Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-08-03
WIND CAVE.
A Trim Into tile Crater of AN Extinct
(seySer.


Before visiting Wind Cave, one can
not obtain the first idea of Its wonder
fnl proportions and beauty either
from photographs or word pictures.
Those who have seen the beauties OF
Wind Cave make efforts to describe
the same to, their friends, but they
find how completely inadequate their
vocabulary is, to make it possible for
even glimpse of the magnificence to
be conveyed to the listener. An eye
for the beautiful accompanies good
digestion as does happiness. At the
office of the Cave while preparations
are being made to enter, the visitors
are kept in good humor and con-
tional laughter by the ever ready Wiz
aud pleasantness of John Staoler,
manager and part owner of the Cave.
When the entry is made every one is
feeling good and their finer perceptions
are more keen on account of the pleas
antry they enjoyed in the office.
With white canvas caps to cover
the head and Il candle i'll the hand the
start is made. A descent of several
flights of stairs is quite an experience
with which to begin the trip. The
steps in the rear the tourist enters
the first chamber. We will not attempt
to name the rooms in order for there
are SO many and contain such wonder
full formations that Il newspaper would
be necessary to tell all, and then 1t
would not convey even half the idea
of beauty that the eye can see. Mar
row passage ways blasted out OF the
solid rock lead from one room to the
other. In the rooms lights are en-
tinguished and the guides burn mag
nesium ribbon which lights every
creyice and dome with "a beautiful
white light, and shows the formations
in a manner that makes one wonder II
it is real or if it is the fancies OF
dream.
Before going farther we would like
to say that the guides who conducted
our party. Messrs George and Charley
Stabler, sons of the manager make
the trip so interesting that one could
travel all over the 100 miles, so far dis
covered in the cave, and feel rested
upon reaching the surface again.
Although similar formations and con-
ditions we're explained several times
each was SO changed and unlike the
former that no monotony was evidenc-
ed. In fact the boys are interesting
in their conversation around the office.
The formations throughout the
cave are something geologies do not
mention. Not that they are not
worthy of ofmentionibut SO far nohistory
can trace to the wonders. 1t is the
opinion of the guides and coted geo
lopists of several nations that the cave
is an extinct geyser. All formations
are on the walls and ceilings, mostly
ceilings, of the rooms and for this
reason it is argued that the pressure
of the water towards the top in its eft
fort to reach surface has causet
decomposition and wear which in tim'
left the formations now seen. In som'
rooms the ceiling is one mass OF del
icate box work arranged in all manne
of shape and size. The thin sides O
the boxes no thicker than the sides o
strawberry box but OF delicate shade
and tints. sparkling as if set will
myriads of diamonds. From the pur
" hite to "a rich purple including plnl
blue and brown this beautiful work o
nature is seen. Besides the box wor
is small white formations which, whel
seen in the magnesium light makes on
cold because OF the liilness to Il snoN
storm AS the trip extends into til
:. cave a small hall is passed and entranc
made into "a room that has the appear
ance of being lined with popcorn
Same color and shape. Ii som
one would heat butter while in thi
room it is quite possible the guide
would find it hard work keeping tt
people from trying to pick sack fu
to MUNICH during the rest OF the tri
In taking the Fair Ground route I'll
sight seer is favored with vision tn
is almost beyond realization. A
lights are extinguished and the guild
conduct the party TO "A position wht
all are seated Magnesium ribbon
lighted and before the eyes is tt
most beautiful, exquisitely artistic al
sublime frost work that inaginatit
could create. In places it is spotle
white, while in others can be seen Il
most delicate traces of pink behil
the snowy white. 1t stands out fro
the flint wall from half an inch to t,
inches in delicate and diversifi
shapes, resembling pine trees, cor
snow flakes, flowers, buds. This ms
nificence is at the end of the trip b
is worth twice the travel if it cou
no be seen before.
saveral rooms are named after churt