Re: [DL] Hollow earth

["Wangenstein " <wangenstein@mad.scientist.com>]

Here - http://www.famousamericans.net/johnclevessymmes/ - I found that it looks like John Cleves served as a Captain in the army during the War of 1812. In 1818 he proposed his hollow earth theory. He petitioned Congress to fund an expedition in 1822-23. In 1826-27, he lectured about his theory at Union College, but was met with ridicule. The north pole was referred to as "Symmes' Hole".

His efforts were instrumental in the organization of the 1838 Wilkes expedition to the Antarctic.

Now, in 1876, his son, Americus Vespucius Symmes revived his theory. I found a reference for a book printed in 1878 by Americus drawing from his father's writings. You could totally have Americus repetition the U.S. Congress for an expedition, perhaps to the Arctic (if the 1838 expedition found nothing), or perhaps back to the Antarctic (if Wilkes wasn't looking in the right place or didn't get close enough to the entrance to the hollow earth).

Here's another source: http://www.disorganization.com/History/Symmes.html

and another:
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/symzonia.html

I also found this reference on a mailing list, that seems particularly Deadlands-worthy: 

"Good people, a very tough one:

Seeking information on John Cleves Symmes, born 1825, son of the Hamilton,
Ohio "Hollow Earth" proponent by the same name. Specifically need
information on the younger Symmes' activities in Berlin and elsewhere in
Europe in the 1865 - 72 period; he was at that time working on an
anti-gravity "flying machine" which would take him over the North Pole, into
Canada, and then into the USA, at which point he would be so famous as to be
elected the next president of the United States. Or, so he proclaims, in a
journal and some correspondence recently unearthed, which I am researching."

Hope this helps,

Derek D. Bass
Etheric Musings - The Science of the Sons of Ether
http://www.steamenginechaos.com/mage/ether.htm

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