Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-05-14
Kanawha salt Works.

The Charleston (Kanawha; Va.) Republican
Of last week. has the following article with re-
gard to most curious phenomenon Of tho sail
wells there:
1t has been known to the public for somo two
years, that several extensive salt furnaces in the
kanawha salt region have been operated exciu-
sively by gas. The gas forcing up the water
from the depth of thousand or fifteen hundred
feet. and then being collected in a barrel which
serves as gasomoter. il is conveyed by pipo
TO the furnace, furnishing all tho heat necessary
TO carry on, at tho same time, all the processes of
tho manufacture Of salt to its completion in
adjustment capable of making hundred bar
rels day. and at night brilliantly lighting up tho
whole works-thus saving the expense of steam
engine 10 pump up the water, all the fuel and
lights. Last week in deepening one Of the wells
Of Mcssrs. Dickinson & Shrewsbury, the ougur
struck n stream of gas n, the depth Of one thous.
and feet. that IN quantity and forco far surpasses
anything Of the kind heretofore discovered here,
or perhaps in the world. The auy ur was pressed
up with such force almost to overcome the
excrtions of the workmen to hold il down while
they could unscrew tho gas detachmrnts. The
way being cleared, the gas having full play, sent
column of water one hundred feet (and iftubed,
would no doubt raise it TO double that distance,
occasionally dlschargin stones from the size of
muske: bali to that Of hens egg. almost with
the force of grape shot from piece Of ordnancc
" nen we were tneFc, on thursday last, oil
hands engaged in active efforts TO got down
plug to check the force of tho Gas. so as to ena
BILE them to insert the tube. They have we lea rn,
partially succeeded ond in few days, both the
Gas and water will be turned to good account
Serious apprehonsons were very Justly entertain
ed of the obstruction Of tho furnaces in the immc-
date neghbor hood. we'll as of tho residence of
Mr.. VIM. Tompkins. should this immense BODY
of Gas take fire, which it thought might
occur from steamboat passing on tho river, so
extensively was it dIfusod in the a,mosp here A
strong guard Is kept up night and day prevent
such n catastrophe. On Saturday the third vol
from tho one speaking of took fire, and,
with tho most active cxertions, not extng uish-
cd till consider bic damage done TO tho work.
That readers may have some idea of the
tent of natures laboratory or gas manutactorv
the Kama VIVA, will say. that gas enough
issues from this single we'll to light all the cities
in tho U. States, and think might safely
throw in London, Paris, ST. Petersburgh, and half
dozen other big cities of Europe.
Some entertain fears that both the gas and the
salt water will shortly tail; but incline to tho
opinion that the upper stratum, tho outskirts, tho
suburbs only, Of tho treasures Of salt and gas.
well many n subtcrranean wonder, Just
now being reached. No matter whose dominions
down there may be encroachcd upon, whether
those of Pluto Htous, our cntcrprising salt
manufacturers > determined to explore them,
annex them. revel IN their palaces. tho Wings
the anncxationists are by and by 10 reyel i'll
tho halls of the Mon,ezumas.