The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-03-27
OUR YESUYIUS.
Bald Mountains Quaking and SmO-
king-RuStic Terror = IlIict Dis
tillers Fleeing from the Wrath to
COme-PenteeOstal Penitenee and
StAH Things in Common"
From the New York Herald.

MCDOWELL Co., \. C., March 20.
From my own personal observation
am able to verify the accounts already
furnished concerning the premonitory
symptoms of an earthquake or volcano
now existing on Bald Mountain. This
mountain is situated between Crooked
Creek, in Mcdowell County, and Stone
Mountain, in Rutherford County, in
this State. The first symptoms of earth
ly eonvulsion were noticed on the 10th
of February, when there was terrible
rumbling heard, evidently coming from
the very bowels of the earth. This con-
tinued until the 22d of February, when
the noise became so violent that the peo-
pie left their homes and have not since
returned. Prayer meetings have been
inaugurated in the neighborhOod. and
for the last sixteen days the preachers
have had their hands full dealing with
the wants of the mourners. There new
er was much religion in this part of the
country, but to day it il hard to meet
a man who is not travelling on the mar
row path to salvation. There seems to
be a general expectance of a big bursting
forth of the volcano, and business in
this section is generally suspended, re-
ligion being the order of the day.
The rumbling sounds in the noun
tain may be still heard.
attempted to ascend the mountain
this morning, but was driven back by a
binding storm.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, March 20, 1874.
For the last twenty days the greatest
excitement has prevailed for distance
of twenty five miles around and in the
vicinity of Bald Mountain. This noun
tain is situated between Crooked Creek,
in Mcdowell county, and Broad River,
the mountain also extending into Ru-
therford county. That portion of the
range within Mcdowell county, and
ding into Rutherford County. That
portion of the range within Mcdowell
County, is generally called Stone Noun
tain.
THE TERRIBLE LUMBERIEG."
The first signs of alarm in this locali-
ty were witnessed on the 10th of Febru-
called terrible numbering, the earth
seeming to culver to a frightful extent.
Some parties describe it as a terrible
thunder gradually dying away in the
distance, others as the roaring OF heavy
artillery in the distance.
ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY.
On the 18th of February, two gentle
men on the highest point of Bald
Mountain, known as Harris View,
which is said to be next to Mount Mitch
ell in height, heard this strange noise.
One of them says it at first reminded
him of the falling of heavy timber and
presented a strange combination of
sounds and impressions. Parties living
on the mountain sides and at the base
heard the same noise. All think that
the noise was in the mountain. One
man saws when he was on one side of
the direction of the mountain, and when
on the opposite side the same indications
were observed. All feel satisfied that
the noise proceeded alone from this
mountain. But on the 22d of February
the noise had reached such point as to
be perfectly terrible.
UPsETTING THE KITCHEN UTENSILS.
Among the persons living on the noun
tain are Mr.. Camp; Johnson Elliott,
Noah Elliott, Widow Nanny, George
Morgan, James Gilbert and others. From
the statesments of all these parties, and
of perhaps fifty others, the mountain
was actually shaking. The moving was
as if the entire mountain was givin away.
The table wa.e and the furniture in the
house all rocked and jolted with fright
ful force. 1t is said that the cattle have
become alarmed and have wandered
from their usual range.
EXCEEDING FEAR, QUAKING AND
PREACHING.
Such was the alarm that at abont
twelve o'clock on the night of the 22d
ult, the people for miles around began
to assemble at the house of Mr.. Camp.
Camp, having gone to the woodpile for
wood, became so alarmed that he fell
upon his knees and began to pray aloud.
Very soon the terrible quaking of the
mountain was such that the great crowd
now assembled engaged in prayer. At
daybreak on Monday morning George
Logan, colored Baptist preacher, was
sent for in great haste, and so impatient
were they of his arrival that portion
of the crowd met him on the road, be-
seeching him to come and pray and
preach. The people thus assembled re-
mained in their devotions three days,
when they moved a short distance to
vacant house, the property of Harris
Elliott. On the third day Billy Logan,
a white man and Baptist preacher, was
sent for and came Immediately.
W 1lSAEA o1N4 . y 4 Il OA N
On March 8, J. NJ. Lumly, Meiho-
dist minister, in charge of Broad River
mission, was importuned to attend and
preach, and promptly complied with the
request. From an eyewitness the scenes
are described as most strange and extra
ordinary. The people came focking in
crowds of fifteen and twenty, including
men, women and children, all presenting
the most terrible state of fear, despair
and penitence. On the day Mr.. Lumly
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 portion Of the upper story hav-
ing floor, and many, not being able to
enter the house, crowded their heads in
the door, and all around the house, man
ifesting the most intense interest.