The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-07-31

WASHINGTON. July 81: 1.-The Pres
Ident has Just signed proclamation
making a National Monument OF the
Oregon Caves. or marble Halls" Of
Josephine county. in Southern Oregon.
These natural wonders are located In
the Slsdyou National ForeHt about
thirty miles south of Grants Pass In
Cave Mountain.
| The caves are In marble and other
limestone and consist OF innumerable
cnYerns. corridors and nassagnwhys
OF various sizes, all OF them decorated
beyond description In crystallized
rarbonatcs They have been explored
To- distance OF two miles or more.
the lowest OF them being at depth OF
! 1000 feet below the summit of Cave
Mountain. the highest seven or eight
hundred feet above 1t. There are
many passagways and rooms Which
have never been opened. and with
these distant and uncxplored openings
The magnitude OF the Oregon Caves
Is practically unknown.'
These natural wonders were discov
cred In 1874 by Elijah Davidson. while
bear hunting. and the greater part OF
The exploration work WIS done by F.
NJ. Nickerson. OF Kerby. Oregon. In
l1s77. when four floors or levels were
partially opened. Many Of the old lad
ders used at that time are still In use.
Cave Mountain. the peak of which
contains these caves, rises to an ele'
walton OF about 6.o0o feet ard Is OF
limestone formation. The main Open
lnEs around which the National Monu.
ment has been created are ut all clc'
vation of 1000 feet. but the entire
n1nuntain-side for five or SIX miles
shows cavcrns of various sizes and In
all probability 1t Is honeycombcd
throughout its entire interior like the
portion which las been explored.
Many small streams arc found nj
different elevations. and large: bodies
of running water can be hcarl In bot
ltomless pits SO far us measured. This
running water probably accounts for
currents OF wind that in some of the
galleries blow so hard rs TO cxtinEuisll
an open light ut once.
The limo deposits take many beau
ttifnl forms: massive pillars. delicate
stulacitcs of n1nbnstcr Wilderness with
the crystal drop OF water carrying Its
deposit of lime from which they are
formed. and broad sheets resembling
drnpcry with graceful curves and
waves that were certainly made by
vuryinc currents of wind during for
nation.
In past years visitors have broken
loft and carried away many of the most
valuable specimens. aud this lestrlc'
tion. MS we'll rs to retain these natural
wonders MS public property. induced
tho Recommendation to make them n
National Monument.
The Forest Service has rebuilt AMI
improved the trails leading 10 the
caves from each side of the divide In
order to more easily protect the yalul-
able forest surroundings. and to make
Tho caves more accessible to tourists.
Congress has for centuries been n
fine market for works of painting AMI
srulnturc. MS scores of statues In pub
lie places and pictures in government
buildings testify. Anything that touches
OH or nppertains 10 the history oil tie
country appeals to the statesmen
While they have bought much, ho"
ever. there is still liberal supply III
sight.
Senator Dcpcw has been char mod BY
the merit of l.: paintings by the late
Elnwrd Moran and lie has introduced
bill providing that they he pnrcllas
ed mt II cost of s25O.000. an average OF
nearly $40. 900 per picture. Tic paint
ings Illustrate II important cpochs In
the marine history of the. United
Suites rs follows:
The Occun-Thc Highway Of All Ma
tons.
Landing OF Lief Erickson In, Inc Now
World I'M 1901. .,..--.. ..,.,...,.,. .r $50