Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-11-05


Date of probate. February 5. 1849.
The authorized histories OF the Nam
moth cave giving the date Of its dis
covery as 1902, accompanied by an
interesting story of an adventurous
hunter named Hutchinson, who pur-
sued a big bear into the mouth Of the
cave, and, seeing such a great hole
in the ground, went far enough back
to get a small conception OF the won
ders of the cavern
Though the fact has never before
been made public, Mr.. w. Scott Mil
Ter, of Louisville. KY, discovered 1t
at a much earlier date than that. Many
years ago he had occasion to look up
the title to a tract of land near the
cave. and while going through the
musty records of Bowling Green, then
the county seat of that section OF the
state, in which the ave is situated,
they found where the entrance to the
great cavern was designated as a cor
ner of a section of land in 1897. five
years prior to the date when Hutchin-
son ran the bear into the cave. Mr..
Miller is probably better acquainted
with the early history OF the cave
than any man living. for he and his
father were born there. both In the
same room of a log cabin which Is a
part Of the present quaint inn that
shelters thousands OF visitors n
s%ightseers every year.
l. .,..to,. ua.to 80 tho aaun NTH.
in the first mile. watts are seen. They
are the silent monuments OF the busy
days in 1924, when thousands OF
pounds of saltpetre were made from
the 'petre dirt" Of the cave.
The long route through the cave is
IS miles, and every foot Of the route
is intensely interesting, and some
very sad associations IN connected
with IL.
After passing the Giants Coffin We
come upon a roofless stone hut. II Is
one of IL cottages, not all stone. built
in 1s43 for 10 co%nsumptives. who
thought the cool, dry. invigorating air
and uniform temperature oil the cave
might enable them to overcome the
icy grasp of the disease that had seiz-
ed them. For five months they eked
out an existence there, wandering
about trying to comfort each other in
a region of awful silence and oppres.
siye darkness. They even attempted
to grow flowers. but these, like them
selves, needed sunlight and soon fad
ed away. At the end of hve months
one died. The rest longed to get out,
but before they could reach the hotel
three more were added to the list Of
the dead. Such was the result OF that
experience, which was v tried
again. The inside Of the hut" is GOV.
cred with cards, some photographs
are placed on the walls, and the floor
is literally strewn with cards Of yisl.
tors.
The great sight and event OF a visit
to the cave is the sail on Echo river.
The darkness is intense. and a weird
feeling passes over one when the boat
is pushed of into the darkness. At
certain points along the way the guide
shows his skill In producing echos.
Songs are sung, pistols freu, instru.
ments played and paddles struck upon
the water, while out from the dismal
regions along the gloomy river come
weird echos Of indescribable sound.
One feels as II this must be the abode
of inrumerable spirits. A few blind
fish and crabs are all that represen,
animal life IN these realms Of end
less night. This river is $40 feet be
low TIE surface and has always beer
the great mystery OF the cave.
Star Chamber is the most beautiful
sight In the cave. Upon entering this
chamber you are told to sit upon some
logs zeal by. The guide then takes
all our lanterns and proceeds to con
ceal himself behind some great rock:
/ Left in i~mpenetrable darkness. II
seems as II banks of II were pressing
In upon you. Such darkness you e
er experienced before, and you have
no desire that II should continue long
The guide now directs you to lool
overhead, where to your surprise in
Vulnerable stars appear, for he hai
thrown light upon The ceiling in sucl
n way as TO expose to your view crys
tails that have formed there; even
comet is among them. He now or
crates with his lantern so as to shoN
you clouds stealing up the walls an,
crossing over the ceiling. and skill
fully displays midnight. starlight an