The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-07-06
EXTRACTS FROM A PRIVATE IErrrn.
Hno. June 9th. 1881

HILo, June 9th. 1881.
This has been the darkest day that Hilo has
known in connection with the flow of 1881. We
knew by the glare of the sky last evening that
there was increased activity and we both said that
at no time had tie look been more threatening
There was such broad belt of light, and it looked
so near. Before breakfast this morning, a native
came who had been at the Maiakea flow and told
us what he had seen-a startling story; but we
have become distrustful of all native reports
that we would not allow ourselves to be much
alarmed until we could hear further. Mr. c. as
soon as be could went down town to get more reIi-
able information, and when he returned asked
eagerly, how is it p and be answered" we'll IL is
al true r He had seen several who had been to
the dow and the reports all agreed.
We are feeling sober, for truly we know not but
that destruction awaits our beautiful homes-and
where shall we goY The people in the Kukuau
apana (district) are moving their things and them
selves.
June 29th.-Ahl How can tell you the story of
yesterday | look back upon 1t as dream of the
night, and yet the experiences, the sights were
actual. We had an early breakfast and little
before nine, were ready to start for the flow our
Portuguese John accompanying us. When We
reached the turn in the road on the Puma side of
the cemetery, there burst suddenly upon our view
the spot to which the fire had progressed And il
looked alarminIy near, not more than a mile dis
tant; but as rode on, the distance increased
and we found we went two miles or more beyond
the further one of the three crater hills As We
followed the trail, others passed us at more rand
rate among them the LIS. and S. with NATIVE
attendants, and we found many there when We
reached the place. A few rods of walking after We
dismounted brought Us to the margin of the
stream, not hmpid, sparkling brook such as one
might have looked for in that lovely emerald oasis
but red hot, msdly pursuing, death dealing flow
of lava Years ago, and not so very many either.
people lived whereabouts and the land was under
much cultivation Mr.. c. has often been there.
there was formerly schoolhouse not far from the
place. and you can easily imagine what ltxuriant
growth of grass there would be, and what stroug
leafy guava bushes, in what had become almost
swampy land since the soi-tillers had abandoned
it. But right over this freshness and beauty tbe
food was coming. More was to be seen beyond.
so we pressed eargerly through tall ferns and
bushes Of neneleau, almost held in our stems by
the sticky mud, till reached rocky gorge
which in times of heavy rains is the channel for
the stream that rushes down perfect torrent to
the sea passing under the bridge near the httIe
church at KRlepolepo. This gorge is now nearly
dry, except here and there pools of water In lis
deepest hollows, and here the lava goes plunoino
on making falls of its red hot, CORY mass where
aforetime cool cascades sparkled and rippled
Here We found crowds of natives and some for
eigners watching the wild scene. We were told
that DR.. W. and othen were still further on where
the main branch was; we had seen only over
flows from that which was filing Nd a still
larger channel. a native volunteered TO guide
rs through the bushes and over The great rocks
IN the way and We soon had sight of tbs