Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-02-09
SPARTA, (rENN.) JAN. 1ae.
The Burning Well.

Our readers will recollect, that about
a Year ago we mentioned the burning
Gas on tue surface of the little river
Calf Killer, which meanders the north
and west borders of our little village.
At tbs Salt Well of Mr.. Simpson, three
miles above this, and a short distance
below Mr.. Denton's well, where the
Gas made its appearance last year, this
singular effect of nature is again pre-
sented 10 our view, with additional bril-
liancy and beauty, which, fever equal
led, has not been surpassed 10 America.
The we'll is on the margin of the riv-
era hule Of three inches iii diameter,
is perforated in Limestone rock, TO the
depth of four hundred feet-at the ton
OF this rock wooden tube is inserted.
OF fifty feet in length, which stands erect
at the top of which, copper tube
eight feet in length is inserted, to pre-.
vent the flame from burning the timbers
below-at the distance of about forty
five feet above the surface of the Too k
copper fauset is inserted into the wood
tube, and into another Of the same kind,
which stands two feet from the first one.
The Salt water is forced by the Gas, UP
through the hole in the rock. into the
first mentioned tube, and continues its as
cent until it arrives at the copper fauset
which conducts the water into the sec
ond tube, where it descends about TWEEN
tytive feet into a Conductor, that con-
veys the water into a Cistern, which
holds about twenty thousand gallons.
The water making its escape from the
first to the second tube, by means of the
tauset, the Gas has then an uninterrupt-
ed passage to the top of the first tube
here the Gas makes its escape, mixes
with the atmosphere air, and, by the ap-
pllcation of burning candle, instantly
flashes into a flame, that asceDds to the
height OF twenty or thirty feet in the air.
which fills the beholder with admira-
ton of the beauty and solemnity of the
"prospect before him."
When the shades of night begin to
close in, surrounding objects family show
the reflection of the fame which gradu-
ally increases, until complete darkness
overspreads the earth. 1t is theWsthat
the surrounding country, which is enciI-
cled by high Mountains on nearly three
sides, exhibits the most pleasing, grand,
and sublime appearance, an Amphithea-
tire, brilliantly illuminated, but vastly
more extensive, and consequently, more
imposing, and opens much wider field
for pleasing contemplation to the phiIo-.
sophie and inquiring mind. A person
may see distinctly to read the finest
print at the distance of eighty yards, by
the light from the Gas. A flickerinr
glare is seen at the distance of five or
six miles, which resembles dstantlight-
ming. The benighted traveller, who is
not informed Of the phenomenon, when
ne reaches the Western verge of Cum
berland Mountain, and beholds the ilu-
! minated scenery iii the valley below
suddenly bursting on his view, is struck
with awe and establishment and almost
concludes himself in the Internal Re-
gions, or that the general conhagraton
is at hand, and is ready to 'cali to the
mountains and rocks to fall on and hide
him. but few moments reflection
proves his first impressions to be errone-
ous--he then discovers that which, at
first view. had filled his mind with sensa-
tions- of fear and horror, is the operations
of those secret and hidden mysteries in
Nature, which an overruling Providence
never intended for the mind of man full
ly to comprehend.