Daily camera., 1899-07-12
MONUMENT OF ONYX.
It Rises from an Underground Rivsr
IN Missouri
The Beautiful Natural YSSAattoa
Discovered N . MO1HaAAA C0vs
N Camden CDuAey A
Rare Find.

the magnificent marble known as
onyx is to be seen in the inner depths
of cave situated on a lonely mountain
property recently purchased by a
wealthy westerner named r. d. Kel-
logg Of Des Moines, la. The cave that
contains this agate giant is located in
the mountains OF Camden sounty, and
is known as Ha Ha Tonka, deriving its
name from a river which has its source
there, and which was SO named by the
Indians from its limpid loveliness,
which they hkened to laughing water.
To get to the wonderful onyx monv-
ment, which is as perfect as though
chiseled by sculptor. and well
see, it is necessary to penetrate into
deep cave. The easiest way 10 travel is
to row on the surface Of 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 a glittering
mass of mineral marvels. The discov-
erers of this cave had rowed but short
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 $4,000
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 q wonderful
monument before il is destroyed. So
proud is the owner of the property of
his cave and monument that he pro-
poses to build railroad 43 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 Tonks 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-sapped submits repose in a eli
mate of eternal frosts, but instead there
are beautiful forests, open woodlands.
impulsive mountain streams, terraced
hills, eavernous canyons, caves, grot-
toes and parks, natural bridge island.
lake and sutsrranean river, high
frowning silurian walls, rugged, cor
rugated and sinuoua upon whose griz-
led countenances is chiseled an a9e
SO remote that one gazea in wonder and
awe upon them; beautiful valleys and
cozy coves, where forest bifds ding
and wild flowers bloom in endless pro-
fusion. 1t is wonderful spot and .
worthy hiding.place for the great mon
ument.
In the great cave explorations have
been made for nearly one and half
miles. AS your boat glides along new
wonders are continually unfolded.
stalagmites. hang from the ceiling,
which glitter like starlit 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 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 beseen at Ha Ha Tonka.-Dea
Moines Register.