Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1822-10-24
From The Dela.cars Gazette.
Dorgr, 26th bepteMbe ISL

Sir-The lower stock of my pump having
become defective, l yesterday had it raised
for the purpose of giving it such repair as
might be necessary. | found attached to il
considerable body of small roots, which
proceeded suppose, from couple ofweep-
ing willows, standing between 80 and 40
feet distant from it. The roots came ub
| with the stock, without any necessity of cut.
ting. After the pump was removed, de.
termined to give the well thorough cleaning.
Apprehensive though that it might contain
! foul, deleterious air, and that the life Of the
person who should decend it might be en-.
daneered, had a well lishtened candls
lowered into it, with the intention of ascer.
tanning the fact. After the candle had been
let down about ten feet, the flame evident.
ly began to diminish, and before il reached
the water. went out, and the wick became
entirely extinsuished. The candle was
drawn up and lighted again, and the expert.
ment was carefully repeated, with the same
result. then became convinced that thera
was poisonous air below, and that it must B.,
expelled before the work could be perfor.
med with safety. To effect this, lump Of
quick lime was placed in a basket, and, at.
ter it was we'll sprinkIed with water was
lowered In the bucket to the top OF the wa.
ter in the well, and there suffered to remain,
until it was Stacked. The candle was thea
again tried, and although it burnt SONG
! minutes, yetit finally went out. Night CO.
ming on | waited until the morning for tar.
Their trial of the lime. This day, twice,
lighsened candle was sent down, and each
time il became extinguished very soon after
it reached near to the water. A piece Of
lime about as large as my double list was
then let down, in bucket, to slack in the
WELL Fearing that the side of the bucket
might prevent the effectual operation of the
lime on the air, second piece was placed in
large earthen dish, which after being wet
ted, was lowered down, and there continu.
ed until it fell to pieces and became perfect
ly Stacked. The candle was then let down,
and with pleasure observed it to burn as
bright and freely at the bottom, as in any
other part of the we'll. Being now assured
| ofthe purity of the air below, a hired mar,
who saw the whole process, and had No
doubt OF It's success, was sent down, and
remained there without the least inconveni.
ence, until all the sand and roots were re.
moved. The we'll is about 90 feet deep;
there were about two feet of water when il
was opened.
! ihake this communication for the benefit
OF labcaters who may be employed il dig
glns and cleaning wells. The frequent NC.
counts which we read in newspapers of sud.
den deaths, occasioned by poisonous air, de.
monstrate the necessity of trying lie exis-
tence, before a person should venture into
place where it is dangerous. and often "a.
tai, to attempt to render assistance. A
| Lighted candle is an infalliole test OF M
presence. Many instances are recorded Of
| the extinguisiment of a candle in mines, \
cellars aud wells; and in every such case,
those exposed to the noxious vapor, with
scarce y an exception, have persisted When
the candle continues to burn, and burns free.
! ly, dangerneed not be apprehended. The
burning OF gunpowder has been recommend.
ed as mean Of correcting impure an; and
! if the lime hal failed I.would have used it
| do not recoIcct where saw lime proposedt
but remembering that had read such ad'
vice. adopted it and am eratiied that can
confidently and experimentally vouch TOR IT'D
efficacy. Nevertheless, the candle should
always be tried after the lime, and imme.
diatey before the descent Of the workman.
am, sir, your most obedient servant,
NICHOLAS RlDGELY.