The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-24
Great E1ci,emen,-n.ld sIount.ln.


! C.) Exposition writes "from near the vol.
canio region" under date of the 18th:
i For the Inst twenty days, the greatest
excitement has prevailed, to distance
OF ton miles around the vicinity Of Bald
Mountain, which is situated between
Crooked Creek, in Mcdowell County,
and Broad River-thc mountain also
extending into Rutherford County
that portion OF the range within Mo.
Dowell is more generally called Stone
Mountain. The first signs of alarm in
this locality were witnessed on tho 10th
day Of February, about o'clock in the
evening. This consisted in what the
people call terrible lumbcring," The
Sarsh seeming to ''quiver" to frightful
extent. Some parties describe it as ter
ribie thunder, gradually dying away in
the distance; others describe the noise
as the roaring of heavy artillery in the
distance. And on the 18th of February,
two gentlemen were on the highest point
OF Bald Mountain, at what is known as
Harris View-which is said to be next
to Mt Mitchell in height. On that day,
the gentlemen heard this strange noise.
One OF the gentlemen says it first re-
minded him Of the falling of heavy tim
Der, and presented strange combina-
ton of sounds and Impressions. Parties
living on the mountain-sides and ut the
foot heard the same. All think that the
noise was within the mountain. One
man says, when he WAS on one side of
the mountain, the terrible noise was in
the direction OF the mountain; and when
on the opposite, the same indications
wero observed. All feel satisfied that
the noise proceeds alone from this
mountain. But on the 22d of February,
the noise had reached such point as to
become perfectly terrible. Among the
persons living on this mountain are MIR.
Damp, Johnston Elliott, Noah Elliott,
| Widow Nancy, George Morgan, Jnmes
Gilbert and Others. From statement
of all these parties, aud perhaps fifty
others, the mountain was actually
shaking" Tho moving was like tho
entire mountain vas giving away, the
tableware in the houses, the furniture
oil rocked and jolted with frightful
force. One man riding on horseback,
his horse became fearfully frightened.
1t is said that the cattle have become
alarmed and wander from their usual
| range.
Such was the alarm, that about ~
o'clock at night on the 22l, the people
for miles around began to assemble ut
mans house by the name Of Camp.
And Camp having gone to the wood pile
for wood, became SO alarmed, that he
fell upon his knees and began to pray
aloud. Very soon, the terrible ''quak-
ing" OF the mountain was such that the
great crowd now assembled engaged in
prayer. At day-break, on Monday
morning OF the 25th ultimo, George
Logan, oolored Baptist preacher, was
sent for in great haste. And so impa-
tient were they of his arrival, that a
portion Of the crowd met him on the
road, beseechihg him to come aud pray
and preach. The thus assembled peo.
pie remained in these devotions for
three days, when they moved a short
distance to vacant house, the property
OF Harris Elliott. About the third day,
Billy Logan, white man and Baptist
preacher, was sent for, who camo imme-
diatoly. On the 80 day Of March, Rev.
j. M. Lumley, the Methodist minister
in charge Of the Broad River Mission,
was importuned to attend and preach,
who promptly complied with their re-
quest. The people came hocking in
crowds of fifteen and twenty, including
men, women and children, all present
ing the most terrible state of tear, de-
spair and pentence. On the day MIR.
Lumley preached, the louse was lite
rally packed, the preachcr barely having
room to stand; 80 great was the desire
to hear. that many rushed up. the side
OF the walls and crowded on the joist
above, only portion OF the upper story
having floor. The portion having the
floor was filled, thus forming u sort of
gallery; aud many no! being able to en-
ter the house, crowded their heads in
the door and all around tho house,
manifesting tho most intense interest.
When the call was mado for mourncrs,
the people rushed from all parts OF the
honse, and from outside Of tho house
with almost frnntic yells, and fell upon
the loor and upon each other. all pray.
ing and supplicating i'll tho most heart
felt and agonizing manner ever wit
messed on earth. These exercises oonti.
nued necessarily for sixteen days and
nights with but little intermission.
During this time, the people nl lived in
common; no attention was given to
labor or property; cattle, horses and
hogs were turned to the woods, and the
entire people within the range of this
awful excitement have concluded that
they have but d few moro days to live
About 100 have made profession of reli-