The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-03-18

PROBABLE DESTRUCTION OF THE NATURA I
BRIDGE MYSTERIOUS CHANGES RECENTLY On
sERvED.--Mr. j. Parry McCluer, of Rock.
bridge county. writes TO the Colleqtan, pub.
llshed ut Lexington, Va, and the organ oil
Westinghouse University, calling attention
TO some recent striking changes that have
taken place in the arch Of the Natural bridge
Mr.. McCluer says:
Last Tuesday evening, rs was returning
with Mr.. Poaeue, Of this place, from q visit
to friend on the other side of the bridge.
observed, upon CHANGING over into the chasm,
Fanor issuing from some crevices i'm the
western side Of the bridge, aud detected a
peculiar odor in the atmosphere. Mr.. Poague
upon having bis attention directed TO the
matter, was positive that he could detec.
something Of the sort himself We were q,
total loss to conjecture the cause of this un.
wonton disturbance in the chasm below.
Upon returning home. and Informing our
friends Of what we had seen, we were in-
formed that our vapor was mere mist, aud
if we had smeIt anything unpleasant 1t must
have been a polccat, for these animals are
most plentiful in that locality. But having
occasion to ride over to the bridge early this
morning, found things in that quarter In
most sadly excited condition; for about n
mile before arriving at the hotel thought
could discern in that neighborhoou heavy
clouds of smoke hanging intensely black all
around that part Of the horizon. AS neared
the spot the smoke became denser and
blackcr, and when / got 10 the hotel
found everything in the widest confusion
The negroes who occupy the deserted prem
Uses Hear the bridge, on the brow Of the hill,
had moved down to the hotel, so great was
their terror, and every one was making ready
to depart ut once. From below the bridge
volumes of deep black smoke were rolling
continually, except when interrupted by jets
of bright fame which occasionally tlared VI
to q great height. The surface Of the ground
is warm for some distance around, and il
stcaming very vislbly. The peculiar smell
noticed on Sunday last Is now plainly per
ccptbie TO all. The rock on the western
side OF the bridge has been cracked by thu
heat. and large masses have fallen into Cedar
creek. AS yet the arch, ~ well az can Dt
seen in the intervals between the volumes o
smoke, is intact. Occasionally, however, WI
could distinguish the crashing sound Of .
boulder as it dashed into the water below
The negroes say that the first intimation the!
had Of anything of the kind was last nigh
about 8 or 10 O'Clock. A boy walking across
inc Driu"e was frightened by q bright ilSn
shooting from the side Of the bridge. Ill
fed in terror, and aroused the rest Of tbt
immediate Dcighborhood. Every one wa
almost petrifad with terror. / have jus
reached here from the bridge. ] shall return
as soon as can get another horse. Every
thing here is about to start for the bridge.
you will lay this statement before Protesso
Campbell, OF our geological department, HI
can doubtless, from his extended acquaint
ancc with the geology Of our country, throw
light upon the causes Of this cXtraordinar!
phenomenon. Can it be due to clectricity?'
Professor Campbell, Of the University. t.
| whose attention these phenomena wer
! called, does not take quite so serious view
OF them, aud says:
Il an inclined to consider the cause of thi
great chemical action, and do not lean to
wards attrihuting it. rs suggested By Mr.
McGiucr, 10 the action of electricity"