xt7bvq2s512f https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bvq2s512f/data/mets.xml Thompson, John, 1874- 1909 books b92-128-29187900 English Times Pub. Co., : Smiths Grove, Kentucky : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Caves Kentucky. Mammoth Cave (Ky.) Colossal Cavern (Ky.) Mammoth Cave, Kentucky; an historical sketch containing a brief description of some of the principal places of interest in the Mammoth Cave : also a short description of Colossal Cavern / by John Thompson. text Mammoth Cave, Kentucky; an historical sketch containing a brief description of some of the principal places of interest in the Mammoth Cave : also a short description of Colossal Cavern / by John Thompson. 1909 2002 true xt7bvq2s512f section xt7bvq2s512f MM MOTH I V ' U T IT 1' . wF_C CAVE V V 1Li 11 UI I 1 An Historical Sketch Containing a Brief Description of Some of the Principal Places of Interest in the Mammoth Cave Also a Short Description of Colossal Cavern By JOHN THOMPSON Copywrighted 1909 by John Thompson ___.MM6-_-._ _ -..= M z i i ri - y a - D sr, I i II I i -- w - - -- q - This page in the original text is blank. JIMAMMOTH CA VE KENTUCKY II e An Historical Sketch Containing a Brief Description of Some of the Principal Places of Interest in the Mammoth Cave. Also a Short Description of COLOSSAL CA VERN By i B John Thompson Copywrighted 1909 By John Thompson TWMES PUf. CO., SMfHM GROVE, Ky. I This page in the original text is blank. MAMMOTH CAVE, Entrance looking out. This page in the original text is blank. H aMAMMOTH CAVE, KY. Wonderful Mammoth Cave! Wonderful it surely is, grand, weird and yet strangely fascinating. The realm of perpetual silence and everlasting night. Undoubtedly the greatest natural d onder in the western world. Human intellect is unable to real- ize or estimate the time required by the Almighty Architect of the universe to chisel out this gigantic cavern. The brain reels when one tries to fathom some of the mysteries to be seen on every hand-pits, domes, hills, valleys, pools and rivers are to be found in this strange place, all shrouded in Stygian darkness. This, the largest of all caves, is situated in Ed- monson county, about ninety miles south of Louisville, near the main line of the Louisville Nashville Railroad. It is claimed that about one hundred and fitty-tvo miles of avenues have been explored; but the tourist visiting the cave only sees those parts that are most easy of access. What is known as the "Long Route" is said to be about fourteen miles in length, and the "Short Route" is about seven miles in length. The average visitor is generally satisfied after traveling twenty-one miles tinderground; but there are lots of interesting side trips in the cave that are well worth going to see. There are a number of other caves in this vicinity that are well worthy of a visit, if one has the time and inclination to explore them; but none can com- pare with Mammoth Cave in size. Ganter's Cave is situated on the banks of Green River not far from the Mammoth Cave boat- landing. This is a wonderfully interesting cave, showing marvel- ous stalactite and stalagmite formations, also beautiful "Colossal Cavern," which is described in the latter part of this book. Vol- umes could be written about this remarkable cave region of Ken- tucky, embracing four or five counties where hundreds of caves are situated, but the author of this little book will confine himself to giving a brief history and description of Mammoth and Colos- sal Caves, avoiding dry scientific terms and details. As mentioned above, about one hundred and fifty-two miles CAVE, KENT UCK Y of avenues have been explored. In parts of the main avenue, especially that portion beyond the "Star Chamber," there is evi- dence tnat the cave was known to the Indians or some pre- historic people. Only a few years ago hundreds of torches could be found if one took the trouble to pick them up, lying between the rocks on the floor of the cave. The aborigines that used them prepared the torch from the hollow reeds that are found growing plentifully on the banks of Green River. The dry reeds were then filled up with fat, and when ignited would no doubt make a very satisfactory torch. In the "Great Salt Cave" some of the rocks are worn smooth where people have passed to and fro wandering about in this underground world long years before the white man ever set foot on this continent. Who knows but that perhaps the red man visited these caves out of curiosity as we of the twentieth century are doing Although it is more likely that the caves were used as places of refuge when tribes were at war with one another. An occasional flint arrow or spear point can even to this day be found hy the diligent searcher around the entrance of some of the caves. Places also have been found where they evidently manufactured the stone points, however that was done. Human bones are occasionally un- earthed in some of the caves, testifying that many an unfortu- nate being has met his death in the early days when the outlaw and Indian roamed through this country. The well preserved mummified remains of a woman were found in the Great "Salt" Cave about the year i875 by William