The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-27

lrnm the Lacrosse Demorat, February Is.

tFrom the Lacrosse Democrat. February Is.
This afternoon about O'Clock the residents Of
the eastern part Of the city were startel by q
loud report, resembling the discharge of park
Of the heaviest artillery. Many supposed IL to be
occasioned by blasting operations at the stone
quarries east Of the city, but the fact was soon
ascertsined that the explosion occurred at the
artesian we'll that has been sunk to the depth of
$50 feet, and situated about midway between the
river and the blu6s. ~ l.sf.sfss Il ..r.r
TIE workmen At the well became sensible OF q
remarkable change going on within the bore the
drill had been working through substratun OF
dark porous rock for five hours. and had been
making rapid progress, when suddenly the ma
chinery stopped, the rods became violently agi-
tsted, ard q eeafsning explosion ensued, followed
by . stream of boiling water, gushing with mighty
force through the tube from the depths below.
The startled workmen we're blinded by clouds Of
steam. George Hays the workman in charge OF
the drill at the time, had very narrow escape.
He received jet Of boiling water In his neck and
wooden clothing. William Marks, another opera
tive was badly scalded about the feet and ankles
Patrick Cox, Andrew Packmsn aud Karl Snyder,
the remaining workmen. were but slightly injare
The horses became panic stricken. reared and
plunged violently, and extricating themselves
from the harness dashed madly over the frozen
prairie in the direction Of the bluffs.
The upward pressure Of the water Is very great,
certainly not less than two hundred pounds to the
square inch. The mean temperature is about one
hundred and thirty-eight Of Reumurs's lhe'moE-
eter.
of course all conjectures a. to the extent of the
submarine lake and the length Of time which the
boiling water will continue TO flow, must for the
present be purely speculative. DR.. Percivai. late
State geologist, was Of the opinion that far be-
meath the bed Of the Mississippi there existed an-
other stream flowing 10 the same direction Of much
greater magnitude, and whose waters were of
much higher temperature than the waters Of the
river.
The well has been visited this afternoon by
crowds OF citizens, and the1singusr phenomenon
has given rise to much speculation aud wonder.
Many strange theories have been advanced. Oae
scientific gentleman who has had wide experience
in geology, as well rs much practical knc Wedge
of mining operations, Is of the opinion that the
friction Of the drill has ignited some hidden
voir Of highly infammable oil or gas, the intense
heat Of which has caused the water to boil and
seek an outlet through the bore OF the well.
Other intelligent parties enters widely different
views and the flowing well Of boiling water b ds
fair to furnish prolific theme for scientific nves-
figaton.
The extensive vineyards of Hen. Edwin Flint
and George A. Metzgar are in immin snt danger OF
being submerged by the boiling food. The snow
for space Of about six acres has entirely disap-
peared, and the brown grass Of the prairie swollen
by the heated element, has assumed wild and fam
cIful shapes. ,.s .4.. a, -.. .a.ss -. ....