Nebraska advertiser., 1880-12-09
PIXIES PEAK.
The Old Landmark Settling Volcano.

Colorado Springs Gazette.
The probability of volcano existing
in the Rocky mountains has never en-
tered the minds of our citizens. Con-
elusive evidence that such thing does
exist and not very far from Colorado
Springs, has recently been furnished us
by Sergeant O'Keefe of the signal ser
vice. The first knowledge thatwas Civ
en- us of this peculiar and newly discov-
cred phenomenon was reported last Sat
urday afternoon, and since that time
Gazette reporter, under the guidance of
Sergeant OKeefe, visited the scene of
what proved to be one of the most won
drous discoveries ever brought to light
in this mountain region.
Nearly all of the citizens OF Colorado
Springs have seen or read OF the crater
which is located near the summit and
Just west of the Peak. 1t has always
been conceded by scientists that this self
same crater had in times gone by been
the scene of a terrible eruption, as par
ticles of lava had been discovered in the
crevices of the rock adjoining it. Those
who have investigated more closely the
various formations which are peculiar
to a volcanic mountain generally have
affirmed that the Pixies Peak crater has
in its center circular or cup-like open
ing through which lava has certainly
been emitted.
1t was on the night of the goth of Oc-
tober that the crater first displayed any
signs of volcanic activity. Sergeant
O'Keefe was aroused from his slumbers
L. Il I'LL ff,lc xxyhi
emily animated from beneath the signal
station. His first convictions were that
it was an earthquake, but this impress
sion was soon dispelled by the fact that
the sound still con inued without any
signs of jar. The sergeant concluded
to investigate the cause of this mystic
rious sound, and he, in company with
his assistant, Mr.. +. L. Jones, dressed
themselves and started out in search of
the cause They had barely stepped
over the door sill when a bright flash,
at first thought to be lightning, sur
mounted the Peak. 1t was only of a
second duration and the Peak was again
clothed in darkness. From this time on
the sound heretofore described seemed
to decrease until the usual quiet of the
solemn mountain peak was again re-
stored.
The following day Sergeant O'Keefe
visited the crater, feeling confident that
the sound heard on the night previous
had animated from that source. What
was his surprise on looking down into
the crater to discover vapOr curling up
from the cup-like enclosure. This dis
covery only prompted him to further
continue his researches, and after two
hours labOrious climbing he found him
self standing within about two hundred
yards of the crater chimney. The heat
even at this distance was very Oppres-
sive. and the ground about him was COW
cred with pulverized ashes and lava,
which had been emitted from what he
believed to be an incipient volcano.
O'Keefe was lost in establishment.
The snow for distance of half a mile
from the crater had entirely disappeared.
This was all the more remarkable as it
had upon the day previous been several
feet in depth. The sergeant was very
much astOnished at the remarkable dis
covery thus brought to light, but he was
not deceived by the calm. He was con-
WINGED that the absolute repose which
the volcano then displayed would be of
short duration.
Since the 29th of October but one erup-
ton has occurred, and that was on the
night of November 9TH, when another
one similar to that which occurred on
the 29th, only more violent, occurred.
Sergeant O'Keefe happened to be up on
the roof of the signal station on this oc-
casion and he pOrtrays the majesty of
the scene as the grandest that he has
ever witnessed, not excepting that of
NeSnVluS, seen 6y nm IN 1867 When ne
was lad and before he left his native
Ireland for America.
The eruption began with tremen-
dOuS burst, which shook Pixies Peak to
its very foundation, hurting into the air
dense clouds of ashes and lava. These
explosions succeeded each other with
rapidity and increased violence for about
one hour, when the volcano seemed to
enter into aprofound sleep. During the
eruption the clouds are strongly illumi-
mated by the reflection of the glowing
lava in the crater, giving the scene the
appearance of a vast cOnflagration.
This will account for the peculiar light
which has been noticed by the sheep
herders on the plains east of this city.
Sergeant O'Keefe informs us that the
flow of the lava tends toward RuxtOn' 5
creek, whence the water supply of the
city is procured, and there is no doubt
that the hot lava will, if it reac es the
creek, so heat the water that it will be
of no earthly use for drinking purposes.
1t is evident that the eruption has but
just begun, and should it continue any
length of time the is no doubt but
that Colorado Springs willmeet the same
fate as that which destroyed the flour
ishing cities of Pompeii and Hercula-
neum. The flow of lava has already ex-
tended a distance of three miles from
the mouth of the crater, and only two
eruptions have taken place.