Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1881-06-01
THE ERUPTION OF MAUNA LOA.

A description from the Venerable Mission-
airy, DIR. Titus Coan.
From the Hampton (Va) Southern Workman.
We get the latest report of the great VOL
canic eruption now in progress on the is.
land Of Hawaii in q letter from the vener-
able missionary, DR.. Titus Coan, who for
more than SO years has stood firm at his
post in the uttermost parts of the sea. His
own inner fires of zeal for God and enthu-
siasm for His works have abated nothing
since the time when he baptised 5000 ma
tives in one year, or by his daring explor-
atoms into the great craters of Kilauea and
Mauna Loa he won the title of King of the
Volcano. Now, within six miles of the
creeping lava stream, while some Of his
neighbors have their goods packed for sud-
den flight, the grand old man sits calmly in
MS study among the coco palms, sending
kind words and generous gifts to encourage
other workers, and fearing nothing, though
the earth be removed and though the
mountains be carried into the midst of the
sea-"
HILo, Hawaii, March 1, 1881.
MY DEAR GENERAL: * You have
heard of our great volcanic eruptions near
the summit of Mauna Loa on the 5th Of
November. It is in strong blast and in
threatening proximity to Hilo. It first sent
out a burning column of 80 miles to the
north, as if to menace old Mauna Kea.
This ceased, and another column was sent
rs or 80 miles toward Kilauea, as if to form
a junction with the Mother of Fire: The
native legend is that the ever-active crater
of Kilauea is presided over by powerful
goddess whom they call Pele. This col
umn soon became stationary. Next came
furious molten stream down the mountain
toward Hilo. The seaport of the island,
the home Of DR.. Coan.] This is still active,
sometimes dividing into several columns,
then uniting, spreading out upon plains to
the breadth of two and three miles, then
contracting to narrow stream Of half
mile. now rushing madly down steep de-
clivity, and now creeping slowly like
chilled serpent over rough plains of scoria
and boulders. The fiery deluge has occu-
pied our great forest jungle for three
months, covering thousands of acres,
killing 10000 trees, consuming the
the jungle, filling up pits, ravines and cav
ems, licking up all the water in its way, and
opening pathway through the forest, as if
to fall on our town. It is now supposed to be
only from six to light miles from the shore,
and its high banner of red light startles us
at midnight, its rolling pillars Of smoke are
lifted high by day. Trees fall fast, rocks
rend, gasses explode, and the roar in the
woods is like the noise of battle. We hear
the explosions like the booming of cannons.
The roaring furnace on the mountain is in
furious blast, and no maE is able to look
down that Internal throat to which the up
rushing stream and hot sulphurous gases
forbid all approach. One white man only,
the Rev. E. p. Baker, with one native, has
been to the upper vent. Large numbers
have visited the lower end of the flow, and
secured specimens of the flaming fusion.
The question 'sWill it come to Hilo?" is
still an open one. Many fear; some pack
fer decamping, others wait; some pray,
some swear, but most go on with their la
bors or pleasures as afore time. We ''look
to the hills whence cometh our help
Faithfully yours. T. CoAN.