Wantastiquet "Volcano" Mine Mountain

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Mr. Editor:---A notice of the "New Hampshire old volcano," which, I think, first appeared in the New York Evening Post, and afterwards was copied into several papers, has met my eye. Being an old inhabitant of this place, I am familiar with its history, as it was related some 60 years ago, and (having visited it many times since) also with its locality and surroundings.

There is a mountain in New Hampshire which rises precipitously on the east bank of Connecticut river, just opposite Brattleboro, by the name of West River Mountain, or, as it is now called, Wantastiquet (the latter being the Indian name for West river) running north and south about three miles, whose height, as measured barometrically by Dr. C.T. Jackson and myself some years since, is 1065 feet from the bed of the river.

The northern part of the mountain is in the town of Chesterfield, and its southern in Hinsdale. Geologically the base is argillaceous slate, passing into mica-schist, ascending, and on its highest part gneiss is often seen. It is steep and rugged, and presents nothing very unusual from other elevations of this height in Vermont.

There is also, east of this and running at right angles to it, about one mile distant, separated by a gorge, and some 100 or 200 feet lower, a mountain which is called the Mine mountain, from the fact that near the top of its eastern part there is an excavation of some 30 feet where Mr. Philip Barrett (generally known as Tory Barrett, being a Tory in the Revolution) and two or three of its neighbors, some 70 years ago, were induced to believe by a conjurer--important personages in those days--that in digging at the place of the reported explosion, silver would be found in great abundance. There they built their log hut, (remnants of it are to be seen at this day) and worked at such times as they could spare from their farms for several successive years, and all without any trace of mineral to reward them, save something they found and burnt, yielding a yellow dust, or as supposed, yellow ochre, with which one of them painted his house. Whether it was the baseness of the material or the want of skill in its manufacture, any soil of a slight yellowish color would seem to have answered the same purpose.

The man with his mystical stone and divining rod appears again, and now they are told to dig horizontally into the mountain from the bottom of their first excavation so far, and they would certainly find the desired treasure. This was accomplished, but all in vain, when the work and the mine were abandoned and the hole, perpendicularly and horizontally, is a monument to their folly to this day. This mountain, geologically, is very different from the Wantastiquet, and does indeed present unusual features. It is well known to all who have made the observation, that nearly all our elevations of slate or mica-schist formation have been cut off or crushed on their sides by some powerful, almost perpendicular, force from points between north and east, and precipitated into the valleys below. Here is a remarkable instance, where nearly half of the highest peak at its eastern summit seems to have been operated upon by this force, and the broken rocks partly fill the gorge below. It is peculiar, also, from its steep ascent, jagged sides and highly crystalline rocks, differing in this respect from any other rocks of the surrounding elevations, and, too, from the fact that decidedly sub-alpine cryptogamic plants--a lichen and a moss, Umbilicaria crossa Hoffm, and Andraea rupestris Turn--are found in abundance on its summit, and are not known to exist nearer than Mansfield Mt.,--not ever found either on the Ascutney in Vermont or Monadnoc in New Hampshire, both of which peaks are visible from this point.

Besides these, the rocks are densely covered with various Umbilicariae (U. pustulata var. papulosa, U. Pennsylvanica, U. Muhlenbergh) a dark and smoky colored lichen, when dry, generally coriaceous, somewhat monophylious, affixed by a central point to the rock so as not to be easily separated. Also on the sides of this mountain are found, now and then, beautiful specimens of Hematite, so notable that mention is made of it in Cleaveland's Mineralogy, and it has been so much sought for and carried away that new a poor specimen can scarcely be found.

Now for the volcano. It was related that about 100 years ago, early one evening, an explosion which terribly shook this mountain was heard by the people of Hinsdale, and also by the inmates at old Fort Dummer, which was this side of the river, near the spot where Mr. Simon Brooks now resides. This spot commanded a view of the top of the mountain, and by them a great light was seen, so astonishing and remarkable that it was resolved to visit the place as soon as they thought safety would permit, and the place where the explosion took place was soon guessed at among the jagged rocks and fissures, and from an examination of the surroundings they were thoroughly convinced of the great event.

And to prove to the wondering people below of its reality they exhibited the "cinders" and the "vitrified ore," specimens of which were preserved by some of the families as if for proof to future generations; the former proving to be the Umbilicaria from the rocks, and the latter the Brown Hematite found on its sides. Examples of both are to be seen in my cabinet. One acquainted with this mineral can conjecture how easily the unacquainted could mistake it for "melted iron ore," "resembling the scoria of a blacksmith's forge," &c.

"The loud noise resembling the sound of cannon proceeding from the mountain," was undoubtedly from the same cause as has happened a few times since, as testified by the inhabitants living near its southern base, when they have been startled, especially if happening in the night, by large pieces of rocks from above becoming loosened and falling nearly 100 feet, as they have to, before reaching the debris below, and then they have to tumble over the other rocks as far before they reach their resting place.

