Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-09-27
FLORIDA SULPHUR POOLS.
Natural Phenomena In the Peninsular
state Explained.

The Apalachicola Tribune explains
the great smoke which has beer puzzling
observers for years, and which could be
seen on any cloudless day Ascending from
the vicinity ofAncilla River in Florida.
Various efforts have been made to dis
cover the supposed volcano, while on
the other hand some have concluded
that the smoke came from the camp fires
of some remnant of the Seminole Indi-
ans. The Times-Democrat expedition
threw no light upon the mystery, the
tall grass, bogs, and dense undergrowth
impeding the progress of the curious.
One Capt. Asher is the hero who ar
rived in Apalachico.a a on Friday. May 20,
with the following information, 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 healing virtues which laid
the foundation for the legend that in
Florida flowed the waters of eternal
youth.
Capt. Asher was in search of palmetto
logs on the Ancilla River, when he de-
scried 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 as
cending from its mouth about twenty
five or thirty miles, he judges. he was
brought to an abrupt halt by rock bar
rier in front. Upon investigation he
found that the liver ended and was lost
underneath the ground.
Seeing that the smoke became more
distinct at this poirt, and seemed straight
ahead, he had the boat hauled up to the
bank and sprang ashore, determined, il
possible, to pursue his investigation on
foot.
As he sprang on shore he gave an ex-
clamation of surprise. Scattered at vari
GUS points were huge rocks, towering
many feet above his head. / thing un-
heard of in Florida. Mr.. Asher de
scribes some of these rocks as being as
large as an ordinary dwelling and appar-
emily hollow, containing much water.
He describes them as being of a filthy
appearance, and when struck with an
iron or steel instrument to emit thou.
sands of sparks. A mile or two further
on were seen numer- us rocks that were
formed into basins, their sides being
smooth and beautifully polished. Mr..
Asher sprang upon the top of one OF
these basins AS his foot came in con-
tact with the flinty substance a hollow
sound was emitted from the rock. Call
ing for pole, and it being handed to
hin, he placed it in the center of the
basin. What was his surprise on drawing
the pole to the top may be easily imsg-
ined when he discover d that the rock,
being hollow, was filled with a strong
sulpburic water.
Pursuing their wav through the bog,
sometimes up to their knees, again on
hard ground some distance, then agair
scratched and bruised by the uDderbrush,
and 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 disap-
pear in the bowels of the earth.
Mr.. Asher states that every few hun
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 clouds of smoke.
Mr.. Asher stated that the water in
these pools was as clear as crystal and
filled with beautiful s,, 9th flesh and
salt. He caught great many ofthe fish
and ATTEMPTED to drink some of the wa
ter, but it was unpalatable-nauseating
to the smell and taste.
Mr.. Asher spent several days wander
ing around these points, and he says
that he never before thought there was
SUCH pihCc III rioIiuA-
He discovered several rocks that he
presumed would have answered very
well for houses, being quite as large, hol-
low, and the walls as smooth as glass.
He appeared to think it very strange
that these monster rocks should b. 'ound
in such low, fat, marshy sec;. II lie
says that the rocks are separated 10y q
distance of about two hundred feet, and
rear their black grimy heads to heaven
from a level plain of narshy soil. There
are no indications OF there having been
a hill, mucn less a volcano, in this sec
ton, and the smoke or cloud seen 50 Of
ten is simply the vapor rising from the
sulphuric pools. .t.... o..
NJ. 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 house on the Anlilla 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 meu
could not break some of the limbs these
L I~olxa