The New York Herald Newspaper, November 12, 1878, Page 3

AMERICA'S LATEST WONDER A Two Days’ Exploration of Vir- ginia’s Caverns. HATURE'S ART GALLERY THROWN OPEN. { Lofty Chambers, Crystal Walls and Drapery of Every Hue. MYSTERIOUS FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND. Effect of an Illumination on Weird Fig- : ures and Sombre Vaults. ———_— t Luray, Page County, Va., Nov. 10, 1878, Since my last communication to the Hrmatp these Wonderful caverns are developing into something simply enormous, Almost at covery turn new caverns are being discovered, not singly, but in large num- bers. Your correspondent has been climb- ing and crawling for several days past on tours of discovery. In company with the pro- prietors and several other gentlemen we ‘went down into the gorge now called the Skeleton’s Gulch, and, bearing to the left in a southerley direc- tion, climbed a steep hillside, some forty feet, and then continned in a straight course two hundred yards or more, having frequently to stoop and caw. At the end’ of this distance we found another very steep assent, at the top of which we saw ®@ hole large enough to drag our bodies through, which wo accordingly did, finding ourselves in a #mall round chamber, with » beautiful spring in the centre. Stalactites of every conceivable form and hue were here in profusion. Many of them had as- sumed grotesque and fantastic shepes, and would make rare ornaments for the most elegantly ap- poiuted drawing room. A SERIES OF CHAMBERS, We soon discovered that this was merely an ante- ehamber for a series of others, and emerged through & narrow opening into another much larger spart- ment of oblong shape. The ceiling of this room was white as the driven snow,, the walls were 8 mixture of green and orange, and the dome seemed to be supported by five large pillars in a straight row at intervals of a few feet, These pillars were all similar in appearance, “being small at the basé and growing large as they ascended. The floor was of soft clay, and at every step we dragged a heavy load of earth with us. Looking ‘ap We saw a sqtate opening in the ceiling, aud by the sid of, various stalagmites protruding from the walls we climbed up into‘another chamber; in other words, ‘into a'second story similar to the lower one, with the exception of the pillars, but we were more than com- penrated for these by another wonderful discovery. In our front, running undor & number of arches, with Magnificent columns on. either side, and‘ sur- mounted by 2 gothic roof of blue. and. white, was BS 'spring of water probably thirty feet long by. twelve or fifteen, and with an actual depth of sixteen feet, The immense basin looked ag ‘If cut into a solid block of marble. Though sixteen ‘feet in depth, the pure white bottom was perfectly fliscernable. I am utterly lost for words to deacribe its exquisite beauty and its magnificent surroundings. “We were loth to leave it, but time pressed us and we were obliged to goon. BEAUTIFUL SPRINGS. Passing to the right,on a narrow gallery which divided the front of this chamber from the entrance See spring; we looked down fiito whit we considered ® gulf or chasm. It proved to be a pool of water pertectly clear and perfectly round, probably sixty or seventy feet in circumferance. We conld not see the bottom, so determined to meas- sure it. We attached a weight to a loug ‘line and cast itinto the water. Upon pulling it out “we found it measured forty-seven feet, and seemed upon further examination to be of about equal depth all around. We did not tarry long here as the ledge which wo stood on seemed'a frail one, and for a per #on who could not swim it was, to say the least, an ‘inconvenient place. Retuening through the aper- ture to the ground floor a course was taken to the left and @ dozen or more chambers wero found ranging from ten to thirty foet square, and all sbounding in stalactites and Graperics. Several of them had handsome columus, and nearly all of them are,’or were, beautiful little springs. I would say here that another peculiarity of allthese springs besides their being deceptive in depth is, that they never overflow. You may drink as much as you please from them, they fill up rapidiy but never run over. The rims of these basins are os thin asa shell, and havea pinkish hue, ‘but it is almost impossible to break them; they seem as hard as iron. When we saw tiers of springs ‘Hike steps we examined closely, and found them all filling from the bottom and not one of the lower ones receiving s drop of water from the upper nes. In fact, we have remarked that the lower ones seem to fill first. We were enabled to discover this, an we found some of these springs formed in tiers, without water, on previous visite, and on subsequent ones, filling rapidly. REMARKABLE, EXPLOBATIONS, After leaving the rooms spoken of wo emerged into @ narrow fissure ina solid rock. This rock was sov- eral hundred feet square and probably a hundred or more in height. The fissure through which we walked waa about three. feet wide and, as nearly a4 we