WEST
S1I0KK.
peril to life and limb. The passage is long and in
places very steep in fact almost vertical. This feat
lias been dono by a number of persons visiting the
caves. For any party of explorers to enter these eaves
without a guide, would bo a most risky piece of bus
iness; for when once fairly entangled in the intricate
labyrinth of rooms and passages, places of exits and
entrances, it would be impossible to find one's way out
to the ''open world." One might wander in helpless
bewilderment through gloomy regions for days, weeks
and even months without finding an outlet from this
mountain prison. Thero is one man who, having very
frequently explored these eaves, acts as guide to all
parties who desire to enter. No traces can Iks found
where human beings have at former times inhabited
these dungeon-like abodes, or even visited them. Nor
have they been used as dens by wild animals. Near
one of the openings, in a small chamber, can lie found
a few small bones of birds and small animals prob
ably wolves or bears have killed their prey and de
voured the flesh near the mouth of the cave, not hav
ing the courage to penetrate far.
Darkness in these caves is profound almost palpa
ble, and tho Bilence is most solemn and oppressive;
the very gloom seems weighted with an oppression
that is awful at times. Human voices sound strange
and sepulchral, while the flaring torches and lanterns
cast Hashes of light between which Hit and lurk deep,
sinister shadows like frowning spectres playing hide
and seek.
The moHt remarkable feature of the upper cave is
what is known as the "Queen's Chamber," which is
spacious and well worthy the appellation. Countless
stalactites depend from the ceiling and projecting points
of rocks, which, under the uncertain, unsteady glare of
torches, present a wonderful sight reminding one of
a huge arctic grotto, thickly hung with snow white ici
cles. These stalactites have been in slow process of
formation for years centuries perhaps. One thing
that adds greatly to weird beauty of the view is the fact
that at tho extreme tip end of each stalactite hangs
a solitary drop of crystal water. Cnder the light each
drop Hashes and confiscates with all the liery bril
liancy of a huge solitaire diamond. This scene is il
Itihtrated on the first page.
Another very singular formation is called the "Ci
ant's Tongue," which, in form, very closely resembles
that organ. It is attached to, and protuding from the
w all, and is several feet in length. On the floor of one
"f the lower chambers in tho lower cove is a very sin
gular formation caused by tho slow dripping of water
from the ceiling. This formation bears a close rcsciu
'lance to petrified moss, or coal. The action of the
water and docoiiiosed lime-stone has wrought out an
infinite variety of exquisite forms of delicacy and
beauty. It is very fragile and breaks with the brittle
ness of fragile glass. Hut when broken oil' and exposed
to sunlight and the open air these momt-liko forma
tions soon turn to a dull unattractive color and lose
their charm.
The remoteness of these eaves and the great dilli
eulties to 1m- overcome in reaching them, have prevent
ed hundreds from visiting these natural wonders of
Oregon, Before many years, however, a good passa
ble road will probably Im opened from (! rant's I'assto
the mountain, and then they will no doubt become
favorite places of resort, and objects of interest and at
traction to tourists.
Speaking of the large shipment of Oregon made
iron pipe to San Francisco, a local paer says: " It is
a pleasing sight to Oregonians, who have so long
watched their money flow into California collers, to
see the tide now turned in the other direction." (! runt
ed, but is it equally pleasing to see Portland money
sent to St. Louis for pipe for her water mains, when
a letter quality of pipe is made here and can be laid
down at the same figure. If Portlandcrs are looking
for something pleasing to gaze upon let them contem
plate this for a while. : , ...
Portland Hilicemen will cheer up a little when they
read of the Kay Foster case in San Francisco, A
crippled woman disappears from a house, but partially
dressed, the indications Wing that she was killed by
some one secreted in her riMini and her body carried
away, and the police of the city know no more alxmt
it than those of Portland do of the wherealHiuts of
(iibhs. Then1 are more things than one that " no fel
lah can find out."
Two weeks ago the WVr Sihikk called attention
to the fact that a two-ntory frame building had been
erected in the business part of the city, which stands
iih a menace to adjacent property. The uses to which
it is put render it peculiarly liable to lire, and tl f-
licials who have .crinittcd this violation of the ordi
nance establishing fire limits should have their eon
duet investigated by the city icil.
" Joe the Turk "may his trilxi decrease -wants
the accommodating jailers of Kast Portland to permit
him to have his photograph taken with the prison
walls for a back ground. When this is done he will
nil doubt hawk them alioiit the streets with the II V
Cni venders as " Joe the Martyr," and the good cause
wiil again be on the ascendant.
With an assessed valuation of taxable pnqn-rty nt
tl'ilUVVtT'J, being an Increase in the year of nearly
lift v'mt cent, the new state of Washington set her
Keif up in business in a most promising way.