_From the Oklahoma State Capital._
SULPHUR SPRINGS, I. T., Oct. 18.--At a spot eleven miles southeast of
this place, in the level prairie upland, is an opening about forty
feet in diameter and sixty feet in depth. By clinging to its rocky and
precipitous walls, a person may descend to the bottom, and there find
the openings to the two caves, one leading westward, and the other two
to the east. For years this place has been known as Rock Prairie Cave.
It is one of the most striking natural curiosities in the Chickasaw
nation. The caves are of unknown length, and through one rushes a
subterranean stream of great depth in places and of icy coldness.
Exploring parties have ventured into these labyrinths for hundreds
of yards, but the danger of becoming lost has prevented a thorough
examination of the underground passages.
The cave leading westward is easiest of access and contains a number
of spacious chambers. The room is about seventy feet square and fifty
feet from the floor to the ceiling. The floor is obstructed with huge
boulders. The darkness and stillness are intense. Picnic parties
sometimes go there, and, with a huge boulder for a table, eat their
lunch in the glare of torches that cast uncanny shadows along the
massive walls.
Timid persons hesitate in venturing into the depths of the eastern
cave. The passage slants downward at an angle that compels the explorer
to crawl and slip and slide for nearly 100 feet before reaching a spot
where a person may stand upright and walk safely. From the darkness
echoes the sound of rushing water, which later is found to be a stream
that runs from eight to thirty feet in width, and from six inches
to many feet in depth. Men have waded in the stream until the water
reached their chins, and then gone in a boat to points where they were
unable to touch bottom with the longest oars. A farmer carried his
boat into the cave several years ago to follow the stream to its end.
At a depth estimated to be 200 feet below the surface of the ground is
a natural bridge, formed by a huge stone that fell across the stream.
The water plunges underneath this bridge like a millrace. A boat can
be pulled over the bridge, however, and launched on the other side.
About 100 feet below the bridge the stream widens into a broad, deep
pool, with a high, vaulted roof. Beautiful stalagmites and stalactites
adorn this chamber. Two hundred feet below this pool the passage is
difficult. It is claimed that this cave has been explored for a mile.
The stream is believed to find its outlet at a spring about three
miles from the entrance to the caves. This spring is of great size
and volume, and flows with remarkable swiftness. In rainy seasons the
spring boils and gushes as if choked with the flood of water that pours
from its mouth. The stream in Black Prairie cave rises when there is a
heavy rainfall in the surrounding country, and the increased flow of
both springs and stream at such times is taken as evidence that they
are connected.