conld calculate, cighty feet high. We walked with comfort fifty or sixty yards and then the space became contracted. Another fissure dis- ~ socted this at right angles and extended in either @e section some thirty or forty yards. We parsed into the left hand one and found ourselves descending a natural stairway. We soon came to a rocky plat- form, whence we deacended again. Walking afew feet further we reached « small opening, and, passing our candles through, saw another chamber. We ‘were obliged to break out the stalactites, which hung down like the teeth of acomb, to get through. This ‘we accomplished in a few momenta, and crawled into ® beautiful apartment, larger than the others, and eparkling with « different class of stalactites and formations. Many of these wore a palo green; others were tinged with purple and blue, and all were studded with particles that flashed out various colored lights. We examined this chamber thoroughly but found no opening, so retraced our steps. As wo left the fissure we came into an opon space abounding in columns and walls of rock. In the side of ono of these walla, about . thirty feet from the ground, we saw by the light of our candles an opening 24 large as an ordinary doorway. As thero were plenty of footholds in this wall young Mr. Campbell, ® proprietor, ascended and disappeared throngh tho oponing. In afew moments he called us, and we clambered up and were soon in a emall apartment, throughe which wo Passed into five others, all beautiful fn their interiors. In one was & grotto with ® canopy over it in the shape of a crown, aud in the grotto another pretty little spring, with the nsual white basin. In-front and all around this grotto was a network of white shells and mossy formations. To the right of this spring was an atch- way, through which we pasecd into another open space, and hero we commenced climbing down ) over rocks, mounds and all. sorta of forme tions, and reached another portion of the level we had left, at the entranco of which was # cireular room, whose floor was a body of clear water some fifteen feet in depth. We passed around this place on a narrow ledge, the othor side of which ran parallel with a series of smoil lakes or ponds of water, the depth of which we did not ascertain, Finally, wo cumo to @ halt; the ledge had given out, and we | were mot by another body of water. There was nothing to cross on, but we determined to geton the other side, as we could seo various entrances to other NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 1878.—TRIPLE SHEET. TILE Plan of the Subterranean Palace, Beauty Discovered rivalled WONDERFUL LURAY CAVERNS as Recently Explored---A Vast Natural Wonder of Un- in the State of Virginia. opposite shore, aud. we were well repaid for doing it. ‘The fret epertment-we entered was a mass of beauti- ful columns of all sizes and shapes; slabs of immense length, hanging like curtains in folds, and #0 thin we could see our lights through them. MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL FOOTPRINTR. Glancing at the floor we discovered the footprints of animals. They were not only distinct, but as per- fect ag if just made. The clay was soft, and these prints in many places were sunken at Jeast an inch, showing that hewvy animals bad passed over the ground. We examined them closely, but could not méke ont whether they were bear tracks or the tracks of other . wild beasts, Following these marks, they led us into several other caverns, and a6 we proceeded the tracks became more numerous, They had not hardened, us we very easily obliterated many of them with the soles of our boots. We found thousands of them at every turn. Nothing in the shape of wild animals have been known in this region nearer than the moun- tains for a century back. One of onr party thought the traeks had been made hundreds of years ago. ‘This may be a correct theory, but not s probable one, in my mind, I cannot imagine how they would re- tain thelt distinct formation for such a length of time, unless they had become hardened like the other formations of these caverns. It may be that these caverns extend out to the monn- tains. Something in the shape of a boulder, or carthy formation, may have fallen within recent years and closed up some opening through which these animals passed into the chambers we were ex- ploring. In that case it is probable we may never trace out their crit, and the animals themselves may never be atde to revisit these haunts. The proprietors, however, intend making strenuons efforts to find any openings through which they may have found their way. Where there is any probable opening, digging will ‘be resorted to. In many parta of the cave the tracks of foxes were found, and in one place the skull and several of tho bones of one. At this the party were not surprised, fora fox may crawl throngh a very niall Opening, not larger than the “rabbit hole’ through which the caverns were first discovered, Larger duimals would @equire larger space, and where they could pass a man could probably do the same. S80 we