The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-01-08
THURsDAEsJANUARY 1885.
A STRANGE PHENOMENA.
What an Eyewitness Has to Say About the
Underground Fires Now Raging in High
land County, Virginia.

~ hANSE PHENOMENAL
What an Eyewitness Has to Say About the
Underground Fires Now Raging in High
land County, Virginia.
Among the recent arrivals in the city !
was Mr.. Edward B. Elder, of Highland
County, Virginia. Of late there have
been reports from that section of the
country of strange phenomena which
was said to have been witnessed in the
few miles from Mon
terey Court House, Highland County, !
where the earth was said to be one |
burning mass. The fact hat Mr.. Null
hatton was known to be in another |
quarter of the globe gave the story
some credence, and more especially so
as it was vouched for by responsible
men. A reporter, learning OF Mr.. El-
der's arrival, went in search of him last
night to see if he knew anything con-
cerning the matter. He was found
comfortably ensconced in cushioned
chair at the Gait House, talking to
some friends. When asked if he had
heard of the strange performance ma
ture was said to be guilty of, he replied:
''It is certainly true. and is the most
remarkable thing ever heard of. From
present indications I should say that we
are likely to have another edition of
Mount Vesuvius produced in the noun
tains of Virginia. The phenomena con-
sists of fires which seem to be raging
under the earth, on top of the peaks in
Highland County, and the ground for
considerable distance seems to be
smoldering mass. The first heard of it
was report brought by a boy who
claimed to have walked over the place
which was on fire. The country around
is almost inaccessible, and it is very.
seldom that any one ventures so far up
on the mountains, therefore it was only
by accident that the discovery was
made. A few days ago the boy, who
was in search of some lost sheep, wan
dered on foot among the hills, until he
got several miles from home. All at
once he felt the air grow warmer, and
experienced a strange sensation, as if
some burning substance was beneath
| him. He was on an elevated plateau,
| probably quarter of mile square, on
the top of one of the small mountains.
| At first he was greatly alarmed and
started to run away. His curiosity
overcame his fear, however, and he
stopped to see if he could find the
cause of the unusual warmth. He
stopped and placed his hand on the
earth, and was startled to find that it
was so hot as to almost blister his flesh.
He did not pursue his researches any
further, but proceeded at once to his
home, where he told of the strange oc.
currence. No faith was put in the mar.
rative, and it was thought by the neigh.
bors that the youth was going crazy.
''The news finally reached the towr
of Monterey, and some scientifcally-ir
clined persons determined to investigate
Procuring the boy for guide, they
went to the place and found that all hi
had stated was true. When they re
turned they told even a more wonder
full story than that told by the boy
This produced great sensation
throughout the immediate country, ant
great many persons were nearl,
frightened out of their wits. The super
stitious were of the belief that the da,
of Judgment was close at hand and be
gan to make preparations to respond Il
the call of the trumpet, which they
momentarily expected to wake the 81
leace of the mountains. l lived SOM
distance away, but when the new
reached me l determined to satisfy my
self After nearly a days travel owe
the rough mountain road, which wount
around cliffs at the foot of overhangin,
rocks, arrived within a short distanc
of the region. 1 here left my horse
and, together with couple of friend
who had accompanied me, proceeded a
best could to the place indicated. Iha
heard exaggerated stories, and wa
almost prepared for anything, but mus
confess that was greatly startled. Th
earth for yards around seemed to be
smouldering heap and was as hot as a
oven. In places hard crust had forme
over the clay. and large assures mad
by the heat. The air seemed very dens
and foggy, and in many places bluis
smoke broke through holes in the cart
and spread over the mountain tops. w
dug down to the depth of probably thre
feet and came to a yellowish sort of ella
which was almost as soft as putty
When a shovelful was thrown out o
the ground it smoldered like heap {
ashes, and quantity of smoke SCENE
to rise from it. 1t was very hot, an
glowed with strange brilliancy, whic
lasted for hours. We tried the exper
: ment of digging down in number {
places, and always with the same I,
, suits. The deeper we went the mol
) pronounced was the phenomena, an
: we found it difficult to stand over tn
opening. How long this has been
; progress no one knows, and the mo
learned are bafflcd for reason. 1t lool
as if volcano was at work and read
. at any moment to burst an openir
through the earth and throw out i
volume of smoke and fire. Hundred
j. of people have visited the place. an
2 all have come away more mystified this
i ever. r."-LouisuiUe CotsaTer-J0urnal