The Evansville daily journal., 1855-04-27
BROoKLYN HEIGHTS, N. Y.,l
April 90, 1855. !


EDITOR OF THE EVANSVILLE JOURNAL.
Dear Sir:-I have read with much interest
some remarks copied from your paper rela-
tive to the igniting Of gas on Green River
by the fires of steamboats, navigating that
river at low stages of the water.
In 1850, when the steamer Griffith. on
Lake Erie, was consumed by FIRE. and two
hundred and fifty human beings perished in
the flames, or in the water to avoid the
flames, expressed the opinion in the New
York Journal of Commerce that the FIRE
originated in the inf1amable gas that under.
lays many portions Of that lake, and which
is set free under certain conditions of the
earth and its atmosphere.
have had extensive correspondence with
persons residing on the banks of the Kanaw.
ha river. Va, relative 10 the vast discharge
sf Hydrogen gas from the salt wells at the
Kanawha salines, and from some springs
termed "burning springs" They expressed
fears that lightning and steamboats, navisst-
ing that river might ignite the gas and pro-
duce subterraneous explosions. that would
be fearfully disastrous. but had no hesita-
ton in assuring them, tina. Nature, in the
manifold provisions of its wisdom. had pro-
tected the interior gasometer from exterio.
fame and FIRE by covering the easometer
with body Of water, that shielded it from
IL Al
A correspondent of mine, Dr.. Cragham,
who formerly resided at Louisville, KY, and
who at the time of his decease was propri-
etor cfthe Mammoth Cave, on Green River,
in one of his letters mentioned two instsn-
ces, where bodies ofinfamable gas had been
reached in boring for salt water, in the low
er part of Kentucky; and such was its force
when struck by the auger, that il threw the
poles on! of the shafts and to'a considerable
distance, much to the CONSERVATION and ter.
ror Of the workmen.
In my examinations Of deep borings for
salt water in many parts of the continent,
have found that inAamable gas is frequently
met with. That infamable gas, when con-
densed under certain circumstances, forms
petroleum, and that petroleum chrysta lized
forms mineral coal. know this conclusion
differs from the conclusions modern geolo-
gisrs have arrived at, but that is of no con.
sequence-ihey may eojoy their opinions,
will be free in expressing mine.
More than forty years ago, I frequently
crossed Green River, but only at two points.
one near what was called Muldow's Hill, and
the other at Sidebottom's farm, about eight
miles from the Dripping Springs-both of
these localities were much higher up the
river than the place where presume the
gas spoken of in your paper, is met with.
1t is not the mud, leaves. &C., on the bot.
tom of the river. that produce the gas you
speak of, but that gas comes from beneath
the earth st that locality, and VIXEN that
section Of the State becomes thickly popu-
lated, it may be conducted in pipes and
made useful for Illumination.
Great Barren river, tributary of Green
IsiSCtS WHICH totmS IuuCuOu SOME uistouSe
below Bowling Green, runs many miles un.
der ground, rs do also many of the small
streams that are net with in what was then
called the "Barrens." have Travelled much
in your section Of the United States, but not
in late years. It q wonderfully interesting
section of the earih's surface, and has in re-
mote times undergone many changes, and
may yet experiences many more.
Although have not the pleasure of your
acquaintance, yet feel that am sufficiently
known to ths public to venture to write to
you upon this subject.
Isend you by this mail two printed sheets,
in reference to protection against lightning,
which may be the means under Provi 1ence
Of saving life.
Yours, respectfully,
E. MERRIAM.