felt all the more anxious to trace them up. It is the impression thet these caverns will eventually be found to extend in chain to the Shenandoah River, for at va- rious points along that river side huge openings havo Deon found leading into caverns of varions sizes, but none of them have been particularly explored, owing to large bodies of water found in them and the dim- culty of climbing over their steep and rocky interiors. ‘This chain of caverns may even extend under the bed of the river and on toward the mountains. The whole country looks more or less cayernous from its forma- tion, but the equal of these great caves, I think, will never be found. ANOTHER LI8T OF WONDERS, ‘The explorers left the chambers containing the tracks, and proceeding through several narrow open- 4, and following a long gulch, climbed another hill and came suddenly into an apartment with walls of erystal whore polish reflected our faces. One half the floor was elevated three feet Above the lower half, and in the upper part was a series of beauti- ful springs, probably ten in all, Each was distinct, and differently formed from ‘the other, The largest was about threo feet sqnare and four feet in depth. The lower portion of the floor contained two large lakes and one small one, the handsomest, I think, in the caverns. A colunm, ten fect in diameter and perfectly white, supported the domo, and spread out at the top like branches of a large oak. Leading directly from the spring was a steep ascent, up = which we helpod each other, finding a small hole at the junction of the ceiling. Through this we dragged ourselves and found fony medium sized rooms of the usual char- acter, and in one of them another aperture too small to get through, but leading to ofte or more larger rooms, as we conld perceive by passing a candice through. The rock surrounding this opening was #0 thick we conld not break it, so that route will have to be reserved for @ fnture occasion, when the explorers have their #ledyes with them. The party came back to the Teke room and paysed another still larger, whose floor was amass of heavy dark clay, cracked in the form of bric It was just a at ot GALLERIES SUPPORTED By COLUMNS THE IMMENSE \\. AMPHITHEATRE IN THE GIANTS white formation, which we at first took to be the same as that surrounding and near other but upon closer inspection found it to be pure lime in an unslacked state. How it came there it is impos- sible to imagine. It was formed throngh some pro- cess unknown to the writer. Adjoining this chamber ‘was wnother, with 2 Mosaic floorand walls of a blueish color, surmounted by a pure white dome, from the middle of which hung suspended a cluster of semi- transparent stalactites resembling a chandelier. We named it “the Blue Drawing Room,” and made our exist with # high opinion of its beauiy and elegance. Quite in contrast was the next cham- ‘ber, a sombre*hued room, seeming to be composed of dark stone, but it had its attractive features as well au others. A large formation towered up in the shape of a camel back locomotive aud tender, and the more light’ we threw on it the better it looked. I would state here that instead of carrying the simple candle, 8 we did on former oveasions, the proprietors furnished us with candle- ‘to which small tin reflectors were attached, ‘thele made a decided improvement in the strength of our light, and we were able to discern objects at Joast three times the distance, and could readily see the bottom of many of the chasms, springs and Inkes. We left the “camel back" after christening the apartment “the Engine Room,” and then com- menced climbing over various bouiders and formations, jumping from. rock to rock; sometimes hanging over immense gulfs, and again letting ourselves down gradually by the aid of small stalagmites into their bottom. Sometimes wading through small ponds and streams and then into masses of mud knee deep, we reached a narrow passage which led us into @ cavern notable for ita slender stalactites and their peculiar shapes, They measured generaliy about six or seven feet, per- fectly round and not an inch in’ diameter. Some of them had arrow heads, which ren- ered them still more beautiful. Upon breaking off several we found them entirely hollow and very light in weight. On one side, ahout five feet from the floor, we discovered an opening about two and a half fect sqnare and of grent length. Wo climed up and commenced digging -ourselyes through. It was hard work, for the mud was at least six inches deep, and we had to drag pounds of it with ns, After a hundred feet or more of this kind of work we emerged into an open space, and all, puffing and blowing and greatly fatigued, sat down to rest. In afew minutes we straightened up and commenced taking observations. We fonnd onr- elves in the nerrow gallery of an immenee chamber, probably a bundred feot aquare. We were nearly fifty feet from the floor and 2s many from thedome, The place had a dark, woird and awful look. We could not climb down, for thero were no foot or hand holds. We could ‘only gaze