The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-03
WONDERFUL CAVE NEAR FORT PAYNE Extends tor Miles Under Look
 out Mountain TRIP ALONG WlNDINGS Journey Along the Wonderful Passage Is Truly Awe lnspiring-Not
 Properly Appreciated By
 Aabamians.
TRIP ALONG WINDINGS
BY WALTER HARPER.

BY WALTER HARPER.
 Fort Payne, July 2.-(special) )-Fort Payne has one of the most picturesque natural caves in the world. People who have visited both pronounced this far more interesting In natural beauty than the famous Mammoth cave of Kentucky It is called Manitou cave and the main opening Is less than a mile from the bus mess center of Fort Payne in the side of Lookout Mountain. The wonders of this natural curiosity have never been exploit ed and its existence is known to but a comparative few in the state.
 It has been explored for a distance of about four miles. The entire depth has never been sounded and is unknown. With the exception of a few bridges spanning chasms and a rollicking sub terranean stream the interior is just as the architects and holders of nature planned and carved it.
 Has High Roof.
 The roof is from eight to 30 feet with a few spiral upshoots that may reach a hundred feet
 The cave Is irregular, making surpris- ing curves and angles. At times the passage Is up a stiff incline, then again dipping into the mysterious and awful depths of the earth.
 The Journey along this wonderful pas- sage under millions of tons of mountain worth any mans time.
 In company with Attorney Luke P. Hunt and "Jack," the guide. I made the trip down today to a depth of one mile and a half, lacking 51 feet.
 Here We came to a very narrow pas sage through which one has almost to crawl for several feet, when the passage again opens into a still more wonderful labyrinth of caves and dark passages.
 Jack" tells us that he has explored this second series of chambers for a distance of almost three miles, but found no end to 1t.
 Woman's Department.
 We entered the cave at a height of about 40 feet up the side of the noun tain. The opening has been shaped and supported with stone and masonry. This
  cave with the exception of the bridges above referred to and a few steps that have been cut in some of the steepest inclines.
 Just inside to the right Is the Ladies Private Dressing Room," as described by the versatile Jack" This chamber is furnished by nature with dressing shelves luxurious divans and ornaments of Ori- ental splendor.
 To the left is the "Gentlemen's Smok- i ing Chamber with a secret avenue ot how nature sometimes arranges oul necessities for us).
 "The Hay Stack"
 Leading downward from the main en; trance hall Is a winding stair passage to the left of which is chasm in the midst of which rises an immense forma- tion known as "The Haystack." It rises from a great depth below you while the cone scars above your head. This pile formed by the constant dripping of water and lime sediment from the roof through many ages, will weigh many hundred tons.
 As you advance downward you hear the increasing roar of a subterranean stream You reach this finally at sudden turn down deep in the bowels of the earth tumbling down a chasm with many angles, dark and mysterious. You cross and recross this stream many times. At many places the water flows deep and sc slowly that match dropped on the sur face does not appear to move. This Is hlQq gorges like a creature that Is mad or frightened at the awfulness of it's situa- ton.
 Gorgeous Formations.
 From the roof and walls throughout the cave hang the most gorgeous formations imaginable. There are tapestries of the richest texture. chandeliers of wonder ful construction and embossed scenes that could hold you in studious interest for hours There are the most magnificent old castles with impenetrable forests ris- ing above you and around you that fancy could paint.
 Scenes of historic and sacred incidents have been traced in the walls and cell ings by the master hand Of nature. One of the most impressive of these Is the Virgin Mary pressing the Christ child to her bosom.
 Silent owls gaze down on you from .fnely carved pedestas while gargoyles grin at you from perilous 1edges.
 When we reached the end of the first chamber a little short one and half miles from the entrance Jack called a halt.
 The Second Chamber.
 "If you boys brought lunches and ham, mocl1s for the night we will proceed, but the end will probably lead us into Ten nessee. From what I see in the papers this morning there is no use in going there. The climate Is dry and inhos- -pitable.'
 We agreed to turn back.
 Luke Hunt had on a light summer suit and was a long way from clean shirt.
 This narrow passage of probably 30 feet" said Jack, twill be opened up some day, and the chamber beyond can be more easily explored. A number of peo- pie have already gone several miles fur ther down. That second chamber is equal ly as interesting as this and really is more attractive.
 'I have visited and explored every cave of any importance in the world. but this is the most interesting in every way of all I have seen. Here you have the nat ural wonder just as it was carved by the Creator without practically one touch of the artificial.
 'The people of Fort Payne and Ala bama do not appreciate this natural won der as they should