The Minneapolis journal., 1904-12-27
MONTANA'S CAVE
IS A WONDER
THOUGHT TO BE GREATER THAN
MAMMOTH OR WIND.
Plunges Into the Center Of Mountain,
G. Chamber Succeeding Chamber, and
Some Almost Defying Exploration
Splendid Scenic Effects and Sound Of
Falling Water.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. 80
Anaconda, Mont. Dec 27.-An immense nat
ural cave that promises to rival the wonders of
the Mammoth cave the Wind cave. of the
Black Hills has recently been explored at Lime
Spur Mont.
The mouth of the cave is at the top Of Lime
Spur mountain in Jefferson canyon, about forty
two miles from Butte, on the Northern Paclnc
railroad. 1t is about half a mile from a. lime
quarry owned by D. A. Morrison, who also owns
the land where the cave was found. 1t was d1s-
covered by accident. @v
In many respects the Lime Spur cave has no
equal At depth Of about 800 feet below the
mouth of the cavern, the chambers widen into
rQek-ribbed halls, the walls OF Whlch are COW
cred with beautiful gypsum and stalactitfc tap
estry. Translucent columns of stalagmtlc for-
ma ton rise from the rock -strewn floor to the
lofty ceilings festoons of curousy wrought
flowers of gypsum. studded with sparkling crys-
/ tall reflect the light from the torches OF the
Visitors and strange coonnades Of pure white
| cross and recross the spacious chambers &-'
Into Center of Mountain.
| Unlike other caves this cavern plunges into
! the center Of the mountain instead Of offering
horizontal passage. The first descent is or n1tv
feet into chamber which is. the nome or oats @
| Clinging in clusters to the milk-Whlte walls,
or flying about, startled by the candles, the
strange creatures seem to speak of the mysteries
| of the caverns. - ...,.- ..
which ends abruptly in another jump OF lSt
! feet Rope ladders used here the ends
being fastened to huge stalagm1tes
| At the bottom OF the second landing the cave
| widens into a series of immense chambers. .One
| room is oddly like the interior of a cathedral
with organ loft, chancel and all. long TO" row
of stalactites, which reach from the lo1ty cell
ling to the floor, resemble an immense PIPE
organ.
! The stalactites vary from six inches to an Incl
| in diameter and when struck heavy blow Will
! fills the cavern with weird harmony. The tom
Lis of singular sweetness. and when the plow Il
repeated several times the cathedral Is hooae'
with melody.
Bewildering Beauty. .:4 ~
The passage leads from one chamber to anothe
until another descent begins. This t1me IN
Epath leads down steep incline to depth o
500 feet below the mouth of the cave. Here
wonderfully beautiful sight meets the gaze. u
every side are walls Of milky whiteness an
oddly shaped lacework Of stalactitic formation
The ceilings high above. Grottoes OF ne
Wildering beauty are every hand - i.
On one side one hears the rush OF water
stream of cold water six inches in diameter
gushes from hanging wall and splashes on Y Y
floor The water is only few degrees abov
the freezing point. -
n AZ strong current of fresh air rushes up froi
down below and the exploring party seeks t
discover the source. The air is bracing an
seems charged with ozone just as in the Man
moth cave of Kentucky: After Dreaming u
! air for a time, fatigue is forgotten. ...4-
!, Plunging down another long decline the wol
! ters curious phenomenon. A distant rumpnn
is heard in far-off region. 1t, gathers 4
; volume until great sweep Of wind blows OF
all the lights. The air rPrushes4upward until
finds outlet above. RI Thet .rpnbling is surmfse
to he the vibration OF the mighty stalactttes b'
whence comes the fresh air can only be col
= iectured. It is supposed that miles away thel
: is zan. outlet, which causes strong current
i air to circulate thru the spacious chambers II
i reyerberating sounds at intervals of 5h'
: minutes L. 49,
. ; - c,,3.:z;t-. t. Too Deep to Scale. .;-'2
: Occasionally the passageway narrows until o.
: noust Green on his hands and knees. The ia
v tastic formation Of the walls seems to 1ncrea
e | ms one goes downward. The sides OF the lgre
1 toes are marked with waves and rpples of Wai
: incrusta tions while the floor Is strewnr wi
8 fakes that have fallen from the ceiling al
. Sides r.. --
. BY carefully observing the route, the explor1
% party was able to penetrate to the depths OF t
mountain. Sounds of waterfall were hea
,e that re-echoed among the. stately columns
g Another decline was encountered, too steep
le scale without ropes. A stone was thrown do1
le into the blackness below, and after long J
: terval a splash was heard. indicating the pr
- ence of water. newspaper was lighted a
r. cast down without touching bottom. coil
" rope was fastened to stalagmite and cast do'
y without touching bottom. Then the explori
le party realized that further equipment would
" necessary before passing this obstacle.
1c 1t was o'clock in the morning when