The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-29

subferranean Illumins fion.
GREAT NATURAL. 0As-wELL CAPABLE OF
SUPPLYING THE WANTS OF THREE OR FOUR
CITIES.
GREENsBURG, Pa, December pa ride
OF fourteen miles over beautiful ranges Of
hills and through picturesque valleys brings
the traveller 10 the dilapidated village Of
Murrysyille, situated almost due north Of
Grecnsburg, the county-seat OF Westmorc-
land, the famous coke county. Murrysvile
was at one time in its history quite -four
ishing community, as well as the seat Of
learning for the young boys Of Wcstmore-
land. Many OF the most prominent men in
this county received their education nj the
old academy at Murrysyille. But with the
building Of the Pennsylvania railroad the
enterprise and glory OF this quaint village
departed, and ii was soon numbered with
the decayed places Of abandoned trade
routes. -Four years ago, however, the
sleepy village was suddenly startled into
activity by a party Of adventurous old
spectators, who conceived the idea Of boz
ring for oil near the little stream which
skirts the village. The machinery and rig
ging necessary for this kind of work were
soon on hand, but boring operations were
conducted slowly. as it took nearly year
TO finish the well; but which, instead Of
producing oil, proved to be the greatest
gas-wcll on the continent.
STRIKING A GAS VEIN.
At depth Of 300 feet the operators
struck the gas vein, which at once blew out
the tools 10 the top Of the derrick with ter
rife force, and making Il noise ike the
roaring OF Niagara. The men ran for their
lives, and panic at once spread through
the village. For several hours no one
dared TO light lamp or candle for fear OF
dreadful explosion. The alarm was,
however, soon quoted, when the more
adventurous ones riskcd lighting their
lamps. This wonderful well has been
flowing with undated volume and
force ever since-nOw more than
three years. For q. few months only
was IN attempt made to utilize the gas. A
company was formed for the purpose Of
erecting suitable works to manufacture
lampblack. This was run successfully,
great profits being made, until one night
the buildings were destroyed by fire.
This happened less than a year ago, and
since then nothing has been done toward
rebuilding. pure carbon lampblack was
obtained, which brought high price in
the market.
The gas-jet is burning day and night. IL
produces "A brilliant effect 1T night, lighting
up n il does the whole village md the sur
rounding hills. The jet, where it escapes
at the mouth OF the well, is eight inches in
diameter, and flames up to a height OF
about a hundred feet. The force is incon-
ceivablc. rs no gauge has yet been found
with capacity sufficient to even ascertain
the pressure of only portion of the gas
coming through an eighth-of-an-inch pipe.
The experiment was tried once by party
from Pittsburgh, and the result was the
ruin OF 500 machine.
TRYING TO UTILIZE THE GAS.
An effort is being made TO have pipes laid
TO the city OF Pittsburgh, which is fifteen
miles distant, for the purpose OF supplying
the city with gas and fuel. The gas Is OF Il
superior Illuminating quality, and the sup
ply is a. great to-day rs ii was three years
ago. Enough gas escapes and goes TO
waste TO supply New York, Philadelphia.
and Boston, with plenty to spare. The
noise OF the escaping gas can easily be
heard Il mile away. The recent formation
OF a company 10 utilize the gas escaping
from the coke ovens around COnnells-
Vile. Mount Pleasant, and Scottdale, on the
southwest branch Of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, for lighting the city OF Pittsburgh,
has directed attention to the Murrysville
well. 4 new company has just been
formed, and a charter appliedsIor, with the
intention Of supplanting the Coke oven
Gas Company. The principal owneroi the
gas-landS is at present engaged in boring
another well some three miles distant. lie
has every assurance Of success, as the Gas
can be seen escaping in many places through
crevices of the rocks, and is easily ignited.-
Neic TOrE Herdd