Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-05-24
VOLCANO
DISTURBS
PEOPLE
BrOOkvale Fears a Min.
iature Mont Peelee.

been discovered, situated on the Big Chief noun
tain and from reports received it is pouring forth
its lava in a considerable quantity.
Charlie Crosson, who arrived in the city on
Monday morning, brought the startling news that
within four miles of his home a volcano had been
espied. 1t only ON last Saturday that Mr. Cros-
made the discovery, and then it purely by
accident He had been out hunting for bear and
following the tracks which lead up Big Chief noun
tain, he could in the distance smoke arising
from distant peak Thinking that perhaps some
tourists might be camping in the neighborhood he
ventured forth for the purpose of making ac-
quaintance and offering any assistance that might
aid those in camp to profit in their search of game.
The closer he came, the more convinced he was that
it not the smoke of bonfire, and upon arriv-
ing at the place he found that volcano was burn
ing fiercely Mr. Crosson lost no time in making
examination of the premises, but was retarded
in his efforts by thnheat and smoke which burst
forth AS far as can be learned concerning the
eruption, an earthquake first took place in the
neghborhood of Mr.. Crosson's home. He says
that on last Wednesday night he could feel a
tremor of the gronnd which he natu-
rally produced, because there is no blasting being
done within great distance of where he lives. 1t
is a well-known fact that in many instances the
tremor may be so imperceptible to the senses that
it can only be discovered by the aid of refined ap-
paratus The trenors came rapid and only lasted a
few moments. This is Just what happened, accord
ing to the story of Mr. Crosson. He was at work
in his garden when he first noticed that the earth
seemed to be trembling. This passed off and again
in a few moments he had the same peculiar sensa-
ton.
On Saturday night Charlie decided that he
would go out and search for bear which had been
prowlng around in the neighborhood. 1t was then
he discovered the volcano. In speaking of the
eruption Mr. Crosson had the following to say
81 had walked distance of about a mile and a
half when could see smoke arising in the distance
walked very fast, thinking that perhaps might
warn people of the danger of forest fires, and to
advise them to be cautious about leaving any burn
ing embers. AS reached the summit of the peak,
1 could see smoke coming forth in great quantities
but from where could not at that time determine
Crossing over the ledge, 1 could very plainly
from whence it came. At first did not know what
to do was afraid to venture too close, thinking
perhaps that the eruption would pour forth its lava
and burn me- By careful work 1 managed to get
within about twenty feet, but the heat was so in
tense that 1 was compelled to go back for a consid-
erable distance. did not say anything to anybody
about my disclosure, but on the following morning
/
burning even more iercely than the evening before
1 then reported my discovery to several of my
neighbors, and ever since we have been watching
the creature with great deal of interest. Some Of
those living in the immediate vicinity have become
alarmed, and are esconsidering the advisability Of
moving away, thinking that perhaps the volume Of
lava NAV become so great that the surrounding
country will be buried
tsThe rocks that is the large ones noticed to
be split in two for a considerable distance. In
many instances, evidently where the burning mol
ten and earthquake shock had come in contact
thev are separated for least six inches. This you
know is an unusual occurrence, for during the his
tory of the world, it has seldom been known where
the separation has been over two inches'
The shape of volcanic mountain is that of a
truncated cone, the apex being replaced by conf
cal cavity called crater and from this crater mol
ten lava or other highly heated substances dis
charged At the bottom of the crater is an open
ing or vent from which the discharges or eruptons
usually take place. A large part of the material
discharged is liquid pasty which consists Of
melted rock 1t is composed chiefly of silica and
various silcates, which are sometimes amorphous
or CLASSY, but more commonly crystalline Mr.
Crosson saws that the substance which this volcano
pours forth is of CLASSY nature.
sI noticed" continued Mr.. Crosson, "that the
lava increases in size it reaches the top. You
will understand that the steam becomes mixed with
the lava, the result being that it is made much
lighter as the upward motion increases AS it comes
out it is torn to fragments by the steam and thrown
high in the air. As it goes upward it looks like a
dust was filling the air. This dust, it appears to
the observer seems to spread for distance of per