The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1919-05-23
OUR TRIP TO MAMMOTH CAVE

NooSS AiSS kS0A cGIiSotfVtfS ~ ~"
and precious, there is a curiousy
groined and marvelously Waited arch
way of rock in the midst of a pri-
mitive forest in KY, that is the great
objective point of the tourists of the
world"
Upon arrival at Galsgo junction the
nearest railroad point to the Big Cav
ern we alighted from a midnight
train of the L. & N. soon learned
that Glasgo was a small village with
two hotels and a post Office. We
sound a nice room for S1.0O per
day each, and that a little train left
town at 700 a. M. for the cave, a
distance of nine miles the. round trip
being $3.50 per person. We reached
the cave at 7:40 and had a nice
breakfast there for 63N and after
paying $500 each for the cave tick
ct, guide service, etc, left the hotel
at 900 A. Nj. with a party of six to
take rounte No. l. through the IA
nous cave. There are four routes,
but route No. l is the best and Is
. about z miles in length.
After donning overalls and rough
shoes our guide led us down the
damp, messy stone steps into the
darkness and silence of the wonder
full old cave . We were each given
a light and requested to listen to the
guide and exercise ARE.
The first avenue, One-quarter mile
in length contained the monuments
OF the various societies and orders
where zach member passing adds an
other stone. They are many in num-
her and very interesting. We then
came into a large chareber where a
cold clear mountain spring dubbed
up-This was called Bird Spring"
Mrs. Benson incurred why? And
was told because it has so many
swallows in it." Having quenched
our thirst and feeling very comfort
able in a temperature of 4 degrees
which does not vary. we proceeded
on our way. The next passage,
hoary, with age, and which looked
to have been as old as the world it.
self and were soon entering rooms
and domes two acres in extent and
with ceiling of natures own handi-
work. Hundreds of Feet above. These
ceilings and wonderful walls carved
out of a solid rock in all those vary
Lag formations, the stataCtites build
ing downward and the stalagmiteS
building up, while the water drips
everlastingly. We are told they,
build one inch in a century. How long
were these wonderful columns in
the process of building? We g!ided
upon rageless and silent rivers, which
come out of the earth on Ole side
OF the gray stone wall and entered
the dark chasm on the other and left
US in mystery rs to where 1t came
from or where it vent. Those strange
fish which have no eyes would GER
tainly not need eyes there. We next
came to a deep chasm which was span
I'd by q neat iron bridge. We were
told it used to be 1877 feet deep but
now. only 1875. Of course | had to
ask why it filled up two feet. The
guide said the man who measured it
brought out two feet. Proceeding on
ward we noted the walls covered by
the names Of the worlds celebrities
with dates etc. We listened / n
Booths Amphetheater where Booth
recited Hamlet's soliloauy and Jenny
Lind Sang on the Eco River. We
looked up at the majesty Of Man,
moth Dome that aroused the admir-
alton of Edwards of England when
the Monarch was only 20 years old.
We ascened the Corkscrew stairs
and ladders for hundreds of feet
an dI thought. mo wonder Ralph
Waldo Emerson received his greatest
inspiration from the wonders of
Mammoth Cave"
IT'S inspiring when n notes how
slick the rocks and passages have be-
come. and It's interesting to think
that strangers have been down here
from the very ends of the Earth.
Scientists, musicians writers, rulers
soldiers, poets and leaders OF men
have alike traversed this vast sue
cessiOn of streets. and cor
ridors, have listened to the same my
stery Of the water in these subter-
ranean passages, crossed the myster-
ious rivers and treaded the insplr-
ing domes and festOons of crystal
shat lines it's lengthy passage ways.
AS we entered the anc leading to
EAT mans misery" l wondered how
I would ever get by with my 24O
rounds. At one point it seemed no
use. but as Mrs. Benson slipped a.
long so easily / would take new
courage and Squeeze" again but l
was too glad to get into a big open
chamber known as Eat Mans Re-
lief" The Bridal chamber holds no
attractions for married men as it only
recalls to their mind the few days
that used to be. but the love sick
are, found there in abundance. AS
we viewed a great rock weighing
many ions which had fallen from
above and had caught between two
other rocks. the guide said Suicide
Rock" Mrs. Benson asked why the
name and his answer was: 1.-The roc.
that hung itself" Next came q great