Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-24
RuinouS Rush Of Volcanic Mud
Goes Into Old Fields, but
Feeling of Terror Still Pre-
walls in Danger Zone,
NO NEW ERUPTi0NS TAKE
PLACE DURING SUNDAY
Hope That Fields Might Be
FertiIlzed by Matter Dis
charged Is Abandoned
When Substance HardenS.

tHr hoHnlnu Jovsnsi srrcuL LEASED wisti
kedding. Calf, May 23.--The tor
rent of mud and volcanic substance
from the crater Of I.assen peak was
diverted in its ruinous. rush today In
TO old lava fields and the lower part
OF the fertile Hat creek valley was
temporarily saved from the threat
ening food.
There were no eruptions today, but
in spite OF the lull IN Lassen's activity
feeling OF terror prevailed through
out the danger zone and more than
100 refugees refused to return to
their homes,
Ranchers took advantage OF the
mountains somnolence to return to
their fields and drive their stock Off
to the high lands Fifty refugees
were eampcd at Cassel, waiting for
provisions before seeking securcr
haven on higher ridges.
ifopa that the mud floods would
fertilize their lands, WAS abandoned
today when the thick substance hard
oned almost TO the solidity Of cement.
II lies over the farms and moadown
from two TO four feet deep and It Is
feared that the soil can never be un-
covered
tfctk Mhf DTN Up
The latest new development IN
threatened danger arose from the
drying up of Hat creek 1t was dry
today for the first time known. Re-
ports came in that the volcanic mud
had damned the stream near itA
headwaters In narrow canyon, inn
a great body Of water. Fear
OF break In this dam and a conse-
81.
whole valley under many feet or wa
ter added to the terrifying prospect
OF new destruction front tho noun
tair's crater
Before the stream suddenly ran
dry its waters were chalISy white.
with volcanic ash and scalding hot
All It's fish we're killed and cast UP
over the flooded area before tho creek
subsided
Anxious eyes were bent all today
toward the peak of the mountain.
Rain clouds hid ita crest q great part
Of the day, though occasionally inky
black clouds rolled into view, Keen
attention was centered on tho peak
around o'clock, the hour at which
most of the recent erllptiOns have eX-
ploded Tension Was relieved when
daylight faded without new out
burst,
Exodus 20 Hills Continues,
Late reports from the Hat creek
district tonight were that the exodus
10 the hills was continuing and only
4 few of the more daring had return
I'd to gather up livestock and salvage
b few treasured domestic articles.
Many said they never expected to re-
establish themselves in their old
lOmea.
Refugees were being cared for to-
light In houses. barns and stores out
dde the endangered districts. Many
'afnped out in tents and some slept
'oofless under the stars
Residents Of Montgomery creek
who had "a clenr view OF yesterdays
'tupendous eruption, reported today
hat rocks and bouldtrs were flung
Of feet into the air. This
geighty election wrecked the forest
'ervice bureau station at Twin
Bridges HOT pumice also was
hroun ont by the explosion.
Rain obscures Peak.
Lasaen peak could not be distin-
,uished from here tonight, rain fall
ng heavily as il has fallen after each
# the recent eruptions.
Residents OF Hat creek valley be-
IAN moving back today into their
homes, from which tho volcano had
lriven them twice within forty-eight
lours The activity of the peak, which
las heen humorously regarded and
ommented upon throughout the state
IS being merely another attraction
or tourists, was sober business for
hese folk. when they found that tho
tremendous flood of mud which
'oured down the mountain had been
from the creek valley into
ncient lava fields, thereby saving
heir homes. some of them looked up-
N the occurrence as providential and
leld services Of praise and thanks
living. Their anxiety, however. was
'lainly manifest as the afternoon
Iours went by They were waiting for
o'clock. the hour at which the vol
ano generally goes into eruption.
The smoke of last nights eruption
ose five miles and was three miles
cross OF the top. according to esti-
mates By local civil engineer and
'ased on the distance to the mountain
nd its known altitude. The fash OF
he explosion, its tremendous power
N dthe detonations which accompa-
lied II we're like those OF a siege gun
magnined.