The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-29
THE GAVE OF THE WINDS.
1t Was First Discovered over Seven
ty Years Ago.
From the Rochester Democrat.

ty Years Ago.
From the Rochester Democrat.
Never until few days ago was it
known just how the Cave of the Winds at
Niagara Falls came to be discovered. The
fact is recorded in history that on July 10
1894, the famous cavern was first entered
but how 1t came to be robbed of its mys-
terry on that day was not known to the
public until an old document that throws
wonderful light on the matter was I'M
earthed by the Democratic and Chronicle
correspondent.
This document bears date of September
3, 1884. 1t was written by H. A. Parsons,
man whom few at Niagara to-day re-
member. His contribution to Niagara
history goes to show that the cave was not
discovered as the result of an accident
Men had sought to pierce its mysterious
depths until almost discouraged. The
very frank statements made by Mr. Par
sons leave no doubt of the honesty aud
sincerity with which it was written. At
ter hoping against hope that he might be
the first to enter the cave, he was forced
to see others rob him of the honor just rs
he was on the point of victory Mr.. Par
sons SAYS:
THE Cave of the Winds was first dis
covered more than twenty years ago.
when people first visited the foot of Goat
Island in boats. and before the year 1929,
when the Biddle staircase was erected IL
had been seen by some hundreds of per-
sons. Between the years 1929 and 1895 the
cave was much talked about, and was
visited by many thousands of people. The
name very properly given it at first and
lv rna hxy s-l, Aae A<a
known, is 'Aeolus' Cave, or Cave of the
Winds as Aeolus was the tabled god OF
the winds
THE first time Mr.. Ingraham ever saw
the cave was in the year 1888, and during
his visit to the falls in 1884 Judge Por-
ter, at his request, caused the path to
the cave to be made little more safe
and comfortable for visitors. For this re-
quest Mr.. Ingraham is entitled to all the
honor 1t deserves. He says in his manual
he has made many. many successful eff
forts to penetrate into the cavern that
he almost envies the man who is permit
ted first to enter it, and that it will be
glory enough for one day to do So And
regrets that after all his efforts and ex-
ertions he must go away without having
become acquainted with its mysterious
depths. And yet he says in a leaf print
ed subsequently to his book that he or
practicability of entering it. How does
that appear? Not certainly from his book,
nor, as can be learned, from anything
communicated to others. II he originated
the plan and pointed out the practicable
ity OF entering it, why did he not first
enter 1t and thus obtain. the glory he so
much desired? The fact was that his
ideas of originating the plan were never
heard of till after the cave had been en-
tered by others.
THE idea of entering 1t by passing
around outside OF the center hall and by
descending from the foot of Luna Island
was first conceived by the writer of this,
July a. 1894, while passing in front of the
American fall in a boat. He suggested Il
to some gentlemen in the boat. who APP
proved the plan and offered TO assist him
in accomplishing II. Accordingly the next
day he procured a rope and the assistance
of these men to enable him to pass in
safety around the center fall. He first.
with a rope tied around him, descended
some distance into the cave from the
end of the path, but not being able to
reach the bottom. he then, with others.
made a number of unsuccessful efforts to
get around the center fall near the river.
when all had failed and were about
TO abandon the enterprise, the writer
made a bold plunge with a rope tied
around him, In order. II possible to cross
the stream that rushed down between the
rocks, and after much struggling was
finally drawn back under the foam In
n state OF almost perfect bodily exhaus.
ton. Unable TO speak for some time
he laid himself down upon the rocks TO
rest. and before he was able to make
another effort two OF his associates. b.
II. White and G. w. Smith, succeed
ed In crossing the stream and entering
the cave from the front OF Luna Island.
70 than hclonRs all the glory OF first