Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-01
FLORIDA SULPHUR-P00LS.
Natural Phenomena in the Peninsuiar State
Explained.
lFlorlda Times-Union.

The Apalachicola Tribune explains the
great smoke which has been puzZling OBJ
servers for years, and which could be seen
on any clOudless day ascending from the
vicinity Of Amelia river, In Florida. Va
rIous efforts have been made 10 discover
the supposed volcano, while. on the other
hand. some have concluded that the smoke
came from the camptres OF some remnant
Of the Seminole Indians. The Tines
Democrat expedition threw no new ligh,
upon the mystery, the tall grass. bog'. and
dense underground impeding the progress.
OF the curious.
one Captain Asher il the hero who ar
rived in Apalachicola on Friday, My 2l1,
with the following information. which puts
out the Florida volcano, and the romance
Is lost Of the poor Seminole lingering In
the land OF his fathers. At the sane time
il adds TO the attractions OF the lovely lad
Of fruits. flowers, and wonders. Perhaps
from these sulphuric pools came the heal
inc virtues which laid the foundation for
the legend that in Florida flowed the Writer'S
OF eternal youth.
CAPTAIN Asher was in search Of pal
metto.logs on the Amelia river, when he
deserted the smoke or cloud from point
IN the distance. Remembering the many
reports he had heard about this smoke he
determined 10 unearth this mystery il pos
sibe. So calling his crew together, and
picking up their traps, the party pursued
their way in small boats up the Amelia
river. They travelled up the river or
creek, for il hardly deserves the name OF
river. for miles. After ascending from its
mouth ajout twenty-five or thirty mics, he
Judges. he was brought h an abrupt halt
by rock barrier in front. Upon inycSti-
eating nc found that the river ended AMI
was lost underneath the ground.
Seeing that the smoke became more dis
tlnct at this point, and seemed stragh.
ahead. he had the boat hauled up to the
bank and Sprang ashore, determined, II
possible. to pursuc his investigation on
foot.
As be sprang ashore he gave an cX,lanl-
ton OF surprise. Scattered at ylriou,
points were huge rocks, towering mlny
feet above his head. a thing unheard OF
in Florida. Mr.. Asher describes some
OF these rocks as being as large as an
ordinary dwelling, aud apparently hollOw,
containing much water. He describes them
as being OF a llltly appearance. and when
struck with an iron or steel instru-
ment 10 emit thousands Of sparks. 4 mile
or two further on were seen numerous
rocks that were formed Into round btsihS,
their sides being smooth and BEAUTIFULLY
polished. Mr.. Asher sprang upon the top
Of one Of these basins. As his foot came
in contact with the flinty substance hOl-
low sound was emitted from the rock.
Calling for a pole, and il being handed 10
him. he placed it in the centre Of tho basin
What was his surprise on drawing III,
pole TO the top may be easily imagined
a 1t L., III
hollow. was filed with a strong, sulphurIc
water.
Pursuing their way through the bog.
sometimes up to their knees. ,gain on hard
ground some distance, then again scratched
and bruised by the underbrush, and right
ing mosquitoes that seemed 10 resent this
intrusion on their dominion, the little
party had a hard time OF il. Presently
they came TO where the river issued from
it, underground covert and pursued its
way onward, TO again disappear in the
bowels Of the Garth.
Mr.. Asher states That every few hundred
yards these pools would make their APP
pearancc. and from them would Issue
white, misty clouds that would ascend
hcdvenwsrd. seeming in the distance TO be
clouds OF smoke.
Mr.. Asher stated that the water in these
pools was a clear as CTy stat, and filled with
beautiful Gsh, both flesh and salt lie
caught a great many OF the hsh, and At
tempted to drink some Of tn water, bu. it
was unpalatable, nauscatiu9 in the smell
and TASTE.
Mr.. Asher spent several days wandering
around these points, and he SAVE that n
never before thought there was such place
in Florida.
lie discovered several rocks that he pre-
eumcd would have answered very well for
houses, being quite as large, hollow. AMI
The walls rs smooth a. glass. He appeared
to think it very strange that these monster
rocks should be- found in such a low, Hat,
mar.by section. He SAYS the rocks are
separated by distance OF about 210 feet.
and lear their black. grmy heads to heaven
from level plain Of marshy soil. There
are no indications Of there having been
hill, much less volcano, in this section,
ana tle smoNe OF c'oua seen 50 OF n =
simply the yapor rising from these SUI
phurc points.
Mr.. Asher describes the section as
Astounding IN game OF all kinds, from SPUR
rclS and birds TO bear, deer, aud wildcats.
While speaking Of the game in this section,
Mr.. Asher stated that there was house on
The Amelia river, occupied by gentle
mans family, surrounding which were
twenty t. &c oaks. Huge limbs had been
torn loose by the bears searching i0racorns.
Mr.. Asher stated that six mrE could not
break some Of the limbs these bears broke.