East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-07-21
OREGON'S SYSTEM OF MAMMOTH CAVES'

w. l.. Crissey writes the following
highly entertaining article on th'
wonderful caves of central Oregon
which rival the Mammoth cave Of
Kentucky:
Few people in oregon, to say moth
ing of our country In general, are
aware that In the southern part ol
this state Is to be found series OF
caverns second only to the world-fa-
nous Mammoth cave of Kentucky.
Indeed, the Oregon caves may one
day be granted first place, for no
attempt at thorough exploitation has
ever been made. though the main
passages have been penetrated to a
distance Of more than seven miles,
with no indication of the end.
II was In 1874 that Elijah David
son, out hunting in the mountains,
followed his dogs on fresh bear
track TO find them baying before a
dark opening In which the wounded
animal had taken refuge. From the
cavern rushed a stream Of limpid
water, through which Mr.. Davidson
had to wade in entering.
A few feet inside the bear was dis
patched, but the discoverer had seen
enough to fill him with wonder and
curiosity, and as soon as neighbors
could be enlisted in the expedition,
the party returned.
Made Start TO Open Caves.
The country being thlnly settled. 1t
was some time before the caves were
sufficiently known to attract visitors
from abroad. Then a party Of San
Francisco capitalists became interest
ed and decided to develop them as a
commercial enterprise. Men were
hired to cut a trail over the noun
tains, others worked inside, enlarglng
small passages, that they might be
more easily traversed, a big hotel
was planned and all was hustle and
activity.
The promoters themselves camped
at the entrance, spending many hours
daily in the caves. Cards whiled
away the time and games for princely
stakes were played in chamber still
known as the Gamblers Hall" AT
the close OF the summer the capitalists
departed, with assurance that money
would be sent to pay the workers, but
the paymaster never appeared. II
was a great disappointment to the
sturdy mountaineers who had worked
Cor a small wage and then lost that.
Squatters "F'roze Out"
After several years had elapsed two
young men built them a cabin and
undertook to establish their residence
there, so that by ''sQuatting" they
would be given title TO the claim
when the government surveyed the
land. Several bridges were construct
ed over the mountain streams, more
work was done on the trail and the
boys worked hard. but seeing that the
longed for survey was indefinite and
uncertain OF accomplishment, they re-
luctantly abandoned their cabin.
Within the past year the United
States government has recognized the
caves as one OF the scenic marvels
OF Its domain by withdrawing the spot
from entry and designating 1t a ma
tional park, fitting sequal to its ro-
mantle history.
"The Marble Halls OF Oregon" lie
in the midst OF the most picturesque
mountain scenery Imaginable. De- |
scendlng into little valley over rug
ged granite boulders. the forest-cov-
cred mountains rising on every side,
one comes to Cave creeN which bursts
from the foot OF perpendicular gran
ite fall 100 feet In height Nature
has draped the white facade with lux
urlant green moss, in beautiful con-
trast to its uncovered portions. 1t
Is like a grand overture introducing
the theater OF wonders TO follow.
Entering a low passage by follow
ing the bed of the stream. one grad
ually ascends over rugged rocks to khe
upper levels, leaving the water below.
A hundred feet and the real beauties
begin to disclose themselves. The
walls are OF creamy whiteness, while
slender stalictites depend like icicles
from the ceiling; stalagmites rise
from the floor; fastastic formations
OF the same soft white abound on
every hand.
Darkness absolute and impenetra-
BILE is but intensified by the candles as
one moves through the large cham
bers, Silence as in vacuum reigns
not a sound OF life exists In the air
or water. Every stalactite has its
drop OF crystal liquid, yet II never
seems to fall, and the caves are in
most places remarkably dry. The .
air is pure and fresh. the temperature
remains at 60 degrees the year
around
The Marvellous Rooms. |,
One OF the first rooms is the ,
"Oueen's Palace" At the sides, rls- /
ing In tiers like the seats OF an am |
phltheater, are shelves, couches hung
with fairy tapestry. 1t is royal
apartment in very truth.
Not so large as some others, but I
unique III its dltrdCuNeHSSS' 10 lHo {
Organ Loft" Down the center hangs 3
a row Of enormous stalactites of Diff 1
fertn lengths. Struck gently with a I
bit of stone, they send forth mellow S
sounds like deep-toned bells, the pitch
,f the different pipes sometimes vary
ing as much as two octaves, yet no ,
TWO alike. These reverberatlng chimes '
give an indescribably weird and beau :
tiful effect in the silent chambers.
THE Ghost Chamber" is modelled