The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-06-24
DAKorA's WIND CAVE.
A Cavern in Which Explorers Have
Journeyed IS Miles.

Ihe wonderful laDyrintn-Wl lnu CaVe,
discovered some seven years ago by cow
boy-is in Fall River county, South Da-
kota, II miles north Of Hot Springs and
consists Of series of caverns, 63 miles of
which have been explored, says the Grand
Rapids Democrat 1t receives its name
from the fact of strong wind issuing from
the opening, and for this reason many be-
lieve there is another entrance, but none
as yet has been found The wind does
not at all times blow from the cave, but its
action may be compared to that of the
lungs in breathing.
The several routes are very roughs aud
in places dangerous. The two most fire.
quented are the "Garden of Eden" and
the "Fair Grounds" The majority of
people choose the former route, as it takes
13 hours to go the "Fair Grounds" neces-
stating remaining in the cave over night.
Few visitors are enthusiastic enough or
strong enough to undertake so long trip
as there is difficult and perilous climbing
to be done, many places where one must
crawl on hands and knees, and passages,
such as "The Irish Misery" of which cor
pulent persons should beware, unless they
wish to sacrifice themselves to the cause of
science. The routes are intricate, as there
are often three or four passages opening
from single chamber.
The human voice is audible but short
distance, though tapping on the rocky wall
can be heard from half to three-quarters
of mile, and last Fourth of July those
who were in the cave heard the cannon at
Rapid City, 65 miles away. The tempera-
ture is uniformly As degrees Fahrenheit
and the air is very clear. Numerous
springs are found; also a small lake.
Each chamber is unique in itself, a marvel
of beauty. The formations, which are of
limestone, seem created by fairy fingers,
many of them being too delicate to remove.
The ''Show Palace" with its riffs of snow
its cleaning, frostlike draperies its starry
snowfakes, spangling dome and walls and
floor; its glow Of amethysts and crystals,
flashing like diamonds, even in the light
of a tallow candle, outrival anything art
has ever done in the way of beauty.
Other beautiful rooms are the cred
Room" the Queens Drawing Room,
the 'Postofice," the "Grand Opera" and
the 'Lorne Gallery" One of the most
wonderful rooms is the Cathedral, where
the guide, by manipulating the rocks, pro.
duces certain weird, musical sounds In
the "Garden of Eden" is found the "For-
hidden Fruit" WHICH, in this case, resem-
bles plums and grapes more than the ira
ditional apple. The "Fair Grounds, the
largest chamber yet discovered, are three
acres In extent.
On the morning of August II our party
started for the cave. "Alva," the noted
Wind Cave guide, was secured the route
to the ''Garden of Eden" was decided
upon. Before the trap door was lifted we
could hear the roaring of the wind in its
efforts to escape.
care you ready" said the guide.
"Yes,' came from the crowd. The dool
was lifted down, down, down we went
into the dark abyss, cropping our way
along, holding on to the stairs, as the wind
threatened to toss us out of its cavern IL
darkness. One little girl said 81 don't
want to go down there! know Til never
come back again" The first chamber we
entered was we'll named, "The Postofice, u
for the walls were covered with odd box
like structures. On we passed, from one
room to another, with many merry laugh
and jest over our rough road, and wonder,
ing awe at the beauties revealed.
While resting In cavern we heard two
parties coming from opposite directions
Instantly all the candles were blown out
and we greeted them with as unearthly
groans as ever Dante heard when he Wis
tied the internal regions.
At last we reached the Garden of Eden,
five miles from the entrance and 600 feet
below the surface, gazed on the forbidden
fruit, then began our journey upward.
On the way back we heard voices singing
eNearer, Ny God to Thee" "Where are
they, Alva ?" said l. aThey are in the
Methodist Chapel he answered. 1t is a
party en- route to the Fair Grounds. The
wall is thin here; that is why they can be
heard So nlainly.'