Cuttliff, a cave explorer. This mummy was afterwards exhibitied at Mammoth Cave, Proc- tor's Cave and in the "Grand Avenue" Cave. For a time it was exhibited in a number of cities throughout the country. None of the scientists who viewed it could tell whether the remains were those of a modern white woman or an Indian woman. The writer found fragments of human bones together with some in- teresting pieces of shell and slate evidently used as ornaments or utensils, while exploring Cox's Cave in October, i905. They are now in the posession of Prof. Sherzer, of Ypsilanta State College, Ypsilanta, Mich., and that gentleman states, after a 4 M A M M 0 T H STEPHEN BISHOP, First guide and explorer of the Mammoth Cave. NOTED CAVE GUIDES. FOUR famous old time guides whose familiar faces will be recognized by the older generation of cave visitors. CAVE, KENT UCK Y thorough examination, that the bones are evidently those of an ancient stone age man, and of great scientific interest. Human remains have also been found in Mammoth Cave. The guides point to a niche in the rock forming the sides of Gothic Avenue, which is called the "Mummy's Seat," where it is claimed that early explorers found a human mummy. There is no doubt that further exploration will reveal further proof that the caves were frequented by the ancient inhabitants of this country. No doubt it would be found, if all possible passages were followed out, that all the caves are one continuous series of subterranean channels. To a geologist this section of Kentucky is very interesting. He will see how the waters have cut away the rocks, and as ages passed by the avenues in the caves were slowly formed. There has evidently been a rushing river tearing its way through what is now the main avenue, "Broadway," as the guides call it, in Mammoth Cave, and man's puny mind is unable to realize the time that nature required to form that grand, lofty cavern. Im- mense rocks, detached no doubt from the ceiling overhead, are scattered around in wild disorder; and then after the avenues have been formed it has required aeons of time for the stalactite formations to grow. The pyramids of Egypt are but the work of yesterday in comparison. Mammoth Cave was first discovered by the white man in the year i8o9. The story goes that a hunter named Houchins chased a wounded bear in the yawning gulf that forms the entrance. Whether he explored it to any extent on that occasion will never be known; but his story of the immense cavern spread rapidly even in that early day. During the war of 1812 large quantities of saltpeter were leached from the "peter dirt" contained in the floor of the cave and used by the government in the manufacture of gunpowder. About the year i8iI the cave and about two hundred acres of land were purchased by a certain Mr. Gatewood, who afterward disposed of it to Gratz and Wilkins. The old saltpeter vats, erected by these gentlemen in the cave, are still there, the wood showing hardly any trace of decay after all 5 M A M M 0 TH MAMM O TH CA VE, KENT UCK Y these ninety-seven years. It is said that they made a considerable fortune from the sale of saltpeter. Mr. Frank Gorin purchased the cave in the year i837, and opened it up to the traveling public. Stephen Bishop and Matt Bransford, negroes, were used as guides. In i839 the cave wias purchased by Dr. John Croghan, a Louisville physician, and on his death the estate was left to his nephews and nieces. After their death it has to be sold and the money that it brings equally divided among the descendents of the original heirs. A two-minutes' walk from the terminus of the M. C. Rail- way brings us to the Cave Hotel, a quaint old building that is a survival of the 'South before the war," and reminds one of the old days long gone by never to return. It was originally built out of logs, but from time to time improvements have been made and the old logs have been weatherboarded over, although at the present time a row of old log cabins forming a part of the hotel building carries us back in imagination to the early days when old Daniel Boone and his hardy followers first braved the anger of the hostile red man and built their cabins in the wilder- ness. The hotel is situated on the top of a ridge within twenty minutes' walk from beautiful Green River, which flows through the valley three hundred and fifty feet below. It is surrounded with grand old trees, and a view from the broad veranda across the lawn is very pretty and restful indeed. Here is a delightful spot to rest for a few days-good water in abundance and pure, bracing air. If one is fond of fishing, boats can be had at the Mammoth Cave landing, and the angler will be well rewarded if he cares to while away a few hours with rod and line. Arriving at the hotel and partaking of a good old country dinner, we purchase tickets and don the costumes provided for our subterranean journey. Presently our guide makes his ap- pearance with lamps, torches, etc., and we start on our trip down the gravel walk, through the old wooden gate, and down the ravine. We arrive at the mouth of the cave before we are aware of it. Here all is hushed and quiet, the tall, green trees cast a soothing shadow over everything. The