The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-12-15
EXCITEMENT IN INDIANAPOLIS,
INDIANA.

4"uulhu6DOlAS As az pG0EOAU o N0S
interested in some peculiar demonstra-
tions at No. 1925, Capital Ave, North,
being the home of James Newport.
About two weeks ago, the family were
startled by a low rumbliug sound and
felt the ground culver under the house.
These demonstrations continued each
day, becoming more frequent and
more severe. Becoming alarmed,
they told their friends and &C
uuaintances and the matter soOn be
came general talk. People began to
gather about the premises and in a
short time they were standing about i n
the yard, and some we're so bold that
they stood and watched the family
through the windows. Mr.. Newport
has not been to his place of bust
ness for several days, because Of the
roWds at his home.
WHAT THE OWNER AVS.
Mr.. Newport says that when the
shocks occur now they are so severe
that the house seems to swing, giving
one a feeling of sickness. One peculiar
feature is that even though the shocks
are severe, they have with one or two
exceptions) been felt only by persons
on the Newport premises On one &C
occasion, however, the report was dis
tinctly heard and the shock plainly
felt several hundred feet from the New
port house.
Mr.. Viewpoints theory is that there
is q series of gas explosions taking place
down deep in the earth. The fact that
these explosions continue to grow
louder has convinced him that the
gas is coming to the surface, and he
has decided to vacate his house and
last night moved his family to the
home CT friends in another part Of the
city. The nervous strain of the shocks
and the annoyance of the crowd have
almost Frustrated Mrs. Newport,
MEN WHO WERE NOT AFRAID.
An amusing ST. e of the IF ar took
place last night. A newspaper man,
together with others obtained permIs
sion to stay in the house ana take notes
of what happened. When Mr.. New
port left with his family there we're ten
men in the parlor, telling what had
happened, how it came to happen, etc
when they were strtled by a low rumb
ling and then a sound like a M fiji ID
gun shot. When they recovered from
their surprise they discovered they |
we're short four men. The first shock
was quickly followed by another and
louder one, and two more men were
missing. This left only four men, but
they were not the kind that run. They
were there to stay and see what hap
pened. They stayed-they saw-and
something happened. A Lunch had
been set cut for them and was on the
piano. the newspaper man looked at
his watch and venturtd the remark
that he always made it q custom to
eat g lunch about this time in the eve
ming. He took a large piece of apple
pie and was about to take a bite, when
there came several loud reportsin quick
succession; the house commenced to
swing; the windows ratified; the fur
niture m0ved-aud SO did the four !
TROUBLE AT H DOOR.
Not a word was spoken, but every
man seemed to make up his mind that
the others could stay if they wanted
TO, but for his part, he believed he
would go, and every man acted on that
idea.
Unfortunately, Mr.. Newport had not
anticipated enything of this kind, for
in building his house he put in a door
of the average 8 za, large enough, how
ever, under ordinary circumstances,
but the present circumstances could
not classed among the ordinary. In
deed it was far from it, for here were
four men in the greatest of haste, all
headed for that single door with a
strong probability that they would all
round up there at the same time,
which they did-every man coming in
OF time and taking an active part in a
sardine act at the door. Things were
getting no better when there was a
heart rending outburst in the cellar.
Every man felt that there was nothing
between him and that noise but the
h)or-and no telling how soon the
floor might take a notion to go-and
the life and energy that was put into
the sardine business was truly wonder
full. The door casing was creaking
vests, neckties and suspenders were