The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-03

dences which exist here clearly show
that the cone which once covered this
old crater reached an altitude of from
10000 to 10000 feet above the level Of
the ocean. and possibly more. To my
mind. II was once the highest mount
ain on the continent. If we consider
its base. form and the angle OF its side,
then the shape, side. angles, height
and base area OF the present high
peaks of the same, formed at the same
time and from like causes; considering
also that which is an admitted geologi-
cal fact. that the flow had ceased prac-
tica1y from all other craters along this
old fracture line. which became clogged
and choked. and we will easily mag
Inc the natural consequences. which
would be an increased energy and
force. at the only considerable remain
ing vent left open for the relief of the
pent-up forces-forces that had been
sufficient to elevate tremendous
range to an altitude of from 5000 to
1900 feet: to cover hundreds, aye,
thousands OF square miles with a mass
of lava from 1000 to 1000 feet thick,
concentrating all strength and energy
at this one spot. We need not be sur
prised that at such a place and under
such circumstances we find evidences
OF the greatest volcanic effort tbs
world has experienced. 1t would be
the most stupendous cone, the destruc-
ton OF which was the work Of an ag-
creation of forces employed. After
considering all this, II we will protract
the lines Of this mountain upward on
the angles of its sides, as we find
them. until they meet, giving to II the
shape of Hood, jefferson, Diamond
Peak. Mclaughlin and Shasta. Its Gull
minating point would pierce the clouds
not much below Everest
/ am credibly informed that Mount
Hood. at an elevation of 5000 feet, is
not more than three miles in diameter.
Yet Hood is practically $4,000 feet high.
We can well use Hood to compare this
one with. 1t is only an infant in size
compared with the one we are treat
ing. Imagine 1t cut off, however, at
the level of the top of Crater Lake
mountain and we have the frustrum
of a cone. with its upper plans only
three miles in diameter. while that OF
the Crater Lake cone is six by seven
miles across Its followed portion alone.
Imagination cannot be wilder than the
truth In this instance. Just think of II!
An excavation six by seven miles in
extent. 1000 feet deep, and filled half
full of the clearest and purest water
in the world. In places the wall Is
almost vertical. and a rock dropped
from the highest points finds no obsta-
Gle In the way for nearly 1000 feet,
and in two bounds strikes the water
more than 1000 feet below. tried the
experiment. Lying fiat. my face be-
from my hand, and as / watched II
sink down. down. down, 1 was taken
with an almost irresistible impulse to
follow. The sensation under such cir
cumstances is not unusual; neither is
1t pleasant. The cone. S45 feet high.
called Wizard island, is Of much inter-
est. 1t is a symmetrical cinder cone.
and is doubtless the last chimney of
the old volcano. The followed place
in it's top is partly filled with snow.
At the time of our visit, in 1878, we
discovered only one place where we
considered 1t possible to reach the wa
ter. and even then we exercised ex-
treme caution. More familiarity with
IL has discovered other places, how
ever. where the descent may be made
without any great difficulty. At the
point discovered by us, a causeway
had been worn through the rim by the
breaking away of huge fragments,
which, dashing upon the rocks below,
have worn and broken them out, leav-
ing in the track rock. dust and ashes,
into which we sank ankle deep, max
ing the ascent very fatigulng. This
passage is at an angle OF 30 to 40 de-
grees. and the perpendicular distance
about 1900 feet. The sides of this
causeway are bordered by volcanic
rocks. varying from 100 to 400 feet in
height.
We amused ourselves for a time roll
Ing huge rocks, some of them weigh
ing tons. down this pathway, and were
astonished by the speed and force they
attained. These massive fragments
went bounding along with accelerated
speed until their velocity would cause
them to leap 100 feet into the air, and
strike near the bottom, after flying
through space for 200 yards, when,
with a final leap. they would plunge
into the water 100 yards from shore.
What a playground for the Mazamas!
There Is no visible inlet or outlet,
which. taken in connection with the
fact that the precipitation is greater
than the evaporation, is evidence of
subterranean outlets, which theory is
supported by the existence of several
streams which spring from the mount
arm side.
In describing a visit he had once
made alone to the shore of the lake
when storm was raging on the
heights above. Mr. Watson said:
These walls seem, at one time, to
have been in the semi-molten state,
when old Vulcan, with the strength
which is vouchsafed to him alone,
hurled forth his missiles of war. fire
and lava. throwing rocks OF all dimen-
sions with such force as to imbed them
in the basaltic walls. where they still
cling. an evidence of volcanic power.
Here the maddened flames played, and
in LIQUID flashes shot their fiery
tongues heavenward. Here the awful
thunders belched forth their terrors to
the wild inhabitants OF the surround
ing regions. while the frightened In
dian crouched in fear beneath the
shelter of the neighboring mountains.
and the heavens were darkened by the
storm OF ashes and stones. while fiery
avalanches of molten matter poured
their destructive floods down these
devil-possessed heights. Here alone In
this loneliest of spots. with the waves
dashing madly against the shore, sur
rounded by these fire-begrimed and
tfme-charred battlements of nature,
tAo ofon1. roatipU on the sumnaffS and