Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-06-15
M I - e. T. l. l. "A y Il q u =
THE DEVILS HALF ACRE.

Across the whole lcngth Of Now Jersey
extends plain of broken yet partially
connected mountains, called the "Biue
RIDGE" branch of tho A!leghanios.-
Through tho County of Somerset runs a
lateral spur of rocky and isolated hills,
covered for the most part with sparse
growth Of chestnut, oak, and stuntcd CO.
dars.
On tho worry top Of ono Of the largest
Of these, called '.Shannock Mountain" is
a large space covering nearly three acres.
barren Of tree or shrub, tho surface of
which appears to DO formed of single
rough stone. Ills called tho "Devls
Half Aero" Near the centre is rag
ged opening or pit, about p feet in diam
alter, which appears 10 penetrate into tho
very bowels Of tho earth. 1t has been
sounded To the depth of n thousand feet,
and no Indications Of bottom found. A
stone thrown into ''ihe Well," rs it is cal.
led. can be heard rafting for n long time
against tho rugged sides. until. with n ter
rible and uncarthlv rcverboration. plunrns
into tho wafer. \ noise like that of
seething cauldrou is hea rd, and soon there
ISSUES from tho mouth Of the pit n column
OF damp vapnr. possessing an uncommon
ly fRild smell. The vapor is somewha,
intlammable. and that fact proves tho pres
ence Of carhuretted hydrogen gas. or what
is cailnd bv mines '.lire damp" Although
at n distance of three hundred fee, from
tho surface, j, has been proved hv experi-
mcn.s with quadrupeds that lic can DO
sustained!
The incident am about 10 relate occur
red sometime after the passage of Gen.
Washington. with his army. across Now
Jersey. in the spring Of III.
The infamous cruel,ies Of tho maraul-
ing parties of British soldiers, had ava
kened every feeling of resentment, and
aroused in every bosom an impiaca bio ha-
tired, which only the determination Of tho
inhuman monsters could alny.
Taking advantage of absenco of their
natural protectors. party of demi-bru
ties. under tho command of Captain Smith,
had committed outragcs upon tho unpro-
tected females which would shame The
very name Of man!
Every able bodied man. and many who
were scarcely ablc. had f1ocked to the
standard of Washington. and had Como to
accompany him in his victorious expedi-
uon. leaving their wives and daughters.
their homes and property. to the projection
Of tho aged men and boys.
At length. cowardly assault upon
,am''y' composed Of an aged widow and
"ef 'hree lovely daughters. who. after be-
ing cruelty outraged by the brutal soldiers.
"oFe beaten nearly to death. and the old
woman thrown into the ..Well'' of the DE
"" Hatf Acre" so exasperated the young
0"' 'hat they resolved upon vengeance.
secret meeting was held. and they
sss'''eo 10 meet the next evening ut the
.J'' OF the ridge. TO punish tho towards,
:. we're encamped, in fancied security.
aooot quarter of mile from tho scene
v outrage. Tho greater part of the day
s spent in moulding bullets. and prepar-
Jug 'he,r weapons. which being accom-
p r they waited with feverish anxiety
'e appointed hour.
Twas lovely eve; such an one as we
,~s'e'y see in our too changoable Climate.
me sun. ba'heJ in a halo of golden lish:,
80 o"iy descended behind the towering steep
shamrock. The brigh. stars looked down
rom the pure ether with a seemingly en-
s0'rag'ng smile. upon the band Of youth.