, 1860-04-11

Gas Wells In Mcndota-- Singular Phe.
noinenn.
from The Mendota Ulasrres 4th1
The question, is there au immense bed Of coal
bcneah Mendoza, and sufficiently near the sur
face for practical mining purposes, has been en-
crossing the attention Of the scientific and
curious. So deeply interested have some of our
citizens become in this subject that they have
procured works on Geology, and commenced
Investigating that science to satisfy them.
sefyes.
There surely have been eridenccs enough 10
warran: capitalists in sinking shafts in different
sections to test this question. Northeast of
town, and nearly in line, q vein Of coal gas
has been struck in several wells in range of
three or tour miles,-genuine coal gas, US has
been tested By setting it on fire.
we'll on the lot Of Mr. Carter, near the
Seminary, was sunk twenty five feet aud bored
eleren, and the gas escaped with such force as
to throw dirt and gravel many feet above the
mouth Of the well, and on being set fire to ex-
pioded with tremendous force.
Another, on the farm Of D. D. Guiles, about
halt q mile from the aboys, was dug e5 feet and
bored 25 more. when carity w.s struck, and,
roaring noise commencing, the operatives
supposed they had struck water, and, removing
the auger, carefully plugged up the hole and
stoned it up ten feet; The p.uE was then re-.
mo!ed, and they went in to supper, it being
dark: Alter supper they came out and dropped
ia bucket, supposing the we'll would be nearly
hled With water. from the noise: but we're sur.
prised to find it dry. Mr. Crampackcr then
vent in and procured lantern, determined to
discover the true state Of affairs. On arriving
within ten or twelve feet of the well be found
himself e,reloped in flame, which b'a1ed up
someahfty feet in the air. when he threw his
lantern and ran for fep:''f.. The escaping gns
had caught fire froa} X ~: lantern. 1t
~, 4 ga7 ,,! yein was q" er ~: j." miles north
W 5lr. wicker, VII led before he
could be got to the. -. ~- . was likewise
isnised to test its properties.
The first well mentioned seemed nearer to the
cavity than any Of the others, aud those who
Fentured to the bottom Of the well after the au.
g"r was withdrawn and the hole plugged, dis
tinctly heard rcrerberatious. sounding ~ though
there WAS large cavity extending towards tie
Northeast, and said it seemed from the
sound as though the bottom of tic welt would
drop ~ and let them into the cavity. The gus,
IN the hFst two mentioned above, continued es-
Gaping With tremendous aud uuabated furce as
long us the au9er holes remained open, shaving
that It exists in 4 large volume, and under heavy
pressure
Gas haa also been discovered in several other
places within range of eight miles, but tue
abore are the mostimportant.
A small vein Of coal has a1so been struck
some three miles west, but was not thought of
Importance until these gas discoveries. which
s"ells the evidence Of the existence of coal, to
u acertainty, for coal gus would not exist in tue
absence Of coal. 1he only question to he set
tied Is where the coal is located, and this can
only be settled by actual experiment Since
commencing The above, We learn that b, d,
Guiles IS ready, aad anxious to experiment with
others with d view Of testing this matter.