Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-09-28
A Woman Honorsd.

season In honor OF Mr1. Ellen A. Rich.
ardson the founder Of the George
Washington Memorial Association.
One of the most beautiful roomsin the
great Cave was dedicated tho "Richard-
son Warrington Memorial" Those
present were one of the state officers
Of the Association, several charter
members, and party Of distinguished
visitors from the South and East. For
all time this chamber will bear the
name Of Richardson. Its high ceiling
and size combine to make it one Of the
most majestic in the vast underground
palace. Around the entire room is q
wide, rich frieze of brown, pink and
purple. The ceiling is the exquisite
box work studded at intervals with ge-
odes. This chamber is far in the inter.
tor on the route to and quite near the
Pearly Gates, that marvellous pearl
white creation, SO beautiful that
Michael Angelo might aptly name as
he did Ghiberti's Baptistry, 1.-THE Gates
of Paradise" Opening into the Rich
ardson Chamber on one side is that of
the Daughters of American Revolu-
ton; on the other the splendid Hall of
''The Tabernacle" just beyond are
the Pearly Gates, that open into known
and unknown wonders. One of the
recent discoveries beyond these gates
is the curious and beautiful freak of
nature "Noah's Beard"
Although less familiar, this route
surpasses in interest and beauty the
"F'air Grounds, Gal den of Eden" and
other popular routes. The party were
five hours and a half underground,
walking continually, and saw only the
beginning of the splendor and majesty
of Wind Cave. The farther one pene.
trates into this mighty mystery, the
more marvellous it is. The hundreds
Of feet beneath the earth's surface, the
purity of the air, that gives phenome.
nal strength to even delicate women,
in miles Of walking and climbing, the
exquisite beauty Of form and color,
throughout the cave, as IL the hand Of
genius had carved and painted there
for centuries; above all, the vastness
Of conception and execution, combine
to mako Wind Cave one Of tho world q
wonders. It il ave inspiring.
AZ the lights shown ON the walls and
ceilings aud ON the group Of reveren-
tial men and women from distant
states, IL WAS an impressive hour. The
kde1icatory services united tho nams oi
| Nsshington and his National Univef.
Taity blan with that Of the woman who
haA Aindslibly impressed that plan aad
hope on ths American psopls.
The following poem written By Philig
Kellsr for the occasion, was rad - ,
part Of the ceremonies:
In the Ltstls Peoples playground,
Meath the Black Hns in shs West.
where the wind 10 ever grisvins
For the Fairies now q rest;
From Atlantic's shore far distant;
In tho middle Of the land
which the Father Of our country
SswiA Visions, great aad grand;
10 this chamber dfspsd in whitsnsss,
symbol Of the pufset thought,
Dedicated 70 the purpose
which he hoped would once bs wrought;
Thas the children Of our nation
Nay q homo Learn Ill they need
In . school By county guarded,
Free from kinkly craft and creed.
A memorial 70 his wisdom;
:, remembrance Of his dream
Which woman's love and working
Has made less than IDLE ssem.
j, washington's The hope and vision;
Ellen Richsrdson's tie skin
To commence the work he asked %
In his nfst and lstest will.
This is but one Of many tributes b,
slowed on this gracious woman In ret
ognition Of her faithful, patriotic sel
vice. Afar in the Arctic ocean Is
beautiful island named BY the men
bers Of the Geological Survey Of th
Smithsonian Institute "Richsrdson'
Island"
Thus do the waters Of the norther
!, sea and the great underground tempt
3 Of the west unite In honoring her.
A citizen of Boston, she made th
{ work national. She drew enthusiast
D support from north, south, east an
, west conscientiously adhering to Ii
3 patriotic spirit Of Washington's Ii
Q long hope and last will. Through Il
9 supreme elevation of her own ment
}, and spiritual nature, by her rare wi
t dom, the work Of erecting nation
i University was lifted into high ali
8 tude and became instinct with the 8
Q blime spirit of our great, first patrie
? The leading scholars of the natit
make no mistake when, despairing
success, in the ordinary.lines, they ga,
b the great trust to Mrs. Richardso
2 that she brought to it the hlghe