into the abyss, It seemed # fitting place for Macbeth's witches to celebrate their orgies, and we contd almost imagine the mystic cauldron down in the depths and hoar the solemn incantation— Double, double, toil and trouble, Piro burn and canideon babbte:’ ANOTHER DAY'S EXPLORATION, ‘With this apartment endod our explorations for the day, The explorers came back to Luray tired, foot- sore and weary, swearing off from further vinits for a week, but, after @ good night's fest and a hearty breakfast, though somewhat stiff and sore, they were anxious for another tour of discovery. Accordingly, they again proceeded to the cavernaj and, crossing the first gellery, we came to the great chasin. How we got down it [don’t know to this hour; how- evor, we found ourselves safe and sound in its bottom. Then commenced the task of ascending the other side, which was a little over one hundred feet to the dome. Two ladders wore spliced together, forming one long one of sixty-five feet. This wo asvonded, and found, to our surprive, that places that looked like slight indentations and protuberances’ were wide ledges and excellent footholds, — With- ont ldoking at tho awful depth below us we carefully but rapidiy reached within three feet of the dome and stepped into a small gallery, This led us into a larger one, of some length, which in turn brought us toa natnral stairway and into a circular room, Tho stalactites from the coiling were so shick that some bad forced others ont of place, Tt seonthd ax if thore ware millions within a cireninference of ahun- dred and fifty feet. Thoy were similar to those we found in one of the lower roome, many of them REFERENCES. tect, 1—Natural bridge crossing chasm. 2—2—Huge white columns, 40 and 50 ¢ 8—The skeleton, bottom of precipice, 5O feet. 4—Imperial spring, 6 feet’ deep, 10x15 >z feet, in a chapel. 5—5—5—The three lakes, 6—Pearl spring. 7—The cemetery. 8—The blacksmith shop. 9—Room with Napoleon’s statue, 10—The cratory. 11—Large hallway or chamber. 12—Spring. 13—Spring. 14—Silver lake, and this led us into sev- conld. scarcely be, dowg =® narrow crawl through, ad small spaces that called rooms, and then slope into a huge gallery some two hundred feet in length by a hundred in breadth. A solid wall ran along ita front to a height of twenty feet, and rosting on this wall were @ dozen or more slender columns rising to the deme thirty or forty feet above. We assisted each other up to the top of the wall, and to our intense surprise found ourselves looking into seemingly in- terminable space. Returning to the floor we walked « few steps and met a beautiful lake, eight or ten feot in depth, and immediately opposite an aperture, per- fectly round, some ten feet in diameter, and of almost any depth, AsRROAT, VIEW. As far as the eye could see down it was lined with a pure white substance. At the end of the galleya footpath extended on over an immense hill side. This hill side was one tremendous mass of magnifi- cent white columns, mounds and other forma. tions, with here and there little gems of spriugs. Determining to explore the open space in our front we descended very easily to the floor, as the hill had tier upon tier of narrow ledges almost as close as steps, and the varions mounds and small monuments served the purpose of railings. As soon as we reached the floor we knew where we were. Wo luad entered “Giant’s Hall” by @ new route. It seemed incredible, impossible; nevortheless it was true. There waa the “Coflin Spring;” there in wonders, by which it was easily recognized. The explorers held @ consultation and deter- mined to go on with the discoveries. For this purpose a northerly direction was taken across Giant's Hall, and were about to agin ascend into the galleries, when they noticed a good sized aperture under an overhanging rock and down through the floor. They stooped under and let them- selves down a few fect, and could then stand erect. ‘Walking forward » few steps we saw openings all around us, and visited « dozen or more chambers of varions sizes. Most of the stalactites and draperies were of a dark color and thany’ of then covered with layers of mud, yet the floors were gen- erally solid and dry. One of these chambers was a perfect gem, The cefling, which “ was’ about fifteen feet from the ground, was simply a pink coral shell withont 2 stalactite hanging from it. It was exquisite. In the centre was o pink column, about eighteen inches in diameter, supporting the dome, or rather it had supported it, for it was rent in twain midway be- tween ceilling and floor, and Iconld pass my han‘l bo- “twoon the two parts. However, it was still rare and beautiful. I cannot tell how many smaller chambers we found in this vieinity, but they were numerous and all more or less handsome, though the draperics were not as pure and gorgeous ag those above. "They looked as if hature was making a more feeble effort as she wont downward. Leaving these chambers, and with some dificulty finding our way again, we resumed onr route to tho gallerics. Here we found the hillsides almost