West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-11-28
A FLORIDA PHENOMENON.
supposed Volcano Turns out To b. .
Series OF SuIpnuric Pools.

Series Of SuIpnuric Pools.
Captain Asher puts out the Florida
volcano. and the romance of the poor
Seminole lingering in the land of his
fathers is 'oSt At the same time his
story adds To the attractions of tho
lovely land of fruit, flowers and won
derS Perhaps from these sulphuric
pools came the healing virtues which
laid the foundation for the legend that
i'm Florida flowed the waters of eternal
youth. Captain Asher was in search of
palmetto logs on the AnCilln 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 To unearth
this mystery. if possible. 80 calling his
crew together and packing up their
traps the party pursued their way in
small boats up the Ancilla River They
travelled up the river. or creek. for it'
hardly deserves the name of river. for
miles After ascending from its mouth
about twenty-five or thirty miles. he
Judges, he was brought To an abrupt
halt 10y II rock barrier in front. Upon
investigating ho found that the river
ended and was lost underneath tho
ground. Seeing that the smoke be-
came more distinct at this point, and
seemed straight ahead, he had the boat
hauled up To the bank and sprang
ashore, determined, if possible, to pur-
sue his investigation ON foot As he
sprang on shore he gave an cXclama-
ton of surprise. Scattered at various
points were huge rocks, towering many
feet above his hcad-a thing unhcard of
in Florida. Mr.. Asher describes some
of these rocks rs being rs large as an
ordinary dwelling and apparently hol-
low, containing much water. He de-
scribes them as being of a ilinty appear
anCc, and when struck with nm iron or
steel instrument to emit thousands of
sparks. a mile or two further on were
seen numerous rocks that were formed
into round basins, their sides being
smooth and beautifully polished. Mr..
Asher Sprang upon the top of one of
these basins. As his foot came i'm con-
tact with the ilinty substance hollow
sound was emitted from the rock.
Calling for II pole. and il being handed
to him, he placed it in the center of the
basin. What was his surprise on draw
ing the pole to the top may bc easily
imagined when he discovered that the
rock, being hollow, was filed with
strong sulphuric water. Pursuing their
way through the bog on hard ground
some distance, then again scratched
and bruised 10y the undcrbrush, and
fighting mosquitoes that seemed To re-
sent this intrusion of their dominion,
they presently came To where the river
issued from its underground covert and
pursued its way onward, TO again dis
appear in the bowels of the earth.
Every few hundred yards these pools
would make their appearance. and from
them would issue white, misty clouds
that would ascend hcavcnward, seem
ing in the distance To be- clouds of
smoke. The water i'm these pools was
"a clear as crystal and filled with beau
tiful fish. He caught great many of
the fish and attempted 10 drink some OF
the water, but it was unpalatable
nauscating 10 the smell and taste He
spent several days wandering around
these points, and he says he never be-
fore thought there was such q place i'm
Florida He says that the rocks are
separated by "A distance of about 200
feet. and rear their black. grimy heads
TO Heaven from level plain of marshy
soil. There are no indications of there
having been hill, much less volcano,
in this section, anc the smoke or cloud
seen so often is simply the vapor rising
from the sulphuric pools Dctrcu Free
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