The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-22
BIC HOLE FOUND IN
STATE OF MONT ANA
Declared to Beat kentucky'8
Mammoth Cave
STORIES OF EXPLORERS
Mouth at Top Of Lime Spur Mountain
In jefferson Canyon and Thence
Sinks to Unknown Depth
In the Earth.
STORIES OF EXPLORERS

If subsequent explorations result in
developments at all approaching those
of one recently made in the cave at
Lime Spur, Kentucky's Mammoth Cave
may become insignificant in comparison,
The cave is a recent discovery, and
few know of it's existence. Not more
than four persons have entered the UNI
foreground region.
The mouth of the cave is at the top OF
Lime Spur mountain, In jefferson Can
yon, about forty-two miles from Butte,
on the Northern Pacific railroad. 1t is
about half a mile from a lime quarry
owned by D. A. Morrison, who also owns
the land where the cave is found. 1t
was discovered by accident, and it was
only recently that serious effort was
made to find whittier the caverns led.
Halls Ribbed With Rock.
In many respects the Lime Spur cave
has no equal At a depth of 800 feet be-
low the mouth of the cavern the cham
bers widen into rock ribbed halls, the
walls of which are covered with beauti-
full gypsum and stalactitic tapestry.
Translucent columns of stalagmitic form
alton rise from the rock-strewn floor to
the lofty ceilings festoons of curiously
wrought flowers of gypsum, studded with
sparkling crystal, reflect the light from
the torches of the visitors, and strange
colonnades of pure white cross and re-
cross the spacious chambers.
Iii al MIR 70 q
into the center of the mountain, instead
of Offering a horizontal passage. The
first descent is of fifty feet into cham
Der, which is the home of bats. Cling
ing in cluster to the milk white walls
or flying about startled by the candles,
the strange creatures seem to speak of
the mysteries of the caverns.
From the first landing there Is a long
incline, which ends abruptly in another
jump of $50 feet. Rope ladders are used
here, the ends being fastened to huge
stalagmites.
Like Cathedral Interior.
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. A long row of stalac-
ties which reach from the lofty ceiling
to the floor resemble an immense pipe
| organ.
The stalactites vary from six inches
to an inch In diameter, and when struck
heavy blow give forth deep, sonor-
Gus sound that fills the cavern with
weird harmony. The one is of singular
| sweetness, and when the blow is re-
peated several times the cathedral is
flooded with melody
The passage leads from one chamber
to another until another descent begins.
This time the path leads down a steep
incline to depth Of 800 feet below the
mouth of the cave. Here a wonder
fully beautiful sight meets the gaze. On
every side are wells of milky whiteness
and oddly fashioned lacework Of stalac-
title formation The ceilings are high
above. Grottoes Of bewildering beauty
are on every hand.
Air and Water Currents.
On one side one hears the rush OF
water. A stream of cold water six inches
In diameter gushes from a hanging wall
and splashes on the floor. The water is
only a few degrees above the freezing
point
A strong current of fresh air rushes
up from down below and the exploring
party seeks to discover the source. The
air is bracing, and seems charged with
ozone just as in the Mammoth cave OF
Kentucky. After breathing the air for
a time fatigue is forgotten.
Plunging down another long decline
the wonders increasing every step. the
party encounters a curious phenomenon
A distant rumbling is heard in far-ofi
region. 1t gathers In volume until a
great sweep of wind blows out the lights
The air rushes upward until 1t finds
outlet above. The rumbling is surmised
to be vibration of the mighty stalactites
but whence comes the fresh air can only
be conjectured. 1t is supposed that miles
away there is an outlet, which causes
a strong current of air to circulate
through the spacious chambers. The re-
five minutes
Fantastic Formations.
Occasionally the passageway narrows
until one must creep on his hands and
knees. The fantastic formation of the
walls seems to increase as one goes
downward The sides of the grottoes
are marked with waves AID ripples OF
white incruslations, while the floor is
strewn with flakes that have fallen from
the ceiling and sides.
By carefully observing the route the
exploring party was able to penetrate
to the depths of the mountain. Sounds
of waterfall were heard that re-echoed
among the stately columns.
Another decline was encountered, toe
steep to scale without ropes. A stone
was thrown into the blackness below and
after long interval splash is heard
indicating the presence of water. A
newspaper was lighted and cast down
1t fiuttered and was consumed before
reaching the bottom A coil of rope was
fastened to a stalagmite and cast down
without touching bottom. Then the ex-
ploring party realized that further equip
ment would be necessary before passing
this obstacle.
1t was Z o'clock In the morning wher
the party started and 1t was nearly X
at night when it again reached the mouth
of the cave.
grip down on the cable and away the
| car would dash around the curva swaan-