Los Angeles, Cal., Jan. 31.—The Fairview tunnel through the mountains at Johnson’s canyon, near Williams, Ariz., is again on fire and the officials of the Santa Fe Pacific fear that they may be compelled to abandon the tunnel, as they are at a loss to devise means to extinguish the flames. Investigation shows conclusively that the new fire was caused by spontaneous combustion. The tunnel is now nothing but the flue for an immense lime kiln. The mountain through which the tunnel passes is chiefly limestone of a high degree of purity.
VOLCANIC OUTBURST PROBABLE.
San Francisco, Cal., July 1.—News from Susanville, in the Sierra Nevadas, says that slight earthquake shocks continue and that the people have been so accustomed to the constant trembling of the earth that they pay no attention to it. The shocks, however, have revived recollections of old settlers who predict volcanic disturbances in the extinct craters, such as there were in 1850.
Susanville lies in a highly mountainous walled valley directly east of Lassen Butte, an extinct volcano 10,000 feet high. From its summit no less than forty extinct craters can be seen. Cinder Cone, which rises 600 feet above the level of the plateau, was in eruption in 1850. Two prospectors examined it and found Lake Saltafara, miles south of Cinder Cone, a center of volcanic forces. The lake was a mass of boiling water and mud and from it vast columns of flames shot up at intervals. The timber in the vicinity was on fire. Within the last few years there has seemed renewed activity in the internal fires and the present shocks point to the possibility of another great volcanic outburst which will find vent through some of the old craters.
DESOLATED BY ERUPTIONS.
FIFTEEN NEW CRATERS DESTROY MANY HOMES AND RUIN A WIDE AREA IN CHILI.
Panama, April 26.—Regarding the eruptions in the Lunahuana district of Chili, the Lima Opinion National has published the following letter dated March 30:
“This beautiful valley has experienced a topographical change, and I may now call a desert that which was formerly a delightful spot. Fifteen craters have been continually at work since Sunday, the 22d, throwing out masses of mud, which, in its precipitate descent and with the monstrous strength of the current, is carrying ruin in all directions and sweeping houses before it, together with their inhabitants and the cattle, vineyards, farms, and irrigation works. All the roads north and south of here have been converted into ditches, through which water is continually pouring, and all communication between Canete and Chincha is interrupted, while the bridge across the river has been swept away. Hundreds of families have been left without homes and are camping out on the hillsides, the only clothes they have being those in which they escaped. They are preparing to cross the ravines, as the floods may sweep down upon them at any moment.”