New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-06
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK.
SOUTH DAKOTA'S REMARKABLE CAV
ERN AND THE PLAN TO
PROTECT IT.
u rELEenAFH ID - rRInrNE. J

Washington July b-Interest has been aroused
recently in scientific circles here over the
huge subterrsnean wind cave in the southern part
Of Custer County. S. D, and the authority given
by Congress 10 set the region aside from public
entry until further exploration shall determine the
oeslrhbillty % converting the into national
PARK bill 70 create national park intro
cUced by Represents tive Lacey. of Iowa II was
referred 70 the Committee Public Lands, and
sent back 10 the House with q favorable report
But Congress adjourned without making an appro-
prlSnon for ths purpose the cave being left under
ne jurisdiction Of the Secretary Of the Interior
Nntl further legislation may be enacted
he cave 3 twelve miles southeast OF the town
q custer, and is q large cavern possessing won
oers o. su'psssing Interest AN investigation made
DF TWO experts cf the Geological Survey developed
mary niles q galleries branching and reticulating
along The Joined planes Of carbonaceous limestone
1no Numerous Chambers with staIactitic and
srslsguitic formations. There are numerous cham
"eTs o. great dimensions, and the usual stalacttic
and stalagmitic formations some of notable
oea1ty, and much unique "boXWork" OF thin inter-
seeing veins Of carbonate Of lime projecting from
1ne walls and ceilings It attracts a large
Der OF Visitors-over one thousand il is said in
sumner OF lsss fee of 81 is charged for adIni--
son 10 and guidance through the cave The
formation indicates that the cave may extend one
nile east, mile north and from two TO two and
ons-half miles south ana west There are nu-
nerous crevices leading away from different
routes and is crossed by bridge called Castle
-of~cA CIeFlce. through which the chamber called
tae Blue Grotto is reached. This crevice is not
opened 50 q survey could be made through H. At
Present the three principal alleys in the cave are
known as the Pearly Gates. Fair Grounds and Gar
Gen Of Eden One explorer was known TO have
ersVled through Of these crevices in a south
westerly direction for sixty hours.
~ further describing the cave one geologist
fso u was OF the greatest wonders Of the
seFla. In which startling discoveries viii be made
! ~ .utaFe explorations II has been Hkened an
eNsi piece Of sponge several miles in length depth
80 Tssdth, with cayerns big enough 10 inclose
- Congressional Library and artisticaIy deco
lro with ferns. grasses and feathers OF pure
-e line and gypsum. and studded with glisten-
crystals Of the formation. Tourists de-
t-a.s tsst the geyserE OF the wind Cave surpass
49, - feilowstone Park. and that in attractive
cor,,ss-.e Mammoth Cave OF Kentucky does not
rnsSse elth IL Edward c. Horn, Pm. D. VINO
ttzf ,t $50 ~rst Of a study Of the Wind Cave saws
1urdrss = are three thousand chambers and one
uresor. -Lslles OF passages. The TWO pict-
Elna' 1...aafnoeTE. The Garden of Eden and the
IN $780, 49, cannot De reached by survey Il ia
cansssS -D-aeex that the frost work delicate as
rryrf. 10. sstoAsons aboUuds most The boxWork
- scfior - o. lime and gypsum, formed by the
4. ~ water. representing aeoraefricsl fig-
Foxro~ - --e%lure OF the chamber known as the
TIE lie Character Of the roofs OF most OF
Il vsrss. ~ ss Il Ia Ia this room. IL boxwors
= .nls ~, LEN white 60 DARK blue In color. There
~ pAce where few stalsgnnites