Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1928-07-26

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settlers of Ohio. was a native, and
nam Hill was named for hum.
The Devils lee Box
AT first view, undoubtedly the aver
age visitor will not be impressed By the
appearance Of the gorge. As he drives
through the woods he will see an oe-
casional small sign-the state has
not yet properly marked the roads
leading to the chasm--and at length
be will round bend into a clearing, ut
the left of which he will see a few
scattered houlders II great size. on
one OF which is a bronze plate mark
ing the entrance 10 the chasm.
This unimpressive gateway, however,
leads to a region of wonders. Within
fifty yards of the roadway the visitor
finds himself in a chaos of rocks, some
as large as a house, and all tumbled,
helter-skelter, at the bottom Of a
wedge-shaped ehasm.
Those who are active may work
their way through the chasm itself, il
they wear proper clothing and rubber
soled shoes. They will find many in
teresting places. including a number
of caves of varying size and cleft
fAUHfUUffatttX Atff HtA AftE 0tNA lAE-
box" in which, IL il said, ice remains
the year around. In some places
where the going is hard visitors Of
the past have installed wires or ropes
to serve as balustrades. In some
places il is necessary to squeeze
through narrow elefts, from which
portIy people are ant TO turn back.
Great Trees Are Dwarfed
The chasm is in a hemlock wood
and at one point, so deep is the assure,
that the upper branches OF great trees
growing from the bottom are below
the person standing on the brink.
There are many places where frost ac-
ton has cleanly split huge blocks OF
granite that have fallen into the
chasm, and others where overhanging
lodges appear ready 10 tumble in.
Trees grow out from the jutting ledg-
es and an excellent idea Of the hardi-
hood of the hemlocks and other
growth is 10 be gained from the sight
of a tree growing bravely from the
face of a rock. with roots running
back hundreds Of feet to soil,
/ The actual chagm extends a thou
sand feet or more back into the woods
and then the ledge shelves away 50
that there Is nothing but a tangie OF
trees. Ferns and moss drape the
rocks at points and water drips from
/ assures here and there.
The reservation Is admirable from q
picnic standpoint, with shady places
In which 10 rest and plenty Of flat-top-
ped rocks 10 serve as tables. Across
the road from the chasm entrance u
path leading TO a spring.
Earthquake Created chasm
Biologists long ago explained tb'
presence of purgatory Chasm. The
Immense edge of granite contained I
section that was softer than the res
and thousands Of years ago an earth
quake opened the ground below ans
permitted IL 10 drop from place. A
time passed great fragments of stonl
were broken from the sides and fel
into the cleft 10 produce a result tina
has caused more than one traveller q
remark that Purgatory Chasm is NOR
impressive than the Ausable Chasm il
New York state.
At all events IL is a sight TO be re
membered and well worth seeing, Will
il affords something new in the way o
a tour for nature lovers and thos
seeking a new spectacle. IL is TO b
hoped that soon funds will be avail
able for improving the approaches :
il and for more plainly marking tn
roads