porpendicular, but our old friends, tho stalaginiter, were at every step, so we had no difficulty in arriving at our destinn- tion. On the way up we encountered a tremendous white mass extending over several hundred fect, like a land slide or avalanche. As soon as wo had gotten fairly into the galleries wa passed through 8 succession of monster roome, the galleries forming their floors and the domo of the main chamber taking the place of osilings. We then reached @ point where we were obliged to asvend thirty feet into another gallery, and ne wo were working our way along we atopped to look at a slender column, whose base commenced nome twenty feet above 18 on the side of @ slope, and behind it wo recognized what seomed to be a large opening in shape of a doorway. From our feet to the column was @ mass of white formation and perfectly amooth, We atrnggled up over it arfl reached the column, which actually stood in the centro of an opening five feet wide by ten in height leading into the handsomest room yet discovered. Tho floor was perfectly white, and not a ripple or a ridge on ite emooth eurface, The room was carwritee | sixty-two feet in clryumforonce, surmounted by @ | dome of the moet delicate buff, and walls of the same color. One cluster of pink stalactites hung from the centre of the coiling, and in the middle of the 15—Leaning tower, 16—-Square spring. 17—Immense columns, one a stalactite and one a stalagmite, measuring 100 feet. 18—Resembling ruims of the Colos- seum. i 19—Partition 30 feet by 6 inches, and 50 feet high. 20—Coral cascade. 21—Angel’s wing. 22—KEaglie’s wing. 23——Stairway. 24—Aperture leading to four rooms underneath. feot lower than the others. The walls were fluted and fretted all over, but. ots the same solid color, withont any variation. hereaf- ter be known as the “Bridal Chamber.” In the centre of the pure white floor were two springs, in diamond shapo, their outer edges barely touching cach other; They contained in their basins a white, mossy substance, sparkling like crystal. Opposite the door on the other side was an exit, two by three feet, and leading in a downward course. Crawling through, aud stooping all the way, we descended a little gallery, some fifty or sixty yards, then upward # longer distance, and emerged again into the upper gallery, some lundred yards above the Bridsl Cham- ber, and at 4 large spring containing a tower in ita very centre, which rose up some fifteen feet above the floor level. In tho rear of this little tower, commencing at a height of twenty fect and dropping a distance of twelve, was the handsomest piece of drapery in the whole of the caverns. It was a beautiful curtain an eighth of an inch thick and six feet in width, hanging in the most graceful fokts, with three borders—one of red, one of blue and one of brown. It looked like a beanti- fally embroidered lap robe. A single candle made it almost transparent. I would walk eny tima half a day to see ita equal. The hand of man could not construct so rare and beautiful an ornament. Looking down from this point into “Giant's Hall we had a magnificent view as far as our candle light would reach, On the cornice of ahuge on a perfectly formed bust of o man, It was @ wonderful curiosity. We voted it “Shake- speare’s bust.” A few feet further brought us to an immense column, probably twonty feet or more through the thickest portion of it. We found a large aperture in its side, and, entering very easily, we were in a coutracted xpace, several fect in width. Finding some small ledges in the shape of steps we gradually ascended the inside and finally came out at the top. We were now between eighty and ninety feet from the floor of “Giant's Hall,” and yet it seemed the dome was forty fect at least above us. We could walk about.on the top, as we had a space of twelve or fifteen feet square, with the aperture in the middle. Wo left # candle burning and returned to. the gallery. Proceeding a few steps further we arrived at the foot of a mass of rocks and bowlders sloping up into the dome. One of the party taking the lead we wero soon clambering up- ward, ‘Though we were leaving a considerable area behind us the distance in our front seemed to decroaso very slowly, but we continued on, sometimes on the top of large masses of rock, again in a decp rut, and then | paar ry over narrow chasms. We had nearly cached the roof when one of the party, in trying to | pr a footing, displaced a rock, which went bounding down below THE QUEEN OF CHAMBERS. A moment after # mass of stones and dirt rolled down from above, nearly covering us and disclosing ‘an cntrence to the queen of chambers, Shaking our- solves ont of the dirt and stones, we all entered the chamber, which was of pure white, frosted all over—coiling, walls and floor—all tho same color. The particles glittered like millions of diamonds. There were no draperies of any groat vize, ‘but whet there was were all pure white and nearly traneparent. Hero some beautifal specimens wero collected, From this point we looked down upon the lights as we had