Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-02-18

ter and barometer, coll oil wire to
test the point of fusing. gas tester.
and napkin saturated with diluted
ammonia to apply to the mouth and
nose If suddenly exposed to sulphur
GUS fumes. were part of the precau-
tions against accident and for the pur-
pose of investigation.
I'VE cannot give the scientific re-
suits of the descndt at this time. Suf-
flee 1t to say that the experiment
proved satisfactory and successful far
beyond our highest expectations. In
addition to what we had expected we
were favored with four grand explo-
sions while on the rim of the crater
Had the crater filed with lava and
flowed down the side OF the mountain
1t would not have been an exhibition
equal to what we saw. On four DIFF
ferent occasions while there a shower
OF redhot stones was shot up. In
three case these rose more than 100
feet above the crater's mouth and few
over our heads onto the mountain side.
On two occasions section of the
outer rim of the crater. nearly 40 rods
In length. was covered with red.hot
bic TO a mans head. One OF our
party was struck by a small stone. but.
owing TO the protection of n stiff.
heavy hat. was not injured. We all
lodged large stones as they fell. A red
hot stone. the size of mans head.
fell within three feet of woman IN
the party.
The ascent OF the mountain was
made In the daytime OF August %. in
stead OF In the night. as is usual with
most who climb Asama. The original
intention was. TO have gone into the
crater at several points n short dis
tance. thus making preliminary explor.
ations before sunset. But owing to
the leisurely manner in which the
coolies came up with the tackle and
frame this was not accomplished.
About : p. m. while lunching near to
the place chosen for the descent. our
party was scattered twice by strong
sulphurous fumes. Then our final de-
scent. which was to have taken place
about S p. m. was interrupted by the
first explosion. which occurred at 7:i0
y. m. After this the verdict of all
the party save one was that the de-
scent should not be made because OF
the danger consequent upon the un-
usual activity OF the volcano
AS one eruption after another oc-
CURED until a. III. of August "a. when
the severest of all the explosions took
place. our exploring party was pretty
thoroughly scattered. All save one
seemed to have reached the conclusion
that the descent would not be made
One hour later. at 6 a. IN, the descent
and safe exit was accomplished. I
wish to here publicly thank most
heartily the five gentlemen who assist
ed me In the feat. namely. Messrs.
Place. Shively. Connolly. Elwin and
Middleton. These helped me in the
fight through the jaws of death into
the mouth of hell and enabled me to
come back n victor over the japanese
hades OF Asama.
"Henceforth no Japanese who de-
scends into the fiery depths of Asama
will be considered a Bushido unless he
comes back from Its sulphurous at
mosphere alive. Henceforth whatever
japanese enters Asama will do so for
purposes OF scientific exploration not
for self destruction. The scientific phe-
nomenn which came to my attention in
this feat Of exploration are most in
terestIng. AS | have said. a lava flow
would not have suggested them or
their explanation. The seismic phe-
nomena were surprise to me and
have suggested many new questions.
Were We to visit Asama several times
annually for years I could not expect
more favorable conditions nor a more
successful. expedition"
E. w. CLEMENT.