Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-04-03
voLcANoEsoFTHE NORTHWEST
People Now Living Claim to Have
Seen Numerops EruptiOns.

Seen Numerous Eruptions.
Colonel Fred G. Plummer has made
extensive researches and collected data
which shows beyond question that the
big mountain peaks In the Northwest
have been volcanoes in the memory OF
people yet living, says the Tacoma
News, and this is why Colonel Plum
mer thinks that Mount Rainier Is likely
to break out again at any time. Bor-
dering the sound country there are at
least twenty prominent peaks from
which eruptions may take place. or
which may be centers Of earth tremors
or shocks, and several Of these have
within recent years given ample PROOF
of life. Among the mass Of data Is the
story Of John Hiaton, an Indian now
living, that he witnessed an eruption OF
the mountain in 1920. 1t was accompa-
MED 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 a tradition Of his
race Is to the effect that this mounta u
was much higher, and that a trcmen-
dous explosion threw down the entire
south side. The present shape and
condition Of the mountain confirm this
story.
An old historian, Rev. Samuel Par
ker, tells that "the Indians say that
they have often seen fires in the chasns
of Mount Hood. Tiki. the first chief
of the Dalles Indians, who is a man of
more than ordinary talents. said that
he had often seen fire in the fissure OF
the rocks in the mountains" A few
years ago Captain Symonds, in bis re.
port on the Columbia River, notes that
persons who have visited Mount Hood
say that near its summit are places
where hot, sulphurous gases still es-
, cape, and there are many who claim
to have seen smoke in large quantities
| issuing from the mountain" In the
story Of his explorations Mr.. Parker re-
lates that there was in August, 1881,
an commonly dark day, which was
| thought to have been caused by an
eruption of q volcano. The whole day
was nearly as dark as night, except a
light red, lurid in appearance, which
was perceptible until near night Light
| ed candles were necessary during the
day. The atmosphere was filed with
ashes of wood, all having the appear.
ance of having been produced by great
fires. and yet none were known to have
! occurred In the whole region. The day
| was perfectly calm, without any wind.
For a few days after the fires out Of
doors were noticed to burn as though
mixed with sulphur. There were no
earthquakes. By observations which
were made after the atmosphere be-
came clear, 1t was thought the pure
white, perpetual snow Of Mount St.
Helens was discolored, presenting a
brown appearance, and therefore 1t
was concluded that there had been a
| slight eruption" In q footnote the
author says: 81 have been credibly in
formed that lava was elected at that
time from st. Helens." There are many
other facts that go 10 prove that ST. Hell
ems was very active in 1881.
Settlers of Whatcom County have
,ften seen Mount Baker in q state of
eruption. In January, 1853, persons
living down the sound could distinctly
see q long black streak ON the south
west slope of Mount Baker, which was
| variously estimated at from 1000 to
1000 feet In width. 1t was several
months before the mass Of lava cooled
so as to receive the falling snow. In
1861 people at Port Ludlow saw Mount
Olympus. in the Olympic range. in
eruption. On Sunday, June q, 1859, at
about $50 p. m, quite severe earth
quake shock was felt at Seattle. Very
little damage was done, although dishes
were thrown from pantry shelves and
! many people were startled by the sharp
ness of the shock. On Sunday, Dec. II,
| 1880, about 8 o'clock at night the en-
tire region around Mount Rainier ex.
perienced series of sharp earthquakes
which were accompanied by deep rum
blings. The ground seemed to wliggle
ana twist In the summer Of 1888 Ia.
coma received a severe shock, which
the motion Of chandeliers hung on
hooks showed came from the direc.
! ton Of Mount Rainier. On June 16
1884, at about Z O'Clock, p. m, Jets OF
steam were plainly seen shooting up.
ward from Mount Rainier to q consid-
cradle height This phenomenon waa
continued at short intervals until dark.
ness shut OF the view. There was nd
fre. and no earth 6emorD were report'
ed. ShaeA Alldsng eas& Of the Qasladel