The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-30

err and stronger the lower ne went. The
roaring at the bottom of the hole became
louder and louder. and crash after crash
shook the perpendicular walls of the
crevice. BY means of a signal string Mr..
Patterson was enabled to tell the Indians
above when to lower and when to raise
him, and ne was thus enabled to observe
all about him as he slowly sank into the
pit.
AS he went lower and lower the light
from the mouth of the chasm became
DINNER and DINNER and finally faded
away altogether. The pit was in absolute
darkness, except for the feeble light shed
by the lantern, and the man suspended
between the sky and he knew not what
dared not let himself think of the tate
that awaited him were the rope TO bre ak
or the Indian police become frightened
and desert the windlass.
For moment his courage deserted him
as the terrible possibilities of his trip
flashed over his mind and he almost gave
the signal for the men above TO hoist
away. Almost instantly, however. his
nerve returned and he signaled to be
lowered still deeper into the cavern. A
moment later the rope began TO he pa d
out and once more Patterson resumed his
downward journey. Almost below him app
peared a pale, pink glow, as of fire SHIN
ing through thin slken screen, and al
most Immediately Mr.. Patterson realized
that breathing was more difficult. The
walls of the chasm were of different ma
terials from that which he had encounter
ed at first, being soft and crumbing to
the touch.
Another 100 feet down and Patterson
could plainly see a bubbling, seething pool
of what appeared TO be water. and yet
along the edges crept a thin line of p nix
fire, gradually expanding and sire tchng
out, until it seemed to envelope the entire
surface of the pool. The flame was also
rapidly eating into the walls of the crew
ice and the odor of sulphur was thick and
suffocating, almost choking the investiga-
tor.
For time he stood it, but when he
felt himself becoming faint and dizzy
he gave the signal to be hoisted, and at
once the Indian policemen at the surface
began to wind up the rope. Nearly half
hour was consumed in drawing Pat
terson to the top, where he was warmly
greeted by the Indians, who had feared,
they said. that they would never see him
alive again.
1t was now late i'm the afternoon and
the men began preparing meal before
their return to the agency While thus
engaged smoke began arising from the
crevice, followed short time later by a
burst Of thin blue fame and faint
smell of sulphur. The heat was intense
and soon drove the little party with all
speed to the reservation headquarters
where Mr.. Patterson made a report of
the whole affair.
Without doubt the split in the ground
was caused by an explosion of gas which
had accumulated in cavity in the
earth in the immediate vicinity of a large
body of ma terial resembling sulphur to d
certain extent. This material, whatever ii
may be. has undoubtedly caught fire and
is now burning fiercely. Many people
around this section of North Dakota say
the burning substance is without doubt
t.H.te
discovered in various portions of the
state at different times.
Deposits of sulphur like substance
have been found in many of the canyons
along the Missouri river and in the Black
hills, and it is the belief of many old res
idents that were the truth known it would
be found that the material now burning
and creating terror among the Indians OF
the Sisseton reservation is very similar.
The only thing that cannot be explained
is the Subterranean lake half way down
the crevice and how the dog which fell
into the chasm passed into the spting
near the agency headquarters which is,
of course. fed by underground streams.
Many of the older Indians claim that
this cracking of the earth is forerunner
of a great change soon to take place,
which will restore the entire Northwest
il not the whole country-to its original
wildness, wiping out of existence the
white men and their sky-scraping build
ings, and leaving alive only the indians
and the wild game, the original inha BIZ
tants of the land.
But In the main the Indians are greatly
alarmed, and much difficulty is expert
enced in keeping them upon the reserva-
ton. In spite of the fact that it is the
winter season they would depart. leaving
behind all their belongings and tie GER
tainty of rations from the government
were they not held in check by the Off
Gals. AS soon as possible a thorough in
yestigation of the chasm will be made
when interesting discoveries are ex-
pected.