, 1880-12-12
PIXIES PEAK A VOLCANO.

Fire, Smoke, Ashes, and Melted Lawn
Pouring from the Crater-Tlle Signal
Service Officers Story.
Colorado Springs Gazttte~
Tho probability OF q volcano existing In the
Rocky Mountains has never entered the minds
OF our citizens Conclusive evidence that such
thing does exist, and not very far from Col
orado Springs, has recently been fur
nshed us by Sergeant O'KeeGe, Of the
Signal Service The first knowledge that was
given us Of this peculiar and y-discoycred
phenomenon was reported last Saturday after
noon, and since that time Gdzttte reporter,
under the guidance Of Sergeant O'keeffe, Wis
tied the scene OF what proved to be one OF the
most wondrous discoveries ever brought to light
In this region. Nearly all OF the citizens of Col
orado Springs hare seen or read Of the crater
which is located near the summit and
Just west OF the peak. It has always
been conceded by scientists that this
self-same crater had In times gone BY been the
scene OF terrible eruption. as particles OF lava
had been discovered in tho creyiccs Of the rock
adjoining it. Those who have Investigated more
closely the various formations which are pecui-
lar to a volcanic mountain, generally have af-
frmed that there are plenty OF evidenced to
show plainly that the tfke's Peak crater has in
its centre circular or cup-llke opening through
It was on the night Of tho s0th Of October that
tho crater first dsnlayed any signs Of volcanic
activity. sergt- O'Keene was aroused from his
parently cmanated from beneath the Sig
nal Station. His nrst convictions were
that + wss IN earhaaakis but th!s
fact that tho sound still continued With
out any signs Of jar. The Sergeant concluded
to investigate tho cause of this mysterious
sound and he and his assistant, Mr.. F. L. JONES'
dressed themselves and started out in search OF
the cause. They had barely stepped over the
aoor-sin when bright flash, at first thought
Of the FeaF. It WIS only Of ~ a seconds eriis
duration, and the peak was again clothed in
darkness From this time on the sound here
tofore described seemed to decrease until the
usual quiet Of the solemn mountain peak WIS
agnin restored. The following day sergt.
0'keene visited the crater feeling confident that
ed from that source. What was his surprise
On looking down into the crater, to discover va
Por curling up from the cup,like Inclosure. This
tlnue his researches, and. after two hours' Ia
borious climbing, he found himself standing
, T!thin tdS, about o yards Of the crater chimney
very oppressive, and tho ground about
him was covered with pulyerized ashes and
lava which had been emitted from what be be-
lost In astonishmcnt. The snow for a distance
OF half mile from the crater had entirely dtsap-
peared. This vas all the more remarkable as it
bad upon the day previous been several feet in
depth. The Sergeant vas very much astonfshed
at the remarkable discovery thus brought to
light. but be was not deceived by the calm. He
WIS convinced that tho absolute repose which
the volcano then displayed would be OF short
duration. Since the 10th of October but one
eruption has occurred, and that was on the night
of Nov. :, when another one similar TO that
which occurred Oh the 20th, only more vio-
lent, occurred. Sergt- Okecffe happened to
be on the roof OF the Signal Station on this
occasion, and he porrrays the majesty
Of tho scene as the grandcst that he has ever
witnessed. not excepting that OF vesuvus, seen
By him IN Isl, when he was q lad. This eruption
began with q tremendous burst, which shook
Pixies Peak to it's very foundation, hurltng into
the atr dense clouds Of ashes and lava. These
explosions succeeded each other with rapitiity
and increased violence for about one hour,
when the volcano seemed to enter into
profound sleep. During the eruption tho
clouds are strongly illuminated BY the reflection
Of the glowing lava In the crater, giving the
scene the appearance of vast conaagradon.
This will account Tor the peculiar light which
has been noticed by the sheep herders on tho
plains east Of this city. Scientists give 1t as
their opinion that the present uphcavAl will Inst
about three months, Fafter which the volcano
will settle down to a state OF comparative re-
pose. only to burst with renewed yiKor in about
SIX V9BFH.