La Junta tribune., 1915-08-21
MAMMOTH CAVE.
ssory of All Fosr Trips Through This
Psssoss subtesrAseas Cayes.-
is2 Miles Are Surveyed.

miles due south Of Louisville and
ninety.six miles north OF Nashville
on the Louisville & Nashville rail-
road. Our nearest point 10 the cave
was Glasgow Junction. From there
we went up to the cave on q branch
railroad running direct to the cave.
q distance OF eight miles. The train
on this last stretch was composed OF
an engine and one car. both OF which
looked as II they had been In use be-
fore the war. However, ones at
tention Is soon drawn from the un-
comfortable train accommodations to
the beauties of the wayside as he
winds through the beautiful hills and
woods carpeted with wild flowers
blooming abundantly, on his way to
the cave and to the quaint old ramb-
ling hotel that dates far back toward
the beginning OF the last century.
We arrived at the hotel about noon.
but did not go In the cave until the
next morning as We preferred to rest
and spend the afternoon In the beau
tiful woods that surround the cave.
Before entering the cave you rent
cave suit--a regular bloomer suit
made OF heavy wooden goods. The
men and boys wear overalls and
jackets. The suits are furnished at
the hotel at a price OF 25 cents for
all the time you are there, but We
purchased the little caps we wore.
No one enters the cave without .
guide. all OF whom are trustworthy.
We took all four trips through the
cave with Mr.. Bishop as our guide.
He has been employed as guide at
the cave for twenty-eight years. and
We felt that We had the best guide
there.
The cave. and an estate OF 1000
acres surrounding Il, IL owned by the
nephews and nieces OF Dr. John Cro-
ghan-former owner Of the cave
namely. the sons and daughters OF
Colonel George Croghan and General
7. s. Jesup, all OF whom are now
dead except three. The youngest Of
these three. is now In her seventy
eighth year. When they die the es-
tate Is TO be sold at public auction
and II will probably be purchased by
Uncle Sam and converted into q ma
tional park.
A pathway from the hotel. winding
through the garden and forests and
crossing the wagon road 10 Green
River. brings Us u the only known
entrance TO Msmmosh Cave. Evi-
dently II 10 where the roof broke
down ages ago. The cave mouth IL
seven hundred and thirty-nve feet
above the sea level. one hundred and
ninety-four feet above the level OF
Green River "a few yards away. and
one hundred aud eighteen feet below
the crest OF the oyerhansing bluff.
The limcston. stratum IN 3.o feet
thick. One OF the first things no.
tieed Is the strong current OF cool
air that flows from IN. cave mouth.
frequently too strong TO allow IN.
carrying OF lamps until a point IL
reached many yards within. where the
wind dies away.
There are now four routes through
the cave. Numbers one. Two and
Three are short routes. each taking
a half day. Number four IL the
longest rouic-an all days trip.
One hundred aud fifty-two miles
have been surveyed through the cave.
The uniform temperature Of the
cave IL 81 degrees. winter and sum.
ner. and the air IL chemically puse.
A. We descended the solid stone
stairway into the cave ~s observed q
waterfall that leaps from the ledge
aud 'Anishes amid the rocks on the
floor. Around us hang f~stoons Of
vines. and ferns. and before 10 IL
the sestibule TO = temple Of slsrssl
night. An iron safe 10 uniocked for
10. put there TO prevent unpaid II.
uusson and vandalism. Psssias
through. ~e bid farewell TO daylight
and depended on the simple ,ros
lamps given TO each Of 10 By The
guide.
The iessad that . hsstes asneA
Houchins. ID 1903. chased Q vounA.
I'd bear into this thrcas Of The cave.
whether suthsatic Or aos. 10 pespss.
ussed In The ssme givsa II. Houeh.
ms Narsows. made ssill narrower
By the blocks Of llmessoss plisd n
walls on either side. shus ieaviss q
passage caiy . few feet vide. 70
the left is the tomb Of t~o iadsaas
found 10 Early days aad rsbussed
here. Aioas the floor are nssy
wooden pipes. They we're laid there
bV the na1e0Sece srseoss~ o.. ~s...-.. a.