Some lie there which will measure at least a 1000 cubic feet. After all these developments it went down in the next generation that the mountain was truly volcanic, and it was made at that day very notorious. It is patent that this Mr. Barrett and his copartners were made dupes by these conjurers, who travelled the country for victims, and these reported marvelous appearances were made use of to effect their object; and it is said to have been even hinted at in these days, by their sharper neighbors, "That they would lose more silver than they would ever find."

F.

Vermont Phoenix, May 1, 1874.

Charles C. Frost, "That New Hampshire 'Volcano'".

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At an early day there was a slight volcanic eruption and lava was thrown out of the fissures in the rocks upon the top and sides of the mountain. During the early part of the last century threads of silver were found in the fissures of the rocks on top of the mountain, and a company was formed for digging the silver ore. Excavations were made, but no ore was found, and old tory Barrett reported that the threads of silver were nothing more than the parts of an old silver epaulette that was pulled to pieces and scattered among the rocks for the purpose of tempting speculators to buy the mountain for a fancy price, when in fact it was comparatively worthless. Mr. Field said he had been surprised to hear it called a mountain when Newfane hill, Wicopee hill, and Putney west hill were about twice as high, yet were very properly called hills, while this little elevation was called a mountain.

Vermont Record and Farmer, July 7, 1876.

Extract from the Hon. Charles K. Field's Centennial Address on July 4, 1876,
delivered in Newfane, Vermont.

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The early inhabitants of the vicinity discovered uncommon appearances about the mouth of this volcano, and seeing an aperture in the mountain, supposed it led to a silver mine which had blown out, as they expressed it. Several associated with a view to make their fortunes by digging in the mine. Their first step was to consult a famous fortune-teller, who confirmed them in their suspicions. He assured them of finding silver in great abundance. But they did not own the land. They therefore dispatched one of their company to the then proprietors, of whom they obtained a lease of that part of the mountain which contained the supposed mine. One condition of the lease was that they should dig during the term for which they held the lease, at least three days in each year, or the lease should become void. At this time, they had dug, principally through a rock, between 90 and 100 feet, following the course of the crater downward. Although they have never found anything of value, except a few hogsheads of red and yellow ochre, they are unwilling to give up, and to this time regularly dig at least three days in each year in the mountain, that they may not forfeit their lease. 'Tis said by those who live near the mountain, that it frequently trembles and a rumbling noise is heard in its bowels. It takes its name from West river, which empties into the Connecticut exactly opposite this mountain.

Pistareen mountain, situated on the eastern shore of Spafford's lake, is next in importance. It is formed like a sugar loaf, and is almost inaccessible--large rocks projecting from its sides. It is called Pistareen mountain from having once been sold for a pistareen, or 20 cents. To see it, one would think that a fair price.

Vermont Phoenix, May 1, 1925.

"Mead's Memories of Chesterfield".

Extracts from Larkin Goldsmith Mead's "Description of Chesterfield, N. H.", in Farmer, John & Moore, Jacob B., Editors: Collections, Topographical, Historical, & Biographical, Relating Principally to New-Hampshire, Vol. 1, (Concord, New Hampshire: 1822), pp. 279-280.

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Dr. Jonathan A. Allen of Middlebury College reported "On the Question, Whether There Are Any Traces of a Volcano in the West River Mountain" in the American Journal of Science & Arts in 1821---in Volume 3, page 74. He found no traces of lava. Dr. Allen believed that rockslides caused the thunder-like noises from the mountain, which were first reported in 1730.

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The terrible devastation and loss of life by volcanic eruptions is an all-absorbing theme just at present, and the possibility of a like calamity in other lattitudes is freely discussed by scientists. If, as Virgil says, "we may comparee small things with great," there are some grounds for the belief that we have an extinct volcano right here at home. In a foot note to a section on volcanoes, in one of the editions of Lyell's Geology, which was a standard text-book in the colleges and academies half a century ago, it is stated that Mine mountain in Hinsdale, N. H., is the only locality in the United States where are found traces of ancient volcanic eruptions. Of course the researches of geologists since have been fruitful in the discovery of like traces in other localities, especially in the far West, but for a long time Mine mountain, the highest peak in the Wantastiquet range, that extends from the Connecticut river across North Hinsdale, was alone in the rather doubtful honor of being an extinct volcano. There was a singular unanimity among the old people of a former generation in Hinsdale, most of whom are now dead, in describing a remarkable circumstance that happened somewhere about the year 1800. As they told the story, one summer afternoon there was a terrific explosion, followed by a rumbling sound, in the region of Mine mountain. A cloud of smoke poured forth, dense and black. Not only men and women, but even animals were frightened by the noise, which was heard at Dummerston, Vt., and other places, and the whole country round about was enveloped in thick smoke, which had a peculiar odor. An immense amount of yellow ochre was thrown out from the interior of the mountain and scattered all about even to its base, and it is said that the first idea of digging for gold and silver came out of this incident, and it is certain that the project of a mine was started soon after by an Englishman by the name of Hall, who formed a stock company and built a house down below the point of excavation. It is a matter of record that the mine had been excavated prior to 1805, but the search for gold and silver was fruitless, and yellow ochre only rewarded the search. For a long time afterward most of the houses in that region were painted with yellow ochre, and the old town hall at Chesterfield had a coat of the same material. It is not impossible that the highest peak of Wantastiquet has some secrets hidden away in the bowels of the earth that may yet become evident to future generations.---

