The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-05-18
The Wind Gave.

4 correspondent of the Chestertown
(Md. J Transcripts who writes from Black
Hills, South Dakota says
About three years ago it was the wri-
ter privilege to present to your readers
pen picture of that wonderful palace of
nature. the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky
Since then, he has spent a greater part of
his time in seeing nature curiosities in
many countries of the civilized world But
he has yet to see a more wonderful, rugged
and sublime creation b. nature power
than the Wind Cave OF South Dakota
On Il greater scale than the world famous
Mammoth Cave, more wondrously beauti
full than the Wyandotte Cave of Indiana.
or the Cave Of the Winds in Colorado, it
stands preeminent as an impressive object
lesson of the mysterious influences that
have been Its creator since the Palaezoic
era.
In this grand cave of nature which has
been but comparatively recently discov-
cred. YOU can soiourn several days without
becoming weary of the beautiful sights
presented. To date. there have been ex-
plored twenty lone hundred large and pie
turesque chambers along the thirteen sep
arate routes. which combine to make
passageway Of more than ninety miles in
length. and the explorer 5 motto is still
ne plas alf.u Three hundred and
seventy-five of these chambers have been
named by various visitors who have repre-
sented nearly every nation Of the earth,
and who have come miles to see one Of
the most wonderful discoveries Of the cen
turv. Most of the rooms have received
the name of the object which they resem-
bic. and the formations which the geolo-
gists have vet failed to accoun; for. have
been named in like manner.
The numerous chambers fairly ghsten
with interesting crystalzation. and are
carved into geometrcal figures by beauti-
full box-work formations, which line the
walls. 4 prominent writer has said
They are suggestive Of some marvellous
artist Of old, ornamenting the rooms Of
kings and queens of the underground do
minions. or hung in frost work a. airy and
as delicate as the paintings of the real
frost king upon the windows al winter
time. vanishing at the slightest touch
The Wind Cave is 80 unlike most of the
caves have visited In many caverns
the formation Of the differen, rooms con
tinue about the same throughout aud You
are only interested in the size. But this
is not true Of the Wind Cave At every
turn. and in every chamber some strange
aud beautiful formation Is presented that
was not seen in the room jus; examined
and you are interested continually in some
thing new in this great natural cabinet Of
geology. The rooms are arranged in tiers
eight in number. the lowest being 500 feet
below the surface. and the highest los
feet The atmosphere is absolutely pnre
and there is no dampneSs in any par If
the cave except q; the bottom step Of the
stairs which brings You tn the first cham
her Here by placing your finger agains,
the walls you can notice little moisture,
bat not elsewhere in the cave. while IN the
rooms If the lowest tier there Is much dust
caused by the travel Of many feet aud II
is as dry rs Temperance town at election
time No living insect reptile o. animal
Of anv kind except man j. Go he found IN
this wonderful cavern The temperature
in al parts of the cave remains the same
the wear round. IS degrees
This Wind Cave. 50 called because Of
the continuous outrush If wind frum it,
mouth. Is situated about ten miles from
Hot Springs. The country near the cave
Is somewhat hilIy. with but few trees in
the vicinity In fact it is genuine .Da
kota park. which means in the Black
Hills. an open level stretch 81 land In
the immediate Reighborhood If this show
place Of America. are pOstaffiee several
dwellings and a number II barns one Of
the latter i the cave-house. which by no
means i Indicative Of the enchanting wen
ders which it 50 faithfully guards
IN the floor Of this Gibraltar Is trap
door through which the sightseer must
pass into after darkness. a the rush of
wind viii extinguish al candle flames ~
the draft. After you have descended
few rods, and the trap-door Is closed then
in the midst Of beauty and grandeur, You
apply the match to your candles aud the
curtain rises
1t Is not our purpose to describe many
Of the curious chambers Of this cavern, but
10 speak briefly Of few The first to at
tract our attention was the postoiliee The
walls and ceiling Of this room are filed
with nature : ornamented pigeon holes. or
letter boxes. into which are deposited cards
Of distinguished persons from al part. of
the civilized world
We visited the grand opera. devil :
lookout. queen drawing room Methodist
Church. capital hall. amphitheaire, con
lederate crossroads. chamber of bells.
Monte Christie palace, castle garden. as
senibly room, St Dominic chamber. yesti-
bule. catacombs, tabernacle. standing rock,
cathedral heights. World Fair grounds,
fallen giant. masonic hall the pearIy gates,
saint rest the garden Of Eden and many
Others whose names have forgotten
But the crowning scene Of al Is the
Pearly Gates. which is beyond the descrip-
ton Of man The guide placed around
rue gates tdEuit>- anu We rtNea HEAtttA-
less before the enhancing beauty As we
passed through the gates into the Saint
Rest, and thence into the Garden Of Eden
we were. indeed. inclined to beliye We had
passed through the Pearly Gates Of which
good Methodist brethren 30 often speak,
never to return to the cares Of earth.
Picture a large room the farther end OPP
enine as a double gate. ceiling and walls
covered with the most beautiful lace-like
frost work. fine rs cobwebs. woven in the
most intricate patterns. sparkling with all
the hriliancy Of thousands Of diamonds
and precious gems, and You get but a faint
idea Of the picture Of the Saint Rest
Remembering at the same time. thar YOU
are At least 400 feet below the surface
and that you are locking at the beauties Of
nature. not marred BY the hand of man.
and feeling creeps over and captiyates
you TO such an extent that you willingly
let 20 Of the outside world. and remain in
this temple of nature.
From here we entered the Garden Of
Eden, which surpasses anything in delicaey
L I -. ..-.,, ..,n, T.. tI,u.s