Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
a MONUMENT Of ONYX.
IL Rises From nm Underground River
In Missouri.


An immense natural monument Of the
magnificent marble known as onyx is to
be seen in tho inner depths Of n cave stu
ated on lonely mountain property re-
Gently purchased by wealthy westerner
named n. d. Kellogg of Des Moines. The
cave that contains this agate giant is To-
Gated in the mountains ct Camden county
and is known as Ha Ha Tonka, deriving
its name from river which has its source
there and which was SO named by the In
dians from its liinpd loveliness, which
they likened to laughing water.
To get to the wonderful onyx monu-
ment, which is as perfect as though chsel-
cd by sculptor and we'll worth u trip
across the continent to see, 1T Is necessary
to penetrate into deep cave. The easiest
way to travel Is to row on the surface Of a
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 roofs, seen in
the light of the torches of visitors are
gittering mass of mineral marvels. The
discoveries of this cave had rowed but
short distance on the subterranean river
when they were astonishcd and wonder
stricken to see the great onyx monument
rising before them. 1t was perfect in for
InhUlOn, immense IN size anu WOTtn dU uns
lowest valuation 500, 900.
So perfect was tho 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 coun-
try, but it was found that it's size prrclId-
ed the possibility Of such an undertaking.
For the present, therefore, 1t will be al
lowed to remain in the cave for the bcne-
1T of sightseers who wish to gaze on such
wonderful monument before it Is de
stroyed So proud is the owner of the
property of his cave and monument that
he proposes to build railroad 40 miles
long in order to bring the lonely spot on
which the subterrancan 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
dians formerly inhabiting that portion of
the country gave it its name. The topog
raphy and physical features of the coun-
try in the vicinity of the spring are char
acterized by xsnery as grand and impos-
ing as can be found anywhere. There are
found no lofty mountains, no altitudinous
peaks whose snow capped submits repose
In q climate of eternal frosts, but instead
there are beautiful forests, open wood
lands, impulsive mountain streams, ter
raced nils, cavcrnOuS canyons, caves,
grottoes and parks, u natural bridge, is
land, lake and subterranean river. high
frowning silurian walls, rugged, corrugst
ed and snuous, upon whose grizzled coun-
tenances are chiseled an age SO remote that
one gazes in wonder and awe upon them
beautiful valleys and cozy coves, where
forest birds sing and wild flowers bloom in
endless proTusion. 1t Is a wonderful spot
and worthy hiding place for the great
monument.
In the great cave explorations have been
made for nearly one and n half miles. AS
your boat glides along new wonders are
continually unfolded. Stalagmites hang
from the ceiling, which glitter like star
lit sky. Far in the interior of this cave
the stream drifts your boat to a shingly
bank, and, standing upon this bank, you
can see the wonderful stalagmite monu
ment of pure white onyx standing 80 fee,
high and Is feet in diameter.
The onyx of which this monument /,
formed is the finest to be found anywher,
in the world. As is generally known, th'
material Is used for canoes 1t Ia mostl
brought from India, and some of the mos
beautiful from northern Africa. 1t Is moi
usual to find anywhere in the world such
great masses as are to be seen at Ha Ha
T0nka.-Des Moines Register