The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-14
BALD MOUNTAIN.
Is the Hoary Patriarch Only a
Crumbling Shell?
WHAT A FARMER FOUND
The Mountains Side Ioneycombed with I'm
fathomablc FSSnreS
BALD MousrA,s. N. Q. July .. ISIS

been discovered, apparently uniathomablei Huge
powders heard sumbling from the roof to the bot
tom OF the cavel" flashed along the wires four
days ago, and agreeaby TO Instructions your corre-
spondeut hasseued to the scene OF promising sem
sa,ion with all possible despatch. Haste, however,
always indicate speed, any resident OF this
mountainous region will inform the curious Thirty
hours OF lay over in Charlotte N. c., because Of
Sunday train; nine hours more consumed In reach
ing the nearest station, three O'Clock In the after.
noon; still another delay Of fifteen hours because
transportation could not be obtained to the
mountain before next morning, the roads being
impossible at night on account Of swollen
mountain torrents rendered we'll nigh unfordable by
rains in daylight; thirteen more spcnt in
traversng the twenty miles Intervening through
the widest looking country and the toughest roads
ever used as thoroughtares by civilized man. and old
Badly Is at last reached just the shades OF gather
ing twilight darkens the rapidly fading sunlight
NO OUTWARD VISIBLE SIGN.
Looming up for a thousand feet athwsrt the leacen
colored sky faint OF lingering sunlight CLINT
ing the huge granite powders and rugged crags,
while the evening breeze gently swaysd the tree tops
TO and fro, the beauty and grandeur Of the scene
awakened thoughts Of subimity intermingcd with
delight the reporter gazed expecanty at the noun
In the effort to discover, by its appearance,
confederation of tho many curious incidents
lated OF It on the journey up. All along the route
marvellous tales were recited relating to the
recent discovery, eacn exceeding the other
tho further The rslator resided from the noun.
tam. Some positive that eruption
was imminent, others that IT had begun already,
man assuring US with much excitement that he had
the same day been informed by party just from the
mouu,an OF the emittance OF smoke, accompanied by
unmistakablo volcanic rumblinss. But tho "Bald'
now appeared entirely innocent Of any such accuse.
tons No soothing lava started from It's bosom; the
pure, bracng atmosphere was nowhere tainted with
the smell Of scattering ashes; not rumble could be
heard could the expectant ears OF the reporter
be greeted with tho wish sound OF falling rocks
but a half mile distant, close up Dy the mountain
sde smoke coula b. seen curling laziiy up from the
chimney OF a comfortable looking farm house Field
glasses laid aside, and after bali hours travel
the house reached. Lodgings engaged and instant
nterrocaons begun regardn, the actual facts Of the
case. IfEIu
A FARMER's INVESTIGATION
The owner of tho premises Mr. Foster, a fair
representative Of tho well-to-do iaboring mountain
farmer. reply, said that recent rumblings
had been heard, and tho existence Of the
cave unmsrakable fact On Saturday
evening, June 20, several rumbling sounds, unac
companed by Shocks were heard, not loud enough OF
sufficiently loog continued, however, to alarm.
Tho falling of large rocks and bowlders OF such
common occurrence that tho attributed "a
that Next morning Sunday calling neigh
Dor, hearing of Inc noises, asked Mr. Foster 70 ac-
company him to the assure, discovered about month
since, 10 see il It mad widened. Little or no scroase
OF width had taken place. So FULLY convinced that the
locality OF the disturbance elsewhere, tho two
men descended the mountain by different route sx
aiming its sidos the way down with greai
care. Nothing unusual was discovered until three
four,hs OF the descent had been accomplished.
when, in leaning against bowlder TO rest.
loose rock removed from Its rest by the foot OF Mr..
Foster, was heard plunging downward, spparsn.iy
into the bowels OF tho mountain. Surprised, Mr. Fos-
ter turned hastily round discovering tour feet from
the bowder against which he leaning, an opening
Ia the mountain side not large enough 10 admit tho
body OF a man. Several rocks were thrown through
the opening, disappearing with crashing sound In
some instances ana in others, judging by sound.
bounding from side TO side as II alternately struck
against rocky sides OF the assures OF solid granite
the sanctity OF the day no exploration
was attempted until next morning when two sons Of
MI. Foster widcnsd the cave mouth sufficiently to
enter and made a partial exploration. A win
dow was discovered whore the cave brancaes OF,
forty-nve feet higher up tho mountain side,
also numerous side assures Of different extent Soma
portions Of the cave were thought 10 be eighty loot
high; but owing the lack OF facilities for gaining
tho roof this estimate was only guess. The falling
OF rocks made minute examination Of the cave very
DANGEROUS, so MIR. Foster could give onIy general
scr,pion OF a portion IL The sides Of the cave,
as lar ascertained. were blue anu black granite,
with numerous finly streaks running through them.
PRKPARING FOR EXPLORATION.
The eicitation OF these facts somewhat
cheering, it having boon the haploss fate OF SO
many reporters to reach Bald Mountain IN time
only to hear Of something wonderful recently
Transporting but searching IN vain Tor tangible
material cut Of which 10 weave SEN
possible medium TO ascouut for the rumblings and
shocks. All feelings oi weariness ana vcxation at
tho mishaps OF the days journey (uot levi were in
stanly dismissed and preparations made Tor to NOR
rows exploration. Guides are engaged, torches And
laniern obtained. and rything Is now ready Tor
carry start Al daybreak the exploration will bes
been carefully examined. Fun pariicuIars si tue
first days exploration will be forwarded Ny next mail
rhis reaches the Post ONCE by pony express,
in order TO furnish the readers OF the HERALD with
the FIRST reliable information concerning the last
font made by "Baldy" toward volcanoship.
DAMNED REVENUE RAIDERS.
The twenty -Iour miles across tho mountains,
already briefly alluded TO- not ouly of difficulty
but also OF information and amusement RidinR past
a small wood cabin with the sign ''Bar Room" nsng-
ing the door, the proprietor accostcd US with
sGood day" We returned the courtesy, asked II he
had scuppernong VINE Tor saio lie had no wine, but
good CHERRY bounce. Tuis did not suit the palate oil
The guide, and Ms the liquor was wanted Tor hin no
purchase made. n fellow playing cards inside
psnoS as as ssSsr This was no
doubt the unexpressed opiu,on oil many mountain
"Boomer,' Tor every strange aud dccontly dressed
white man riding horseback IN this section Ii sup
posed TO be d "raidor.'
LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS
The guido engaged TO pilot the way across the
noun ains after travelling about seven miles, un,or
tunatey lost ns reckoniug so, instead Of traversnx
"a broad highway, our horses were soon cambering
up steep hill sides, succeeded not long after by noun
tain sides. Following directions received at the last
house, we journeyed up right hand path leading 10
tho TOP OF u steep peak. IL hardly looked Access
slbe. but we werc determined to follow al
rsctont This course was observed unti Tue
mountain became 50 almost perpendicular that
further advance was impossible. We were thcn
partly up, but getting tue horses down again was
severe task, the poor brules slipping aud halt ialng
at every step. THIS was hualiy safely accomplished
aud the lett path tried with no better result hsn Ter
minating ut u icbce aud log hut Here we we're toid
take another path leading still iurtner TO inc eil
then turn to tho right and follow tho man track.
This advice repeated time anu again durinx Inc
following three hours the paths, almost as thick as
huckIcberries, leading across tue hountAns Ioth
house to house, with no egrcss INTO tho man
road dscsrnIDe, running along narrow Lodges over
hanging nigh precipices barely wide enough Tor the
horses 10 walk on. The scenery was masninceut,