Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1875 — A Breathing Care. [ARTICLE]

A Breathing Care.

In the range of mountains in Western North Carolina known as the “ Fox Range!’ a most singular phenomenon exists. It is a “breathing cave.” In the summer months a current of air comes from it so strongly that a person can’t walk against it, while in winter the sue--, tion is just as great. The cool air from the mountain in the summer is felt for miles in a direct line from the cave. At times a most unpleasant odor is emitted upon the current from dead carcasses of animals sucked in and killed by the violence. The loss of cattle and stock in that section in winter is accounted for in this way. They range too* near the mouth of the cave and the current carries them in. At times, when the change from inhalation begins, the air is filled with various hairs of animals; not frequently bones and whole carcasses are found miles from the place. The air has been known to change materially in tem-perature-during exhalation from quite cool to unpleasantly hot, withering vegetation within reach and accompanied by a terrible roaring, gurgling sound, as a pot boiling. It is unaccounted for by scientific men who have examined, though no exploration can take place. It is feared by many that a volcanic eruption may break forth there some time. Such things have occurred in places as little unexpected. ♦«* • t A Philadelphia doctor pronounced it ah “ electric fit;” the Coroner’s jury rendered a verdict accordingly, and the poor man went to his grave with that terrible stain on his character.