This information taken from "Archeological Investigations" by Gerald Fowke, Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 76, 1922. The descriptions shown is what was known that year! I have abstracted as some descriptions are quite lengthy. The study is primarily to see if Native Americans or early settlers could have lived in these caves. Last week we looked at Hart County, this week we will move over to Edmonson County. Of course, the largest cave system is Mammoth Cave which I won't cover here. We'll look as some of the other caves. WHITE'S CAVE: Located about 3/4ths of a mile from Mammoth Cave. The entrance is quite small and near the crest of a ridge. The floor descends abruptly. Only a narrow chamber exists within reach of daylight, and the cave is wet all the time a short distance back. COLOSSAL CAVE: Said to be 4 miles from Mammoth, but truly is only a little more than 2 miles. The present entrance [in 1922] was artificial, the descent to the floor being about 120 feet. The original entrance was a crevice which explorers descended by means of ropes. It is said that another entrance is known to one man, who, however, has to crawl a long distance. SALT CAVE: 4 miles from Mammoth Cave though belonging to the same company. The entrance is at the bottom of a conical sink hole draining about an acre. Not much water runs into the cave from this cause, as the surface slopes outward from the margin except on one side, where a ridge leads to the hills. A spring which comes out near the top of the sink falls over a ledge at the bottom into the entrance to the cave. Exploration is impossible now as the entrance was closed some years ago by throwing in logs, brush, rocks and earth. Does anyone remember why in a few years this came became world-wide news? DIXON'S CAVE: It was thought in 1922 that this cave was connected to Mammoth Cave. Easily entered through a large crevice. Approach to the bottom is down a steep and rugged slope of about 60 feet vertically. No earth is visible within having been removed by saltpeter miners who left the rocks piled in great rows from side to side across the cavern. MAMMAL CAVE: So named because a tusk was formerly exhibited at the hotel which supposedly came from here. It was afterwards learned that the specimen was imported from another state. The cave is small and damp, not suitable for living or even for stopping in. PROCTOR'S CAVE: 6 miles from Mammoth Cave. Artificial entrance and thought to be a recent discovery. HAUNTED CAVE: Human bones were found here, thus the name. Said to be of a white person. Located on the Green River some miles below Mammoth Cave. Supposedly not visited; entrance is a crevice through which a man has difficulty in squeezing his way through - interior only about 8 feet wide. BRIGG'S CAVE: About 6 miles west of Cave City in Barren County and 4 miles west of north from Glasgow Junction [Park City]. On the land of Ike Briggs, thought to have been fit for habitation. Small entrance (a sink hole), easy approach, easy entry. Floor is always muddy. POYNER'S CAVE: [Poynter?] A mile east of Brigg's Cave. A large cave at the foot of a sink home an acre in area. Stooping is necessary for some distance on entering; bottom is rough and wet. Farther in it is dry and roomy. Neighborhood citizens use one chamber as a "ballroom". SHORT CAVE: At Chaumont which is a station on the road to Mammoth Cave, 3 miles from Glasgow Junction. Named due to its limited extent when compared to Mammoth, located a mile from the station. Entrance is a winding way along the ridges is on one side of an irregular depression, about 3-4 acres. Dirt had been carried by saltpeter miners. Some water and mud runs into the front part of the cave. Slight descent, width about 50 feet; enough room and daylight for several hundred people to gather. Cave owned by Capt. J. B. Briggs of Russellville, KY. BEAR CREEK: A large rock house on the right bank of Bear Creek, 3 miles above its mouth. Could have afforded shelter to a large number of people. Next week: Warren County. Sandi --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com