Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-07-30

ated at the time by the reported loss Of
the party. tombstone was nearly wild
insane from the fearful nerve strain.
The associated press reporter was nearly
used up and the entire party was lear
fully demoralized. There was one man
who never lost track of the hunters,
though he was not with them, and this
was Col. Stabler, who could have found
the hunters in an hour or two any time
did he deem them in danger. He had
arranged system OF rock telegraph by
which he and trained guides could have
covered every avenue and found the men
if they had been beyond the reach OF
food too long. This precaution was nee
essary owing to the cratic condition OF
Johnstone, who, on emerging from the
cave, was almost overcome with fright.
His guide, whose wrist he held firmly,
heard the escaping wind at the mouth of
the cave, and it sounds like a waterfall
which caused the guide to think OF water,
and instantly this thought was con-
veyed TO the brain Of tombstone. who
threw ur his arms in terror, exclaiming:
"My God, I'm lost. can't swim" Then
he damned the guide and told him to
keep his mind on other lines, Johnstone
got out and drove the team on run TO
the Evans, where his eyes were un-
bandaged. He found the pin head and
won the wager, but doubt If he could
be induced to enter that giant sponge
rock formation again blindfolded. There
are seven floors or levels and the lowest
is about 700 feet down in the bowels Of
the earth, where one sees specimens Of
rock formation unknown to geologists,
and no geologist has rlsked his reputation
on theory that might explain the for
nation of this wonderous creation Of
nature.
One might write for weeks but he
could not give a good description of the
beautiful and fantastic deslgnes he sees
on six mile trip out to the Fair Grounds
and back. There is one place on this
route where fat people have mighty hard
work to get through. because the space
is narrow and the downward slope IS
very steep for 60 feet The fat man and
fat lady in the party made the passage
after tight squeezing. The entire trip is
full OF fun and amusing incidents. Col.
Stabler and his sons are most entertain
ing gentlemen and fine descriptive artists.
Their description of how party OF wild
Indians got scared in the cave once was
most amusing After they got thorough
ly frightened and their lights went out
there is no place but hell, perhaps, where
such internal noises could be reproduced.
The Cave is a succession OF caves,
chambers, halls, hooks, by-paths, arched
domes, and in all about 80 miles have
been explored. and there may be 80 more
or a thousand miles for all any one can
tell When one sees the Wind Cave he
has seen the greatest cave in the world.
1t was discovered by hunter who
was following deer and in walking along
the narrow and rugged gulch he had his
hat blown from his head, and looking
for the cause found a round hole in the
rock about IA inches in diameter. He
was alarmed at the wonderful out-pour-
ing OF the cold breeze and left the spot
in search Of brother, who returned with
him. and in due time an opening was
blasted under the original hole which
disclosed the now famous entrance to the
former domain OF Old Nick. There is
neither bug. moth or bat in this cave,
and the air is wonderfully pure and the
cave perfectly dry everywhere. It's
world benter, and one must see 1t to fully
appreciate its grandeur Of beauty and
marvellous design. The Fair Grounds is
a chamber nearly 1000 feet in length.
Brother VanOsdel Of Yankton county,
a member Of the Soldiers Board of Com
missioners, would be willing to pay
SIC. 900 in cash for clear title to the
hole and approaches.
It might be we'll to state that the fat
lady got out safe but somewhat tired.
Many parties drive out in the evening
and spend the night in the cave. Night
or day cuts no figure when you are down
in that titanic convulsion Of nature. The
best description one can give of it. is to
it to a sponge covered over by a
young mountain The cells and insect
streets in sponge resemble the cham
bers and paths Of the famous Wind Cave,
near Hot Springs.
There are other attractions around the
Springs of a surprising nature, among
which might be mentioned the Onyx
Cave. In it's way it is magnificent
freak of nature and photographs of the
interior develop scenes of most surprising
beauty.
Fred Evans. the father of Hot Springs,
has erected monument, in the shape of
a magnificent hotel, which will stand as
a towering evidence of his foresight,
pioneer energy, courage, and labor for
suffering humanity, long after the pres
ent generation has passed away. 1t is
I'LL, l., %ho oh no ~ tho loftor RI afford. |