Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-06-22
GAS STRUCK

Al the Central Glass House Gas we'll.
Gas was struck at the Central glass house
gas we'll about II o'clock yesterday morn
ing, at a depth of about $50 feet. For the
past several days the bits have been work
ing in q heavy strata OF sandstone rock,
and at the hour named yesterday a wien OF
gas was tapped, the long'sought illumination
manlfesting itself N faint pufs at first,
gradually growing stronger until, an hour
or two later, there was a continuous
volume pouring from the mouth OF
the well. Drilling was stopped
for a time, aud word telephoned to
Martins Ferry for Or. Hurst, the con-
tractor, to come over at once. Mr.. Hurst,
however, could not be found, and as the
volumes of escaping ga was insufficient
for the needs of the works, the work OF
drilling was resumed and the shaft pushed
about thirty inches further, the tool being
withdrawn about three O'Clock and the well
pumped out. This being done, the flow
materially increased, the gas, as 1t issued
from the orifce being: distinctly visible,
resembling much the faint cloud produced
by breathing out doors on a chilly day. A
plug used for stopping the mouth of the
we'll was inserted, but was blown out in a
moment, being expelled so torclbiy
as 10 fly ten or fifteen yards in the air.
Hats, buckets and blocks placed over the
hole were at once blown aside. once
the curious crowd of spectators induced q
a small boy to sit down on the mouth OF
the we'll, thus combining the flow OF gas for
a time, it demonstrating, however, with
many hissings and whistlings, Finally
the pressure became great enough to raise
the %youngster from his seat, and the gas
escaped with a loud roar.
About half. past four Mr.. Hurst was
heard from, and on the condition OF things
being made known to him, he directed
that the we'll be piped and the gas led OIL a
sufficient distance to ensure safety 10 the
derrick, and then fired. Plumbers were at
once set to work, and by six o'clock a FIVE
inch pipe had been connected with the
tubing of the we'll and the flow led IN a
northeasterly direction for about twenty
feet, where a gigantic burner was placed in
an upright position and the gas fired. Inc
idea ia i~gnitipg the gas was in hopes that
the draught thus oCCasioned in the we'll
would increase the flow.
The blaze at first was only about six feet
high, but this was soon increased to twenty
or twenty-five feet, the gas burning with a
purple flame near the tube, changing to a
yellow TINT III u DelRul VI q lew lccL.
A REGISTER reporter walked out to the
we'll last night about eleven O'Clock. At the
corner OF Fourteenth and Eoti streets the
light from the burning gas could be dis
tinctly seen. Gu arriving at McCulloch
street he found quite a large number Of
spectators. ladies anh gentlemen, enjoying
the sight. The well was apparently flow
ing heavier than ever, the flame, which
was intermittent, rising from eight or ten
to twenty feet above the end OF the tube,
producing a slight roaring sound and light.
ing up the creek valley very effectively:
Whether the work OF drilling will be
continued to-day or not we were unable
TO ascertain, but this will probably depend
on whether the volume of gas now escap-
ing increases, or merely holds its own.
As before stated, the drill has been work.
ing in a heavy ledge Of sandstone, and
some fears were entertained yesterday that
if it was perforated a deluge Of salt water
might be encountered.
The we'll was visited during the after
noon and evening by large numbers OF
curious people, and the company was
warmly congratulated upon the successful
termination of its venture.