The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1908-08-07
A Wonderful Cavern.

Smiths Grove, Ky, July so Few
people know of what is possibly, the
most wonderful cavern in the world.
1t is located in the widest portion Of
lElmonson county, Kentucky, aud that
means that islocated among wilds un-
surpassed by any region on earth. Cliffs
tower for almost 400 feet and deep
gorges and roaring mountain streams
are seen on every side The location is
about ee,fourths Of mile from
Nolynu river and ON Briar creek, This
is not far from the famous Dismal
Rock.
This cavern has been known to the
natives in this section for more than
one hundred years, but so carefully
have they guarded their secret that this
is the first information the outside
world will have of the existence of this
natural wonder The cavern was first
discovered by William May in the year
Use, He and Roger Barton, both Of
Virginia, We're locating lands at the
time when they were attacked by n
bear, The bear was wounded and re-
treated into this cavern, They pursued
it and discovered this natural wonder
which has been known to the natives
ever since.
The entrance is at the base of cliff,
which is about 200 feet in height, When
the explorer enters heimmediately feels
that there is something different from
other caves, The passage is narrow
not over twenty-five feet in width, and
the walls are absolutely dry, The floor
is of dry sand. He does not go far until /,
he realizes that he is going down, down |
into the very bowels Of the earth. Upon !
investigation he learns that the floor is
a perfect incline and that the angle 10
about twenty-five degrees He moves
rapidly and the silence is oppressive.
Not a living insect is seen or heard and |
not sound Of dropping water.
WATER FROM NOWHERE.
After having travelled distance of
about three miles and when he has
reached depth Of about 1000 feet be-
low the entrance be stops entranced and
awe-struck at the spectacle which he
sees before him What is that ghostly |
sppSrition that bars his passager BY
the torch light he sees . sheet Of waving |
white that completely closes the cave. |
He stops and listens but hears no sound,
yet the presence is there, reckoning him |
to come. He approached little nearer
aud covers against the wall when be-
hold All the colors of the rainbow
burst upon his vision and he knows the
white object upon which he gazes is
water: Such 10 the case. At the end
of the cave lie a solid column Of water
dropping from above and falling
through the floor beneath. III is not
cataract, Nothing like it has ever been
seen. II is volume of water. falling
through the cave. 1t strikes nothing
beneath; the floor is dry. II comes
from no place above. 1t drops out of
space, through space andinto space.
All this il wonderful but the most
wonderful thing Is the eternal silence.
Thousands Of tons Of water all falling
continuously and still no sound. The
explorer stands in awe before this ghost.
ly spectacle He knows that he is
many hundred feet below the bed Of
any known stream of water in this sec
ton. still here is this great volume stil
descending. He wonders what is be-
You'd the water but he knows there is
no way to fVd it out He wonders how
deep is the assure into which this stream
falls, but when he thinks to approach
nearer and cast a stone tied to string,
his knees quake and he draws further
away. At last overcome with his sur
roundings he turns to flee from the
place, but he finds it no easy matter
The incline is great and it is with slow
and weary step he plods his way back
toward the entrance
If he will pause on his way long
enough he will see that centuries ago
this cave was explored by another race
than ours There is the imprint Of a
bare foot which was made in the sand
SO long ago that the sand has become
solid rock By actual measurement
the length of this track is eighteen
inches
None but those with brave hearts
need enter this cavern The silence is
50 Oppressive that the nerves become
uustrung and when face to face with
this moving, living body of water it ID