Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-08
JUDGE WHITE OUTDoNE.

Captain George Asher Takes the
Rag Of Judge Whites Volcano
Discovery of the Place From Whence
The Smoke Issues-Scenes, Incidents,
etc.
Apal1chicoLa Tribune.
Last Friday Capt. George Asher arrived
in The city direct from the scene Of Flori-
da's supposed volcano. For years this
smoke has been seen by thousands of peO-
pie. and various efforts have been made
to reach it. notably among the number
being Judge L. w. White. Of Tallahassee.
Speculation has been rife as to the prob
able cause Of this smoke, seen on any
calm. clOudless day. Some have said
that il was a volcano, while others con-
tended that it originated from the fires OF
some Seminole Indians thought to be in
this section, and so on ad libitum.
The last party that went out to explore
this region had to turn back because the
tall grass, DOGGY lands, and dense under
growth prevented further progress.
Capt. Asher was in search Of palmetto
logs on the Aucilla river when he deserted
the smoke, or cloud, from point in the
distance. Remembering the many re-
ports he had read about this smoke, be
determined to unearth the mystery, if
possible. So calling his crew together,
and picking up their traps, the party
pursued their way in small boats
up the AuciIla river. They Travelled up
this river, or creek, for it hardly deserves
the name of river, for miles. After as
cending from its mouth for about . or 30
miles, he judges, he was brought to an
abrupt halt by rocky barrier in front.
Upon investigation he found that here the
river ended and was lost underneath the
ground.
Seeing that the smoke became more dis
tinct at this point, and seemed straight
ahead, he had the boat hauled up to the
bank and he spTang ashore, determined,
if possible, TO pursue his investigations on
foot.
As he sprang on shore he gave an ex-
clamatiOn of surprise. Scattered at Yari-
GUS points were huge rocks, towering
many feet above his head, "a thing unhaard
of in Florida. Mr.. Asher describes some
of these rocks as being as large as an or
binary dwelling, and apparently hollow,
containing much water. He describes
them as being Of flinty appearance and
when struck with an iron or steel
instrument to emit thousands of
sparks. mile or two further on
were seen numerous rocks that were
formed into round basins, their sides be-
ing smooth and beautifully polished. Mr..
Asher sprang upon the top Of one of
these basins. As his foot came in con-
tact with the f1inty substance hollow
sound was emitted from the rock. Call.
ing for a pole and it being handed him he
placed it in the centre OF the basin. What
was his surprise on drawing the pole to
the top may be easily imagined when he
discovered that the rock, beng hollow,
was filled with a strong sulphuric water.
Pushing their way through the bog,
sometimes up to their knees, again on
hard ground for some distance, then again
scratched and bruised by the underbrush,
and fighting mosquitoes that seemed to
resent this intrusion on their dominion,
the little party had hard time of it.
Presently they came to where the river
issued from its underground covert, and
pursued its way onward, to again disap-
pear IN the bowels of the earth.
Mr.. Asher states that every few hum
dred 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 volumes of smoke.
Mr.. Asher stated that the water in these
pools was as clear as crystal, and filed
with beautiful fish. both fresh and salt.
He caught a great many of the fish, and
attempted to drink some of the water, but
it was very unpalatable, nauseating to
the smell and to the taste.
Mr.. Asher spent several days wander
ing around these points, and he says that
he never before thought there was such a
place i'm Florida.
He discovered several rocks that he pre-
sumed would have acted very well for
houses, being quite as large, hollow, and
their walls as smooth as glass. He
appears to think it very strange
that these monster rocks should
be found in such low, fiat,
marshy section. He says that these rocks
are separated by a distance of about two
hundred feet, and rear their black, grimy
heads to heaven from a level plain of
marshy soil. There are no indications of
there having been a hill, much less a vol
cano, in this section, and the smoke or
cloud seen so often, is simply the vapor
rising from these sulphuric pools.
Mr.. Asher describes the section as
Astounding in game of all kinds, from
squirrels and birds to bear, deer and
wildcats. While speaking of the game
in this section, Mr.. Asher stated that
there was a house on the Aucilla river
occupied by a gentleman's family, sur
rounding which were twenty large oaks.
Huge limbs from these trees had been
torn loose by the bears searching for
acOrns. Mr.. Asher stated that six men
could not break some of the limbs that
these bears broke.