The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-05-13
A CALIFORNIA WELL.
That Supplies Good Drinking
Water and Good Fuel at the
Same Time.
From the San Francisco Bulletin.

From the San Francisco Bulletin.
Cutler Salmon of French Camp,
not far from Stockton, Cal, sank a
well with seven-inch tube to a depth
of about $40 feet, and struck a copious
stream of excellent water. Desiring
to learn whether he could increase the
flow by going deeper, and fearing
that should he continue the well the
same size, he might injure the quality
OF the upper strata of water. Mr..
Salmon hit on the plan of sinking a
four-inch tube inside the seven-inch
one, and thus making what might be
( called the experimental well four
Ninches in diameter. This inner one he
bored to a depth of 1850 feet, and
then came to water again. This lower
stream came to the surface, and, In
deed. rose In a tube twenty-five feet
above the ground. The last water
found was unfit for drinking, and but
for an accidental discovery of its
wondeful properties might have been
considered a nuisance. 1t was found
that there was large amount of gas
in this water from the lower depth.
This came bubbliug to the surface,
making one think of a gigantic coda
fountain.
Some one suggested the idea of
seeing if the gas would burn. A coal
oil can was put over the top of the
can, and, having few holes punched
;, in it, an improvised gas-fxture was at
hand. Only match was required
to complete the preparations. The
match was lighted and applied to
hole In the can, and the flames
shot up three or four feet into
the air and burned steadily. The
gas would burn. Mr.. Salmon had
fire and water coming out of the same
hole in the ground. The tube of the
outer well, that which was only $40
feet deep and furnished the good watre
for all domestic uses and for stock.
etc., was led off in pipes to the house
and other localities. A curling was
built around the twin wells in such a
way that it formed a reservoir for the
J, water from the 1,250-foot level, and
that portion from above which was
not conveyed away in the pipes. All
through this water in the reservoir
came bubbling up the gas, generated
somehow somewhere down below.
When Mr. Salmon next went to Stock
ton he had gasometer made with a
stop-cock in the top, and this be took
home and fastened over his walls. The
bottom was beneath the surface of the
water 10 the reservoir, and the gas
speedily filled the bell-shaped receiver.
The next thing was to attach a gas
pipe and connect his homemade gas
machine with the house.
He put a pipe perforated with
small holes across his large open fire
place, turned on the gas, applied
match, and the problem of cheap fuel
was instantly solved. After that gas
pipe was put into the fre-box of the
kitchen stove, and now the meats are
prepared with the new fuel. Mr..
Salmon has also used the gas for IL
Illuminating, but it does not seem to
entirely fill the bill, although it is
great improvement on a :allow dip.
1t has been suggested that, as this gas
seems to be almost pure hydrogen it
might be carburetted and lis ilIumin-
ating quality improved. The gas
throws of great amount of heat, and,
without doubt, such well would sup.
ply large number of families with
the means of warming their houses
and preparing their food.