Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-08-03
IN CALIFORNIA.
Continued from Page ~

back wheel like a bucking horse, en-
apleo drunken men to walk perfectly
straight, and frightened everybody, pro-
ducing a feeling such as one would like
his creditors to experience-at a distance.
1t was felt even at sea by fishermen in
boats and by sailors on large ships OF
course no one admits that he is terrified
by an earthquake, but he cannot salts
factorily explain why he always leaps
into the middle of the street and turns
white or sick when a temblor comes
along. California people say
THEY LIKE EARTHQUAKES,
But it has not escaped the notice of pill
grims that Fourth of July committees in
his state never advertise an earthquake
among the list of amusements. The fact is
that until late years very few brick build
ings were erected in San Francisco on
account Of the fear of quakes. Expert
ence, however, has shown that while they
are unpleasant, they are not dangerous,
no fatalities ever having been recorded.
Geologically, California is the youngest
state in the union. The foundation is not
thoroughly settled yet, and so shocks are
likely to occur at any time, according to
the statements Of those who have made a
study of seismic phenomena. They SIM
ply add a little spice to existence.
HE 1SLA MI OltSANOEO
The trans-Pacifc steamers are bring
ing sensational news from Hawaii con-
corning the volcanic eruption there.
Mauna Loa and other craters are maxi
ing a record which old Vesuvius cannot
hope to equal. What adds to the awful
ness of the situation on the Pacific islands
is the fear that the entire archipelago
in some vast CONFUSION may disappear
as other volcanic stands have one be-
fore. Still the Hawaiian group is so vast
in area that there is very little danger.
1t is a singular coincidence that the vol
canic outbreak on the islands n the
severe earthquake which was reported in
California last week occurred at
the same time. Concerning the volcanic
outburst, the following statement of Mr..
A. Gibson. who arrived at this
port yesterday, will be Of interest. He
is fresh from the contemplation of the
grand spectacle, having been at guest at
the Volcano house, 80 miles from the
when it first began business, and
later approaching as close as prudence
allowed. He said this morning to a re-
about 4 o'clock on the morning of July
4 we We're walked by the cook Of the Vol
cano house. He was probably one Of the
persons to notice the eruption, and
his attention was attracted to it by a Pc
culiar rudy glare which burst into the
kitchen Of the hotel. The sight 1 shall
never forget. 1t was grandly spectacu-
From a point two miles distant from
the old crater on Mauna Loa, which had
been cool for nearly 20 years, flame was
hundreds Of feet into the air.
The bright light was reflected on the sur
rounding country, and as the eruption
was in. it's incipient stages the first
stream Of lava resembled a fiery snake
slowly creeping down the mountain side.
fury of the first volcanic eruption
was greater than those following. Bowl
ders of incredible dimensions We're hurled
into the air, and the lava spouted as if
from a fountain. After a time the dense
veil of smoke which o%verhung the lofty
furnace added to its terrible scenic eff
lone of the original eruptions ceased. |
after pouring forth it's stream Of molten
lava for one day and a half. The lava
cone, which seemed to attain a height of
about $50 feet on the principal crater,
whose mouth may be 500 feet in breadth.
On the 9Th of July I climbed the mountain
From my position I could see the
lava slowly streaming in the direction of
the table-lands between Mauna Loa and
Mauna Kea, which form an immense ba-
sin. The original fury had partially SUBJ
sided, but a greater volume of matter was
pouring from the mountain. more craters
forming every hour, until the mountain
to be a seething mass.
There is no imminent danger. Every
thing depends upon the overflow of the
basin when it becomes filled. Should it
break or the eastern side the flow will be
in the direction of Hilo. but it may never
reach the town. On the western slope
cattle range are in danger. Before / de-
from Honolulu rumors reached the
which caused men to make imme-