Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-03-26
OUR VOLCANO.
~ y ~ IAAAN VI
BALD MOUNTAIN SHAKING
TERRIBLE EXCITEMENT AMONG
THE PEOPLE.
STRANGE AND EXTRAORDI-
NARY SCENES.
The Terror-Stricken Inha bitants
Embracing Religion.

| hNuA Lille, LIAM, .uaICu ZO-rOl
the last twenty days the greatest excite
ment has prevailed for distance Of twen'
tys6ve miles around Bald mountain. This
mountain is situated between Crooked
creek in Mcdowell county and Broad riv.
er, the mountain also extending into Ruth,
erford county. That portion of the range
within Mcdowell county is generally
called Stone mountain. The fret signs Of
alarm in this locality were witnessed on
the 10th Of February, This consisted in
what the people call a terrible numbering,
the earth seemed to qulver 10 frightful
extent. Some parties described it as ter,
rible thunder, gradually dying away in
the distance. Others describe the noise
as the roaring Of heavy artillery in the dis.
tance. On the 18th of February two
gentlemen on the highest point of Bald
mountain, known as Harris View. which
is said to be next to Mt. Mitchell IN
height, heard this strange noise. One
says it first reminded him Of the falling of
heavy timber, ahd presented strange
combination Of sounds and impressions
Parties living on the mountain side and
at the foot heard the same, All think
the noise was in the mountain. One man
says when he was on one side of the noun
tain the terrible noise was in the direction
of the mountain, and when he was on the
opposite side the same indications were
observed. All feel satisfied that the
sounds proceeded alone from the noun
tain. But on the 22d of February the
noise had reached such point as to be-
come perfectly te rible.
Among the persons living on this noun
tain are Mr., Camp, johnson
Elliott, Noah Elliott, Widow Nanny,
George Morgan, James Gilbert, and oth>
ers. From statement Of all parties, and
perhaps fifty others, the mountain was
actually shaking; the motion was like
the entire mountain giving way. The
tableware in the houses and the furni.
ture all rocked and jolted with frightful
force. One man, riding on horseback,
his horse became fearfully frightened. 1t
said that the cattle have become fright.
ened, and wandered from their usual
range.
SUCH WAS THE ALARM
that about ~ o'clock at night on the
22d instant the people, for miles around
began to assemble at the hous, of man
named Camp, aud Camp, having gone to
the wood>pile for wood, became go much
alarmed that he fell upon his knees and
began to pray aloud. Very soon the ter
rible quakirg ofthe mountain was such
that the great crowd now assembled en-.
gagged in prayer. At daybreak on Mon.
day morning George Logan, a colored
Baptist preacher was sent for in great
haste and so inpatient were they of his
arrival that portion of the crowd met
him on the road, beseeching him to come
and pray and preach.
The people thus assembled remained in
these devotions three days, wnen they
moved a short distance to a vacant house,
the property of Harris Elliott. About
the third day Billy Logan, white man
and Baptist preacher, was sent for, who
came Immediately.
On the 3rd of March j. NJ. Lumley, q
Methodist minister in charge of Broad
River mission, was importuned to attend
aud preach, and promptly complied with
the request.
BY AN EYEWITNESS
the scenes are described as most strange
and extraordinary. The people came
focking in'crowds of fifteen and twenty,
including men women, and children, all
presenting the most terrible appearance Of
fear, despair, and penitence. On the day
Mr.. Lumley preached the house was liter
ally packed, the preacher barely having
room to stand. So great was the rush to
hear that many climbed up the side of the
walls and crowded on the joists above,
only portion of the upper story having,
q floor, and many, not being able to euter
the house, crowded their heads 10 the
door and al around the house, manifest
ing the most intense interest. When the
call was made for mourners
THE PEOPLE RUSHED
from all parts Of the house, and from the
outside of the house, with frantic yells,
and fell upon the floor and upon each
other, all praying'anl suPplicatiug in the