placed them below. The candle on tho top of the hollow column seemed but a speck of fire and as if it wore several hundred fet under us, Tho lights in Giant's Hall looked as if tney were a mile away, If the rooms below had been properly lighted I have no doubt the picture would have been one of the grandest in the world, We could find no outlet from the White Chamber, but immediately to the left of it found another aperture which led us into a narrow corridor, which gradually opened up as we proceeded, and ran off in & southwesterly direc. tion. We followed it @ long distance, but our lights commencing to fail wo hurried back to the White Chamber, where we fastened a string which te iinrolled ax we proceeded downward, the floor of Giant Hall we fonud we ont abont two hundred and twenty feet of string. Of bourse we would have t allow for | the incline, but, taking everything into consider Upon reaching hel played | | savings banks, civil rervice reform, cheap cea poss ita over one hundred and seventy feet. This is eonsid- erably higher than auy estimate we bave heretofore made of’ what has been cousidered the bizhest points, THY CANEMNS ILLUMENA: a Wednesday last was a great day with us. From early morn until two or three o'clock wagons, car- riages and horseback riders poured into the town on their way to the great caverns, which wero to have their first illumination that day, Your correspondent couldn't resist the temptation, so drifted with the stream to see the sights. The caverns, though only partially lighted, presented a grand and imposing eubterrancan spee- tacle, A thonsand candles illuminate! the ante- chamber and it was nearly as light asday, Hun- dreds of lights were placed in the left hand chain- bers and the illuminations extended all along through the great corridor in the “Theatre” and up to the “Fish Market." The ‘Theatre’ looked par- ticularly ma;zniticent. ‘The galleries for the first time showed their great depth and height. ‘In fact, every part illuminated scomed a third larger, The columns and draperies shone out with yrand,effcet, and: the varius clusters of stalactites sparkled with excteding brilliancy under the influence of the combined glare of light. The floors were filled with sawdust, and walking that day was for tho first time a pleasure. I met many parties: from different sections of the coun- try, who had been induced to pay the caverns a visit from reading the description in the Hemaup of October 19%. Many of the doubting Thomases were prevailed upon by their friends to accompany them, and some of the most obdurate were converted before they had proceeded twenty steps. One party, a farmer residing near here, not noted for his liberality, who swore he would never go near the caverns, and said when he wanted to go under ground would go there for good, was, after various efforts’ on the part of his neighbors, induced to come” ® few steps inside the door free of cl His mind soon underwent 2 change, and paying the usual fee, he proceeded to investigate. He had not been in long when he rnshed ont like acrazy man, mounted his horse, galloped home and shouted for his two sons. “John! Billy! Come on! Get your horses quick, and go with me to the caverns. I'll pay"sll expenses, You might die before morning, and you! must see the caves first.”” Is If A RAILROAD WAR? REPORTED REDUCTION OF EASTWARD PASSENGER RATES—-WHAT THE AGENTS OF THE TRUNE LINES SAY. Many rumors were current yesterday to the effect that the main railroads running from the seaboard westward were about to enter upon general hostilities on the qnestion. of through passenger rates. The present schedules have been in force almost without deviation since 1876. The freight pool would not, it is said, be shaken at all by the differences which may arise on questions connected with the passenger business. A repre- sentative of thé Baltizuore and Obio Railroad said, last evening, that there was little doubt that war had virtually declared between the rival trunk lines, but as yet there had been only covert action on either side, ‘You know,” continued he, “our road is never backward in a fight, ‘The Pennsylvania -and the New York. Contral railroals are responsible for the impending tronble. You maybe sure that before they throw off the mask you will hear from the Balti- more and Ohio.” Another representative of the same road said later that he was not advised Seton Cg tion on the part of his one ae to present rates. He had heard of un by some of the Western roads ieee b ward\vinked at by the Eastern, trunk An agent of the Erie Railway confi reductions on eastward fares from St. cinnati to New York. From the forme $15, and from the latter $8. and. the Pennsylvania, he said, against each other some time ago, ticket between New York and St. Louis for price of a single fare. ALLEGED REDUCTIONS. Eastward rates much reduced were reported as hav- ing been telegraphed from the . West yoetenaay; bao railroad men that they were sent ie purpose of affecting the price of stocks in along "They are as follows :—Chicago to New