The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-26
A MONUMENT OF ONYX.
1t Rises From an Underground River
In Missouri.
From the Des Molnes Register.

In Missouri.
From the Des Molnes Register.
An immense natural monument of the
magnificent marble known as onyx is to be
seen In the inner depths of a cave situated
on a lonely mountain property recently
purchased by wealthy Westerner named
r. D. Kellogg of Des Moines The cave
that contains this agate giant is located
in the mountains of Camden county, and
is known as Ha Ha Tonka, deriving its
rame from a river which has It's source
there, and which was so named by the
Indians from its limpid loveliness, which
they likened to laughing water.
To get to the wonderful onyx monument
which is as perfect as though chiselled by
sculptor, and well worth a trip across
the continent to see, it Is necessary 20
penetrate into a deep cave. The easiest
way to travel is to row on the surface
of subterranean river, which flows from
somewhere in the interior of the noun
tains. and which leads into the heart Of
the cave, whose walls and roof, seen in
the light of the torches of visitors, are
glittering mass of mineral marvels. The
diseoverers of this cave had rowed bur
a short distance on the subterranean river
when they were astonished and wonder
stricken 20 see the great onyx monument
rising before them. 1t was perfect in for
nation. immense in size, and worth at the
lowest valuation 100000.
So perfect was the formation of this
monument that Il was at first hoped IL
would be possible 10 transport 1t by some
means to one Of the museums of the coun-
a. "a 81 d.
ed the possibility of such an undertake
ing For the present, therefore, IL will
be allowed to remain in the cave for the
benefit of sightseers who wish to gaze
on such a wonderful monument before Il
is destroyed So proud Is the owner of
the property of his cave and monument
that he proposes 20 build a railroad forty
three miles long In order 10 bring the
lonely spot on which the subterranean
river is to be found In touch with me
outer world
Ha Ha Tonka is located in Camden coun-
tv. Missouri and the Usage tribe of In
dams formerly inhabiting that portion OF
the country gave it its name The TO-
Biography and physical features of the
country in the vicinity of the spring are
characterized by scenery as grand and mn
posing as can be found anywhere. There
are found no lofty mountains, no alt-
mits repose in a climate of eternal frosts,
but instead there are beautiful forests,
open woodlands, impulsive mountain
streams, terraced hills, cayernous canyons,
caves, grottoes and parks, a natural
bridge, island, lake and subterranean river,
high frowning silurian walls, rugged. cor
rugated and sinuous, upon whose grizzled
countenances are chisclled an age so 20
mote that one gazes in wonder and awe
upon them; beautiful valleys and cosey
coyes. where forest birds sing and wild
flowers bloom In endless profusion. 1t IS
wonderful spot, and a worthy hiding
place for the great monument.
In the great cave explorations have been
made for nearly one and half miles As
your boat glides along new wonders arc
continually unfolded. Stalagmites hang
from the ceiling, which glitter like a star
lit sky. Far In the interior Of this cave
the stream drifts your boat to a shingly
bank and, standing upon this band, you
can see the wonderful stalagmite monu-
ment of pure white onyx standing thirty
1--WE feet high and fifteen feet in diam
eter.
The onyx OF which this monument Is
formed is the finest to be found anywhere
In the world. As Is generally known. the
material IL used for canoes. II Is most
ly brought from India, and some of the
most beautiful from Northern Africa. II
is not usual to find anywhere In the world
such great masses as are 90 be seen at
Ha Ha Tonka.