first sound to I THE MUMMIES. No. 1 Found in the Great Salt Cave about 1875. No. 2. Said to have been found in Mammoth Cave. Copied from an old drawing. WONDERFUL "STAR CHAMBER." CAVE, KENT UCK Y greet our ears is that of falling water. In a moment more we see to our right an imimense opening forty feet deep, and feel re- freshed by the cool cave air as it forces its way to the upper world. The water that we heard a moment ago is seen pouring over a ledge of rock directly over the arch that forms the roof of the cave. As we are all anxious to start, we proceed down the stone steps, halting a moment until the guide lights our lanterns. Here we stand; behind us the world is green and joyful, all nature is smiling and the glorious sun is shining overhead; before us, what Impenetrable gloom. One can't keep back an un- canny feeling as he moves, half-seeing, half-groping after the guide, toward the iron gate, for our eyes are not yet accustomed to the gloom Arriving at the gate, we give up our tickets and commence our mysterious journey in earnest. Here at the gate the ceiling is so low that it is necessary to stoop considerably if you don't want to bump your head. We are now started on the "Short Route," and our guide calls our attention to the stone carefully piled on either side of our path. These rocks were piled here by the saltpeter miners nearly one hundred years ago. This narrow passage is called Hutchings' Narrows. Presently we realize that we are going down hill, and the ceiling is getting higher above our heads at every step. The avenue keeps growing wider, until at last we find our- selves in the "Rotunda." Our guide informs us that this im- mense chamber is directly under the dining room of the hotel, two hundred feet above our heads. The ceiling of the cave here is about forty feet high, and it is about one hundred and fifty feet wide from wall to wall in its widest part. Here we see the vats used by the early miners. Examining the large wooden pipes, we find that although they have laid in the cave for almost one hundred years, yet they are wonderfully well preserved, due, no doubt, to the dry, even temperature of the cave. Audubon Avenue leads off to the right, and we go up this avenue for about half a mile until we arrive at the end of the cave in this direction. Here the guide shows us some beautiful stalactite formations, known as "Olive's Bower." We now retrace our steps back to 7 M A M M 0 T H CA VE, KENTUCK Y the Rotunda and down the main cave. This majestic avenue averages about fifty feet in width by forty in height, and is per- fectly dry. As we continue on we pass the "Kentucky Cliffs" on our left, so named because of their resemblance to the cliffs on the banks of the Kentucky River in the vicinity of Frankfort. Next the "Pigeon Boxes," and in a few minutes we find ourselves in the "Methodist Church." At this point there is an enlargement in the cave; up the side wall there is a shelf or gallery, large enough for several persons to stand on, and from this rude pulpit, situated as it is in the realm of eternal darkness, the Gospel of Love and Light has been preached on different occasions. We next approach a portion of the cave where "Gothic Avenue" branches off from the main cave. At this point, on a rock pro- jecting high above our heads, Edwin Booth, the eminent trage- dian, on one occasion gave some selections from Shakespeare, to the delight of a few friends who were fortunate enough to hear him in such an unconventional theatre. Since that time this place is known as "Booth's Ampitheatre." Leaving the main cave, we ascend a flight of steps directly in front of us and find ourselves in "Gothic Avenue." This is one of the highest avenues in the cave. The wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations are principally toward the end. Here we found piles of rocks dedicated to the different States of the Union, and for every patriotic Kentuckian or New Yorker, or wherever he may hail from, it is customary to pick up a stone and add it to your monument. On our left, in a little niche in the wall, our guide shows us the "Mummy's Seat," before men- tioned. Here a mummy reposed for a time. Some claim that it was originally found there. We next arrive at the Post "Oak" pillar, the first stalagmite met with so far in this avenue. Hearing a rumbling sound, our guide tells that the little Mammoth Cave Railroad was running above our heads, so we began to realize that in this part of the cavern we were quite near the surface. Numerous stalactite formations are to be seen hanging in thick, heavy masses from the ceiling. Here we see a large pillar known as the "Old Arm B M A M M 0 T H CAVE, KENTUCK Y Chair," and the guide informs us that Jenny Lind, the celebrated Sweedish singer of fifty years ago, used this as a chair to rest on while walking through this avenue. Shortly we arrive at the "Elephant's Heads" minus the trunks, and further on the "Hor- nets' Nest." Next we approach the "Bridal Chamber," and a beautiful place it is. Here stalagmites rise from floor to ceiling, a group of four forming the 'Altar," with "Caesar" and "Pom- pey" and the "Pillar of hercules" standing close by. This is one of the most