Like the 1916 earthquake, an earlier 1874 tremor inspired interesting reactions and rumors from the region’s residents. On March 14, 1874, the Weekly Pioneer offered the following report:
“The earthquake shocks in the Bald Mountain are inspiring the inhabitants with terror. Those who are not able to emigrate have embraced the Christian religion. Revivals and prayer-meetings occupy the entire attention of the people, and at every quake the atmosphere is surcharged with psalm-singing and the odor of brimstone.”
Subsequent scuttlebutt about volcanic eruptions in the area were quickly addressed in an effort to assuage local fears. On April 2, 1874, North Carolina Citizen featured a letter from Joseph Wilcox, described as “a distinguished scientist.” In his missive, Wilcox writes:
“What is the matter with your mountains? From what I read in the papers you have evidently got an earthquake on your hands, but you will not enjoy the luxury of a volcano. I have been through nearly all your Western Counties, and observed your mountain rocks. I saw no evidence of volcanic rocks, and your gneiss rocks and mica slates do not afford any encouragement to volcanoes.”
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