Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-03-19
UNDERGROUND FIRES.

What Causes the Phenomena in West vir-
ginia.
The volcano in Highland County.
Virginia, which is just now the subject
If SO much newspaper comment, is not
,frecent origin, nor OF phenomenal
character. 1t has existed since the
earliest recollection of the Oldest inhabi-
ant In Highland County the south
branch of the Potomac has its source.
It is there, as it is along the greater
part of its way to the sea, noisy, tur-
bulent stream. Straight Creek, as the
upper par. of t is crll"d. has its origin
in the foothills OF the Jackson River
Mountains, that rise near the center OF
tho county and trend almost due south,
dividing the county. In the northwest
corner is a short range OF high, bluffy
hills called the 'Little Mountains. Be-
tween these two ranges four streams
have their sources. Two of the streams
run north, two south. This ridge, or
watershed, is known as the Oak Moun-
tains-a series of narrow, precipitOus
hills difficult of exploration. Every
thing indicates that centuries ago lake
spread its waters in the then basin be-
tween the Little Mountains and the
Jackson River Mountains; that some
great convulsion of nature dried up
Che lake and raised the Oak Noun
tains. The rocks in these mountains
are neither large nor numerous,
but the soil is waXy. 1t is, with
out doubt, the accumulation OF
the growth of decaye leaves, grasses
and shrubs of centuries, and is in some
places hardened into the seams of coal,
separated by stratas of peat-like earth.
Grass grows luxuriantly upon the noun
tain sides, and trees and shrubs are
abundant. In places the rain has washed
deep gullies 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 seam OF coal that
was surfaced" in some exposed spot
! has become ignited and burned ever
r since Gradually the heat has dispelled
the moisture from the peaty soil above
it, and the smoldering flames have
> gnawed their way through their fisOus
covering toward the surface, breaking
S out here and there, to the temporary
h interest of the occasional native who
= happened to stray upon such spot.
The surface SOL, though mass OF half.
!, decayed leaves aud roots of grass, is
r. never sufficiently dry to burn in any
u other than smoldering way. 1t II
! porous, and holds the smoke, which &C
: counts for the presence of so much o.
e it when the soil is turned up. The ex
l. tent of these underground fires is un
| A xuhc ranantlu vic
:, tied that section, and who investigated
- the matter with considerable thorough
- ness, said to-day that the tires wer'
n coming to the surface over large
IN extent of country, and it was thl
that had occasioped the report
about volcano. During last Septem
Der very extensive and fierce forest IRE
swept the mountains. They lasted 10
j weeks and the ground was cleared Q
g. all moisture. In many places the ilame
,r from below found vent through tn
~ gaping earth, and have continued t
burn ever since, as they will do Tor ur
told years to come. The people OF Tn
,g county grew more interested, and TN
re fame of the volcano spread. Poop
IS from distance came to see; the lnevl
to able newspaper ''Joo Mulhatton" foun
"a it out and the volcano sprang into prlr
a. a full-hedged Vesuyius, with lava trim
10 mings, plaits of scorie, and all IL
no latest attachments of iirst-class, moo
'p, ern, five-act volcano. 1t is great a
ne traction, and will continue to be one
at an increasing degree for years to com
ed There is no possibility of putting out Il
fire. and it will continue to gnaw at I'll
heart of the mountains until it has co
,Iht sumed its vitality and dies of famin
me The visible Affected area is about eig
,ut square miles, In many places the cru
the breaks through with slight prressul
NV exhibiting mass of substance that h
nd the appearance of leached ashes. 1t
oe only where coal-seam protrudes tn
VI a flame is seen. At intervals are ragg
IAN holes of various diameters, ranging ire
hat an inch to foot, from which the smo
ust starts at times as if expelled by for
led Smoke coming from these craters
he damp and Strongly saturated WI
lo+ steam.-Cor. Baltimore american.
Q