Vermont Phoenix, May 23, 1902.

Hinsdale correspondence in Springfield Sunday Republican.

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Mine mountain, in the rear of Wantastiquet, is said to have received its name as a result of the operations which were carried on between 1790 and 1800 under the direction of Gen. Arad Hunt and Col. Francis Goodhue. Gen. Hunt was great uncle of the present Col. John Hunt and Col. Goodhue was grandfather of the present Col. Goodhue, who bears his name. Silver ore was found on the mountain and according to tradition these pioneer prospectors sunk a shaft to a depth of 80 feet. They did not find silver in paying quantities, but took out a quantity of yellow ochre, but so far as known no use was made of this deposit. The shaft on the mountain is not over 30 feet deep today.

Vermont Phoenix, January 18, 1907.

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Situated on the southerly slope of Mr. Wantastiquet or Mine mountain, as it is frequently called, is a mine hole or shaft sunk deep in the mountainside and made by the early settlers. This shaft is situated about three-quarters of the way up the mountain and may be reached by a torturous path leading from the main highway about a mile below. . . . .

Whether or not this is true is immaterial; but the old mine hole stands there to-day a grim relic of earlier days. It is partially filled with water and is slowly becoming filled with stones and rubbish thrown in by visitors to the spot. The shaft may be entered to the very water's edge but the undertaking is extremely hazardous and the attempt is seldom made.

Brattleboro Reformer, September 1, 1905.

First and last paragraphs are extracted here, from the article entitled "Legend of Mt. Wantastiquet", written for the Reformer, dated August 29, 1905, and posted from Hinsdale, New Hampshire.

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In approaching Brattleboro from the south a notch will be seen in the mountain range which extends from the river. This is the dividing line between Wantastiquet and Mine Mountain---the former skirting the river and the latter extending at right angles from it. The name of the mountain is derived from a circumstance that took place in the latter part of the last century, and which has given it great local celebrity. Some persons residing at Fort Dummer, below Brattleboro, observed a light on the mountain, and on visiting the place where it had been seen some peculiarities were found that led them to think an internal fire had raged underneath that part of the mountain. The great mass of loose rocks which lie upon the mountain's side and in the ravine below, are covered with a lichen known by the name of Umbiliecaria, and the persons who had observed the light supposed them to be cinders, caused by the internal fire. A so-called "astrologer" or "diviner" in a distant city was consulted, who reported that a silver mine existed in this place. Work was commenced and a shaft six by ten feet in diameter was sunk to the depth of thirty feet in the solid rock, and then continued almost the same distance in a horizontal direction under the summit. This shaft is on the south side of the mountain, within fifty feet of the highest point. The only minerals discovered were red hematite, and another, of which yellow ocher is made. Philip Barrett, better known in those days as Tory Barrett, was a leader in this undertaking, and his reward was yellow ocher sufficient to paint his own dwelling. Large sums of money must have been spent in this foolish and fruitless search after wealth. The party while engaged in "mining" lived in a little hut on the mountain.

The rock at this place is composed of a species of mica slate, highly crystalline, and bearing evidence of having passed through great heat. It is claimed by geologists that this mountain is an older formation than Wantastiquet. Here is found a sub-Alpine lichen, Umbiliecaria Erosa, and a moss, Andrea Rupestris, neither of which is common to this latitude. In the ravine, west of the mountain, a plant has been found, Clematis Viorna, that previously was not known to exist north of Pennsylvania. The rocks in the ravine and above, on the east side, that have been separated from the mountain by the action of frost, present a curious and wonderful sight, and altogether this is one of the most interesting places to the student of nature found in this region. At the bottom of the ravine, within a short distance of the top of the gorge, is a spring of pure cold water. The view from the pinnacle to the south is very fine. The Connecticut river can be seen beyond across the river at South Vernon. Farther to the left Monadnock rears its rocky head above the neighboring summits. The way to reach Mine Mountain is to take the wood-road south of the bridge on the New Hampshire side of the river, and a walk of little more than half an hour will bring the visitor to the base of the pinnacle. From this place follow the east ridge of the ravine to a point near the summit, if the visitor first desires to reach the "mine." Otherwise the walk up the ravine is preferable. The rocks that have fallen down the mountain present a scene of rare interest, and by this route a better view of them is had. In returning, on leaving the "mine," keep down the ridge and the wood-road below will be easily regained.

