Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-10
PIXIES PEAK SIGNAL STATION.
Wonders OF the Highest Inhabited Poriien
Of the Globe.

| Of the Globe.
A Colorado correspondent of the Bos.
ton Journal writes as follows: The
United States signal station at Pixies
peak is the highest signal station in the
world; it is also the highest inhabited
portion of the globe. 1t was opened in
the month OF September; 1873. That ii
was wise provision of the government
in establishing signal station at this
point ia no longer questioned, the facts
having already demonstrated its practi-
cability, and the'present success prom
ises that Pixies peak signal station is
yet TO stand at the head of all astronom-
ical and meteorological stations in the
world. This point is wonderfully favor
ed by nature for the study OF astronomy
and meteorology. The rarity of the at
mosphere brings out remarkable bril-
liancy and clearness TO the stars and all
the heavenly bodies. The nights are
most always cloudless, and cloudy days
are the exception. Nine-tenths OF the
storms are below the peak. Tho best
and most complete report of the last
total eclipse of the sun received at
Washington was the report of Professor
Loud, OF Colorado college, from obser-
vations taken at Pixies peak.
The signal station is now under the
charge of Sergeants Choate, Blake and
Sweeney. These officers are detailed
from the army because OF their peculiar
adaptability and special qualifications
for the accurate execution of the nice
duties of taking astronomical and me.
teorological observations. To Sergeant
Rufus Choate am greatly indebted for
the particulars embodied in this article.
The summit of Pixies peak contains
sixty acres. 1t is IA, 1856 feet above the
level of the sea. On the highest point
stands the signal station, rough stone
building twenty-four by thirty, one
story in height. 1t is divided into four
rooms-oflicers' room, kitchen, store .
room and woodroom. And here in this
bleak spot, nearly twenty miles from the
habitations of man, though three miles
nearer the heavenly regions than most
parts OF New England, these men live
the larger part OF the year. The station
is three miles from the timber line,
where the greater part Of vegetation
ceases. Short grass tufted with delicate
Alpine flowers struggle for an existence
against the frigidity OF the atmosphere
and creep toward the mountain top; but
there are hundreds OF acres of cold gray
and reddish rocks where not vestige OF
verdure exists.
Like the dwellers OF the Arctic regions,
the inhabitants OF Pixies peak have but
two seasons-summer and winter. Two
months of summer-August and Septem.
ber-and ten, long cold months Of win
ter. The summer season passes quick
ly. The atmosphere is congenial; the
many visitors at the peak enhance its
social life with Joy. wonderment and
mirth. During the summer OF 1878 up
ward OF nine hundred people, in parties
of from five 10 thirty, visited tho peak,
among them many ladies'. They regis
tered from the four quarters OF the globe,
and they all expressed admiration and
astonishment at the grandeur and sub
hmity OF the wonderful views as seen
from the peak. To behold q sunrise
from the peak is an event of a lifetime,
and for this purpose visitors often re-
main over night at the station 10 be
ready TO catch the first glimpse OF the
sun as it appears above the horizon,
gliding with its bright rays the noun
tains, hills, valleys and plains, 10 the
wonder and delight OF the amazed be.
holder.
q. The duties OF the officers are various.
Seven observations are taken daily; all
storms are closely watched, and each
spec i and distinctive characteristic
duly recorded. Sunrise and sunset de-
mand close attention. Every peculiari-
ty OF the heavenly regions is viewed and
q record made OF the same, and monthly
~ 4.
headquarters at Washington. The
present year has been unusually prolific
in sun-dogs, which are said to prognos-
ticate earthquakes, subterranean explo-
sions, immense freshets and troubIous
times. A government Office at Pixies
peak is no sinecure, for the officer must
buffet all storms aud brave all weathers.
Occasionally an electric storm visits the
peak. There is but little thunder ac-
companying these storms, but the
mountain seems all on fire. Sergeant
Choate informs me that when he was
out observing one OF these storms IL ap-
pcared as though the whole mountain
top was q sheet OF electric fame. IL
came out OF every rock and darted
around with wonderful audacity. II
played around him, and, as he expressed
ii, shot down his back and darted ont of
each boottoc. and 30 completely filled
him with electricity that he conld no
retain his foothoii. but bounded and
rebounded from the rock like rubber
ball; he felt as though n powerful
electric battery was pouring fiery darts
all through him, and deeming "discre-
ton the better part Of valor, he bound
ed into the signal station for preserva-
ton. Sergeant Choate was at the spring.
in December. and ON December II he
left for the peak, wearing Norwegian
snowshoes twelve feet in length II
vas . weary task aud dreary trip. The
first night ont he slept in the snow on
the mountains side. The second night
the mercury fell TO twenty degrees be-
low zero. He sought shelter In desert
ed cabin, through which the wind whis-
tied tunes anything but agreeable; here
| he built small fire, but avoided sleep.
fearing the extreme cold might produce