National Republican., 1884-06-28
A FLORIDA MYSTERY .
Discovery OF sulphur Pools which Emit
Clouds Of Smoke.

Discovery Of sulphur Pools which Emit
Clouds Of Smoke.
The Apalachicola Tribune explains tho
great smoke which has beon puzzling
observers for years, and which could be
seen on any cloudless day ascending from
the vicinity of Ancilla 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 tho camp fires of some
remnant of the Seminole Indians. The
Tines Democrat expedition threw no now
light upon the mystery, the tall grass,
boys, and dense undergrowth impeding
the progress of the curiOus
One Capt. Asher Is the hero who arrived
in Apalachicola on Friday, May 22, with
the following information, which puts out
the Florida volcano, and the romance is
lost of the poor Seminole lingering in the
land Of his fathers. At tho same time It
adds to the attractions of tho lovely land
of fruits, flowers. and wonders. Perhaps
from these sulphuric pools came the heal
ing virtues which laid the foundation for
tho legend that in Florida flowed tho
waters Of eternal youth.
Capt. Asher was in search of palmetto
| logs on the Ancilla river, when he deserted
the smoke or cloud from a point in the
digtance. Remembering the many re-
| ports he had hoard about this smoke, he
determined to unearth this mystery II
possible. SO, calling his crew together
and picking up their traps, the party pur-
sued their way In small boats up the
| Amelia river. They travelled up the
river, or crock, for it hardly deserves the
name of river. for miles. After ascending
| from its mouth for about twenty-five or
thirty miles, he judges, he was brought
to an abrupt halt by rocky barrier in
front. Upon investigation he found that
horo the river ended and was lost under
meath the ground.
Seeing that the smoke became moro dis
tinct at this point, and seemed straight
ahead, he had the boat hauled up to tho
bank and sprang ashore. determined, if
possible, to pursue his Investigations OH
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, q thing unheard
of in Florida. Mr.. Asher describes some
of these rocks as being as large as an Or
dinary dwelling and apparently hollow,
containing much water. He describes
them as being of filthy appearance, and
when struck with an iron or steel instru-
ment 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 spranp
upon the top of one of these basins. As
his foot came in contact with the flinty
substance hollow sound was emitted
from the rock. Calling for pole, and IL
being handed to him, he placed 1t 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 0
strong sulphuric water.
Pursuing 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 tC
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 dis
appear in the bowels of the earth.
Mr.. Asher states that every few hun.
dred yards these pools would make theii
appearance, and from them would issue
|
heaveuward, seeming in the distance tC
be clouds of smoke.
Mr.. Asher stated that the water IL
these pools was as clear as crystal ant
filled with beautiful fish, both fresh ant
salt He caught great many of the fish
and attempted to drink some of the water
. but il was very npalatable-nauseatinI
to the smell and taste. 1E
Mr.. Asher spent several days wander
ing around these points, and he says tina
he never before thought there was such
place in Florida.
: He discovered several rocks that h
presumed would have acted very we'll TO
houses, being quito as large. hollow, ant
the walls as smooth as glass. He appeared
to think it very strange that these mon
ster rocks should be found in such low
fiat marshy section. Ho says that the rock
Z are separated by distance of about 20,
feet, and rear their black, grimy heads t
!, heaven from q level plain of marshy soil
! There are no indications of there havinl
{ been q hill, much less q volcano, in thi
section, and the smoke or cloud seen S
s often is simply the vapor rising fror
these sulpuric pools.
4 Mr.. Asher describes the section a
e abounding in game of all kinds, fror
squirrels and birds to bear, deer, an
wildcats. While speaking of the game i
!. this section, Mr. Asher stated that ther
was a house on the Ancilla river, occupie
by gentlemans family, surroundin
e which were twenty large oaks. Hug
!. limbs from these trees had been tor
: loose by tho bears searching for acorn
20 Mr.. Asher stated that six men could N,
break some Of the limbs that these beal
/. broke.
|
: THOSE contemplating spending the SUNNI