The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1895-06-28
MARENOO CAVE.
UnrivaIed for Grandeur and Magnifi.
ceace.

about this wonderful cave, which
was discovered some twelve years
ago, and is situated one-half mile
from the town Of Marengo, thirty
eight miles west of Louisville, KY,
On the popular Air Line, (Louis-
vile, Evansville x St. Louis Con-
solidated Railroad). For the bene-
tit Of our numerous readers we take
pleasure in furnishing them with
the following descriptive of this
notable cave.
Before entering the cave each Wis
ltor is provided with a lantern, AMI
each guide with a torch. Entrance
to the cave is effected 10y descend
ling steep stairway, thirty or forty
feet, into which is called the ''Dia-
mond Dome," at the north end of
the main chamber. From the cell
ling hang most beautiful stalactites,
some OF which come down twenty
feet to the floor, and in other places,
stalagmites, ranging in height from
one to four feet, arise from the floor,
all formed by the calcerous incrus-
Itations, which have been forming
slowly for countless ages; the gen.
eral appearance of these formations
being Of old ivory highly vanished ,
but some are as white as snow.
when lighted up, it presents one OF
1.-THE most magnificent and enchant-
ling scenes ever beheld.
The guide then starts with you
Ito explore the principal chamber,
(which is some two miles in length
and varies in width from 40 to 2Ot
fleet; its height is from five to six
fleet. The ceiling looks like it had
had a rough coat Of plaster, with
variety of decorations and orna'
ments. In one place it is as spotted
as leopard; in other places it il
,ornamentcd with great variety o.
I |stalactites. The general shape o.
1.-THE ceiling is oval or arched, al
though in some places it is as leve
: as the ceiling of any house. Many
large pieces Of limestone are found
smooth and polished, showing tha
they had been in contact with grave
, and sand perhaps for millions o
/ years, when the great Mississippi
was the bed Of sea. One section 0
1.-THE chamber is called "Congresl
Hail." from the formation and ap
pearance of the projecting stone OF
one side, which somewhat resem
bles balcony or gallery, and an
other stone is found very much re-
sembling in appearance and shape 8
modern pulpit. AT almost every
. step something new and novel is to
lbe seen. A stalactite high upon
1.-The wall is called "The Baby Ele-
phant," from its resemblance to
THAT animal.
A stalagmite about four feet high,
and perhaps ten inches in diameter
at the base, called "Washington's s
Monument" is enc of the finest
specimens seen. 1t looks like it
had been made of the finest Parian
marble. The proprietor Of the cave
has been offered $500 for this one
specimen, but of course refused.
He will not permit anything to be
taken out. After the visitor has
seen the main chamber, and thinks
he has seen it all he is conducted
Into the Crystal Palace" and it is
,Ilighted up. This beats it all, and
1.-The tourist feels after looking at it
THAT this one scene is worth all it
|cost him to make the trip. 1t is
impossible to describe the beauty,
Igrandeur and magnifcence of this
scene-it must be seen to be appre-
ciated. Think of hall or chamber
l75 or 80 feet long. 30 feet high and
20 or 80 feet wide, with its walls
covered with old ivory columns and
Iomaments, all carved and futed,
and then you have some idea Of the
appearance Of this chamber. One
could stand for hours and look at
lit, and everybody would agree with
the old lady when in the cave at
might and said she "would love to
see it by daylight"
This cave is one OF the dryest
known. But little water is found,
land that Of the purest. Not much
mud is found, and that can be
avoided. The temperature is the
.ame the yearlong, being 80 degrees.
No animal life can be found, and
nothing but the living water exists.
No danger Of snakes.
The town Of Marengo is very
pheasant place Of 1900 to | 500 in