Volume 18 , Issue 31

1884 Underground Fires Rages in Highland County, Virginia

Have you heard the story of an underground fire raging in Highland county, Virginia, December, 1884? A Strange Phenomena in 1884, that is for sure. We found this news article in the Concordia Blade-Empire, Concordia, Kansas, dated 27 December 1884, Saturday, page 65: "A Strange Phenomena." It is what an eye-witness had to say about the underground fires that were raging in Highland county, Virginia, near Monterey Court House.

Found on Newspapers.com

There had been reports from that section of the country of a strange phenomena which was said to have been witnessed in the mountains a few miles from Monterey Courthouse, Highland County, where the earth was said to be one burning mass. The fact that Mr. Mulhatton was known to be in another quarter of the globe gave the story some credence, and more especially so as it was vouched for by responsible men. A reporter, learning of Mr. Elder's arrival, went in search him the night before to see if he knew anything concerning the matter. He was found comfortably ensconced in a cushioned chair at the Galt House, talking to some friends. When asked if he had heard of the strange performance nature was said to be guilty of, he replied:

"It is certainly true, and is the most remarkable thing I overheard of. From present indication I should say that we are likely to have another edition of Mount Vesuvius produced int he mountains of Virginia. The phenomena consists of fires which seem to be raging under the earth, on top of the peaks in Highland County, and the ground for a considerable distance seems to be a smoldering mass. The first heard of it was a report brought by a boy who claimed to have walked over the place which was on fire. The country around its almost inaccessible, and it is very seldom that any one ventures so far up on the mountains, therefore it was only by accident that the discovery was made. A few days ago the boy who was in search of some lost sheep, wandered on foot among the hills, until he got several miles from home. All at once he felt the air grow warmer, and experienced a strange sensation, as if some boring substance was beneath him. He was on a elevated plateau, probably a quarter of a mile square, on the top of one of the small mountains. At first he was greatly alarmed and started to run away. His curiosity overcame his fear, however, and he stopped to see if he could find the cause of the unusual warmth. He stooped and placed his hand on the earth, and was startled to find that it was so hot as to almost blister his flesh. He did not pursue his researches any further, but proceeded at once to his home, where he told of the strange occurrence. No faith was put in the narrative, and it was thought by the neighbors that the youth was going crazy.

"The news finally reached the town of Monterey, and some scientifically inclined persons determined to investigate. Procuring the boy for a guide, they went to the place and found that all he had stated was true. When they returned they told even a more wonderful story than that told by the boy. This produced a great sensation throughout the immediate country, and a great many persons were nearly frightened out of their wits. The superstitious were of the belief that the day of judgment was close at hand and began to make preparations to respond to the call of the trumpet, which they momentarily expected to wake the silence of the mountains. Mr. Elder lived some distance away, but when the news reached him he determined to satisfy himself. After nearly a day's travel over the rough mountain road, which wound around cliffs at the foot of overhanging rocks, he arrived within a short distance of the region. Elder said he left his horse, and, together with a couple of friends who had accompanied him, proceeded as best he could to the place indicated. He had heard exaggerated stories, and was almost prepared for anything, but he must confess that he was greatly startled. The earth for yards around seemed to be a smoldering heap and was as hot as an oven. In places a hard crust had formed over the clay, and large fissures made by the heat. The air seemed very dense and foggy, and in many places a bluish smoke broke through holes in the earth and spread over the mountain tops. They dug down to the depth of probably three feet and came to a yellowish sort of clay which was almost as soft as putty. When a shovelful was thrown out on the ground it smoldered like a heap ashes, and a quantity of smoke seemed to rise from it. It was very hot, and glowed with a strange brilliancy, which lasted for hours. The tried the experiment of digging down in a number of places, and always with the same results. The deeper we went the more pronounced was the phenomena, and we found it difficult to stand over the opening. How long this had been in progress no one knew, and the most learned were baffled for a reason. It looked as if a volcano was at work and ready at any moment to burst an opening through the earth and throw out its volume of smoke and fire. Hundreds of people had visited the place, and all had come away more mystified than ever." Louisville Courier_Journal.
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