The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1898-07-26
a WISCONSIN WoNpER.
Gigantic 'S~turnl Bridge Hidden In tb
Wilderness 81 the state.

Wilderness 81 the state.
Few people know that Wisconsin
possesses natursl bridge with
nearly II not qsire as munh attract.
iveness as the one in Virginia MADE
famous by the visits of George
Washington The Badger bridge is
locatedin the town Of Honey Creek,
about 90 miles from this city and
miles east of Prairie du Sac. The
bridge is in fRct, only a gigantic
archway detached from the face OF
a rocky bluff facing the Wisconsin
river by the action of the elements,
but as natural curiosity has only a
local reputation 50 far. Few visitors
except from the immediate vicinity
have ever taken the trouble to make
trip In this direction, probably be-
cause this part of Sank county was,
until recent years, cut off from rail-
roads and not easy of access. Even
now it requires considerable pluck
to endure the long ride through the
sands of the Wisconsin river bottoms
which lie between the old prairie of
the Sac Indians and the bluff. One
is amply repaid for visit by the at.
Effectiveness of the place.
Adevious route through farmers
plowed field rs trodden by a guide
in reaching the face of the cliff
where Is found the bridge 1t is not
until within short distance of the
bluff that the archway can be seen
because of the timber and under.
brush partially cpnoealing it.
Upon stepping between the bluff
and the arch the immensenesso of the
task which nature has accomplished
is apparent. The under part of the
arch is about so feet above the floor
in the highest part and varies from
that down to about 30 feet where it
joins the supporting rocks, Thespan
is from 10 to rs feet thick and about
IS feet wide. The pathway across the
top is trtfe over three feet wide in
its narrowest Place, and a cool head
is needed to make the passage over
the span. The person standing upon
the top of the span is probably 100
feet above the average level of the
surrounding country, and the scene
spread before him is one of rural
Wisconsin scenery unsurpassed AL.
though the country has been settled
for many years, yet the ruggedness
of the scene seems hardly diminish
ed by the band of man in his efforts
to conquer the Soil and make for
himself home in these romantic
surroundings. Except for the occa-
stonal log house, OF, rarely, it's frame
the place would seem as
though IN its original condition, so
completely hidden from view by
tangled underbrush and heavy
woods are the titled lands of the
husbandnren.
About the base Of the archway
are signs of human visitations, and
the visitor learns that here the peo-
pleof the surrounding country come
10 celebrate the Fourth of July, and
the remains of rustic booths, a bro
Ken beer glass or two and other
signs OF past pleasures are noted.
Underneath the floor of the arch is
\ huge cavern feet high, 25 feet
1eep and from 30 to 90 feet long,
treated by the action of the water
down the face of the hill
and under thearchway after a heavy
>ain. This cavern makes a natural
beer callaF, which the inhabitants of |
he region. nearly all OF whom are
Germans, utilize as harroom upon
he occasion of the celebration refer. |
ed to.
The Wisconsin natural bridge is
worth travelling miles to
sea -Milpaukea SeDfinal