The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-11-04
UNDERGROUND PASSAGES, SECRET CHAMBERS
EXIST UNDER NATIONAL CAPITOL, BELIEF

WASHINGTON, D. C.-The recent
discovery, in the course OF an excava-
ton for new building, Of the remains
of what the United States Geological
Survey declares was a prehistoric for
est beneath the city Of Washington,
has turned interest toward what lies
beneath the ground on which the Ma
tional Capital is built. Consideration
OF this fascinating subject reveals that
underground Washington is equal in
interest TO that domain recently called
Behind the Mirrors of Washington.
Forest Centuries Old
The prehistoric forest was discover
ed while the ste,sm shovels were max
ing a deep excavation for a new hotel
The remains were uncovered at a
depth of % feet and the experts of the
Geological Survey declare that the SUBJ
terranean discovery is anywhere from
10000 to 10000 years old and contem-
porary with the earliest human life on
the North American continent
The remains of the prehistoric trees
indicate that they grew In one of the
vast swamps in the murky dampness
of which the life which the researches
of investigators have described, devel-
oped. Great winged pterodactyls
flew over this region and the dinos-
aures here sought HIS food.
There Were Giants Then
1t was an age of vast physical pro
portions. The tree stumps found
show that the trees were or 10 feet
in diameter. These trees were more
like the modern cypress than anything
else.
Thaa+a- Y ryarS-n~4y. ~s.o ~ ~. a
Geological Survey experts who exam
ined the remains, traces the action OF
the Great Ice Age on the prehistoric
swamp and finds many other indica-
tons Of geologic history of the utmost
value to biologists.
TIE find prehistoric gurvivals be
meath Washington Is exceptional and
is only an evidence of the story OF
what lies beneath the National Cap
ital. Curiously enough, at the same
time the excavations revealed this
find. one of equal interest, though II
"a different field, was discovered at the
capitol. Underground Washington be
longs both to an historic period and to
a prehistoric age.
Legends Excite Curiosity
For century there have been IN
gitive legends of the secret passages
and concealed apartments of the old
Capitol Building. The other day q
piece OF masonry at the Capitol be
came dislodged and showed an opening
wholly unsupported by the superintend
ent and other functienaries of the Cap
itol. A small block of masonry drop
ped from its place and disappeared
According to all reasonable calcula
tions, the stone should have fallen in
to known passage below. 1t did not
but crashed through the ceiling of &
room on a lower floor. To do so il
must have fallen through a shaft the
existence of which had not beer
known.
Accident Starts Investigation
The accident has started investiga
tons which are now in progress anC
which are expected to reveal few
of the structural secrets of the build
ings. The Capitol is vast structure
portions of which have been construct
ed at different periods. 1t will be re
called by every schoolboy that the
British burned the old Capitol in the
War of 1912. A new building wa!
reared on the old foundations. These
were extended and utilized and th'
new mingled with the old in such ;
way that no plans exist which show
! the entire scope of the masonry.
Buried Treasure, OF Course
DR.. William Thornton, the architec
of the part of the Capitol built follow
ing the fire, was a builder of the oil
school and doubtless followed old Eng
lish traditions which leaned strongl.
TO the idea of secret passages an,
apartments There has long been
legend that somewhere beneath tn
great terrace on the West side of tn
Capitol there is a secret chambe
which contains treasure secreted Their
when the British were marching OF
Washington and never recovered be
cause the men who had arranged tn
hiding of it alone knew how to fin,
the place.
Designs Favors Secrets
Any person who will go into tn
crypt and cellars of the Capitol or eve
in what is known as the Old Librar
Space. which is the most ancient par
of the Capitol. will readily understan
how it is possible for the massive wall
to contain hidden passageways, an
starcases. The known corridors tax
surprising twistings and turnings an
there are whole sections of masonry
large enough to contain rooms. whic
apparently have no entrances.
When the recent discovery of an III
known shaft occurred. it was recalie
by old employees of the Capitol an
by certain Members of Congress ths
Henry d. Flood. Il Representative