Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-11
WHITE ROCK PEAK,
The Lone Sentinel, Yielding 10 GeOIog.
zeal Agencies, Levels into a Plain.
Knoxville CTenn.) Chronicle.

Knoxville (Tenn.) Chronicle.
| A few days ago news reached Knoxville
| that Buffalo mountain, in upper East Ten
nessee, had crumbled to the earth, and the
| inhabitants of that neighborhood were
stricken with terror. As room az practicable
Tribune reporter was sent to johnson City,
the nearest point to the scene OF destruction.
Upon arriving there he learned White Rock
peak, on Buffalo mountain, that had sue
cumbed to geological agencies, was far DIS
tart over mountainous track OF country.
Procuring gdide end two good horses, we
started for the mountain. The snow was
falling in the valley, and as we assembled the
slope to reach the peak it became deeper
and deeper until we reached the summit,
where it had fallen to depth of eigteen
inches. Buffalo mountain is one of the ridges
that forms the great Iron mountain. 1t,
however, runs east and west, the western end
of which terminates near the line OF Wash
ington and Carter counties in an abrupt
precipice towering far in the heavens. The
end was solid rock composed OF white
sandstone that glIttered in the MONDAY sun,
the effulgence OF whose rays could be seen
for miles by the traveller. From its white
appearance it receives the name of White
Rock that is on record several places in his
tory. 1t was also called by some the lone
Sentinel Before the huge mass of quartz
crystals fell prey to geological agencies, its
massive form could be seen from afar, look
ing like a specter standing guard over the
towns and valleys beneath. 1t was the highest
peak On Buffalo mountain, and from this
point the country could be viewed Tor miles
around. The end which formed the "Lone
Sentinel was about fifteen hundred
feet above the surrounding country,
and was almost q perpendicul lar cliff.
The entire mountain, with the exception OF
the White Rock was covered with heavy
growth OF timber. prominent among which
was the oak and chestnut trees. The brow
of the mountain must have been half mile
or more across, and composed for the most
part Of this white sandstone. Last Wednes-
day, about o'clock in the afternoon, ire
mendous crash, that in its force resembled
the quakings OF an earthquake, was heard
by the inhabitants oil the towns and valleys
below Those who witnessed the scene from
a distance describe il as one OF horror.
Looking back in the direction OF the noise,
ii looked az if the entire mass OF the noun
tain was falling upon them. Rocks as large
as houses were being hurled into the valley |
with terrible force. Trees were uprooted
and cut down as if they were mere brittle
briers. To the illiterate people who inhabit
the valley death seemed Inevitable. Fami- !
lies crouched together and sent up prayers |
for deliverance. The ungodly, thinking |
the worlds destruction had begun, |
fell upon their knees and fervently !
asked pardon for their numerous |
sins The suspense must have been terrific. |
With a noise that made the ground shake |
the avalanche came crashing down the noun |
tain side, carrying everything with it that (
stood in its course. Finally, however, the |
noise subsidized and the Aibratiors ceased, but |
the frightened population could not be |
urged near the scene of destruction. When /
VIC arrived at the top OF the mountain, by |
,ircuitous route, we gszad in wonder and as
constituent. There in front OF US, covered !
with snow, we could see strewn for a mile /
down the mountain side the debris OF this \
itupendous crash. The track of the rocks /
N their terrible downward flight was per |
,eptible for a mile or more. A boulder,
weighing several tons, which had diverged |
rom the heated course, was lodged here and
here against tree, but the most Of them
lsd gone to fill up the valley below.
Trees several feet in diameter were cut
completely in two, some as high up as forty
eet, clearly showing what powerful force
must have urged the rocks TO a lower posi-
ion. We could but stand in mute admira-
ion OF the slow yet steady and powerful
orces of nature which had been cutting this
down to a level with the adjoining
country. We conversed with several in re-
,ard to the cause of this great fall OF rock,
md many are stubborn in the opinion that
I was caused by movement in the earth's
rust. Othsrs,> however, are Of the belief
hat it was the result of what geologists term
.qusous agencies Our readers will remem-
Derthat since Christmas We have had d con-