The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-05-26

Mammoth Cave, the greatest subter-
ranean wonder in the world, is one Of
the 500 known caverns undermining
Edmondson County, Kentucky.
Almost from the time of the discov-
Try of the cave in 1909, by hunter
who pursued a wounded bear into the
mouth Of the great recess, the place
has been the mecca of tourist and
scientist. Ard in this day OF easy trav-
ell the trip from Louisville to this mar
velous labyrinth of tunnels is the
merest incident. The cave is about
ninety-five miles out from the metrop-
oils of the commonwealth, and a de-
lightful ride of scarce three and a half
hours over the Louisville & Nashville
Railroad. supplemented by few min
utes' journey up peculiar mountain
railway from Glasgow Junction. places
the tourist at Cave Hotel. The finger
prints of almost a century are left on
this quaint hostelry that shelters the
stranger during his stay in the cave
region.
Wonders Are Encountered
By the visitor almost from the moment
he steps on the picturesque, winding
path leading from the hotel to the cave
entrance. The path suddenly stops in
a gully marked by a black hole at the
bottom opening into the side of the
mountain. II the visitors arrival
should happen on a hot afternoon or
evening in August he will experience
the delight of an instantaneous change
from the torrid climate of something
like 80 degrees to the pleasant air OF
an October afternoon. The current OF
air rushing from the mouth of the cave
is responsible for this change. The at
mospheric stream flows with force
sufficient to at once dry the perspira-
ton from the brow and momentarily
chill the flesh. II is popularity de-
scribed as the breath" of the cave.
the cool air constantly rushing out in
summer and the heavy cold air con-
tinually flowing in the winter.
Through Narrow Gate.
Passing through the narrow gate
that opens into the hallway OF this
marvellous and mystic mansion built
by natures master architect, water,
the visitor has before him in the neigh
borhood of 200 miles OF underground
avenues, stately chambers, tortuous
passages, stairways inclines, halls and
domes. The regulation courses or
routes" mapped out by the guides are
such that each moment brings with II
It's particular wonder.
First Stop At Rotunda.
The first stop is made at the Ro-
tunda, magnificent cavern whose
limestone ceiling vaults some 80 feet
above. Here are to be found the rude
teaching watts, log pipes and frame
work used by the early miners TO Sc.
cure the lime nitrate so important in
the manufacture of saltpeter. The
identical objects seen here played
their silent but nevertheless effectual
part in tiding the then infant nation
over the perilous sea of 1912.
To the right of the Rotunda extends
Audubon avenue, named after the
great naturalist. This treasure laden
passage leads to olives Bower. which
contains the most beautiful stalactites
TO be found in the entire cave. of to
the left OF the Rotunda one strikes
the Main Cave, almost as wide
as a city street and fully fifty
feet high. Turning aside from the
Main Cave for a moment before the
Rotunda has been left many yards BIO.
hind. the visitor may find himself
walking through Gothic avenue. in.
specting numerous grottoes and al.
coves. examining the snow white oye-
less crustaceans in the Cooling Tub,
casting a pebble into the Lake Of
Purity and winding up at the old little
waterfall and its attendant beauties in
Annette's Dome.
The way is retraced and on again
entering the Main Cave the guide