The Penn's Grove record., 1885-01-10

An attempt has been made TO explain
tie great smoke which has been puz-
cling observers for years, and which
could be seen on any cloudless day as
ccudiug from the vicinity Of Amelia
River, III Florida. Various efforts have
been made to discover 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 Iudiaus. The recent ex-
peGiti5u threw no light upon the mys-
terry, the tall grass, boys and dense
uujcrgruwth impeding the progress OF
the curious. one Captain Asher Is the
hero who ar lived in Apalachicola with
the following information, which puts
ont the Florida volcano. and the ro-
nance Is lost of the poor Seminole ling.
sriug IN tue land of bis fathers. AZ
the saue time it adds to the attractions
Of the lovely land of fruit, flowers an
wonders. PEE aps from these sulphu
re pools came the healing virtues Which
laid the found itIou for the legend that
IL Florida flowed the waters OF eternal
youth. Captain Asher was IN search OF
pAImctto logs on the Auclila River
n ru hg deserted the smoke or cloud
E. IA q point in the distance. Remen-
orug tue many reports he had heard
b mt thIs smoke, ae determined to IN.
easih this mystery II possible; 80, call
ing his crew together aud packing up
thylr traps, tine party pursued their
way IN small { osts up the Amelia Il v
ar. They travelled up the river, or
creek, Tor it hardly deserves the name
ct river, Tor miles. After ascending
from its mouth about twenty five or
thl.tv miles, he judges, he was brought
o an abrupt halt 10y a rock barrier ID
fir 1t. Upon investigating he found
that the river ended and was lost I'm
dcrneatG the ground. Seeing that the
smoke became more distinct at this
point and seemed straight ahead, he
had the boat Lauied to the bank and
spraug ashore, determined, If possible,
to pursue his Investigations on foot.
As IA, spraug on shore he gave an ex
ei0maiiOu Of surprise Scattered at
various points were huge rocks, tower
in many feet above his head-a thing
uuaeard d ia Florida. Mr.. Asher de
scrlbes some OF these rocks a. being as
large a. an ordinary dwelling and ap-
pareutly hollow, containing much water.
He describes them as being OF a filthy
appearance, and when struck with al
iron or steel instrument to emit thou
SAL DIS 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
MIR. Asher sprang upon the top of II
of these basins. As his foot came Ii
contact with the hinty substance a mol
low sound was emitted from the rock
Calling for a pole, and it being handed
to 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, being hollow, was tiiled
with a strong sulphurie water. Pursu
ing their way through the bog, some
times up to their knees, again III hard
ground some distance, then again
scratched and bruised by the under
brush and fighting mosquitoes that
seemed to resent thlS intrusion of then
dominion, the little party had a hard
time Of it. Presently they came to
where the river issued from its under
ground covert aud pursued its way N
ward, to again disappear in the bowels
Of the earth. MIR. Asher states thai
every few hundred yards these pools
would make their appearance, and from
them would issue white, misty cloud
that would ascend heaYenward, seeming
In the distance to be clouds of smoke.
He stated that the water Ill these pools
WAS as clear as chr stall and filed with
beautiful tish. both fresh and salt, He
2aught a great many of the fish and
attempted to drink the water, but 1t
was Notwithstanding to the
smell and taste.