The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-07-15
c. II. TAGGARTS LETTER.

leuSoSllNlllC, n.y., July OIll, lJZl.
Dear Opinion Readers
| have been to Mammoth Cave.
When you come, come prepared to
stay a week and do all the trips-a
day each. We had only time for one.
The tickets are $500 plus war tax
(20c) for. each trip. In No. l, the
one we took, you see Echo river,
Fat Mans Mizery, The Cork Screw,
The Egyptian Temple, The Bottom
less Pit, Purgatory, Banquet Hail.
But we didn't see the Star Chamber,
nor the wonderful stalactites, which
are found nearer the surface. No. l
is the deepest route. Echo river is
300 feet below the surface we were
told. l took my tin cup, strapt to
me, and l dipt cup full of water
from Echo River, and by the light of
nv torch the water seemed to be
clear as bell, SO, as l was thirsty. |
| took a good drink. Some of the
others tasted it, but they were
little doubtful. Pm alive yet. Sixty
four people were in our party, and
about 20 of them were from our
Chautauqua circuit: Superintendent,
Junior Girls, Crew boys and Talent.
Twelve from the Mikado Co.
You should have seen us in our
blue overall suits. Looked like r.
R. engineers, girls and boys alike,
with red handkerchiefs tied on our
heads. The men carried the torches,
and each man took lady under his
protection.
Our trip started at p. m. We had
to wait for those that were in the
cave to come out. There were two
other groups that went in at about
the same time we did, about ten
apart. Ours was the long
trip, (No. four hours.)
AS we approached the cave, after
having our picture taken, a cold
blast of air rose to meet us. (Tem-
perature of the cave, 81 summer and
We passed through a little
iron gate,-Reminded me of the 'Hole
n the HIP in Pilgrims Progress.
Here we were counted, and our tick
1T taken, then the gate was shut
behind us and locked. Ah-h-h How
leep and dark it looked ahead
Then our guide took command-liter-
y He shouted:
Ladies and Gentlemen, there will /.
,e no talking at certain times. We A..
ire about to pass through some
dangerous places and you must obey !
ny orders. | will tell you when you !
nay talk" And when the guide call
ID Attention you could hear your
leart beat, it was so still. None of !.
IS had any desire to disobey orders.
lutte the Contrary. We hoped we
would get back alive.
1t was a pretty sight to see the
e |
through the high archways, over
BOARD walks, bridges, and up ladders. o
sometimes the guide would say: "0nly \
2 allowed on bridge at once. "**There s
yere deep pits where he would e
url pieces of oil soaked rag and we
.ould see them go fluttering to the
ottom. He carried bright ascety-
enc lantern, that threw a strong
ght ahead, and GA torches, (no about
alf that number, for the ladies did
lot carry them) did the rest for the
ghtirg. A negro guide brought up
he rear, so that none of the party {
would get left.
The high domes and deep caverns
,ere most thrillingl Can't picture
/. 80 There were places where we !
ad to walk half a mile or more,
ent nearly double, and watching to
ee that we did not pump our heads.
)ne girl got one bump that made
iuite a little souvenir puff on her 7
orehead. ! got one or two little
yhacks, and one girl shrieked she
rot such a hard one.
In the "Corkscrew" we had to z
rawl on our hands and knees, in al
host impossible places. There was
ne fat woman, and we were afraid
he might get stuck so we couldn't
ct by her. But she lived through y
t, although she protested that "she
ever could get through that place"
At one place, the guide told us to
top and listen, and we heard one of !
he other parties singing on Echo
liver, tartar away, 'Suwanee River"
t was beautiful But we had few
l the party who spoiled the effect,
y their kiddish laughing. The ma
,rity Of the company wanted to hear
he wonderful effect, the opportunity
life time. and II was such