The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-12-27
SYMMEs, HOLE IN THE EARTH.
The Revival of M Old md Somewhat
startling Thcory---Iu tho Hollow OF the
Earth.

Tho Revival Of MI Old md Somewhat
startling Thcory---In tho Hollow OF the
Earth.
Americus Symmes, Esq, Of Louis.
vile, lectured OF Riverside, Ohio, re-
Gently, explaining n theory which his
father, Captain John Symmes, pro-
mulgated fifty years ago. The term
"Symmcs' Hole" was for many years in
the mouths Of the people, but is at
present seldom heard, and scarcely ever
understood.
Tho lecturer said that his father, Capt.
John Cleves Symmes, retired from the
army after tho war Of 1915, md in 1878
became convinced in his own mind that
the earth was hollow and habitable on its
interior surface. Capt. Symmes devo-
ted the remainder OF his lifc to the
study OF scientific matters, with especial
reference to their bearing upon his
theory. He petitioned Congress TO
grant him means to make IN expedition
10 the north, expecting to penetnte the
girdle OF everlasting ice which surrounds
the pole, to sail into the interior Of the
earth, md to take possession OF the
glorious country to he found there, in
the name of the United States. He was
full of patriotic desire TINT his own be-
loved country should have the glory
md profit OF the grand discoveries,
which he never doubted would some day
be made. He was so inspired with this
love Of country that when Russia tender
ed him the command OF M expedition
he declined, because he felt TINT it
would be successful, and the glory there
OF rebound to that country and be de-
MED TO the United States. Thus he
even sacrificed tho fondest hopes OF his
life upon the shrine OF his patriotism,
and died, in 1920, broken,henrted. He
died rs he had lived, certain that his
theory was correct and would ultimately
be demonstrated.
Capt. Symmcs held that the doprcs.
sion in the outward surface Of the earth
began at some point between the sixty.
eighth and eightieth degrees Of latitude,
and that the transition space, or verge,
as he termed it, occupied about 1900
miles, niter which tho convexity would
cease, aud the surface would become
concave, opening toward the interior.
He maintained that the crust Of the
earth was abont 1000 miles thick, leav
ing M interior surface OF about 5000
miles. The distance from ono rim OF
the depression OF the outward surface to
the other he claimed to bo about 1000
miles, and the depression in tho shape
OF funnel until the nlrrowest point
should be reached, whence tho surface
widened out into the interior concavity.
Light and heat being essential to this
new world, Capt. SymMes relied upon
the rays of tho sun being cast directly
into the opening certain distance, and
then being refracted and reflected until
they should yield light and heat to the
whole interior but should there not be
sufficient sunlight and heat, the lecturer
seemed to think that there might be n
sufficient quantity OF inherent heat to cke
ont the requirements Of nature.
Mr.. Symmes cited several fNcts from
the experience OF Arctic explorers, al
going, rs he thought, to prove the cor
rectness of his fathers theory. Di.
Hayes, Capt. Hail, and others had gone
far enough north to sec nimlus
clouds hanging over open water in the
distance, indicating warmth. Wood
drifting from tho north had been picked
up with cuts in it made with m ax,
showing that this interior region was in.
habitcd with race who understood the
use of iron. The lecturer compared
Capt. Hall to Moses, rs being permitted
to look into the uppermost land, but not
to enter aud enjoy it. He spoke with
profound sorrow OF tho fact that the
Polaris turned back when within ono
days snil of the opon water, which would
have inevitably conducted her into tho
interior of the earth, whereby his fathers
theory would have been demonstrated,
aud tho United States have acquired
dominion over tho new world Of Sym
mesz, min, as he termed it.
At this point the lecturer appeared so
overcome with the intensity Of his re-
gret that so iiuc M opportunity for
proving the correctness Of his fathers
theory should have been lost. that he
was obliged to terminate his lecture, be
ing almost prostratod with sudden
dizziness.