The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-01-23
A STRANGE PHENOMENA.
What an Eye Witness Has to Say About the
Underground Fires Now Raging In
Highland County, Virginia.

Highland County, Virginia.
Among the recent arrivals in tn
city, says The Louisville COurier-Jour
nal was Mr.. Edward B. Elder, O
Highland county, Virginia. OF lat
there have been reports from tina
section of the country of a strang,
phenomena which was said to have
been witnessed in the mountains few
miles from Monterey Court House
Highland county, where the earth wa:
said to be one burning mass. The
fact that Mr.. Mulhatton was known to
be in another quarter Of the globe gave
the story some credence, and more es-
pecially so as it was vouched for by
responsible men. A reporter learning
of Mr. Elders arrival went in search
of him last night to see if he knew any
thing concerning the matter. He was
found comfortably ensconced in a
cushioned chair at the Gait house.
talking to some friends. When asked
if he had heard of the strange perform
ance nature was said to be guilty of, he
replied
at is certainly true. and is the most
remarkable thing l ever heard of.
From present indications l should say
that we are likely to have another
edition of Mount Vesuvius produced in
the mountains OF Virginia. The phe-
nomena consists of fires which seem
to be raging under the earth, on the
top of the peaks in Highland county,
and the ground for a considerable dis
lance seems to be a smodering mass.
The first heard of it was report |
brought by a boy who claimed to have |
walked over the place which was on
hire. The country around is almost
inaccessible, and it is very seldom that
anyone ventures so far up on the m oun-
tains, therefore it was only by acct
dent that the discovery was made. A
few days ago the boy, who was in
search of some lost sheep, wandered
on foot among the hills until he got
several miles from home. All at once
he felt the air around him grow warm
er, and experienced a strange sensa-
ton, as if some burning substance was Il
beneath him. He was on an elevated
plateau, probably quarter of a mile
square, on the top of one of the small
mountains. At first he was greatly
alarmed, and started to run away. I
His curiosity overcame his fear, how
eyer, and he stopped to see if he could c
find the cause of the unusual warmth. I
He stopped and placed his hand on the $
earth, and was startled TO find that it y
was so hot as to almost blister his t
flesh. He did not pursue his research d
es any further, but proceeded at once n
to his home, where he told of the 0
strange occurrence. No faith was put L
in the narrative, and it was thought b
BY the neighbOrs that the youth was ,
going crazy. N
'The news finally reached the town W
II Monterey, and some scientific 81
persons determined to in 81
'estigate. Procuring the boy for a e1
,uide, they went to the place and al
ound that all he had stated was true. eN
When they returned they told even
nore wonderful story than that told by tn
he boy. This produced great sensa- at
ion throughout the immediate country, le
nd great many persons were nearly Jt
frightened out of their wits. The SUI OF
erstitious were of the belief that the IN
ay of judgment was close at hand an
nd began to make preparations to re- wi
bond 10 the call of the trumpet. mt
hich they momentarily expected to nv
axe the silence of the mountains. | tn
ved some distance away, but when da
e news reached me | determined TO KIN
tisfy myself. After nearly a days thu
avel over the rough mountain road, me
hich wound around cliffs at the foot WI
overhanging rocks, arrived within the
short distance of the region. here
It my horse, and together with a fro
uple of friends who had accompa- An
ed me, proceeded as best l could to lit
3 place indicated. l had heard ex- riv
gerated stories, and was almost pre- riv
red for anything, but must confess BILE
1T l was greatly startled. The earth wa
yards around seemed to be smol- STE
ring heap, and was as hot as an oven. in
places hard crust had formed over wa!
, clay, and large assures made by anc
} heat. The air seemed very dense sip
4 foggy, and in places a blush Phi
oke broke through holes in the earth Mis-
4 spread over the mountain tops. Me-
} dug down to the depth of probably for
zee feet and came to yellowish lun
t OF clay which was almost as soft Ada
putty. When a shovelful was wor
own out on the ground it smoldered Ker
, heap of ashes, and a quantity of her
oke seemed to rise from it. 1t was thes
y hot, and glowed with a strange of '
lliancy, which lasted for hours. stea
tried the experiment of digoinp enc,
vn in a number of places, ana cast
avs with the same results. The first
per we went the more prnJunced was
J the phenomena, and we found it mex
lcult to stand over the opening. 9.
" long this has been in progress no ner
knows, and the NEST learned are ley
led for reason. 1t looks as if thes
,ano was at work, and ready at any drug
nent to burst an opening through taste
earth and throw out its volume of this
Ike and fire. Hundreds of people whic
Q visited the place, and all have delp
e away more mystified than ever" Twin
- days
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