River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-09-15
THE GREAT VOLCANO.
Lava Floods still Pouring from Maui
M LOa-- BeIeaguering Fires About
the Doomed Town OF HiIo-- Califor-
mia Tourists and Their Night of
Deadly Peril

MIA Tourists and Their Night OF
Deadly Peril.
San Francisco Bulletin
HILo, Hawaii, July 2S.-For the past
three weeks Hilo and its environments
have been swarming with tourists
gathered TO witness the widespread
devastation wrought by the lava flow
from Mauna Loa mountain during the
past eight months, it being just that
long to-day since the eruption of this
year was discovered. Mauna Loa is
situated on Hawaii, the largest island
of the group, and is virtually the high
est volcano in the world. 1t rises from
the oceans shore vast snow-capped
dome, 1900 feet in hight Cotopaxi
volcano in Ecuador has summit 49,
600 feet high from the sea level, but
from its base upon the great table-land
upon which it stands it is only about
1000 feet high, consequently it is much
less imposing in aspect than is Mauna
Loa, whose summit crater has been
long extinct; the recent outbreaks al
ways occurring upon the weakest parts
of the mountains sides, and at eleva-
tons ranging from 5000 to 1900 feet.
southwest of Hilo, and is approaching
it with alarming velocity, the three
streams into which the flow has been
divided having united with an accele-
rated speed resulting from the union.
Last week Wednesday a squirt of half a
mile was made, and during the week
an advance of over mile has been
effected. That the town and harbor
are doomed appears to be foregone
conclusion.
Throngs visit the scene of the flow
daily, and many persons run over the
molten mass the moment the slightest
crust forms upon it, and while it is yet
hot enough to burn wood or leather.
Indeed, it takes days to cool, there be-
ing always liquid fire flowing beneath.
July IA a party went UP in the evening
to see it, the aspect then being most
awe-inspiring. They intended to re-
turn by moonlight, and walked up the
flow about three quarters of mile
an undertaking which narrowly
escaped proving most disastrous. For
hours the lives of all rested upon a
most precarious tenure. The party
consisted of l.. Severance, Hilo resi-
dent of over thirty years, who occupies
the positions of sheriff, collector Of
customs, postmaster etc. his wife; Mr..
and Mrs. Coan, of the oldest mission
airy family on the islands, and the fol-
lowing from San Francisco: Mrs. c.
Morrison, Miss Sloss, A. Thompson,
and Bohemian correspondent.
At first the San Francisco ladies
could not be induced to set foot upon
the lava, fearing that its hot, thin crust
would break under and precipitate
them into the frey furnace they could
view through cracks and holes in what
they were invited to tread upon. Hav-
ing started out over the cooler portions,
however, they gained confidence, till at
length they were so carried away with
the inspiring excitement incident to
their marvellous surroundings, that they
had lost much of their timidity, and
could be persuaded even to the brink
of a molten stream, or cataract of liv-
ing flame. Hither and thither the
party flew, rapid motion being neces-
sary to prevent the total and immediate
destruction of their shoes and cloth
ing.
Meanwhile the sun had set. The
twilight of the temperate zone is
here unknown, and the fitful light
from lava flames was all they had to
guide them. TO attempt an Ineligible
description of these lava rivers of fire
would be futile They can not even be
imagined. One particularly wide and
rapid stream so riveted the attention of
all, that, lost in admiration and amaze
ment, they were for long time obliv-
Gus to their surroundings.
On viewing the situation, however, it
was discovered that further progress was
cut off by floods, liquid as water, and
emitting an intense and binding heat
and light. The night had set in, clouds
and drops of rain began to siss upon
the lava at their feet. As far as the
eye could reach in every direction,
flames of fire were rising heavenward
and lighting up that cloud-enveloped
dome with lurid weirdness. Each
began to inquire of the other the way
toward home. A common ignorance
prevailed, as no one had given the
slightest thought TO the course taken,
which had been like that of children
after butterflies. AS the fiery floods
poured toward all points of the COM
pass their course was no guide. A hur-
ried counsel was held and a course de-
termined upon.
But few yards had been gone over
when rain began to fall in torrents. On
touching the lava it was instantly trans
formed into steam, which, with the
sulphurous fumes from the fire, rose
in sitting clouds, so dense that an OBJ
ject could not be seen at distance of
six inches from the face
Further progress was impossible,
and all that could be done was TO stand
away from the fire-pits and lift the feet
alternately to prevent their burning,
for the lava was intensely hot. Those
who have taken Turkish baths may
form slight conception of the situa-
ton. Each one of the party was satu-
rated to the skin, and their feet were
puckered as though in boiling water.
To the credit of the ladies it may be
said that they acquitted themselves
nobly, and with rare GOODNESS and pres
ence of mind. Not one gave the slight
est symptoms of a tendency to create a
scene, though the provocation was SO
great.
The rainfall gradually lessened and
occasiona breaks appeared in the
stream, y progress was dangerous and
next to impossible. The slightest mis-
step might precipitate one into fur
mace from which rescue would be i'm
possible. The foot that entered there
could never be withdrawn. 1t would
be consumed as quickly as a handful
of chaff. In single file their zigzag way
was slowly CROPPED along, the ladies be-
ing assisted over the most rugged
places, and they were frequent. For
some time after the rain ceased steam
continued to rise, and handkerchiefs
wet by the rain had still to be held over
the mouth and nose.
With the clearing away of the vapors
the situation only disclosed itself with
more appalling vividness. For lack Of
better knowledge their footsteps We're
directed to a place darker than any
other in the vicinity. This was found
to be spot about 100 square yaIds in
size, where there was no flame and the
lava was comparatively cod. 1t was
determined to remain there and await
developments. They were not long in
coming. New outbreaks occurred on
every hand, threatening to closely sur
round. If not enplllf the Darty. and it