The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-09-23

"Would you object to giving the read.
ers of the Star an insight into your
theory?"
"Not at ALL" replied the Professor, and
added after a pause; "It has the merit
of simplicity, which is more than can be
said for the theories of some of the so.
called scientists. In brief, then, my
theory is simply this: Earthquakes and
atmospheric disturbances 60 together.
The latter is the promoting cause of the
former. Now the normal external pres.
sure of the atmosphere on the earth's
surface is about fifteen pounds to the
square inch. A series Of heavy storms
come and displace q portion of the at.
mosphere, diminishing the external
pressure in that particular locality. The
internal pressure-the volcanic forces at
work within the earth-seeks vent wher-
ever the external pressure is least.
Result, an earthquake"
"Is this all there is to your theory"
"Not quite ALL" he answered, with
smile. "L paused in order to give you an
opportunity to grasp the general outline
before I went into my theory more in
detail. Now, all storms in my opinion,
are attributable to the movements Of the
moon. The moon carries the atmospheric
waves upward-attracts them toward
herself. Scientists of the schools deny
this-beeause'they cannot weigh. these
suspended waves. I have o twofold
answer ready to meet this objection. Let
US suppose that we have small letter
balance before US on this table. I place
steel weight on the balance, and it
bears it down. Now, let me take pow
erful magnet and hold it above the weight.
Note the result. The balance returns to
its normal position just as if the weight
did not rest upon it. How can I weigh
that suspended weight now? Tell me,
and I will show the scientists how to
weigh suspended atmospheric wave.
My second answer is levelled at those
who doubt the power of the moons at
traction. It is simply an argument by
analogy. The moon, according to the
very generally accepted scientific theory,
causes the ebb and flow of the tide.
What is this but attraction and repul.
sion7 If the moon can lift q volume Of
water thousands of miles in area and
hundreds Of fathoms deep, why cannot it
lift volume of air? Now, to go back
little ways to where I said that the nor.
NAL pressure upon the earth's surface was
changed by a-series of heavy storms, you
will now comprehend that this atmos.
pheric displacement is directly attributa-
Bile to the attraction of the moon. The
moon causes the storms and then lifts the
atmospheric waves. The pressure within
the earth's crust has q diminished press.
ure from without to contend against.
An upheavsl follows"
"Do the recorded facts concerning the
state of the barometer at Charleston and
the condition of the moon Immediately
preceding fhs}earthquake bear out your
theory? ?"
"To the fullest possible extent, they do.
There has never been an earthquake in
any quarter Of the globe where the pre-
vious meteorological conditions have not
been substantially such as I have describ.
ed. As to Charleston, rain storm after rain
storm has swept over the city during the
past two months. Destructive floods have
been chronicled throughout thatsection of
country. Lastly, most important fact,
the moon was directly overheard at the
time of the earthquake. { In this position,
according to my theory, it exercises the
strongest attractive force"
"Do you not think it possible that the
thinness of the earth's crust in the neigh.
borhood of Charleston might have much
to do with the recent earthquake ?"
"I am not believer in that thin crust
theory" said he. "Now, scientists say
that the earth's crust is sixty-ive miles
thick here and only twenty-five at Char.
lesion. If that be so how do they &C.
count for the fact that we experienced
quite severe shock of earthquake here
in New Jersey two years ago, and that
they didn't feel it in Charleston at all.
Now they have a terrific shock and we
scarcely perceptible one. Believe me
the storm theory is the only reliable one.
Prior to our earthquake of 1884 terrible
storms and destructive floods ragged
throughout this State"
"Do you think We have seen the last of
the earthquakes for this ycar?"
Indeed 1 do not" was the reply. In
fact, the condition of the atmosphere
tends to confirm me in the belief that at
least one violent earthquake will come
within very short time. AS soon as
the conditions existing prior to the
Charleston earthquake reoccur the earth.
quake must necessarily follow"
"When and where will such conditions
reoccur7"
"On or about the 25th of this month.
The earthquake may be expected between
the date and the 2Sth. It will be vic.
lent one, but it's centre will be in the
Northwestern part of the United States.
Washington Territory, Idaho, Montana,
Dakota, Oregon, California, Nevada and
Utah will get the full benefit of it. We
shall very possibly feel it here. From
the 25th of the month it will be intensely