interesting chambers in the cavern. Our guide tells that a number of marriages have taken placed in this strange room. Next we see "Lover's Leap." Whether he was one of the lovers that was married at the Bridal Altar or not, we were unable to discover. We have now reached the end of Gothic Avenue, and retrace our steps back to the main cave. Taking a fairwell glance at the "Old Arm Chair," our guide burns some red and blue lights in the "Bridal Chamber," giving it the appearance of some en- chanted grotto. The "Pillar of Hercules" deserves mention here, it being the largest stalagmite in this avenue. After a few minutes' brisk walk we arrive back in the main avenue. The guide calls our attention to the cart-wheel marks and ox tracks, made ninety-six years ago when the miners were employed here. We next pass the "Standing Rocks" and then the "Water Clock," where if you stand for a moment you will hear water dropping somewhere that suggests the ticking of a clock. Presently we arrive at the "Giant's Coffin," perhaps the larg- est detached rock in the cave. It measures about forty feet in length and strikingly resembles an enormous coffin. Above our heads we see the "Ant Eater," a patch of black oxide of manga- nese on the limestone ceiling. There are lots of other figures no- ticed as we proceed which bear resemblance to familiar objects. The "Giant and Giantess Tossing Their Baby," the "Hen and Chickens," and numerous other figures are pointed out by the guide. Next we arrive at the "Stone Cottages," built in 1843 for the accommodation of a number of unfortunate people who were afflicted with consumption. It was supposed that the dry, 9 31 A 11 Al 0 T H M A M M O T H CA VE, KENT U CK Y even temperature of the cave would be beneficial, but the experi- ment proved a failure. Next we approach the "Star Chamber." Here the guide bids us be seated on a bench skirting the wall to our right, and proceeds to relieve us of our lamps, moving off to the opposite side of the chamber. He enters a small passage- way, allowing only a very faint light to illuminate the room. Now if one looks up, instead of seeing the customary gray or mottled limestone roof of the cave, he will behold what appears to be myriads of stars flashing and twinkling in the eternal heavens. We can easily imagine ourselves sitting in a dismal canon on a moonlit night, and if a meteor should suddenly shoot across the roof of the cave we would not be at all surprised, everything seems so natural. Now the guide announces that heavy black clouds will obscure the stars from view, and, sure enough, in a few minutes we find ourselves in total darkness, so dark that it seens you can feel it. What would we do if anything should happen to our guide! You involuntarily feel in your pockets for a match and are pleased to find that you have several. This won- derful cave is truly a subterranean world in itself, and we can easily imagine it peopled with gnomes and goblins. Deep pits, high cliffs, mysterious rivers and pools weird and wonderful beyond the power of mortal man to describe. This is the king dom of silence and perpetual night, and so it shall remain until the end of time. The stars have disappeared and we are sitting in silence meditating on the wonders we have seen, when suid- denly we hear the sound of a rooster crowing, which is repeated several times in rapid succession. We hear dogs barking and fighting; the sound of a couple of cats crying; the lowing of a cow and other familiar barnyard sounds. Our guide has proved himself to be a capital mimic. As he approaches he announces that daylight is breaking. By degrees the light gets up a little higher, and a welcome sight it is indeed. At last he returns to us, and, after relighting our lamps, we start back towards the mouth of the cave, having thoroughly enjoyed the "Star Cham- ber." Again we pass the Cottages, and on we go retracing our steps until we reach the "Giant's Coffin," and at this point we 10 "LOVERS LEAP" GOTHIC AVENUE. MAMMOTH CAVE, KENTUCKY. Fully fourteen marriages have taken place in the "1'ridal Chamber" in Gothic Avenue, the most remarkable Avenue In Mammoth Cave. CAVE, KENT UCK Y halt. Crossing the cave we decend down a narrow passage-way directly behind the coffin. This passage leads down to the third level of the cave, where are to be found the wonderful pits and domes. The best known are "Gorin's Dome," the "Bottomless Pit," "Mammoth Dome," "Napoleon's Dome" and the "Side Sad- dle" pit. The "Bottomless Pit" has a bottom, but it is very deep nevertheless. The "Bridge of Sighs" spans this pit. Standing on the bridge we look up and see "Shelby's Dome," named after Governor Shelby, of Kentucky. Over this deep pit old Stephen Bishop, the first guide, cautiously crept on a slender pole. Until then no man had ever dared to cross it. This occurred about 1840. Shortly afterward the wonderful Echo River was discov- ered. The writer will not try to describe this portion of the cave. It is something that, to say the least, is simply awe-inspiring. These awful pits have wonderfully fluted sides, as smooth as if they had been chiseled by a sculptor. Retracing our steps up into the main cave, we are once mere facing the "Giant's Coffin." Here the ceiling is forty feet above our heads, and it is much bet- ter walking. After a few minutes we start back toward the entrance. Before proceeding very far our guide informs us that he is about to show us the last feature and perhaps the prettiest bight on the short route. Bidding us stand for a few minutes holding the lamp behind our backs, he leaves us for only a couple of minutes, going in the direction of the mouth of the cave. Hearing a shrill whistle, we look straight ahead of us, and directly in front, perhaps sixty yards from where we stand, can be seen the figure of a woman, white as alabaster, standing out in bold relief against a background. This is known as the "Martha Washington Statue." It has also been called the "Woman in White," and simply the statue; but whatever name it is known by makes little difference-it is a beautiful illusion and leaves a lasting impression on everyone who has the pleasure of seeing it. Each side of the "Statue" is produced by the opposite walls of the cave, which at this part makes several turns. Old William Garvin, the noted guide, claimed the honor of discovering this curious illusion. According to this story, one of his fellow-guides 11 J11 A M M 0 T H MAM MO TH CA VE, KEN T UCK Y was escorting a party in the cave and had made a bright light near the old saltpeter vats, close to "Booth's Amphitheatre." William was on his way out, not hearing the party approaching and thinking himself entirely alone in the cave. Imagine his surprise, not to say fright, at seeing a white, ghost-like figure suspended in the darkness before him. For a few minutes he was so frightened that he stood rooted to the spot, and as he looked, strangely fascinated, slowly the figure faded away and dissolved itself in the darkness. William said he was thoroughly fright- ened, but throughout it all he never lost his nerve. Taking a firmer grip on his staff, he continued on his journey to the en- trance and to daylight, resolved that if the ghost did take a no- tion to play any pranks on him he would signify his disapproval by making liberal use of his cane. In a few minutes the sound of merry voices greeted his ears and as he met the good-natured explorers he was sensible enough to hide his frightened feelings behind a broad smile. He did not mention anything about his experience to any of them, but as he kept on walking he glanced back to see what progress they were making. Noticing the curve in the cave, the thought suddenly flashed across his mind that perhaps his ghost, after all, was only an illusion. This idea once established in his rmind determined him to make another trip and satisfy himself. William was a very bright, shrewd guide, and far better educated than the average negro was at that time. He said that the next trip fully verified his supposition. This oc- curred about the year i882, but it was not until some years later that the "Statue" was exhibited to the public. After viewing this pretty illusion for a few minutes, we start on our homeward journey. Passing in turn the "Standing Rocks," the "Ball Room," the "Saltpeter Vats" and finally the "Church," arriving again at the "Rotunda," our guide bids us wait a few minutes. He once more illuniinates this enormous chamber. The sight is one long to be remembered. We are standing facing the south. To our right Audubon Avenue branches off, while straight in front continues the main cave. Here is a temple built by the Al- mighty Himself ages before the human race commenced, surpass- MA JWM O TH CA VE, KEN TUCK Y ing by far anything that could be built by human hands. Stand- ing in this chamber I suddenly forgot that I was one of a jovial party; for a time their voices seemed to be hushed, and in imag- ination I could see the ancient Indians standing and crouching in groups, perhaps holding council of war with some of their neighboring tribes. And yet again in my mind's eye I could go tarther back before the human tamily had sprung into existence, and still here was this great cavern, but how different! A mighty river of water was tearing its way through the avenues, beating and lashing the stone wall with a deafening roar. All nature seemed to be undergoing some awful convulsion. But I was not allowed to speculate long on the origin of this remarkable place. for our guide had already started out toward the "Narrows," and in a couple of minutes we were peering through the iron gate, thoroughly glad to see the sunlight again. It is indeed a pleasure, after one has roamed around in the bowels of the earth, to again see the smiling sun. The rich, green grass and the lux- urious trees never looked so inviting to us as they do now, as we ascend the stone steps and arrive again on the surface of mother earth. Back again we go to the hotel, where we partake of a substantial meal, served in true old Kentucky style. We decided to take the "Long Route" the following morning. That afternoon I took my camera and started rambling through the beautiful park surrounding the hotel and cave, thinking that I might be able to "snap" something as a souvenir of my visit, and sure enough, I happened on a quaint old grave yard on a hill high up above and overlooking