Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-03-21

T. @. Bradford of No. 1916 Washing
ton street, the proprietor OF the bicycle
and supply store at No. 311 Market
street, has purchased the New Market
Endless Caperns, in the northeastern
part of Rockingham county, Virginia,
about four miles south of New Market.
IL Is his intention to organize a com
pnny with capital stock of $500, 900
and have 1T Incorporated !, under the
laws OF Delaware for the purpose of
converting the oayerns into first -class
summon resort With this end In view
be and his attorney, Howell s. Eng
land, accompanied by several other in
terested parties from this city, Nav
York and Philadelphia, will visit the
caverns early in April and make per
6onsl examination, after which the plans
for the future will be made. While on
the inspection trip the party will be
entertained by MIR. Bradford's father,
James M. Bradford, who lives about
three miles from the caverns.
The caves are said to be among the
finest in the world. They were dis
covered by accident on October 18th,
1879, and have since been visited by
hundreds of curiosity ekers. The
visitors have not been as numerous,
however, as at some other caverns,
owing to the fact that the nearest rail
road was four miles away and it has
been necessary to make the journey be.
tween the railroad and caves by coach,
and for that reason very little has been
known of them to the general world.
Mr.. Bradford realized their wortd,
however, and few weeks ago bargained
for their purchase, and the deal has
now been consummated. When Mr..
Bradford began negotiations there were
no prospects for any better transporta-
tion facilities than have existed hereto.
fore, but since that time he has learned
that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
90. contemplates building line oi
railroad up the Shenandoah Valley
and there will be station at the
caverns, which makes the famous caves
much more valuable than heretofore.
The improved railroad facilities will
make 1t possible for New York people
to leave The metropolis at noon and
reach the cayerns by 8 O'Clock in the
evening. and by leaving Philadelphia
Mt 2 O'Clock ard Wilmington at 3 o. 'clocl,
people can arrive at the same hour, in
time for supper at the mountain hotel
1t is the intention of Mr.. Bradford tc
run regular excursions from the sea.
board cities on Saturdays, 10 addition
TO the regular trains, provided the
plane which he maps out materialize,
and he has every reason to bolieve they
will.
1 ne interior appearance Of the caves
is similar to the appearance of Other
famous southern caverns, although il
is said by people who have been there
that such a magnificent display of orys
tai deposits is seldom seen anywhere
and the arrangement is wonder in 1T
self, some of the subdivisions resemb
ing palace rooms. One of the mos
beautiful features is what is known a.
the Diamond Lake, which is l5 fee
square and varies in depth from Il
IL inches. Here the ceiling seems Il
have lowered itself SO that the deli
cately formed stalaotiies might meet
their kindred groups below. Rosettes
are formed on top Of the water wher,
this union has been effected. The waite
is perfectly clear and is held in basil
of what resembles diamonds Wher
light is thrown upon it myrads of star
shoot out dazzling rays, while the roo
is fretted with transparent brillisnoies
all making a most beautiful picture.
The cavarns are at the fouthills of thi
Massanutten range of mountains, apt
from the top of tie mountains, about
mile and half from the mouth of tn,
oaverns. one has view OF 20 miles il
either direction, along either the Shen
andoah or Page Valleys. Although OK
plorers have been endeavoring evel
since the discovery to find some termi
nation to the caves. they have been un
successful. The various subdivision
have been named as follows: Th
Anteyoom, Crystal Roso Column, Senti
nelroon, Kings Throne, Omnibusroom
Milkwayroom, Duelistroom, Raleigl
Pass, Tobacoroom, Brownroom, Alpin,
Pass, Bear Track Hall. Brooks Crysta
Falls, Yosemite Valley, Alexander
Ballroom, Solomon's IS Temple, Neptune
Grottu, st. Pauls Cathedral, Diamond
room, Gheber's Temple, Cleopatra
Hall, Marble Hall, Diamond Lake
Race Track, 60.
In addition TO the caverns there is
creek which abounds with fish and th
mountains afford excellent gunni ng
The caves are about 10 miles fror
Luray. Mr.. Bradford has arranged +
have his cayerns illuminated by acety
lene gas.