The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-21
WHAT WIND CAVE Is:
The Wonderful Natural Cavern n
= South Dakota. *s>*:"*5 @r;;.,s; US
HUNDRED MILES OF PASSAGES
] - :.
Reports; on ItssGrandeur. GrQtesque-s
ness and WondierfuFa0@TEt. 4;
80 .s5:1t-e ~s1q Beauty. =
From Tho Journal BsSrsuN, Room 49, Posi-

But1dss,os Wnshtagtos1. 49, -
Washington, June 21.-For the purpose
of letting congress know Just. why 1T.
was asked to create the Wind Cave
National Park in South Dakota, Senator
Gamble has quoted in his report on the
bill from reports of special agents Of the
geological SURVEY and general land office,
who made Investigations of Wind Cave:
Special Agent Meyendorff of the general
land office said in part:.
To do justice co fhe wonderful Sevolution Of
nature which created this .cavern,s to describe
it's grandeur, grotesqueness and beauty would
require the researchful mind of profound
student of geology and pen Of the poet. Be
reaved Of both and limited in space and time.
will simply say that it is one of the great
est wonders Of the world. u ~
Some one aptly likened it unto a sponge.
It is an oval piece Of sponge several miles
in length, depth and breadth, with caverns!
big enough to inclose the congressional
library, and most artistically decorated with;
ferns, grasses and feathers of pure white
lime and gypsum and studded with glistening
gems of crystals of same formation. The
cavern known as Fair Grounds is a fair illus
tration of it. It covers about w acres of
space and is about 40 feet from the floor to the
ceiling. Those who visited the Yellowstone
National Park and the Mammoth Cave of
Kentucky will all accord the Wind Cave only
a second place to the Yellowstone canyon and
the ,geysers of the former and declare the
Wind cave superior, in point OF attractive
ness, to the Mammoth cave. s- l-s..-.
Edward G.. Horn, Phi. D., who made some
what of study of the Wind cave, clairss
that there are 5000 chambers and 100 miles
of passage, and while this statement is too
extravagant for the present it is not i'm
probable that future explorations will testify
to Mr.. Horns prophetic eye. :>;;=--==lS- : 4
It is regrettable that the two most pic
turesque chambers, the Garden of Eden and
the@Blue Grotto, could not he reached by
survey It is there where the frost work,
as delicate as dandelionS blossom, abounds
most The box work crystallization of lime
and gypsuna; formed undoubtedly by the ac-
ton of hot water-representing geometrical
figures, is the feature of the chamber known
as postofice, from which it took it's name.
This box work is the prevalent character of
the roof of most of the chambers. Itvaries
from white ito dark blue in color. There is
only one place? where few (and very small
ones) stalagmites were found. showing hat
no water .lierco1ates within the cave. It is
practically dry throughout the portion ex-
plored to date A mong more rare specimens
there still can be found some geodes. Among
more notable attractions Of the cave can be
mentioned the "Gave Chimes thin projec-
tons Of crystallized lime and gypsum from
T the walls, emitting musical sounds under a
gentle strike Of a stick, which forcibly. re-
mind one of the Swiss bellringers, and. the
Giants coffin, very excellent representation
Of the undertaker's studio, placed in a deep
ravine some 80 to Is feet below the travellers
path. 8 s 81 Il f.s..
r. So far no traces OF the animal or vegetable
| kingdom we're found In the cave except the
Eintruders of very recent day, the mouse and
a small fly. which occasionally can be seen
! the year; round. The only trace OF. mineral
| is iron stain upon the general formation OF
the cave, limestone and gypsum.
The report Of the geological survey
says:
Thus we keep winding and descending unti
We reach the first ROOM the Brides Chamber
4 and we are d5J feet below the floor OF ths
I Cave House. This room is about 2ox3e feet
with rough, ragged rocks all about and over.
head, with many small outlets in various
directions; but as we move bn fwe hnd al
almost perfect prairie dog and mound, with
hole as natural as possible We are now ir
the Snowfall room, a much larger and highe,
room, with walls and ceiling all potted with
. gypsum formation that looks like large
hakes Of snow. Next comes the Postofhce, {
long room. where we begin to ind the rox
] work formation which clings to the lmeston.
| formation all about and overhead. From her
d we pass on to Red Hall, smaller room. tn.
sides st Whf6h are Of a soft red stone Her,
III saw some OF the mineral paint of which
1 you had samples in exhibits sent from Rapit
/ City after, last case tried there From her
| we enter the tOpera-house. an immense room
grand II Its varied formations OF box.worl