The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-07-18
WATCHED COLIMA
IN AN ERUPTION
C. L. DignOwity Has Thrilling
Experience in Mexico.
LOOKED DOWN INTO CRATER
GIVES VIVID DESCRIPTION oE
WHAT HE SAW.

mining man. recently saw CoIiTna, one
of the largest volcanoes in Mexico. in
eruption. He viewed the unusual sight
from nearby peak, which is higher
than Colima. That enabled Mr.
Dignowity to look down upon the
eruption, the vista adding much 10 he
sight.
He was accompanied on his expedl-
tion by J. Z. Fletcher. of TuXpan, Mex
Several guides, mozos and all neces-
sary equipment for successful eX-
petition were taken along, including
latest scientific instruments for correct
observations
Describing his trip and what he saw
Mr.. DignOwity said.
AT first it seemed as if we would
be unable TO get any mozos or guides
TO accompany US owing to the great
superstition they have against such an
undertaking fearing the volcano
and the wild animals that frequent tie
mountain there.
Trip of Great Hardship.
I'VE engaged several and thsy re-
fused to go after they learned our
destination. Finally we were success
full in getting a good corp of attend
ants.
Our trip was fun Of great hardsh-ps
but also Teplete with most interesting
observations and instructive data It
took US three days of hard riding AID
climbing TO reach the top of Mount
Nevada, our destination, the extinct
volcano which is about a mile nOl tn
of Mt COlima, and over one thousand
feet higher than that active crater.
Our first, day we covered some
twenty-five miles over a gently eie-
waited section westward from TUNoa1,
the last ten miles was through ? fine
forest of lOng-luped yellow pine trt es
and luxuriant gras ses- Then Eavins
gained an elevation Of $500 feet, our
first hard climbing began The Lext
five miles as we assembled to an eieVa-
ton of 10000 feet. when We were con-
frOnted by what seemed an imFenet-s -
bic forest Jungle Seeing trouble
ahead we decided to pitch camp N the
night, but our woes Immediately LiL,ti-
piled.
a terrific storm arose and RACED IL
cessantly for two hoIcs- ThOugh it
was only 6 p. m we were developed in
the darkness of midnight. It seemed as
if we were in the mi is of tn sTOim
clouds, they rolled ABOVE Us. below Is
and around us, while he thun Ter WAS
so terrific it made the mountains trem-
bic. The lightning toyed with the big
more kindling for dades. The rain
poured in torrents and seemed more
like an ocean turned loose on our heads
than a mere rainfall. Though we were
a party of sturdy men used to hard o.
ships and not easily daunted. we felt
helpless as children IN the hands of Z
mighty Titan. SPECIFICS and awed
We stood amidst the awful grandure OF
that terrible storm awaiting our doom
II 2 p,
repeat the experience.
Volcano Cinders Everywhere.
The next days journey was exceed
ingly hard on man and beast The
mOzos cut paths through the dark for
est and jungle and We followed up the
steep course climbing an angle Of
thirty to forty degrees The forest jun
gle was one of the interesting features
Of our trip. Great pine trees six feet
in diameter and fully 100 feet to the
first limbs: red and Spanish oaks four
to five feet through. besides ash and
other timber, all covered from root to
topmOst bough with most luxuriant
parasitic growth; some trailing species
of cacti or air plants hang from twenty
FIVE feet, and ablaze with beautiful;
crimson blossoms. niStletoe finEiRg its
leaves and berries ten and fifteen feet
in the air; orchids Of surprising beauty
hiding their priceless treasures in the
gloomy forest: ferns OF iuuumerable
varities; MOSES of every kind and fun
gous growths galore hidden in depth
of jungle; an these combined with the
thick underground pines a darkness
dense as night at all hours. It was
really a black forest.
Even the soil was black. Volcanic
Cinders three feet deep. resting upon
a deep bed OF soft yellow porphyrv.
which holds the tree roots. Underlying
this yellow pOrphyritic formation IS
sandstone which forms the visible base
of the mountain
This black forest has an altitude of
10. 600 feet above sea level and abeunds
with wild game, turkey, pheasants ard
squirrels, as well as deer. mountain
lion and other big game tempt the willy
huntsman. We were al that day go
ing five miles and our second night
eamped in the dark forest.
Best View Of Volcano.
Early the next day we emerged from
the cloudy limits of the jungle into a
section where Spanish oaks lourished
without the dense underground the
open beneath being covered with thick
punches Of salt grass very nutritious
food for stock. This class Of country
extended TO an altitude OF 1920 feet
then followed the sCrubby fir pine to
timber line 11690 feet. where the naked
poTphyTy rocks covered the surface and
extended to the crest OF the crater
We now had reached an elevation Of
! 800 feet and were upon a narrow
ridge OF hOgback Of Mount Nevada.
nearly level with the top Of Coiima's
crater and just little north OF t.
/ There one gets the best view Of the aC-
/ tive volcano and there we paused ia
great awe and admiration as we gazad
upon the only active volcano on this
continent. Colima. the spokesman Of
I the great range. interpreter for the
many companions that stand ma jestic
and voiceless through the ages ST.
/ lently We gazed ana waited for its mes
sage. conscious Of a lurking fear lest
it might be spoken. yet hoping il would
come.
The top Of Colima's abrupt peak
down Tor 200 feet is covered with loose
dark gray ashes and cinders. while
white steam or smoke in great curl
| ing clouds pours out from many other
/ places for 3.00e feet below its cress
! There is also small mountain peak
| that stands out alone on the northeast
side OF ColiTna. about $500 feet below
the top This small peak has an active
/ era ter and would seem 10 be far more