Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1922-02-17
THE LEHMAN CAVE

e.. Washington sends the very gratify- ing news that President Harding by proclamation has established the Leh- man cave national monument. The Lehman caves included in the 593 acres reserved by the president lie six miles west of Baker, Nevada, and are within the Nevada national for est.
 Here is an accomplishment of which Tonopah should be proud as it will en- dure to the end of time as fitting monument for public spirited citi- zen who single handed, without as- sistance from political or civic influ- ence, succeeded in preserving from predatory hands a natural attraction that will grow in value every day of it's existence. c c. Boak is entitled to full credit for this achievement which took out of the hands of sordid spectators one of the most impress sive formations in the west. Lehman cave is destined to be acknowledged as one of the most picturesque wonders of the world, surpassing in grandeur the famous Mammoth cave of Kentucky which has drawn mil lions of tourists to the area in which it is located. The Lehman attraction lis in hte form of a cave, miles in length, and several hundred feet be- heath the surface of Mount Wheeler, one of the loftiest peaks in Nevada. Within these massive chambers amid the pure elements of earth one may view the art of nature that has been going on for thousands of years with out one ray of light penetrating the gloom to assist the fairy sculptors in performing their magic work of de- signing and building forms and images that defy the hand of man to copy or even describe.
 Down through the cons of time this cave has existed safe from vandal hands, protected by an overburden of rock that sealed the crypt in absolute security until an accidental discovery led an inquisite and daring prospector to venture into the unknown domain. The untutored mind did not grasp the value of the discovery which remained unnoticed and without attracting more than local attention until gradually the fame of the find percolated to the outer world. Prompted by sheer cur iosity and eager for adventure, MT. Boak assumed the direction of small exploring party. intent on fathoming the extent of the formation. MT. Boak is a. lover of nature in her wild moods and went equipped for the first in telligent survey of the premises. 'He was not prepared for the startling revelation but his forethought in pro viding himself with lights and suit able cameras enabled him to carry the truth back from the recesses where nature had luxhriated in most extrav-S agant artistry, At. g glance the sit uation appealed to the poetic temper ament of the explorer who emerged from the caverns carrying undeniable evidence of the stupefying marvefs' that no words could paint. Others had visited the cave; others had prob ably essayed the feat of photograph ing the wonders that visualized but none of these gave thought to the value of the ensemble as an object lesson for present and future genera tions. MT. Boak was different. As he paused to contemplate the spectacle in his minds eye the great idea was conceived. It was nothing short of an inspiration suggesting the preser- vation of the cave through dedication by the president of the United States and forthwith the idea was carried in to execution. Steps were taken to divest the cave of it's sordid commer- cialism to consecrate to the people of America and their guests. The feat has been accomplished and the name of c. c. Boak will be inseparably as- sociated with the glories of the Leh- man cave reservation as the one man who was persistent enough to carry point without more than his indi- vidual urging to recommend his pro- ject.-Tonopah Times.