Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-09-14
Trip to Oregon
CaVeS---COntinued

June IT, after partaking of an
early breakfast, all hands started for |
the last hitch, five and three-quarter |
miles up over good mountain trail
which is also used for pack and sad
die ponies, with plenty of cool, spark
ling spring water all the way. When
we reached within three miles of the
caves most beautiful sight present
ed itself. Acres upon acres of that
most elegant flower, rhododendron,
were in full bloom, some eight to ten
feet tall. 1t was a sight we never
will forget. After decorating our
hats and spring bonnets we cantin-
ued onward and upward until we
reached the government camp, where
large new flag waving in the breeze
greeted us a welcome. This is head
quarters, with plenty of cool spring
water close at hand flowing out Of
the lower entrance of the caves and
| forming the headwaters of Grave
creek. Here we were met by an old
guide, Frank Nickerson, who some
ten years ago guided our fellow
townsmen, c. B. Watson and Joaquin
Miller, through the noted caves; also
r. w. Rowley, the government guide
on duty, whom we found to be the
most pleasant and accommodating
guide you would wish to meet Af-
ter lunch we started with hands and
pockets full of candles furnished free
by Uncle Sam emo fee or tips to
guides allowed'D for the lower en-
trance, the guide taking Mrs. Rocho
to the upper entrance some half mile
up the mountain side to await our
coming. BY the guides wisdom she
was saved the most hazardous part
of our journey.
The caves are now a government
monument and a guide is kept there,
SO that nothing is marred or de-
stroyed. They were discovered by
E. Davis, an old hunter, in 1874,
who, while hunting, ran a bear into
were provided with bib-overalls,
which we were fortunate to procure
from our guides (they fitted Mrs.
Rocho little snug, but made them
do), and tying bandanas on our
heads, we started on our journey. II
is advisable for all wishing to make
this journey to bring overalls, jump
ers, heavy shoes (hobnailed are still
better) an an old cap to keep the
water and mud from getting into
your hair, which trickled down in
places. We were rather fortunate in
one behind. Had we come the day
before, which was Grants Pass day
, there were 1856 registered, and they
were promised ten extra guides anC
! none showed up, and the government
guide took them through in bunche!
of fifty. This day was advertised al
a barbecue day, which was a BIZ
; farce. After procuring a quarter o
a beef, which was packed up by tn,
boys and settlers in the valley, will
some sDuds and onions they made ;
kettle full of "mulligan," and breaC
on the side, charging all four bit
for same, was highly relished by
hungry crowd. Much disappointment
was expressed in language not fit t,
put in print, owing TO the graft" i'm
| posed, and I would venture to sa
, that unless better services are rem
dered Grants Pass day will be a fail
ure in the future.
The first places OF note were tn
Petrified Gardens and the River StyN
a small running brook; Loop tn
, Loop, where you get down on al
fours for about 200 feet or NOR
, through a narrow passage, back t
: the main passageway, over Satan
5 Backbone, which was thirty or fort
feet long, which proves that befor
, he was taken into captivity he wa
a great monster and lived at quit
an early day. Prison Cell, with It
, window barred, was quite natura
I Judicial Hall was the next and yer
( imposing sight, with the likeness @
= Judge Watson with his stern, stone
hardened face, dealing out justic
. from the bench to all mankind, mad
us stand still with awe and wit
bowed heads. We we're greatly i'm
, pressed with its solemnity. Fror
y here we went through narrow pass
t ageway that leads to the upper caves
I. climbing numerous ladders an
! crawling through portfolios, an
landed in the Beehive room with Il
numerous hives hanging on the cell
. ing, also many wasp nests such a
: you find hanging to the trees in ou
8 forests. Adams Tomb, Lions Ja'
and to the spot marked with an
5 with black paint, where Frank ELI
of Grants Pass receiyed n fatal bul