The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-11
A MONUMENT OF ONYX.
h Risea RroA a. Underground River
In Missouri.


In Missouri. '
/ An immenss natural monument Of the
magnificent marble known a. onyx ID TO
DO seen In the inner depths Of . cave stu
ated on a lonely mountain property re-
Gently purchased by wealthy westerner
named r. D. Kellogg Of Des Moines. The
cave that contains this agate giant Is To-
Gated In the mountains at Camden county
and Is known as Ha Ha Tonka, deriving
its namo from river which has its source
there and which was 90 named by the In
dams from its limpid loveliness, which
they likened to laughing water.
To get to the wonderful onyx monu-
ment, which is as perfect as though chisel-
ed by q sculptor and well worth trip
across the continent to see, 1t ia necessary
to penetrate into deep cave. The easiest
way to travel is to row on the surface of
subterran0An 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, arc
glittering mass of mineral marvels. The
discoveries Of this cave had rowed but a
short distance Oh the subterranean river
when they were astonished and wonder
stricken to 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 tho formation of this
monument that 1t 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 its size preclud-
cd the possibility Of such an undertaking.
For the present, therefore, 1t will be al
lowed to remain In the cave for tho bene-
fit of slghtseers who wish to gaze on such
wonderful monument before 1t Is de-
stroyed. So proud is the owner Of the
property OF his cave and monument that
he proposes to build a railroad 40 miles
long In order to bring tho lonely spot on
which the subterranean river Is to DO 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 1t its name. The topog-
raphy and physical features of the coun-
try in the vicinity Of the spring are char
acterized by scenery 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 climate Of eternal frostsJ but instead
there arc beautiful forests, open wood
lands, impulsive mountain streams, ter
raced hills, cavernous canyons, caves,
grottocs and paris, a natural bridge is
land, lake and subterranean river. high
frowhing sllurian walls, rugged, corrugat-
ed and sinuous, upon whose grizzled coun-
tenances are 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 profusion. 1t is wonderful spot
and worthy hiding place for the great
monument.
In the great cave exploration have been !
made for nearly ono nd hail miles. AS |
your boat glidcs along new wonders arc |
unfoldcd. Stalagmtes hang
from the ceiling, which glitter like star
lit sky Far in the interior of t4Is cave
tho stream drifts your boat to shngly
bank, and, standing upon this bank, you
can sec tho wonderful stalagmi,a monu-
ment Of pure white onyx standing 35 feet
high and ID feet in diameter.
Tho onyx of which this monument is
formed Is the finest to be fou!.d 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
from northern Africa 1t is not
usual to find anywhere in the world such
great masses as are to be seen III l1a Ha
Moines Register.