The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-07
FLORIDA SULPHUR POOLS.
Natural Phenomena in the Peninsular
State Explained.
From the Florida Times Union.

Natural Phenomena in the Peninsular
State Explained.
From the Florida Times Union.
The Apalachicola Tribune explains
the great smoke which has been puz
zling observers for years, and which
could be seen on any cloudless day as
cendiGg from the vicinity of Amelia
river in Florida. Various efforts have
been made to discover the supposed
volcano, while ON the other hard some
have concluded that the smoke came
from the camp fires of some remnant
of the Seminole Indians. The Times
Democrat expedition threw no new
light upon the mystery, the tall grass,
boys and dense underground impeding
the progress of the curious.
One Capt. Asher is the hero who
arrived in Apalachicola on Friday,
May %, with the following informal
ton. which puts out the Florida
volcano, and the romance is
lost of the poor Seminole lin
gering in the land of his
fathers. At the same time it adds to
the attractions of the lovely land of
fruits, flowers and wonders. Perhaps
from these sulphuric pools came the
ealing virtues which laid the found
atlon for the legend that in Florida
flowed the waters of eternal youth.
Capt. Asher was in search of pal
mttto logs on the Amelia river, when
he deserted the smoke or cloud from a
point in the distance. Remembering
the many reports he had heard about
this smoke, he determined to unearth
this mystery if possible. 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 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 by rock barrier in
front. Upon investigation he found
that the river ended and was lost nm
derneath the ground.
Seeing that the smoke became more
distinct at this point, and seemed
straight ahead, he had the boat hauled
up to the bank and sprang ashore, de-
termined, if possible, TO pursue his in
Vestlgation on foot.
AS he Sprang on shore he gave an
O@>NtoAAAeeOAOA1 VI PIlOCs db
various points were huge rocks, tow
ering many feet above his head.
thing unheard of in Florida. Mr..
Asher describes some of those rocks
as being as large as an ordinary dwell
ing. and apparently hollow, contain
ing much water. He describes them
as being of filthy appearance, and
when struck with an iron or steel in
strument to emit thousands of sparks.
A mile VI 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 in contact
with the flinty substance, a hollow
sound was emitted from the rock.
Calling for pole. and it being hand
ed to him. he placed it in the center of
the basin. What was his surprise
on drawing the pole to the top may be
easily imagined when he discovered
that the rock, being hollow, was filled
with strong sulphuric water.
Pursuing their way, through the
bog, sometimes up to their knees,
again on hard ground some distance
then again scratched and bruised by
the underbrush, fighting mosquitoes,
that seemed to resent this intrusion
on their dominion, the little party had
a hard time of it. Presently they
came to where the river issued from
its underground covert and pursued
its way onward, to again disappear in
the bowels of the earth.
Mr.. Asher states that every few
hundred yards these pools would make
their appearance, and from them
would issue white, misty clouds that
would ascend heavenward, seeming in
the distance to be clouds of smoke.
Mr.. Asher stated that the water in |
these pools was as clear as crystal,
and filled with beautiful fish, both |
fresh and salt. He cat ,ht great |
many of the fish, and /. 2~lpted to |
drink some of the water, but it was
-nauseating in the smell |
and taste.
Mr.. Asher spent several days wand
-iing around these points, and he says