The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-03-27

these parties, and perhaps fifty others, the
mountain was actually shaking The
moving was like the entire mountain was
giving away, the tableware in the houses,
the furniture, all rocked and jolted with
frightful force. One man riding on horse
back, his horse became fearfully frghten-
ed 1t is said that the cattle have become
alarmed and wandered from their usual
range.
Such was the alarm, that about IL
o clock at night on the I'D, the people for
miles around began to assemble at man S
house by the name of Camp. Aud Camp
having gone to the wood pile for wood,
became so alarmed, that be fell upon his
knees and began to pray aloud. Very
soon the terrible 'quaking' of the noun
tain was such that the crowd now assem-
bled engaged in prayer. At daybreak on
Monday morning of the 25th ult., Geo.
Logan, a colored Baptist preacher, was
sent for in great haste. The people thus
assembled remained in these devotions
for three days. when they moved a short
distance to a vacant house, the property
of Harris Elliott. About the third day
Billy Logan, q white man, and Baptist
preacher, was sent for, who came immedi-
ately. On the third day of March, Rev.
J. NJ. Lumley, the Methodist minister IN
charge of the Broad River Mission, was
importuned to attend and preach, who
promptly complied with the request.
From an eye witness, the scenes are
described as most strange and extraordi-
nary The people came Rocking in crowds
of fifteen and twenty, including men, wo-
men and children, all presenting the most
terrible state of fear, despair and peni-
tence.
On the day Mr.. Lumley preached, the
house was literally packed, the preacher
barely having room to stand; so great
was the rush to hear, that many rushed
up the side of the walls and crowded on
the joists above-only a portion of the
upper story having floor.
The portion having the floor was filed,
thus forming a sort of gallery. And
many not being able to enter the house,
crowded their heads in the door and all
around the house, manifesting the most
intense interest. When the call was
made for mourners, the people rushed
from all parts of the house, and from out
side ofthe house with almost frantic yells
and fell upon the floor and upon each 9th
er, all praying and duplicating in the
most heartfelt and agOnizing manner ever
witnessed on earth.
These exercises continued necessarily
for sixteen days and nights with but little
IutermisEion.
During this time the people all lived in
common-no attention was gwen to labor
or property-cattle, horses and hogs were
turned to the woods, and the entire peo-
pie within the range of this awful excite
ment have concluded that they have but a
few more days to live. About one hun
bred have made profession of religion.
The closing scenes of this strange meet
ing are represented as most peculiar and
wonderful.
During most of this period of sixteen
days the mountain had continued at in
tervals to present the same alarming i'm
pressions. But having prayed, shouted,
sung and agonized for this long period,
they separated with the promise that all
would remain and die if necessary. 1t is
said that the awe-stricken countenances,
the melancholy demeanor of this vast
crowd on the breaking up of the devotions
are beyond all description
In these excited deYotions it seems
that all became perfectly resigned to
what seemed an inevitable fate. All past
differences we're forgotten, and mutual
amnesty seemed to be the universal feel
ing. One old woman, strong Baptist
in her religious opinions cried out to
Brother Lumley, the Methodist minister,
Now is the time to unite, as we are all
soon to go to the Judgment
1t Will be proper to remark that many
of these people were not heretofore in
the habit of attending church--they lived
in the utmost disregard of the Sabbath,
and have given but little attention to ed
ucation
Whatever may be the nature of this
terrible "quaking mountain it is certain
that the effect upon the people has been
the most wonderful on record. Your read
ers might imagine the terrible alarm
which would seize the frightened hun
dreds upon a ship about to go down with
the storm in mid ocean, or the rushing
from the falling house, or from building
in flames, but these alarms are but little
more than what has been witnessed on
Bald Mountain and vicinity.
Your reporter has only proposed at
this time to give the effect upon the peo-
pie by this wonderful phenomenon, reserv-
ing for another time a description of this
mountain. 1t might, however, be we'll to
remark that this mountain is within few
miles of the celebrated Chimney Rock.
And near this mountain is the famous
Bat Cave, the Blue Rock, Sugar Loaf,
Bellows Crack, the Whirlpools, each of
which constitutes a wonderful curiosity
and reserved for future descriptions
Harris View is the highest point up
on the Bald Mountain, from which you
have the most magnificent mountain view.
One mile below Harris View gushes forth
a very large spring called Laurel Spring.
The distance from the foot to the top OF
Bald Mountain is about four miles. Quite
a number agree in the statement that the
recent snow would not stay upon a portion
of the mountain.
Especial to the New York Herald.
FoOT OF BALD MOUNTAIN, Mcdowell
COUNTY, n. c., March 2lst, lS74.-Last
night there was q succession of terrific
shocks on the sides of Bald Mountain,
by a sharp thunder storm
with the thunder, quick
and loud reports could be heard from the
mountain sides. ! stopped at the house
Of an old farmer, who welcomed me and
said that he would like hundred in the
house, as the mountain had scared him
nearly out of his life. During the night,
when the rumbling was at its height he
got ur, and assembling bis family around
him, held a family prayer meeting. The |
whole neighborhood was aroused in like |
manner. The shaking of the earth was
quite perceptible, and it was almost i'm
possible to sleep. As yet no one has
,cen able to give any definite account of
he source Of the convulsion.
| started up the mountain this morning
It seven o'clock, and had ridden over
of mile when a sudden
hook occurred, which so terrified my
lorse that he became unmanageable.
lie ran me against a tree, and endorsing
ne, left me on the ground so much bruis-
d in the left side and leg that was una
lie to remount ! have a guide who will
70 with me if | am able, when | shall be
.bIe to send full and definite information.
After sixteen days of prayer meeting
Turing which the people left their cattle
md crops to take care of themselves, they
eem now awaiting some terribl1 calami-
v, and in many instances their anxiety
S really distressing. Nearly two hun
red converts to religion are reported.