“the Earthquake”

Creator

John C. Edwards

Date

2-28-1812

Newspaper

Georgia Express

Page and Column

Page 1 Column 1 and 2

Newspaper Location

Athens, Georgia

Serial Number

735

Abstract

John C. Edwards account of volcanos in western North Carolina.

Transcript

THE EARTHQUAKE. FROM THE RALEIGH REGISTER. Bakecounty, (N. C.) January 10. GENTLEMEN, I herewith communicate to you a brief account of the cause of those dreadful shocks which have lately shaken those mountains to their base, whose foundations were laid open [unreadable text] Architect first [unreadable]. On the morning of the 16th ult [unreadable text] which is attached from that range that [unreadable] from the Blue Ridge [unreadable] some miles below its junction with [unreadable] broad. The great noise was heard thro' the day, and continued smoke, left no doubt but it was a VOLCANO that had burst forth during the Earthquake. The mountain is conical and [unreadable], the [unreadable] on the west side by French Broad river, on the east side it is separated by a narrow valley, (overhung in some places by large rocks) from that Ridge called French Broad Mountains, then bare rocks, [unreadable] surface [unreadable]: they long have [unreadable text] which probably gave [unreadable] to the Warm Springs and has at [unreadable text] dreadful fury. If [unreadable] continues [unreadable] with great violence, and throws up lava [unreadable] ashes, calcinea stone, and vitrified matter in great quantities, & with the most tremendous noise. The quantity of lave discharged at the beginning of the eruption, was immense, it ran down the mountain in a stream of liquid fire for more than three quarters of a mile, and has formed a dam across French Broad river, to begin as to over flow about 200 acres of prime bottom land, to the great injury of the owners. In the night time, the ignited stones, cinders, &c which are thrown two or three hundred feet in the air present a grand appearance, and have a great resemblance to artificial fire works, such as rockets &c. During the day a column of whitish smoke issues from the crater: and where it has been driven with the wind, has withered the small dwarf pines which had taken root in the barren soil in this and the neighboring mountains; then bark and leaves are incrusted with a yellowish powder, which has an acrid taste and a strong sulphuric smell. No person has had courage sufficient to approach the crate, but those who were acquainted with the top of the mountain before the eruption, say that it was [unreadable] very rocky. The crater appears (judging by the smoke to be twenty yards in diameter, and is growing larger.-Yesterday a large mass fell in with a greater noise than the loudest artillery: it shook the country round, and was echoed from the mountains and vallies. The lava, where cold has the appearance of vitrified basalt-the stone on the mountain is hard and coarse grained with an uneven conchoidal [unreadable]-but no appearance of basalt. The [unreadable] are sonorous have a ferraginous appearance, and show strong magnetic attraction. Notwithstanding the terror which seized me on viewing this awful sight, I could not help smiling at the credulous simplicity of the people who inhabit the mountains. They view it with as much awe and terror as the Children of Israel did Mount Sinai: Some say the end of Time has arrived, and think the crater is the mouth of the "bottomless pit"-the fantastic appearances of the electric fluid, which is seen darting in various shapes thro' the smoke after night, by the help of fancy they transform into spirits, devils, &c. These wild ideas have been increased by the declarations of an itinerant preacher, who calls upon them to repent, not in the language of Jonah, "Yet forty days," &c. but saying "Behold the place of punishment for the wicked!" In a few days, I shall go and take another view of this Western AEtna. It is hoped that it will draw the attention of some Geologist or man of science, who will be able to give a correct description of it. I have seen but two pieces of pumice stone. Yours, &c JOHN CLARKE EDWARDS.

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