide soothea our somewhat lacerate
feelings by informing us that this wa
the place where the hungry wayfarer
usually partake Of their lunch-w
therefore desire to hereby notify an
and all future candidates for admissio
to the mysteries of the cave to tax
their lunch with them.
Giants Causeway next admitted us
thence to the Dark Room, Capital Ha
Amphltheatre, and the Confederat
Cross Roads, where we haye a cholc
of three routes. We take the Colosiul
route, down through Summer avenu
to Irish Misery and this is about 8
appropriately named as any place i
the cave, for one has to wiggle an
twist in all name Of shapes to worr
himself through; yet it's filled with a
fractions and wonders.
Scenes Of Wicklow next captivat,
us; then Chamber Bells, where wit
some practice it seems as though or
might soon be able to render swe'
music, for the mere humping upo
the box work formations creates mel
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