Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills | Page 4

its nucleus of very ancient granites and porphyries the
Ozark series of magnesian limestone was laid down. Then the area
occupied by these rocks was elevated, and around its margins were
deposited successively the other members of the Paleozoic. The Ozark
region was thus the first land to appear within the borders of the present
state of Missouri." He further says: "Although it has long been known
that the Magnesian Limestones are older than the Trenton, and that they
lie immediately upon and against the Archæan crystallines
unconformably, their exact geological age has always remained
unsettled. There seems to be but little doubt, however, that part of the
series is equivalent to the Calciferous of other regions. It is also pretty
well determined that certain of the lower beds, all below the
'Saccharoidal' Sandstone perhaps, are representatives of the Upper
Cambrian or Potsdam. These conclusions appear well grounded both
upon stratigraphical and faunal evidence. The rocks of the Ozark region
have not as yet received the necessary detailed study to enable the
several lines of demarkation to be drawn with certainty. This
investigation is now being carried on as rapidly as possible, and
promises very satisfactory and interesting results in the near future."
"The early geological reports represent the Magnesian Limestone series
as made up of seven members. Following Swallow, these may be
briefly described in the present connection. Beginning at the top, they
are:
First Magnesian Limestone. First, or Saccharoidal Sandstone. Second
Magnesian Limestone. Second Sandstone. Third Magnesian Limestone.
Third Sandstone. Fourth Limestone."
"The Fourth" Magnesian Limestone, or lowest number of the Ozark
series recognized, has its typical exposures along the Niangua and
Osage rivers in Morgan and Camden counties.
Professor Swallow, in his Missouri Geological Survey Reports I. and
II., 1853 and 1854, says: "Caves, natural bridges and subterranean

streams occur in the valley of the Osage and its tributaries." The same
authority of forty years ago also mentions that "Some of the grandest
scenery in the State is produced by the high castellated and mural bluffs
of this (Third Magnesian Limestone) Formation, on the Niangua and
the Osage." Another reference to the scenery on these rivers describes it
as "Wild and grand, beautiful and unique;" with "gaudy-colored
bluffs." In the section on building materials he remarks: "One of the
most desirable of the Missouri marbles is in the Third Magnesian
Limestone on the Niangua. It is fine-grained, crystalline,
silico-magnesian limestone of a light drab, slightly tinged with
peach-blossom, and beautifully clouded with the same hue or flesh
color. It is twenty feet thick and crops out in the bluffs. This marble is
rarely surpassed in the qualities which fit it for ornamental
architecture."
The Ozarks in the extreme southern portion of the state are even less
known to the world, but the scenery is grand, the climate delightful,
and the caves worthy of a visit for themselves alone. The State of
Missouri being one third larger than England, and of equal size to
Switzerland, Holland, Belgium and Denmark combined, it is not
surprising that interesting discoveries are still to be expected.
The climate is so varied on account of the range in latitude and altitude,
and the natural resources are so great, the claim has been made that if
the State were surrounded by an impassable wall, its citizens need not
be deprived of any article necessary to a refined and luxurious mode of
living: and according to Mr. Henry Gannett in "The Building of a
Nation," the population in 1890 was 73.42 per cent. native whites of
native parents, the colored a little less than 6 per cent., and nearly
two-thirds of the balance, native born of parents, one or both of whom
were foreign.
Although the Ozark region has not yet received sufficient attention to
dull its charm for the explorer, the fact has been established that its
earliest sedimentary rocks are of the Cambrian Age and still occupy
mainly the position in which they were originally deposited. Therefore
we need not be surprised to discover that some, at least, of the

excavations are proportionately ancient; and that the Natural Bridges
are the last remaining positive evidence of their former existence and
final collapse. That the Natural Bridges of Missouri mark the
destruction of more ancient caves than the one preserved to geological
history by Virginia's grand attraction, seems quite evident. The greater
age of the rocks indicates the possibility of earlier excavation while
their undisturbed position suggests that destruction resulted, not from
violent earth movement, but from the slow action of agencies requiring
long periods of time.
Before proceeding to a discussion of the caves visited personally for the
gratification of private interest, it is desirable to know what attention
has been given to the subject, incidentally, in the course of regular
official duty on the