The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-01-27

idea of the extent Of these so-called
known catacombs. here is q fact. The
isolated group under the Jardin des
Plantes dates from Roman times. In
technical books like Dunkel's "Topog-
raphy and Consolidation 1t IL stated to
communicate with the far of Latin
quarter group; yet no may of the engi-
neers show 1t.
The public is W. admitted to these
insumctently explored labyrinths, tang
led by cut-offs of masonary, for who
knows what purposes, in what epochs,
or blocked by cave-ins that cali atten.
ton. for the first time. to their exist
ence.
Elaborate plans made so years ago by
Delesse n Lefebure de Fourcy were
burned with the Hotel de Vile in 1871.
They have been partially made over by
the ancient Quarries Service. but not
published. Dunkel's book, incomplete
and reduced. is the only guide for Paris
real estate. It has often queer r
prises.
In Dunkels book 6s entrances are
marked, apart from the b~one-infested
section inflicted on tourists. The stair
ways leading down to them have from
so to 100 steps.
The Mushroom s~yndieats.w
A recent report of the Partisan 'mush-
room syndicate, published for private
circulation, refers to 40 members pos
sesstng their own entrances to Quarries
q Paris n speaks of. their ven
tilation and heating. The ventilation
Is usually Inexpensive. The old wells
ing a up to 100 years ago are very
numerous. To reach water they pierced
through the neglected quarry and CON
ltinucd through itssf1oor. Seen q the
catacombs, such wells look like iso-
lated pillars or a simple hole in noor
n ceiling. In either case, the mush-
room rme have III to clean o u
the c~hoked-up connection with the sur
face.
I like to muse on these Paris Farm
ers." In dirty, narrow ancient streets
they have q grimy little shop cramped
down stairs" through the cellar,
down, down. through the cellar floor,
60 steps, 50 steps. and suddenly. amid
electric lights, What a domain! What
spacious galleries, terminating in
donied halls. round or oval. Down here
the man Or n mean shop is lord of
long streets, ceiled n floored, of in
te~F1ninabie rows of boxes, Of steam
kheaflnE-nushrooms plantations that
flourish in the dark n bring him in a
fortune.
How is it that this underworld does
not cave In oftener? The weaker sur
races have already caved in. In par
ticular. around the year 1874, the v
ms, following prolonged rains and much
new building, became SO numerous as
to alarm the population. At the mo-
ment e q commission was examin-
ing a house in the Rue d'Enfer went
down-entire-2S yards below the sur
face, into an abyss.
Researches following on similar aeci-
dents disclosed thai most of the streets
of whole wards were in danger of
breaking through. In 1875 the king
created an inspection that has its Of
fees today in Place Denfert-Rochereau.
In French law the ownership of. land
CONTINUES theoretically to h center OF
the beginning, therefore, refused to
consolidate private properties at the
expense of h state, and its subter-
ranean work has always been limited
20 fi1ng up sections under streets and
Punnc nuildings threatening to cave in.
small lateral galleries kept the COM
m~unications open, but when private
owners have similarly CONSOLIDATED
their underson they have often filled it
up solid, choking the catacombs.
BY all this you Judge the confusion
and ignorance Of this underworld of
c~onspfrators have found sure refugees
In the catacombs. In the uncertainty
E.Of, h middle ages and the turmoil Of
the Renaissance h possession OF s,b-
terranean routes assured impunity.
Refugee for Robbers.
The "Skinners" of the time of Joan
OF Arc; the trades unions of 800 wears
before and after her: the Free Liyers"
Of the COur des Miracles; the .Red
Fingers" Of h time Of Francis T.: the
"House-Markers" OF the time Of Henry
III, and the Warmers" Rosicrucians,
Freemasons and Republicans OF later
days had luxurious headquarters 100
and exits far apart. in mean shops and
great private houses. cemeteries and
neglected gardens.
To come down to modern times, It is
known that Napoleon III. become en-
peror, was much embarrassed by his