Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-07
DEBORAH ICE CAVE
Interesting Paper From the ScientiSx,
American by Alois F. Kovarik.

| hMClt tS0u Ot hIOlS hOt0Itk
There are few better informed per-
sons on scientific, mat hematical, boto-
nical or geological subjects in this see-
ton of Iowa or of the country for that
matter than Prof. Alois F. Kovarik,
instructor in Mathematics and Physics
in Prof. Breckenridgc's Decorah Inst
tute. Though Mr.. Kovarik is yet a
young man, he has by close applica-
ton to study and research, already
gained rapidly widening reputation
We are especially interested in him o.
he has gained his knowledge mostly in
DecOrah and because he is now one of
the most prominent instructors of thix
splendid school.
Prof. Kovarik has been for year or
more making observations and exami
nations of our famous Ice Cave, and
has prepared an article which appeared
in the Scientific american, an acknow-
lodged authority OH scientific Subjects
in its issue OF Nov. 26th, and we are
glad to reproduce the article for our
readers. The Scientific american ac-
cepts none but the very best papers on
such subjects, and the fact that it ap
pears in this periodical is alone guar
antee that the article is of considerable
value to anyone interested in studies of
this nature. The article is as follows
One Of the greatest natural curiosities
in Iowa is the Ice Cave at Decorah-a
town situated i'm most beautiful wax
ley surrounded on all sides by natures
picturesque sceneries Hundreds Of
people visit the Decorah Ice Cave year
after year, and there are thousands who
visited it in the years past. The curk-
Gus phenomenon draws the attention
of the tourists as well as of the scientists
hearing of it, and excites the desire to
visit the cave.
In the spring and the summer of the
year this cave contains quite large
quantity of ice frozen to one of its
walls, and as the annum passes through
the latter half of autumn and the first
part of winter, it is dry and the temp
erature considerable above freezing.
The Decorah Ice Cave is located on
the soath side -of-a,blat.at.a elevatis.+.
of OF ~ oe ,,,atore oho,,o Tho r.; ,.or Iax.at
The bluff, which is north of the city,
runs east and west along the Upper
Iowa River, ana is about S4 meters
high above the river level. That part
Of the bluff wherein the cave is found
is marked fault for about 200 meters,
and the Trenton rock reveals its baTe-
pess to the observing eye in the valley
below. The cave is very near the east
ern end of the fault.
One of the paths leading to the Ice
Cave is via lee Cave Bridge, i'm the
northeastern part of the city. Follow
ing this path, which leads ~ quite an
elevation along the bluffs. one may get
u beautiful view Of the valley with
its city below. Immediately below the
entrance, this path is an uphill path of
crumpled rock, at the end of which
are two walls of solid rock rising to 81
height of about II meters and running
parallel to- each other in the direction
of northwest for a distance of 10 meters
where the upper parts come together
and form the opening INTO the cave,lI
meters high. Naturally this opening
was small, but to give easier entrance
it was enlarged TO its present size.
With q view to gather the facts about
the different changes in temperature
and phenomenon in the Ice Cave aud
to ascertain the true cause of this ptae-
nomenon, made regular excursions 10
TIE cave once in every two or three
weeks beginning with July, 1897, and
continuing till nearly the present time.
after having occasionally visited the
cave during the years previous.
Having studied the origin, the posi-
ton, and the different variations in the
phenomenon, ] formulated a theory
which ] give below, and which, it
seems to me, explains truly the cause
Of the phenomenon.
1t was on July l, 1897, that visited
the cave for the first time with view
of scientific Investigation. The cold
breeze coming from the cave was no
ticed on the path below, 80 or more
meters from the entrance, and grew
stronger as l approached the entrancc,
at which a cloud of condensed vapor
rushing from the cave met all visitors
of that day, and brought sight of sur
prise and wonder on the faces of thoee
who noticed the beauty of the view
At the very entrance the breeze was 80
strong as to make it impossible to light
an ordinary match, and near the floor,
would even blow out the flame Of a
candle. Such breeze and such q
cloud OF condensed vapor Were not no
ticed throughout the year. Nay, even
December IL, 1897, reverse was the
draught, I. e., into the cave, and thus
continued till February 20, 1898, while
(Continued OH Second Page.)