Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-03-02
MT. BAKERS ERUPTIoNs
Interesting Paper on Washington Vol
canoes by Prof. Plummer

canoes by Prof Plummer
An interesting and exhaustive paper
on "Recent Volcanic Activity in
Washington" was read before the
Acadamy of Science at Annie Wright
seminary, at Tacoma, Monday evening,
by Prof. Fred G.. Plummer. From this
appears that our Mt. Baker has con-
| tributed its full share of activity since
/ the settlement of Puget sound.
According TO the story of John Hia-
] ton (now living, it was about the year
1920 that he witnessed an eruption of
/ Mount Tacoma, accompanied by fire,
noise and earthquake, He had heard
from older members of his tribe. that
this had happened many times. He
had also seen fires from Mount Baker,
and tradition of his race is to the
effect that this mountain was formerly
much higher and that a tremendous
explosion threw down the entire south
side. The present shape and condition
of the mountain confirms this story
Hiaton also refers to a tidal wave which
washed up the Puyallup valley. This
was probably the effect of submarine
volcanic action. 1t is possible that
shio heAo az Nilt lllllG anu Itu lllt
same cause as the tidal wave which
swept over Santa Barbara in 1872.
Father DE Smet testifies that "in the
year 1916 Mounts st. Helens and
Baker became volcanoes, the latter i'm
mediateiy preceding the time of writ
ing had undergone considerable
changes on the side where the crater
was formed" This corresponds i'm
some degree TO the story of John
HiatOn, although the dates are not the
same. 1t is also reported that Mount
Tacoma showed signs of activity at
this time.
Settlers of Whatcom county have
often seen Mount Baker in a state of
eruption, giving out fire and smoke.
One old resident says he has at night
upon the water, several times seen the
fires of Mount Baker, the smoke from
which draws down the Skagit valley.
Parties who reached the summit in the
year 1866, reported that the chasms on
the northwest side are of frightful
depth. The top Of the mountain is of
solid ice and snow. The crater hes to
the southwark and far below the sum-
nit. From the top smoke was plainly
seen coming from the crater and sui
phurous smell was plainly perceptable.
In January, 1858, persons living
down Sound could distinctly see a long
black streak on the southwest slope of
Mount Baker which was variously
estimated at from 900 TO 1000 feet i'm
width. 1t was several months before
this mass of lava las it undoubtedly
was had cooled so as to receive the
falling snow. Persons who reached
the summit in 1891, report that just
south of the peak is an enormous
chasm bearing nearly east and west
and at least 1000 feet below the sum-
init. At the bottom of this chasm is
the crater, and it was from its western
mouth that this river of lava flowed.
On Saturday, the l4th of December,
1872, at GAO p. M, very strong shock
was felt over the whole Puget sound
country and as far south as Skookum-
chuck. At Seattle several lumber piles
were thrown down. There were three
series of shocks, which witnesses gem
orally agree came from the northeast
or from Mount Baker. In this con-
nection Mrs. Victor, who wrote in 1872,
says that "St. Helens has been fire.
quently known since the settlement of
the country TO throw out steam and
ashes, scattering the latter over the
country for 100 miles and obscuring
the daylight ION one occasion) so that
it was necessary to burn candles. Mount
Baker, more active as volcano than
the other peaks, has, since 1877, suf-
fered loss of height and change of form
consequent on the falling in of the
walls of its crater" Whether the
caused the falling in or the
falling caused the earthquake is ques- !
ton for debate.
In the latter part of December, 1880, |
a Whatcom county paper said a thigh |
meteor was observed TO descend upon |
the Chuckanut mountains, near Sam !
ish, few days ago which Illuminated !
the heavens and made the earth plainly !
resound to its striking. 1t was prob |
ably rocket from the fireworks of
Mount Baker, which was said to be in
a state of eruption at the time"