FOWKE] ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS 23 



roof. Once beyond this, there is ample space. On the hillside, above 

 the mouth, is a vertical shaft, like a well, due to the widening of a 

 crevice; access to the interior of the cave may also be had through 

 this by means of a long rope. Under present conditions, it would 

 not be used except as a temporary shelter or hiding place ; for which 

 purposes bushwhackers availed themselves of its advantages during 

 the Civil War. 



This cavern is renowned far beyond its merits on account of its 

 famous " ballroom," where dances and picnics are held ; artificial 

 lights being placed on the walls. Possibly the manner in which it 

 must be entered has something to do with its popularity. 



ANOTHER " BATES CAVE " 



Within a few rods of the cave above described is another, with an 

 entrance 60 feet wide and 10 feet high. Cave earth, which is 5 feet 

 thick above the bottom of a small stream coming from the interior, 

 extends back to large rocks covering the floor; beyond these are 

 rocks, wet clay, and gravel. The cave earth seems to run for some 

 distance under the receding walls, A milk house has been con- 

 structed in it, so that excavations are not permitted. 



RENAUD CAVE 



Four miles east of Edgar Springs, facing Little Piney, is Renaud 

 (Ren'no) Cave, on the farm of Charles E. Widener. The entrance 

 is 50 feet wide and 10 feet high. Dry cave earth extends back for 

 65 feet, then comes fallen rock for 100 feet or more. A little stream 

 runs close to the north wall. Cave earth is 5 feet deep on the bed- 

 rock at the entrance and rises toward the interior. There is much 

 refuse within and also on the slope in front of the entrance. 



MARSH CAVES 



A shelter cave on Henry Marsh's farm, facing Little Piney, 2 miles 

 south of Yancy Mills, has a front 35 feet wide, 15 feet high, and 

 runs back 60 feet. There is a wet-weather stream bed through the 

 center. Bedrock shows at the entrance, rising toward the rear for 

 a few feet, then becoming covered with cave earth, which probably 

 has a maximum thickness of 2 feet. There is considerable refuse 

 scattered about, but it is doubtful whether the shallow deposit would 

 repay investigation. 



WILD-HOG CAVE 



A fourth of a mile from the above cave is one known as " Wild- 

 hog Cave," because in pioneer days these animals gathered here for 

 shelter and protection. It is a small, tunnel-like affair, with a solid 

 rock floor, and extends farther into the hill than anyone has ever 

 dared to venture. \ 



