Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-05-20
THE ALLEGASH CAVE.
Houiton Man and Party Visit the
Wonder of Northern Maipe

James X. Osgood, OF Houton, recently
returned from the famous cave OF Allie
cash lake, with bag full OF bats, some OF
them monsters OF their kind and a thrill
ing story of his explorations in that sub
terranean wonder. The bats he brought
with him as a proof that he had pene-
trated to some of the inner chambers of
the cave. Their immense size he thinks
an indication that the cave is much larger
han the widest conjectures OF its discov-
cries had anticipated.
Mr.. Osgood formed an expedition com
posed of old woodsmen and guides, and
with torches and ropes and other neces-
saries for underground exploration they
proceeded to Patten. the last town be
tween Houlton and the Allegash. Then
they hired team and were conveyed to he
lake. In the pnrty were Will H. Lawlor,
of Benodicta, brother Of Thomas Iawlor,
the lumberman W no discovered he cave "A
year ago, Burton w Howe, Of patten,
Daniel Clark, OF Houlton, and Rane Gross,
OF Ashland.
The cave entrance is situated fifty rods
from the east shore of Alegash lake, and
is a small opening i'll he side of he noun
tain which rises there. The opening is
sufficiently large to permit OF man en-
tering he cave easily, but is partly hid
den by a thick growth OF stubby trees.
The party entered the cave, sliding
down sloping shelf which runs at an
angle OF about thirty degrees for several
| rods. They then found themselves in a
large chamber, dimly lighted, with an
| irregular roof and many corridors and
windings in the walls, but with perfect
~ smooth and level floor. The width Of
the chamber from the entrance is ninety
one feet. One OF the corridors running to
the north in zig gag course WAS followed
for long distance. In some places this
corridor widened SO that several men
might walk abreast, and in other places
it was narrow that the men had hard
work in squeezing through.
They came to a chasm at the side OF
the corridor about 80 feet from the out
er chamber After lowering weight
and discovering that the bottom OF the
chasm was twenty feet below, they at
taehed the line to a huge bowlder in the
wall OF The corridor and lowered them
.aI,e. ,p,oi, Tho. f,urd ,ba,,.o1,.. j.,
anotber barge cha,nh.r swarnin, ,,i,h
! bats. This room varies in height from
two to six feet, and he floor is not level,
a. i the floor OF he chamber under which
it lies.
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