Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills | Page 8

curve in the line of ascent ends the first half of the journey with
surprising suddenness. In the immediate vicinity there are several small
caves which are worthy of attention and will be described later on.
To properly picture the twenty miles of changing and charming views
between Galena and Marble Cave would require the light and skillful
touch of a special artist gifted with a tangible perception of atmospheric
values. Gradually the road forsakes the pretty valleys with their fields
and streams, to take the summit of the hills and then be known as the
"Ridge Road," which affords a wide range of vision not previously
enjoyed, presenting scenes not to be found reproduced elsewhere with
any degree of exactness. Looking into the depth of the forest as it
slopes away on either side, the impression is of a magnificent park,
undefaced by what are called improvements. This effect is produced by
the scarcity, or entire absence of underbrush, and a beautiful surface
covering of grasses or flowering plants of all kinds and colors, varied
here and there with masses of ferns of unusual size and delicate beauty.
The most unexpected and lavish feature of the rich display is the many
miles of fragrant honeysuckle that grows only eighteen inches high in
the forest shade, but if transplanted to a sunny spot develops into the
familiar vine. The most beautiful portion of all this is called The
Wilderness, and seems designed for a National Park. Such a park
reserve, even if very small, could not fail to be a lasting pleasure, since
it would be more accessible to large centers of population than other
reserves, and its most delightful seasons are spring and autumn when
the Yellowstone is under snow.
[Illustration: A Mill-Site Near Marble Cave.]

The distant view obtained through open spaces is an undulating forest
in all directions, being apparently both trackless and endless. The great
variety of greens observed in the foliage blends in the distance into one
dark shade, then changes to dark blue, which gradually fades out to a
hazy uncertainty where it is lost at the sky-line.
As long ago as 1853, the variety and abundance of the natural growth
of fruits throughout the Ozarks was observed by Professor Swallow,
who then advised the planting of vines.
Beyond the Wilderness is the Marble Cave property and the entrance to
the Cave is through a large sink-hole in the top of Roark Mountain.
This hole is said to be about two hundred feet long, one hundred feet
wide and thirty-five feet deep. It is shaped like a great oblong bowl
with sloping sides, divided irregularly near the middle, and having the
bottom broken out in a jagged way that is very handsome and gives an
ample support to the growth of ferns, wild roses, and other vegetation
with which it is abundantly decorated. About half of the descent into
the basin is accomplished by scrambling down the roughly broken
rocks, and the balance by a broad wooden stairway ending at a narrow
platform that supports the locked gate.
For kind and valuable assistance rendered to insure the success and
pleasure of the visit to the wonderful cave, which they regard with
affection and pride, very cordial thanks are due to Capt. T.S. Powell,
former manager, his son, Mr. Will Powell, the first guide, and Mr. Fred
Prince, who has made the only official survey and map. It may be
stated here that the survey and map are far from complete, and many
known passages have never yet been entered.
Being the first visiting party of the season, certain disadvantages were
encountered in a great accumulation of wet clay and rubbish, washed in
by the rains since the previous summer; but the gate was opened with
considerable effort, and slowly and cautiously we descended the
slippery, clay-banked stairs to the immense mound of debris forty-five
feet below the gate, to behold, at last, the grandeur of the Auditorium.
The magnificence of that one chamber should give to Marble Cave a

world-wide fame even if there were nothing more beyond. The
blue-gray limestone walls have a greater charm than those of an open
cañon, owing to the fact that they sweep away from any given point in
long, true curves to form an elliptical chamber three hundred and fifty
feet long by one hundred and twenty-five feet wide, with the vault
above showing absolute perfection of arch, and measuring, by the
survey, from its lowest to its highest point, one hundred and ninety-five
feet. These measurements are said to be indisputably correct, and if so,
the Auditorium of Marble Cave is the largest unsupported, perfect arch
in the world; it being one hundred feet longer than the famous Mormon
Tabernacle at Salt Lake City. In addition to the