The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-27
Final Ascent and Return of the
Herald Correspondent.
History of the Qual1ing of
the Earth.
THE RELIGIOUS EXCITEMENT.
Professor Dupre's Ideas of the
Commissions.
THE vULcANIc REGIONS,

J
Via MARION. n. c.. March, %, 1874.
Arer hard nights ride from near Chimney
Rock your correspondent reached here this morn
ing, having ridden nearly $50 miles in five days
through what seemed to be an intermnable rain
storm, and over the toughest and mnddiest roads it
had ever been his bad fortune to encounter. These
Wild though beautiful regions. but so little known
to the outside world, have afforded much excite.
ment and painful anxiety within the past few
weeks. And well may such be the case, inasmuch
as Mother Earth has seemed IN such state OF con-
VulslOn that Vesuvius has been threatened with
an American rival. On the 18th inst, finding it
Impossible to obtain horses at Old Fort, the
HERALD's correspondent started from this point
towards Bald Mountain, understanding that 1t was
some twenty-eight miles distant But he had trav-
eled nearly twelve ere ngntiall, when he learned
that the mountain was still thrty-0ne miles away.
This did not look much like progress. but we
pushed forward until we reached farmhouse,
the occupants ofwhich informed him that they had
experienced shocks from the mountain. During
this night the HERALD man experienced the first of
the shocks OF which he had already heard SO
much. They commenced with noise like that OF
smothered blast, and were followed by low,
rumbling SOUND, which continued Tor some twenty
five or thirty seconds
AN ATTEMPT 10 ASCEND.
The next morning, after various endeavors to
get guide and anding such thing impossible
your correspondent started up the mountain
alone. The scenery was perfectly grand, but soon
became obscured by q thick fog and binding
rain which forced him to return to the good Old
farmers house, where he had stayed the night be-
lore, and here an interesting interval was EN-
ployed in hearing the stories OF the people. 1t
seemed as though there were q Geographic
agency at work in the country, for many people
gathered at the house at which the writer
stopped, saying that they had heard that there
were strangers in their midst making inquiries
as to the shaking. One of them said he owed
about $50 and he had two cows and a horse
which he would sell for that money, because
he did not want to go out of
the world owing cent to any man.
The facts concerning the beginning OF the disturb
ance have already been forwarded by telegram to
the HERALD, the reports about the conversion
OF over fifty error-strcken white people by George
Logan, colOred preacher, are now confirmed
The prayer meetings held at ElliOtts house, the
base of Stone Mountain. were OF the most en-
thusiastc nature The house was crow ed almost
TO SutOcati0n, many seekers after religion beng
perched upon the joists OF the house. During the
continuance OF the PRAYER meeting on the fifth day
perfect Rip Van Wrinkle appeared in the person OF
old Major Bende, an Illicit dIstier who carried on
his sinful traffic IN hevery bowels OIL the mountain
and who had been rarely seen by humans save
for the purpose OF obtaining measure
of his icitly concocted but soothing
bent shoulders his beard was long and covered
his breast, and his lace was as pale as that OF a
and thar amt no use taSn Ei YOU uns sG haa
ben shuk as bad as | have you wouldn't be a
| wantn nuthin' but religion" The old man then
| told how he had heard the rumbling noises and
! thought at first that it was thunder, and then
when he experienced the shaking he got uneasy,
! and, for the first time since the war, determined
| TO 60 down The mountain. He thought the world
was coming to an end and that the pest thing he
could do would be to mend his ways and quit dis
tilling. He broke up all OF his still tubs,
| poured his malt down the mountain sides
whom he could confess his transgressions against
the government. When he came to inquire he
found that the revenue officers had fed the night
before. They had appeared at Mr.. Elliot's aud
attended prayer meeting, during which TWO
we're shocks occurred, which so frightened them
hurry. The narration OF these facts so increased
Major Benders uneasiness that he got upon his
knees and begged to be baptized at once.
WILLIAM LOGAN, THE WHITE PREACHER,
now appeared upon the scene ana relieved mis- col
ored brother from much OF his labor. He as per-
feet specimen of mountain hero as ever saw.
He has splendid physique, really hand
some face, and, though without much education,
has great natural intelligence While he cOunselled
his people to keep cool and fear nothing, he i'm
pressed upon them The Importance OF becoming
In the past. He preached especially as to Gods
great power, rs exemplihed in the movements now
versions consequent upon his orations. The
people crowded around him and listened to his
q
NIGHT OF TERROR
On Friday afternoon Presumed my line of march,
and by night had reached the neignbOrhoOd OF the
Widow Mans. who resides near the base of the
cone OF Stone Mountain where the greatest
disturbance had been. heard My host for
the night was very close in his questions as TO my
observations, and gave me very plainly to under
stand that unless l impaired to him tue fullest
@ as % sG @ I'm n0s ssS To
see ye; l would be glad to see u hundred of We.
Pm all alone here with my family, and Pm so
nfrQl1 n - I'm
nigh gone crazy" comiorted the old man as
best could and retired at an early hour. AT
sensible shaking and rumbllng. Shock alter shock
succeeded each other, the noise resembling
@er that and ' at es 90 o. SUDDEN eS
and sharp that 1t seemed impossible to Sleep At
twelve O'Clock thunder storm accompanied the
noises, and so great was the combined effect that
my host called the. family together and invited us
"to JOIN in prayer" This invitation, while thor
Oughly appreciated, was respectfully declined, in
asmuch as 1t was not possible 10 pray with sim
certy and sleep at the same time. The old man
was much shocked at the declinatlon and prayed
for my spiritual safety. The family did not sleep
at all during the night but kept up singing and
ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT AN ASCENT.
On Friday morning at about six O'Clock started
up the mountain again by myself, and took the
bride path, led up steep ascent, which somewhat
resembed a camels back, and ere had gotten to
side OF me were precipces hundreds of feet IN
height, and my path was not more than ten leet in
WlQtll. On my ie1t was waterfall gradually de-
scending from the top OF the mountain for some
1000 feet. AT one point this stream broke forth to
the size of a mans leg and falling over 200 feet
was caught by projecting ledge, where the
stream was spread into the shape OF an aqueous
arbor. To describe the beauty and grandeur OF the
scene would be simply impossible. At about seven
O'CLOCK heard q low rumbng, and
MY HORSE BEGAN TO TREMBLE.
The rumbling was succeeded by sharp reports.
ike That OF heavy artillery, which so frightened
the animal that he wheeled around suddenly and
by motion OF the head broke the right birdie
rein, and this lett him beyond my control. Seeing
large oak tree IN front Of me- skrmished for the
most obtainable bough, and was enabled to save
myself from the Offices OF an undertaken although
smarty bruised and forced to bid my faithful steed
q temporary farewell. returned to the house OF
the praying farmer with whom had got myself
INTO such bad repute.
subsequently succeeded In securing guide to
ascend the mountain with me, and can simply re-
peat That the rumbling sounds were continuous and
terrifying. Professor Dupre whose arrival duly
announced you, says briefly and tersely-
IL am not satisfied as to the nature OF these
movements but think they are SUFFICIENT to at
tract the attention and inquiry OF the scientific
wOrld.O