Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-01-29
UNDERGROUND FIRES.


The volcano in Highland county.
Virginia, writes franklin VI. Va,
correspondent to the Baltimore Inert
can, which is just now the subject of so
much newspaper comment, is not of
recent origin, nor phenomenal char
acter. 1t has existed since the earliest
recollection of the oldest inhabitant
In Highland county the south branch
OF the Potomac has its source. 1t is
there, as it is along the greater part of
It's way to the sea, a noisy turbulent
stream. Straight creek, as it is called,
has its origin in tho foothills of the
jackson River mountains, that rise
near the center of the county and trend
almost due south. dividing the county.
In the northwest corner is 81 ort
range Of high, blufy hills called he
Little mountains Between these
two ranges four streams have their
sources. Two of the streams run
north, two south. This ridge or water
he'd is known as the Oak mountains
series of narrow PERCEPTIONS hills
difficult of exploration. Everything
indicates that centuries ago the lake
spread its waters in the then basin be-
tween the Little mountains and the
jackson River mountains; that some
great CONFUSION of nature dried up the
lake and raised the Oak mountains.
The rocks in these mountains mc
neither large nor numerous, but the
soil is waxy. 1t is, without doubt, the
accumulation of the growth of leaves,
grasses, and shrubs of centuries, and is
III some places hardened into the seams
OF coal, separated by stratas of peat
like earth. Grass grows luxtiriantlv
upon the mountain sides, and trees and
shrubs are abundant. In places the
rain has washed deep gullics into the
ground, showing distinct layers of soil.
For ages forest fires have ragged In the
Oak mountains during the autumnal
season. In some of these past fires a
seam of coal that was surfaced in
some exposed spot has been ignited
and burned ever since Gradually the
heat has dispelled the moisture from
the peaty soil above it, and the smol-
dering tames have .gnawed their way
through their iibrous covering toward
the surface, breaking out here and
there, to the temporary interest of the
occasional native who happened to
stray upon such spot. The surface
soil, though mass of half decayed
leaves and roots of grass, is never suf-
fieleMlY dry to burn in any other than
smoldering way 1t is porous, and
holds the smoke, which accounts for
the presence of SO much OF it when the
soil is turned up. The extent of these
underground fires is unknown.
A gentleman who recently visited
that section, and who Investigated the
matter with considerable thoro lghness,
said to-day that the fires were coming
to the surface over large extent of
country. and it was tn that had occa-
stoned the reports about volcano.
During last Septe Der very extensive
and fierce forest fir swept the noun
tains, They lasted for weeks and the
ground was cleared of all moisture. In
many places the flames from below
found vent through the giping earth,
and have continued TO burn ever since,
as they will do for untold years to
come. The people of the county grew
more interested. and the fame of the
volcano spread People from dis
lance came to see; the inevitable news
paper '.Joc Mutation found it out,
and the volcano sprang into print o
fuil-tiedgcd Eesuvius, with lava trim
mings, plaits of scoria, and all the
latest attachments OF q first-class, mod
crn, five-act volcano. 1t is great at
traction, and will continue TO be one in
an increasing degree for years to come
There is 10 possibility of putting out
the fire, and it will continue to gnaw at
the heart of the mountains until it has
consumed its vitality and dies of fam
inc. The visible affected area is about
eight square miles. In many places
the crust breaks through with slight
pressure, exhibiting mass of substance
that has the appearance of leached
ashes. 1t is only where coal-seam
protrudes that flame is seen. At in
tervals are ragged holes of various d.
amsters, ranging from an inch to a
foot, from which the smoke starts at
times as if expelled by force. Smoke
coming from these craters is dampened
and strongly saturated with steam.