Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1895 — MISSOURI'S BIG CAVE. [ARTICLE]

MISSOURI'S BIG CAVE.

Contains a Vast Amphitheater and a Flowing River. Herbert Bartlett, a mining engineer, has recently explored the cave in the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri, which is beginning to attract the attention of travelers, and he gives a very interesting account of its marvels, which, he believes, will make it as famous in course of time as the Mammoth Cave . So difficult of access is the Ozark cave that no thorough exploration has yet been made, and Mr. Bartlett found himself baffled in his undertaking, as others were before him. Describing the first chamber, he says: “This grand amphitheater is almost circular in form, 700 feet in diameter, while the ceiling, 225 feet above, appears to be held in place by immense columns of onyx and marble . Leading off into another direction from this central room is a lofty passageway . Following this the throne room is reached, and here in solitude is a grander throne than was ever built by man or designed by human brain. It stands alone in the middle of a chamber with ceilings 300 feet above, while from side to side the floor measures 200 feet, -and from end to •end 570 feet. The throne, a majestic stalagmite, formed of pure ■onyx and jasper, with markings of beryl, stands in the center. It is 36 feet across and 20 feet from front to back. It rises to a height of 65 feet. There is more to be found by following the various passages leading in every direction. Rooms spread out at the end of beautiful arched passageways. All are adorned with the same colored and white carvings. One passage has been traced for a distance of twelve miles in a southwest direction, and there is a current of air coming from the interior. It is thought that there are connections with the famous Barry County cave, thirty-five miles away. Nor is this immense cavern uninhabited. It has a flora and fauna peculiar to itself. In the grand amphitheater is to be found a plant or fungus blanched white by the darkness. Ih the long passageways leading toward the Barry County entrance are found bats that have evidently made their way in from the outside world. Some of these are enormous in size.” Probably the most wonderful feature in the cave is the river which flows through it, of which Mr. Bartlett says: “This stream is fifty feet wide, flows very swiftly, and at a distance can be heard the roar of falls. No attempt has been made to explore it, as all that have seen it are afraid of the perils of the undertaking. The water is very cold, and it is believed that it finds its way, underground, to the White River. I hope that the geological survey of Missouri, under its present able management, will find time to look into the hidden wonders of this cave, and give a better account of them to the world