York, from $22 aud to $13 50; St. Louis to New ¥ from $24 and $27 to $13 $18 and $20 to $ con Louisville to Kew York, from the Weut to New York, timore. The roads west c! it begun to “cut” their westward rates. ARRESTED AT THE PAIR. Ceutral Office Detectives Ferris and McCormack were last evening detailed by Chief Kealey to attend the fair at the new Cathedral andJook out for pick- pockets, They had not been there long before ead recognized “Wes” Allen, who was acco: r to the detectives. The pair were ™ ansdewed for sometime and at t Allen pepsin gos it is said, to shoot the detectives, but riest held his arms until he was o wered, Te was considerable excitement in the edifice when the men were hustled out into the street. They were taken to Police Headquarters, where the stranger gave the name of George Howard. Both ‘men were locked up for the night and will be arraigned at court this morning. COOPER —MARSHALL. ‘The Cooper-Marshall case was again before Referee Barbour yesterday. Mrs. Cooper sat at the table assigned to counsel, Some of the witnesses who had previously testified affixed their signatures to their testimony. Then there was a vexatious delay caused by the non-arrival of new witnesses, After Mr. Lewis Beach, a Lap ied in Orange county, but practising law in city, waa calle to the witness chair by , Scribner, Ho was asked whether he knew Mr, connsel for the defence. He anewered in the ive and said he had known him for about fifteen months. “Do you know his gee character or re was next asked. by deer ia that the question euould b ee id mated discussion followed. the witness to hye £. eee ot foona poe see of Mr. Caldwell, wit- neas stand to vority whet ar Beach un thd testified to. No new Peo were elicited, however, and Cooper ly tapped the table with her pencil when the pst early Sones, announced. RECKLESS DRIVING. Albert C. Hymack; of No. 518 East Eighty-severith street; Honry B. Searles, of No. 112 West Fiftieth street; Martin Fogarty, of No. 406 Cast Sixtieth street; Patrick Corrigan, of No, 308 East street; Daniel Mahoney, of No. 121 Ninth avente; Frank Car- righan, of No. 424 Harrison street, Brooklyn; Fred- erick Straus, of No. 328 West ity-third strect; ig act edna Bae Se ns No, 212 Fast Thirteenth street, were atrested on Sun- day night for reckless driving on the upper boule- varia." Ag were td in poe station honse and ‘unbappil until Judge wandell syramel and eroiel then ail on & promise to ay meee Sentis tc teotoorion Police Court. Yesterday the gentlemen before Judge Smith and were cach $ ‘Searles paid his fine under protest, he test tho matter in a higher court. Mr. som wi arrested, told the officer he would “break him if it cost $250,000." The officor himself for half that sum, entertain the proposition. COMMISSIONER LANE'S CHARGES. The following charges made some time ago by Parkt Commissioner Lano against Superintendent of Parks Dawson were yesterday investigated by the Commie. sioners of Public Parks :—- Whereas, Comminstonar Lane charges that John Lg. son, Suv endent of Parks, took one of the horses departivent on Saturday morning, the Sth af retain, TAT, and wont to the races at Jerome ok = ‘crn not return neil sunday, the vin of Detoher Toe at hs Y Jay, the 6th 9 meloek, In siolation of the rules of ie hal pe whereas, sald Commissioner Lane charges that, on the day of Getober, 1X78, the said John ronsly ins suited him by abaking his fist in his face and mad nat insults ing language to him; and whereas, sald Commis gharges that the sald Jobn F. Dawxon constantly, fy und wie fully negleets his dution as Saperintondont of Parks: Resoived, That tho Superintendent of Parks he notified sprees before thin Hoard at it oa wm wy Ue oy ul chargen.and that if he be found gullty it is pro posed to remove him from his position. Annmber of witnesses were present, and testimony in the case was taken pro and con, Commissioner Conover was deputed to hear the evidence and render his report at an early date, The Be on conducted in secret, and Comiunixstoner Conover gw strict Iegoeeesnsmy to fa ent not to give the facts to reporters for publi UNITED STATES BOARD OF TRADE. ‘The United States Board of ‘Trade will hold its con vention to-morrow at Masonic Hell, Among the sub- Jecte to be discussed are coinage, national banks, finance and enrrency, tariff on importa, bn galt nlations, government supervision of railroads, postal lied that “he would bresle but Mr, Searles refused to ve d i age, American shipping, internal bankrupt law, international Saat a the assimilation of State coms the distance the “Double Column” and other gigantic , columu, some distance upward, our lights shone in proper condition for « brick kiln, In one corner yas ,® apring, end, edjoiping, 18, thage ar faux toot of having assumed beautiful shapes. After some trouble Wa, found an optles jump barely. large, eagraat, to Mou, from floor to dome at this point would meagyre | ing cities in the Union will be represented, poeverns, fo Wo waded in waist deep and speched, tha, clugter.#. pure white one- dropped some, two.