The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-11-03
The Gas Wells of PENNSYLVANIA.

Hon. Neal Dow communicates to the
Boston CongregationaliSt the following
account of natural gas wells:
" In many parts Of the Keystone State
wells, bored for the purpose, yield an
abundant flow of illuminating gas
identical in character with that manu-
featured in our cities from bituminous
coal. These wells are from two hun
dred to seven hundred or eight hundred
feet deep, and from three inches to
five or six inches in diameter. They
arc bored through the various strata
of earth and stone, and are lined, like
oil wells, with wrought-iron pipes made
for the purpose. In many places these
wells are of great value, affording sufii-
cient fuel for driving the machinery of
large manufacturing establishments.
In some places the supply of gas is suf-
iicient to repay the entire cost of the
well and fixtures in n single year or
| less.
AT Erie, saw several of these gas
wells employed in this way. Directly
on the shore of the lake are located the
works for the supply of the city with
water. The water is forced intoa stand
pipe, two hundred and thirty feet high,
by which it is distributed with sufficient
pressure over the entire city. Two
enormous engines do this work, being
driven by steam generated by gas flow
ing from well sunk upon the premi-
ses. We were permitted to look into
the furnaces, which were all aglow with
brilliant flame, Issuing from a series
of small pipes connected with the gas
well. There was no dust nor smoke,
and no fireman was required. The only
attention necessary was to turn on or
off little gas according to the indica-
tions of the steam gauge. The works
were TO be enlarged, and another well
was in progress to furnish gas for the
additional boilers.
"These gas wells are found also in op-
Grafton for domestic purposes; l saw it
employed in gentleman's house. In
the library was an open fireplace, and
a wood fire-or what seemed to be such
for the terra Gotta upon the andirons
was an admirable imitation of hickory
wood. a low fire was burning, for the
morning was not cold; the lady of the
house turned a small taper near the
fire place and the flame instantly in
creased in volume, and continued to in
crease as the gas was turned on until
the fireplace was full of flame, Issuing
from terra Gotta, and we had what
seemed to be roaring hickory wood
fire.
This gas was then wholly turned off,
and the fire gradually diminished and
finally expired. The lady then with a
match lighted piece of paper and
threw it upon the wood, turning on the
gas at the same moment, and we had
instantly the low fire which we found
at the beginning, In every room in the
house, except the kitchen, was SINH
lar apparatus, and fires could at any
moment be lighted with as much iacili
ty rs the chandeliers In the same
apartments, supplied with gas from thu
| Suliit WILL
"In the kitchen was large and com
plete range, sufficient for family o
thirty persons. When we entered, /
low fire was burning, and sundry yes
sells We're simmering over the flame
The cook turned the tap, and Instant!
the range was filled with fire suflicien
for all culinary operations up to the fIll
capacity Of the apparatus. Nothing /
employed in that house for heating ant
illuminating except this gas.
"The we'll is in the back yard, sum
GENTLY removed from the mansion, ant
, is covered by small house. Tho Dor
| Is five hundred and twenty feet deep
5 lined with iron pipe, and furnished wit
t "A safety valve, like that of u stean
. boiler, aud tho gas is brought into tn
; house aud conducted over it, in tn
g same mode employed in the case ,
t ordinary street gas or water. The eI
tire cost of this we'll aud fixtures, read
5 for use, was twenty-five hundred do
. lars and the supply of gas was suiiicien
a | thought, for two or three first elias
t houses. Nothing can possibly be MOI
= perfect tLan this arrangement; the fu(
+, supply being rs convenient and abuI
A dant as that of the water and illumil
o ating gas from the public works.
: - 90 -
# The women voters In Wyomir
n