Green River, just a short walk from the Cave Hotel. Here is where Stephen Bishop's remains lie buried, near the cave he knew so well. Stephen in his day guided many noted people through the cave, and his knowledge of geology was astonishing for one who had no means of learning it except by coming in contact with cultured people whom he had escorted through the cave. It is said that he would talk for hours on scientific subjects, often using Greek and Latin words, and was never known to make an error. Bayard Taylor was greatly impressed with him. Bishop 13 CA V E, KEN T U C.K Y was undoubtedly the first mortal to ever see the Echo River and the first to ride on its waters. A neat, white marble slab is erected over his grave, the picture of which can be seen in the end of this book. "Matt" and "Nick" Bransford also achieved fame as guides and explorers. William Garvin was another well-known guide. He was first to go through the "Corkscrew." All of the old negro guides are dead, with one exception; his name has not yet been mentioned-old Uncle Jonathan Doyle-who in his prime was a good guide. He can still be seen occasionally walk- ing about at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. He still re- tains the full use of all his faculties. He it was who discovered "Proctor's Cave," which is situated midway between Glasgow junction and Mammoth Cave. Back in slave times, when the negroes were bought and sold like cattle, the story goes that Jonathan had run away from his master. It was just before the civil war and there was considerable unrest among the negroes. While wandering in the hills dodging those who might have been seeking him, Jonathan found an opening in the rock that looked like a good place to hide should occasion require it. Only a few days after he was forced to seek shelter and safety in that identical crevice. His master had got word that he was in this neighbor- hood, and with a party had started to round him up; but Jonathan happily had heard of their movements in time. Supplying him- self with matches, a good lantern and a large flask of oil, also sufficient food to last several days, he resolved that the only way to confound his pursuers was to crawl in the hole in the rock. Accordingly, when he saw them approaching and seeing that escape by any other means was impossible, he started in. The result was that after considerable crawling, he found that he had virtually tumbled into a beautiful cavern, abounding in wonderful calcite formations, which afterward became known to the world as "Proctor's Cave." Uncle Jonathan eventually went back to his master. The civil war soon afterwards, and with it the emanci- pation proclamation to the slaves, it was no longer necessary for him to hide in caves and swamps. Shortly afterward he found honorable employment at the Mammoth Cave, and for many years 14 M AM M 0 7'H ki 0 I- I- 0 io 0 z 0 U U' I Gigantic stalagmite formations in Hundred Dome Cave. THE "TOWER OF BABEL." Edmonson Co., Kentucky. CA VE, KENTUCK Y the old ex-slave was a familiar figure to the cave visitors. Among the white men who have guided in years gone by might be mentioned the following: Charles Demumdrum, Frank Demumdrum, Sant. and Abe. Meredith, John Lee, J. M. Hunt and John Nelson, all of whom were good, trustworthy guides. As I said before, we had decided not to start on the "Long Route" until the following morning. Just to while away the afternoon, I took a stroll down the banks of beautiful Green River. Here can be seen two places where it is said Echo and Styx Rivers empty out from the cave. HIere on the banks of Green River the scenery is very beautiful. While resting under the shade of the large trees that line the banks of the river an excursion boat from Evansville, Ind., arrived with a merry party of people bent on seeing the cave. I was told that there are an- nually about thirteen thousand visitors to see the cave. Quite a number come by boat, but the great majority, of course, come by rail. Large numbers of students visit the cave every season, especially those who attend schools in Cincinnati, Nashville and Louisville, and some of the smaller cities and towns in Kentucky and Tennessee. After a good night's rest at the hotel, and having partaken of a good breakfast, we were not long in donning our comical cave costumes. This time we had a colored man in our party, or rather he proceeded ahead of us, carrying a large basket filled with lunches for our noon-day meal in the cave. This trip covers over the same ground as on our previous journey, until we get to the "Bottomless Pit." Here we continue on straight ahead until we come to what is called "Revellers' Hall." Now we turn to the left and proceed cautiously under a dangerous looking rock that is called" The Scotchman's Trap." Ages ago this immense rock dropped from the ceiling and almost closed up the avenue. However, it luckilv fell in such a manner that there is considerable opening through which we crept, breathing much easier after getting on the other side. Continuing some little distance through this remarkable cavern, we presently arrive at the "Fat Man's Misery." This curious passage is almost one hundred yards long 15 M A M M 0 T