Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-08-01
AN EARTHQUAKE FACTORY.
A Cave OF Magnetic Iron ore -Thun-
der and lightning Made at Any
Time-A Cradle-Bed for Earth
quakes.

A theory was sent abroad somewhat
prominently in 1871 that the speed of
the earthquake shock could only be &c.
counted for by electricity. While it was
admitted that many local earthquakes
were undoubtedly caused by the erosion
OF water in the body of the earth, caus-
ing the subsistence of vast portions of
the land and sometimes the drying up of
rivers, or the opening of springs, yet
that did not account for the instant
transmission of the shock thousand
miles or more. The theory that there
were thunder torms in the earth as well
as over the earth, would account for
this wondrous shudder In the solid
globe. 1t was urged by those who used
water power to make earthquakes, that
all earthquakes were near. under, or be-
side some sea, lake, or river, while the
subterranean thunderstorm theorist
claimed that electricity was fond of wa
ter as a means Of transportation, and
chose that as its favorite highway under
ground.
Increased interest is attached to the
electrical theory by the remarkable dis
covery made on the 18th day of June
last, at Devils Gate Canon, on the Rio
Colorado, on the Arizona side OF the
stream. General Fremont's party, when
looking for o route for the Thirty Fifth
Parallel Railroad, while near this place.
found the magnetic needle worthless,
and ascribed this phenomenon to the
presence Of magnetic iron ore. Since
that time but little attention has been
paid to the subject, till the 18th of June,
1883, when the United States Govern
ment Geologist, Charles Dudley Haw-
thorne, Col. Peck. Miss McGregor and a
correspondent of the Arizona Sentinel,
discovered a wonderful magnetic cave.
The steamer Mohave, on which the
party were sailing, suddenly became de.
ranged in her machinery, probably by
the force which was afterwards dis
covered 10 the cave alongside, and
the party went ashore. The correspond.
dent says:
Miss McGregor, having strayed
ahead, suddenly uttered a surprised cry.
The rest of the party hurried forward
to find her peering into what sppeared
to be an immense shaft, that, after nu-
merons windings, came out at the top Of
the bluff, some thousand feet above us.
Mr.. Hawthorne Immediately proposed
that some one start up the incline for a
short distance TO a small chamber that
was dimly discernable at about twenty
feet from the opening No one seemed
inclined to accept the proposal when
Mr.. Hawthorne, removing his coat, and
obtaining lantern from the steamer,
climbed into the shaft.
Upon reaching the small chamber Mr..
Hawthorne called to us to hasten for
more lanterns and to join him. These
were shortly procured and one and all
climbed to bis side, when sight met
our eyes that was absolutely startling in
its beauty. The polished, glass-like floor
glistened as if sprinkled with diamonds,
and from the yaulted roof hung stalac-
tites of great splendor, while branching
off iu various directions were brightly
lighted Passages that seemed to lead
into the very bowels OF the mountains.
We had passed perhaps one hundred
feet into the center of the chamber when
our metal lanterns were wrenched with
a giants power from our hands, and
an electric shock of startling inten-
sity was felt by all, after which the
place glowed and fiickered with pe-
culinr electric glimmer that rivaled
moonlight in brilliancy and certainly
sunlight in beauty. Miss McGregor
proposed turning back, but Mr.. Haw-
thorne was for complete exploration of
this ghostly place. and Immediately
commenced to lay before us a plan Of
action. Col. Peck returned to the boat
for some candles, matches, luncheon,
good supply of twine and several articles
that were suggested by the various indi.
viduals. Upon his return we proceeded
to attach to projecting rock at the
entrance one end of our twine, and
gradually unwound it as we moved for
ward into one Of the many passages
leading off frem the large chamber
where we first entered.
Oar candles were not needed, as the
glow that we had first noticed continued
to light up our pathway in most salts
factory manner. Passing under a low,
azure-tinted archway, we emerged into
an immense cavern, lighted with elec-
tricity. that opened ont on either side,
the dome.like roof being supported by
basaltic pillars of prodigious size. A low
rumble seemed to indicate the proximity
OF some stream, but the roar turned into
series of detonations that terminated
in one intense crash-one binding flash,
that hurled us to the floor, stunned
and bruised. As our quarters were get
ting disagreeable, we made as hasty an
exit as circumstances would admit, and