The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1905-07-20
THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD
Surprising Results Of on Exploration Of
Marble Cave.

Descriptions Of Marble Cave are
legion. 1t is not our purpose in what
follows to bore the reader with what IL
already we'll known. We will simple
refer to known localities in the cave
and give brief description OF the lat.
est discoveries made and give the credit
to those who made them. After an
experience in Marble Cave extending
over twenty years, and Of nature more
exhaustive and extensive than the in.
vestigations made by any other man or
set OF men, the writer had come to
the conclusion that this cavern is one
Of the greatest. caves Of the world, and
that 1t is not only cave, but system
OF caves, grottOs, passages, all con-
nected, extending for miles and miles
and all having connecting links Of pas
sage that makes 1t into one grand,
natural combination that is not sur
passed nor equalled by any Of the
hitherto known caves on this planet
In the celebrated BIOndy's Throne
room in the cave which has up to this
time been the last goal and shrine OF
the explorer, there opens a passage
leading off into new and unexplored
ground, called "Mystic River Canyon. "
Right before the entrance OF this
avenue there is q small pond full OF
clear, bright water, that has gravelly
coast line that shows 1t to be many years
and ages old. In order to get into the
Mystic Passage one has to wade through
the edge Of this pond, which has re-
ceived the rather deceiving but roman
tic name Of "Mystic Lake" On Satur.
day evening, June 18th, 1905, party
OF young men consisting OF the three
Powell brothers, Waldo, Glendale and
Leslie, accompanied by Charles Ross,
Lee Earll and Dr. Shumate, started in
with the intention Of penetrating the
above mentioned passage and examin-
ing territory unknown. Well equipped
with lights, ropes and provisions for at
least twenty.four hours. Also having
On the proper kind Of clothing for such
trip. All the party had had previous
experience excepting DR.. Shumate, and
it was found that he also stood we'll
the trip and did his part like veteran
explorer. 1t was also arranged that in
case the party did not show up or re-
port in twenty-four hours the writer
and w. T. Powell should come to their
assistance and rescue. The cave was
entered at about 1880 o'clock p. m,
and in As minutes from the surface
Blondy's Throne Room was reached.
Here an inventory was taken to see
that all things needed we're really
present. Matches In BOTTLES corked
tight to save from water, candles large
and small, oil torches, lanterns, rope,
food. All being found the party prompt-
ly started up Mystic Passage, and In Is
minutes were on ground that human
foot had never pressed before. It was
indeed and In truth plunge into the
unknown" AS they advanced the way
became Obstructed with debris that
had fallen from the top, later the roof
gradually came down until 1t was In
easy touch, then 1t got more familiar
and got so close down that first stoop-
ing then crawling began. First it was
all fours, next fiat, lizard fashion, and
to add to the variety pockets Of water
became frequent and had to. be crept
through. Soon the entire party were
wet as drowned rats. Then mud was
added TO the safe ground that dame
nature had put over her secrets, and
this had to be wallowed through. But
no one thought for second of stopping
or going back. At least they did not
mention such thought. A long dis
tance, fully 1900 feet was thus made.
The slope was to the efrOnt. Next came
a sudden descent in the passage of 10
feet, beyond which the walking was re-
sumed. Later on another descent OF 5
feet took place, and several more de-
scents of l, or 3 feet occurred. Then
the passage became deep and narrow,
SO narrow in fact that 1t began TO
threaten TO become too narrow TO pass
through, then it again widened. The
roof here went up 10 SO or more feet,
and the passage got much wider at the
top. Fine stalactites appeared on the
roof and along the sides. Great beds
OF bat guano were encountered from
time to time. The sides of the pass
age were largely encased in white and
dark water formation. AT last cross
fissure was encountered. Here there
were three passages togo. To the left
or right in the cross hssure, which was
large enough TO afford ample room, or
straight ahead, for the passage they
had travelled thus far went on In the
same direction. But our explorers
concluded TO go to the left. After they
had travelled that way for few hund.
red yards, the passage again forked,
and the ripht hand bepan a rapid do.