The New York herald., 1877-02-12
SMOKE, GAS OR VAPOR I?
The Mystery Of the Pin
hook Morasses.
ITS A NTIQ UT Y.
Statements of Those Who Have Watched
1t for Forty Years.
VARIOUS THEORIES.
The Volcanic System-lts Claims Upon
Probability.
SUBMARINE ERUPTIONS.
Thermal Fountains. Gaseous Combustion aid Chsnaa
Processes IN Minerals
The Volcanic System--lts Claims Upon
Probability.
SUBMARINE ERUPTIONS.
Thermal Fountains, Gaseous Combustion aid Chemical
Processes IN Minerals
A GIGANTIC JACK o. LANTERN.
CAMP OF THE HERALD EXPLORING EXPEDITION
~ ~ ll La lxi7 4

The last letter ended at the mystery which has so
long haunted the morasses Of the 'Fat Pincy Woods
but len tho reader without its definition. THIS pro-
pose now 10 give together with history OF the phe
uomenon far II be gathered from tho inhabi-
lanls OF "Middie Florida"
The mystery, for aueht that Is known, is as old as
the coral arches which support the floral land. Within
The memory OF there has been no long period
when It's manifestation was observed Dating from
the time OF tho cesson OF Florida to the English in
1763 in exchange MORO Castle and Cuba. It's exist
ence has lived In mems thoughts Hunters aud trap
pers OF the before the Revolution reported tho
strange appariton, which they held IN deep awe
conjuration OF the medicine men Of the Mccosukies
and until tho outbreak OF the war with Osccola ana
Billy Bowlegs effort was made to determine It's cause
by investigation Had ceased appear a he close Of
the bloody Seminole struggle, an explanation might
have becu offered for 1t which would have challenged
NIL dispute An incident occurred during one OF the
Gnal campaigns-I shall relate it hcrcafter-which
would have been accepted as proving It's origin beyond
doubt. But tho appartion continued ut Intervals, ms
always had done, and II Is often seen ut the present
day by residents OF this region, whom Il impars
much OF wonder tear and unaccounta reverence
could bo expected the nineteenth century anywhere
outside Of the shadow OF the spectre Of tho Br0cken
WHAT Is KNOWN or MYSTERY
The mystery is a smoke.
Now, NuttaIl defines 'smoke' as "a sooty exhala-
tion-a steam" Undcr this generous description,
ihcn which accept, will be content to employ the
term. The origin nature and locality Of the gas
vapor gaseous vapor, vapory gas, murky mist
Is yet to he discovered
Tho ''Elat, pncy woods' bordering tho shore OF
Appalacha Bay are low and inarshy by liberal ap
pcaiion OF the word they commonly called
'swamp.' but horse can penetrate them almost to
klno in his IN fho MIA fanny
which lie between the cypress morasses. Overlooking
them for many long milo and directly TO the north
ward the most prominent OF series Of rolling
ridges constituting the and lands of JEFF
fcrson county. 1, is called the Linn HILL Tho earliest
traditions OF tho mystery aftor those hntcd by hun
ters and rappcrs having been derived from tho ln
dans have from successive generations or plant
crs and negroes who have dwclt Linn Hill.
The eminenco Is like a swelling billow tho
sandrcaches OF fiat shore. II Is clothed
In picturcsquencss. There tho soft OF
cultured fields and oaken woods. OF red and glowing
soil and gray awny stubbe of the gathered crops
Tho dwellings on Linn Hill cannot DO hid. They sit
sef-complacontly on It's brow and gaze mildly aud
with the aspect OF revery tho wide expanse OF
sombrc pine foliage at It's feet toward the scene.
They have faced tho mystery for forty long, sleepy
years, which were but family disturbed by tho snar
ings of tho civil conflict and long vigilance seems To
force them to blink with the oppressive elect OF mys
terry weighting their fixed eyes.
OBSERVATIONS HILL
At variable intervals the inhabitants OF Linn HUI soc
black column OF smoke rising from the depths Of tue
.'pney" woods. Looking down and far away, they
do, they troubled sea, dark and dcsoaie Every
pine is different In its features from its brother; but
this great multitude pines, masscd far as tho eye
sec up to tho straight the south, offers no
indefinitely described by tho natives has been
explored From Linn Hin you can only conjecture. at
best what portion of the map stretched before you
II lies. Tho phenomenon OF smoke usually
rising that portion, and from this ctrcumst
the theory that II IN caused by natural wonder
has long drawn its force. Tho Oldest describe
II AZ resembling the black fumes from locomotive
Sometimes It Is but family visible and then in lew
moments increases in volume with astonishing
sapidity
CHRONOLOGY MYSTERY.
On the I'd of January old General Whitfield, OF Month
cello, OF the most respected and nnuental citizens
OF Jefferson county, converscd with me the subject
OF the strange smoke, which he had watched for tho
past forty years He formerly resided on Linn Hill,
where he possesses a plantation. When he camc to
this country 1t was all the virgin forest For some
years, during which he engaged in reclaming the
land, hc was oblvious OF any strange phenomenon,
because his house was surrounded by lofty pines,
which permitted view OF the distant horizon. But
when they at last focd his attention was at
tracted each OF twilight as hc sat upon
his vcrunda watching the decline Of the day, by
palpablc smoke, curling upward from the midst OF tho
great, level wilderness. Aicr It's first appearance just
before sunset it would nearly always swell In volume
until It formed black pillar OF cloud,
thereafter ho watched and studied its appearance He
nd of I'm ho the
Pncy Woods" and tho fishermen who p,cd their vo
cation In the waters OF the Wacissa, Ocilla and ST.
Marks Rivers, all of which 1ow within few miles OF
the mysterious object. These lived almost en-
trcy In the shades OF the forest and had
tho smoke but they rotated thor do to-
day. startling storos Of the glow Of great light In the
dcpths Of tho morass lying between the Pnhook aud
bhc wacissa Rivers which during very dark
nights. General Whitfield, who Is old and very
whtcly bearded, could never recall observing this
nocturnal fire. Probably his habits had been very
regular since the farther limit OF his memory; but his
son says that he has often done 1t a reflected
brightness cast upon the sky Planters who live on
tho eastern bank OF the wacssa tell similar tales as do
certain oystcrincn who abide on the Cult coast
SINGULAR ROCK FRAGMENTS
Although tho upland region OF FLORIDA Is nearly "
not quito devoid OF rock, debris OF flint, porphyry
md s,icious limestone is found In tho Hat woods,
which has the startling property OF flying into pieces
with a sharp explosion when thrown into the fire.
Much OF tho rock has molten appearance and Is full
OF gobuar cells which might have been formed by
bubbles Of gas when II subject TO intense heat
hne OF lodges and crags Of this description extends
from the 'sGray wavc.- landmark dubbed by the
Coast Survey which situated on tho shore, near 81
Marks River, through chain Of tho worst jungcS IN
the fiat country and tho wacssa River, al point
whore a channel for boats was cut BY blasting
pceultar,ty of the smoke n that u IL impossible TO