New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-19
4 UONTNENT or O\iN.
1T RISES FROM Az UNDERGHOrNp RIVER IS
MISSOURI


MISSOURI
From The Des Moincs Register.
An immense natural monument of the mag
nificcnt marble known As onyx Is 10 hr seen IN
the inner depths Of a cave situated on lonely
mountain proprrty recently purchased 10y a
wealthy Westernor named r. ID. Kellogg. "i
Drs Moines The cave that contains this agate
giant is located in the mountains OF Caind' II
county and is known as la lIa TOnka, DERBY
ing it's name from river which has lis source
there. and which was So named by the lhdllnS
from its limpid loveincss. which they likened To
laughing water.
10 get To- the wonderful onyx monument
which is as perfect a. though chlS"llcd 10y I"
sculptor and well worth trip across the con
tinent L. see ii Is necessary To penetrate INTO Il
deep cave Tho easiest way to travel is 10 70"
on tn" surface of u subtcrran"au river "hlc"
flows from somewhere in the interior OF the
mountains and which leads into the heart "i
The cave whose walls and roof, seen i'm tn" llght
Of the torches of visitors. are "A glrt"rng mass
of mineral marvels. The diScoV"rcrS oi tnlS
cave had roWed but a short distance on the SUP
terrdnean river when they were astoniSh"d ana
wonder-stricken to see the great onyx monument
rising before them. 1t was perfect in formations
immense in size. and worth at the lowest valua-
ton SlOD.Oo.
So perfect was the formation Of this monu-
ment that it Was at first hoped it would be pos
sible To transport it by some means To one oI inc
museums Of the country, but 1t was tound tha'
its size preclud ii the possibility Of Such an
undertaking. For the present. therefore. 1t VIII
De- allowed To remain in the cave for the dement,
o. sghtseers who fish TO NE on such won
dcrful monument before il is destroyed. 80
proud is the owner of the property Of his cav"
and monument that he proposes To build "A rail
road forty three miles long in order to bring the
lonely spot on which the subterranean river is
to bc found i'm touch with the outer world.
IIa Ia Tonka is located in Camden County,
Mo. and the Usage tribe Of Indians formerly IN
habiting that portion of the country gave II It's
name The topography and physical features OF
the country i'm the vicinity of the spring are
characterized by scenery as grand and impos-
ing as can be found anywhere. There are found
no lofty mountains. no alttudinOus peaks whose
snow-capped SUBMITS repose in a climate or
eternal frosts. but instead there are beautiful
forests open woodlands. impulsve mountain
streams. terraced hills, cavcrnous canyons,
caves grottoes and parks, a natural bridge.
island. lake and subterrancan river high frown-
ing siluran walls. rugged, corrugated ana snu-
Gus. upon whose griZZled cOuntenances are
chscllcd an age so remote that one gazcs in
wonder and awe upon them: beautiful valleys
and cosey coves. where forest birds sing and
wild flowers bloom in endless profusion. 1t is "A
wond, rful spot. and worthy hiding place for
tho great monument.
I'm the great cave explorations have been made
for nearly and half miles. As your boat
gdes along new wonders are continually un-
folded Stalagmites hang from the ceiling.
which glitter like a starlit sky. Far in the in
terror Of this cave the stream drifts your boat
to shngly bank. and standing upon this bank
YOU see the wonderful stalagmte monument
Of pure white onyx standing thirty-i feet
high and fifteen feet in diameter
The onyx Of which this monument is formed is
the finest to be found anywhere 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 Northern
Africa 1t is not usual to find anywhere in the
world such great masses are To be- seen at Ha
IIa Tonka.