The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-03-26
An Active Volcano in North Carolina.

An Active Volcano in North Carolina.
A correspondent of the New York Herald
gives startling tidings of great convulsion
and eruption in the mountains of Western
North Carolina:
RALEIGH, N. c., March is, 1874
The intensest excitement prevails here at
this moment over the startling discovery of the
commencement of an astounding physical con-
vulsion in the midst of a country which for
hundreds of years-as far back as tradition
extends-has lain undisturbed in the peren-
nial growth and maturing of superficial ma
ture.
Bald Mountain, in the western part of this
State, is in state of volcanic eruption. Peo-
pie who have recently arrived here are eager
with the information that the farm houses and
cottages along the sides and the base OF the
mountain have been thrown down by the rock
ing of the great mass to its foundation. Many
of the inhabitants have fed in fear and terror
to seek safety elsewhere from the terrible de-
vastations which may result from the amazing
phenomenon. A thin vapor issues from the
top of the mountain, and an upheaval OF lire
and lava from the deep bowels of the earth IS
hourly expected. There is low rumbling
sound of mighty volume constantly audible
over the entire surface of the mountain, and
the snow melts as fast as it falls from the heav-
ems.
A messenger who arrived here this morning
is in search of some scientific man who will
visit the scene and make report upon the nat
ural events that may occur. The newspapers
will despatch correspondents tomorrow. L
will start for the volcano at the earliest posi-
BILE moment and describe it from personal
observation.
Another correspondent reports the facts as
follows to the Herald:
SALISBURY, n. c., MARCH, II, 1874.
The vicinity of Bald Mountain, in the coun-
ty of Mcdowell, near Marion, (the county
seat,) has for several days past been greatly agi-
tated over mysterious noises and rumblings in
the bowels of that mountain One report from
scientific source states that these internal
noises resemble those heard in Mount Etna,
preparatory to a volcanic eruption.
The people in that section have become 80
much alarmed that families residing immedi-
ately around the base of the rumbling noun
tain have taken up their necessary domestic
articles and fled precipitately from the threat
ened impending eruption.
Throughout the entire country and for a
distance of sixteen miles from the mountain,
extending into adjoining counties, these sounds
are not only heard, but the trembling and
reverberaton of the earth is perceplibly felt.
In numerous instances, for several miles from
the mountains, the glasses have ratified III the
windows and the dishes have been shaken from
the shelves to such an extent as to create the
most widespread CONSERVATION among the rural
inhabitants This has again caused still
greater stampede of the citizens, many of
whom supersttiousy regard the terrible symp-
toms as an indication of Judgment Day"
passenger on the western train states that 1t IS
pIitiful to see the poor unsophistcated rustlcS
flying in such great terror, while at the same
time he believes that the cause OF the stampede
is not without its due foundation,
The latest accounts from the disturbed noun
tain state that, so far, there has been no vol
canc eruption of lava or fire. though the ter
rife noise and internal rumblings, heard at q
distance, were so great yesterday morning as to
induce the belief that veritabe and genuine
volcanic outbreak had taken place.
The excitement throughout the entire west
ern section of the State is intense, and many
people are repairing to the scene in the hope of
witnessing for the first time grand volcanic
eruption.
The Spartanburg Spartan furnishes addition
al and positive information in regard to this
strange event:
A gentleman just from Old Fort, North Car
olina, ten miles from Bald Mountain, informs
us that the reports in regard to this mountain
are true. He states that strange noises have
been heard at intervals, since the 18th day of
February; that at times the earth trembles as
if from the shock of an earthquake and reports
are heard from the mountain like the firing of
cannon or the rolling of thunder He states
that he has frequently heard those reports at
his home at Old Fort, ten miles Distant and
that down at Rutherford, a distance of eighteen
miles, they have also been heard. The people
in the immediate vicinity have deserted their
homes, being afraid to remain near the noun
tain for fear of volcanic eruption, or some.
thing of the kind. The ground, the houses and
trees tremble; the corn in the cribs can be
heard to shake, just as is the case when an
earthquake is felt. This is very remarkable,
and no satisfactory cause has been suggested.
We would be glad to hear some explanation of
the probable cause.
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