Evening star., 1901-02-09
THE CAVE OF THE WINDS.
1t Was First Discovered Over Seventy
Years Ago.

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 July 10, 1884
the famous cavern was first entered but
how 1t came to be robbed of it's mystery
on that day was not known to the public
until old document that throws wonder
full light on the matter was unearthed by
the Democrat and Chronicle correspondent
This document bears date of September ),
1894. 1t was written by H. A Parsons a
man whom few at Niagara today remem-
ber. His contribution to Niagara history
goes to show that the cave was not dis
covered as the result of an accident Men
had sought to pierce its mysterious depths
until almost discouraged. The very frank
statements made by Mr. Parsons leave no
doubt of the honesty and sincerity with
which it was written. After 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 as he was on the
point of victory. Mr.. Parsons says:
The Cave Of the Winds was first discov
cred more than twenty years ago, when
people first visited the foot of Goat Island
in boats, and before the year 1929. when
been seen by some hundreds of persons.
Between the years 1929 and 1888 the cave
was much talked about, and was visited by
many thousands of people. The name
very properly given it at first and the only
name by which it has ever been known,
is 'Aeolus' Cave, or Cave of the Winds as
Aeous was the fabed god of the winds
1.-The first time Mr.. Ingraham ever saw
the cave was in the year 1888, and during
his visit to the fails in 1884 Judge Porter,
at his request caused the path to the cave
to be made little more safe and comfort
able for visitors. For this request Mr.
Ingraham is entitled to all the honor it de-
serves He says in his manual he has made
many many unsuccessful efforts to pene-
trate into the cavern that he almost en-
vies the man who is permitted first to en-
ter it, and that 1T will be glory enough
for one day to do So And he regrets that
after all his efforts and eXertons he must
go away without having become acquainted
with its mysterious depths. And yet he
says In leaf printed subsequently to his
book that he originated the idea and point
ed out the practicability of entering it.
How does that appear? Not certainly from
his book, nor, as can be learned from any
thing communicated to others. If he orig
mated the plan and pointed out the prac-
ticability Of entering it, why did he not
first enter 1t and thus obtain the glory he
much desired? The fact was that his
ideas of originating the pan were never
heard Of till after the cave had been en-
tered by others.
THE idea of entering it by passing
around outside of the center lall and by
descending from the foot of Luna Island
was first conceived by the writer of this
July IA, 1884, while passing in front of the
American fall in boat. He suggested it
to some gentlemen in the boat, who ap-
proved the plan and offered to assist him
in accomplishing it. 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 bot
tom, he then with others made number
of unsuccessful efforts to get round the cen
ter fall near the river.
when all had failed and were about to
abandon the enterprise, the writer made a
bold plunge with rope tied around him, in
order, if possible. to cross the stream that
rushed down between the rocks and afte-
much struggling was finally drawn back
under the foam in a state of almost perfect
bodily exhaustion 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. Fl. White and G. W. Sims, succeeded in
crossing the stream and entering the cave
from the front of Luna Island. To them
belongs all the glory of first entering it,
But the practicability of their entering 1t
and the cause of it's being then explored
are fairly attributable to the writer. He,
however, attaches no glory to it nor seeks
any honor for it.
ION subsequent day the cave was en-
tered by the same way by another party,
of which Mr.. Ingraham was one.
''At the writer's oft-repeated and partic-
ular request, Judge Porter is causing the
rocks to be eXcavated so as to afford an
easy and safe path to the bottom Of the
cave. When this path is finished the writer
advises every visitor to enter and pass
through the cave. The noise there is tre-
mendous, a hundred times louder, If pos
sible, than 1t appears to be anywhere else.
The visitor will never forget the sight or
sound"