The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-12
GEORGIA'S SIL7PETRE CAVE.
Wonderful Underground Halls. Where tho
Cherokees Used TO IIoli Their Festivities.
From tie Ne,c Orleans Piclyune.

From tie Ntc Orleans PiclVun.
Georgia Justly boasts magnificent scenery.
Her Tallulah Falls mineral springs. and
mountains are famous. yet that place deserv
ing most honorable mention is. perhaps. least
known-Saltpetre Cave. Our newspapers and
magazines have devoted thousands OF columns
to the beauties and wonders OF Mammoth
Cave. and people from every part Of the civil
lied world have journeyed to see its famous
labyrinths and strange rock formations:
yet few know that Georgia possesses a
cavern whose vast depths are as mys-
FERROUS as inferno. and whose extreme
galleries and chambers have never been ex-
plored. satpetre Cave is even grnnder than
Mammoth. and in point OF access. beauty OF its
marble and limestone statues. forms OF ami
mails. monuments. staactites and stala.mites.
known cavern: Here the cherokee chiefs eel
oiratei their festivals and victories and per-
formed their peace and war dances. Tho In
dian legends ANA superStitlonS regarding this
Col. Mark Hardin Of Atlanta. tho owner of
upon request. our party left atlanta over tho
hours we arrived ut Kingston. where we were
met by q good team. charming drive of
Springs on The E,oWah River. well i Known to
song and story. Here we ate an early lunch.
another give OF fifteen minute to9k US to the
several teams hitched. showing that others
were already in the cave. more beautiful!
spot could hardly be pictured spreading oaks.
chestnuts. willows. and hawthorn. grass as
green as Il wgli,tsnded lawn. and the Cave
The gentlemen Of tho party decided to scale
tho mountain while tho ladies were looming
minutes amouG huge boulders aud gigantic
oaks We reached the point whore clear view
OF the surrounding country and maGnIticent
US. We felt more than repaid for our trip. and
very r reluetantly LETT the place, +,
very picturesque costumes and we formed Il
merry party as we neared the maln entrance
tain side Two minutes later u cry ahead
brought us to the spot. There thirty yards in
n fGH y snd es
while ferns and flowers n every crevice Of the
erenee hlled us AS we gazed. Not word was
spoken for some seconds: Finally we were
from: below. He had entered tho cave and
lighted our torehss, Oiled rags. lightw9od.
The entrance TO the cave is some sixty feet
high and almost circular. As We descended to
ened. At the foot, We were directed to look
back: This weird picture Gan only be ap.
" M H %fF9 rSradse ost ThS
IiverGnG rays of light make the distance look
near tho entrance FIR ab1ye us looked no
larger than mnnikin. Fitty yards more
famous "indinn baiTroom." where. IN pa Mt
centuries; the Cherokasess celebrated their fes-
hous he arched Getting rising far above. while |
the floor. once rs smooth rs lake. Is perhaps
N1WO feet SeSt n"sSSing thT0aTh
This cham her is perfectly round and about 80 |
feet in diameter, with circlng ceiling, 90 feet |
concreted stalactites and stalagmites give the
effect feet Of maGnieeat drap"res, n..,,.t ,,,v
a
iaSt rssehedt The organ lot. with Alias
E"de The St and " %h eS maet
,tn the s,aiacltet: which were found in
holds tho finest and largest number OF staac-
tites and stalaGmitcs, ever found in one place.
becrsrs deserpon ''nE@l sS'S Pillar LA "0is
fhn ieon leef in and SUP,
nsns f to Tie VI 9h
Mhe e huge Ion stands out In relief from the
knows where. while tho lower iends 10 lie
on our way out the bat cham ber." "whisrer,
Ing gallery" pillar Of Lots wife" pan;
slender and graceful stnactitos. and chain
bers pits. domes. and smaller galleries
too too num,yvrouSS t. describe in a, limitci
spring" The "eiephant's head" perfect in
share and trunk, the I'D woman IN hoop
Twelve feet high. and so well proportional
hat Now YORKER. wishing 10 plnco'it in Gem
trail Park. offered 5000 tor it. From here u
short walk took ~ into daylight by the littIo
entrance under the natural bridge" and
Dn!y 200 yards from our starting pont-nIaln
sntrRnce During century these nrO tho |
only entrances ever found. We were two
hours IN the cave. and had not once doubled
III our route. which formed u gigantic horse
shoe Thirty minutes drive took Gs to Kings
on: whore wo boarded train for tho North.
Whites Georgia Statistics" and Searss |
Wonders of tho World" some ,ilfty years ago
ave interesting accounts Of Saltpetro Cave,
nd shut from the gaze of tho world romans a
question. Tho an tpetre- bearing dirt. limo
ock. and cement have proved a remarkable
ears . nno hotel will adorn tho valley. the
'aiuahl0 product OF tho cave will be mined,
md Its long-deserted labyrinths will be
hronged with tourists. This cavern Is Justly
anked among the wonders OF tho world"