Henry M. Burt, "The Attractions Of Brattleboro. Glimpses of the Past and Present."
(Brattleboro, Vt.: D. B. Stedman, Printer., 1866), pp. 22-23.

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Much Money Wasted Searching for Silver East of Summit of Wantastiquet in 18th Century.

One of the most prominent features of Brattleboro's scenery is Wantastiquet mountain, situated on the opposite side of the Connecticut river in New Hampshire, says the Brattleboro letter in the Springfield Sunday Republican. The name is of Indian origin and is the same as was given the West river by the Indians.

This mountain is over 1,000 feet higher than the Connecticut river and the western face of it is owned by the Brattleboro Retreat. The late Walter H. Childs built an excellent carriage road from the base to the top, which was maintained several years.

A while ago the late President Hitchcock of Amherst college made an examination of this mountain, and in the gorges some 500 feet above the river he discovered pot holes, which he claimed is evidence that it had once been covered with water. His theory was that the Connecticut river, at one time, flowed over the summit of the mountain and down a deep ravine on the southerly side. On the westerly side of the mountain are several cascades which, in the early spring, especially when the snow is leaving, present a beautiful sight.

Wantastiquet mountain is separated from Mine mountain by a ravine which is about 75 feet deep and 100 feet wide. On each side are huge rocks and in some places they rise almost perpendicular, like massive walls. Approaching from the south this ravine or notch is seen quite distinctly. Mine mountain derives its name from a circumstance that took place in the latter part of the 18th century which, at that time, brought it into great prominence. Residents of old Fort Dummmer, below what is now the village of Brattleboro, and where the first settlement in Vermont was made, and where the first white child in the state was born, observed a light on this mountain. Visiting the place where the light was seen peculiarities of the rock formation led them to think an internal fire had raged underneath that part of the mountain. The great mass of loose stones which lie upon the mountain's side and in the ravine below were covered with a peculiar looking moss and the investigators supposed it to be cinders caused by the internal fire. A certain diviner in a distant city was consulted. He reported that a silver mine existed in that very place. Work was soon begun and a shaft 6 by 10 feet in diameter was sunk to the depth of 30 feet in the solid rock and then continued about the same distance in a horizontal direction under the summit. This shaft was within 50 feet of the highest point of the mountain. It is said the only minerals discovered were red hematite and another from which yellow ocher is made.

Philip Barret, better known in those days as Tory Barret, was a leader in the mining undertaking and his only reward was yellow ocher enough with which he painted his own dwelling. Large sums of money were thus foolishly spent. Geologists claimed that this mountain is an older formation than Wantastiquet; that at the bottom of the ravine, near the top of the gorge, is a very fine spring. An excellent view is had to the south from the pinnacle. The Connecticut river, as it winds its way to the Massachusetts line, can be plainly seen for a long distance. The dam at Vernon and the railroad bridge at South Vernon are objects plainly discernable from this peak while to the left Monadnock, near Keene, N. H., rears its head towering above all the neighboring summits. One is well repaid for a trip to this interesting scene during the spring months, especially when the laurel, which is here seen in profusion, is in bloom. One of the unusual, interesting and beautiful spectacles during the present warm winter, has been the myriads of little rivulets that have day after day coursed their way down the western slopes of both Wantastiquet and Mine mountains and have been easily discernable from the village.

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Today the mine is visible above the timber line, in a thick growth of bushes, shrubs, and short stubby trees. The mine tailings are of considerable size, indicating that some type of hoisting equipment must have been used to raise the heavy refuse up the thirty feet. There are no drill marks in the solid rock, so one wonders how "Tory Barrett" and his associates managed such a laborious task. The great mass of loose rocks that the Fort Dummer people found can still be seen from the summit of Mine Mountain, and the lichen, Umbilicaria, is still present. It is so named because of its navel-shaped center, by which the thallus is attached to the rock. These are pioneer plants, and grow where there is little competition from other plants, even on bare rocks. Acids secreted by these lichens dissolve the rock surface helping other natural forces, such as rain, snow, wind, frost and lightning to fracture the mountain. Geologists call these separtations "joints." The joints increase in size until huge chunks of the mountain are set free and the force of gravity takes command. . . . .

Richard H. Wellman.

Extract from his article for the "Making History in Brattleboro" column in "The Town Crier" for January 2, 1986.

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