Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-02-26
LEGENDARY CAVERN
FORMS THE HEAD OF SPRING RIVER, NEAR MAMMOTH
 SPRING.
is a Natural Wonder. "ths Spoiled Outlet of Some Ancient River,"
 Some One has Said.

The prehistoric head of Spring river, Grand Gulf, is located seven miles from Mammoth Spring, being an immenst cavern, whose mysteri- ous depths conceal subterranean spring equal to Spring river, and which presents such wild, varied and picturesque marking and freaks of nature that hundreds of visitors are attracted there every summer, fnd- ing on each succeeding visit some new beauty or some lnexplicable mystery which furnishes food for thought and unlimited conjecture, says the Mammoth Spring Monitor.
 Among other interesting attrac- tions which this spot affords for the lover of nature, is a natural stone bridge, which spans the chasm, on whose craggy sides are carved the innumerable names of delighted vis- itors, which will probably remain there long after their adventurous owners have gone ito the pale realms of shade, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death.
 Numerous springs of pure, cold water break from the sides of the cavern and fall in fantastic cascades oyer banks Of verdant moss and feathery fern-beds to lose themselves among the jutting rocks below, thus forming an ideal spot for the merry parties of explorers to discuss the tempting contents of their lunch baskets.
 Many arc the legends relating to the original condition of this won derful underground stream and the surrounding region. The sharpness of the surface rocks, with their evil dent signs Of having been submitted to extreme heat, indicates, what must have been a great eruption at some distant period of time, which totally reversed the existing order of things and made mammoth spring "the spoiled outlet of some ancient river'
 Learned antiquarians aud geolo- gists have given it as their opinion that great lake once extended from this region to the extreme north. and they produce evidences of the existence of immense oyster beds, etc., to substantiate their views, which are the result of both hfster= ical and personal research.
 It is further believed that mineral was shipped down this great lake s and lowered to this underground river, which formed an outlet to the A Atlantic ocean, where it was again re-shipped and carried to the "isles that were afar off, the door of which was predicted by the major propt- cts, and foretold by Christ in speak ing of the earthquakes in divers places"
 "Not only is it believed that dis tant mines were contributors to traffic here, but recent discoveries of mineral in this vicinity furnish abundant proof that local mines of silver, iron, etc., were worked here, and this theesy is further confirmed .by the numero6s mydeff1 ttd7radItions which flood this country and the many signs manifest to the inform ed.
 To those interested in traditional lore, or fond of the science of geolo- gy, or to the historian, this region offers anunlimited field for investiga tion and research, with the possibll- ity of making some important dis covery which would prove blessing to future generations and cause their names to go sounding down th ages" as an illustrious benefactor.
 There is little doubt that the Gull is the original source of our beauti ful spring, which gives us furthe' proof that it's waters are inexhaus ible, and that the volume is gr enough to supply any demand whi may be made upon it by the mant