Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-27
AN UNDOUBTED VOLCANO.

AN UNDOUBrED VOLCANO.
Ponca. Nebraska, Furnishes Cause for
the Late Earthquake.
Professor Vance, of Ann Arbor, Michi-
gan, j. Myron Andrews, of Wabash, Indi-
ana, and Professor Brown, of Swampscot,
Mass, recently visited the scenes Of the
earthquake and volcano in Dixon couty, and
the following ls a portion of the report of
their investigations as reported in the Ponca
Journal
Taking their hollow iron rods, they
selected spot near to one of the largest
jets Of vapor, aud were enabled to DIR II
downward very rapidly. In the course of
three hours they penetrated to depth of
l Is feet. The drawing Of the rods occu-
pied some time as they were quite hot, and
it was near midnight when the last joint was
taken out Then heavy explosion took
place, accompanied by tremendous DIS
charge, not OF luminous vapor alone, but Of
what appeared to be a stream of liquid fire,
which thrown to heigh. of at least IS feet,
fell like a cataract Of flames. The display
lasted a little less than five minutes, then
cel ed, and after this first grand exhibition
msre.y Of luminous vapor, the same as was
emitted hy the thousand little volcanic
mouths around them.
This wonderful discharge Of fire was ac-
companied by large quantities Of red hot
stones; some of them, indeed, were melted
by the violent heat
1t was after Sard. a.certained tllst this
bril.iant display was witnessed by several
pelson, about ten miles distant in Dakota
territory, vii" supposed that an enormous
met-or vas risiis above the horizon.
Prot. Vance. by this experience was more
than ever convinced that this was a ver,a-
BILE volcano, and he assured his companions
that the great source or fountain Of fire was
but little way beneath them.
| 1t now being nearly morning, the party
went back to their carriage and rested until
daylight, when they again returned to the
volcanic field. The displays of the night
had passed with the darkness, and only a
few spindles Of vapor we're visible. and
stranger might pass over without discerning
anything unusual He would find his mis-
take, however, if he attempted to walk with
bare feet. The most sedate personages in
such predicament, would undoubtedly per-
form hornpipe in very undigntied man
ner.
The morning light revealed several other
interesting facts which had hitherto escaped
notice. Though the weather was cold, ana
as general thing vegetation had been dead
for two months past, it was noticed that in
several ravines adjacent 10 the volcanic
field, the grais was green and luxuriaat
Some of it was six inches high, and evil
dently growing in good, healthy condition.
Mr.. Andrews clipped some to take east to
show his friend what Nebraska could do
in the winter time. Mr.. Green also took
occasion to cut off quantity of it for his
steeds, to whom it was luxurious repast.
What" said Mr.. Brown to Professor
Vance, is. IN your opinion the cause OF
the earthquake? Has this volcano anything
to do with it?"
The reply Of the professor, disclosing a
new and startling theory, we give as near
as possible as 1t was reported to US.
Here" said he. e is an undoubted volca.
no. Below the surface, (nor is it far below,
as we saw last night.) is reservoir of fire.
doubtless communicating with the internal
fire of the earth. Near by flows the Mis-
souri,. My opinion is that the earthquake
was occasioned by the river breaking
through into the fiery cauldron beneath US.
II, for example, you were to turn stream
Of water into crucible of melted iron,
or other mineral substance, violent com.
motion would Immediately occur, and If
the stream was large an explosion would
take place. The first will illustrate an
earthquake, the second volcano"
To illustrate the truth of this theory,
Professor Vance poured some water into
the hole that had been drilled the night be.
fore. Instantly they were saluted by an
explosion and shower Of stones.
Had this" said he, "instead of quart
OF water, been one-tenth part Of what flows
by this point, in an hour We would have
had an earthquake like the one occurring
few weeks since. Finally, IS the river con-
tinues TO cncroach, great breach will be
made in the dividing walls and an immense
flood will lrush in upon the melted mass
below. Then the spot where we stand, and
perhaps some space around will be tossed
toward the clouds, and stones and lava
buried out, and full.blown vol
overflow Of lava into the river blocks uptl,e
underground channel and thus shuts off the
irritating cause of the commotion, the vol.
cano will die away to mere smoke pot as
it is called, until other changes cause the
river to break through again. If it were
possible to discover this underground chan
mel, one might regulate the earthquake and
volcanic display at pleasure.
Such was Professor Vance's plausible
theory.
The party deemed it now proper to fur
ther inyestigate the bluffs in the neighbor.
hood. As they wandered along they noticed
in the letlges of rock many curious forma.
ton and petrifac,ions. The whole day was
occupied in thus viewing these interesting
subjects Of study.
| Evening came - they were resting at the
foot Of rocky cninsoce, preparatory tc
70 returning 10 the volcano which wAa sbou,
4 nile svny.