The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-05-11
IN A MISSOURI CAVE.
a Beautiful Natural Monument of
the Finest Onyx Recently
Discovered.

An immense natural monument of
the magnificent marble known as
onyx is to be seen in the inner depths
of cave situated on lonely mountain
property recently purchased by a
wealthy westerner named r. ID. Kel-
logg of Des Moines, la. The cave that
contains this agate giant is located in
the mountains of Camden county, and
is known as Ha Ha Tonlla, deriving its
name from a river which has its source
there, and which was so named by the
Indians from its limpid loneliness,
which they lilened to laughing water.
To get to the wonderful onyx monu-
ment, which is as perfect as though
chiseled by a sculptor, and well
worth a trip across the continent to
see, it is necessary to penetrate into
deep cave. The easiest way to travel is
to row on the surface of a subterrane-
an river, which flows from somewhere
in the interior of the mOutains, and
leads into the heart of the cave, whose
walls and roof, seen in the light of
the torches of visitors, are glittering
erers of this cave had rowed but a short
distance on the subterranean river
when they were astonished and won
der-stricken to see the great onyx mon
ument rising before them. 1t was per-
feet in formation, immense in size, and
worth at lowest valuation 500, 900.
So perfect was the formation of this
monument that it was at first hoped it
would be possible to transport it by
some means to one of the museums of
the country, but it was found that its
size precluded the possibility OF such
an undertaking, For the present.
therefore, it will be allowed to remain
in the cave for the benefit of sightseers
who wish to gaze on such a wonderful
monument before it is destroyed. So
proud is the owner of the property of
his cave and monument that he pro-
poses to build a railroad As miles long
in order to bring the lonely spot on
which the subterranean river is to be
found in touch with the outer world.
Ha Ha Tonka is located in Camden
county, Mo-, and the Usage tribe of In
dams formerly inhabiting that portion
of the country gave it its name. The
topography and physical features of
the country in the vicinity of the spring
are characterized by scenery as grand
and imposing as can be found any
where. There are found no lofty noun
tains, no altitudinous peaks whose
snow-capped SUBMITS repose in a eli
mate of eternal frosts, but instead there
are beautiful forests, open woodlands,
impulsive mountain streams, terraceG
hills, cavernous canyons, caves, grot-
toes and, parks, natural bridge island,
lake and subterranean river, high
frowning silurian walls, rugged, COR
rugated and sinuous, upon whose griz-
zled countenances is chiseled an age
so remote that one gazes in wonder and
awe upon them; beautiful valleys and
coy coves, where forest birds sing
and wild flowers bloom in endless pro-
fusion. 1t is a wonderful spot and a
worthy hiding-place for the great mon
ument.
In the great cave explorations have
been made for nearly one and a half
miles. AS your boat glides along new
wonders are continually unfolded.
Stalagmites hang from the ceiling,
which glitter like a starlit sky. Far in
the interior of this cave the stream
drifts your boat to a shingly bank, and p,
standing upon this bank, you can see
the wonderful Stalagmite monument
of pure white onyx standing IS feet
high and Is feet in diameter.
The onyx of which this monument
is formed is the finest to be found any
where in the world. As is generally
known, the material is used for canoes.
1t is mostly brought from India, and
some of the most beautiful from North
ern Africa. 1t is not usual to find any
where in the world such great masses
as are to be seen at Ha Ha Tonka.--Des
Moines Register.