The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-08-27

blowing away for ten years or more
| without showing any sign of weaken
| ing, sends ferth tremendous volume
OF gas with pressure so-great that ii
cannot be confined. and which requires
the strongest kind of pipes te convey
it away from the we'll There the sur
rounding eouBtry to tho extent OF
thousands of acres has been leased by
| gas companies, and wells have been
| put down so close together in some
places that man could leap from one
| derrick into another. But as to fhe
leasing of property, the same may be
said OF all the gas territory in this
state. 1t has been gobbled up by COM
peting companies which expect to run
each other out of the market, and make
princely fortunes.
KILLING THE LOCAL COAL TRADE.
From these sources then comes the
cheap fuel that is killing the local coal
| trade of Pittsburg and vicinity and
causing her coal kings to seek foreign
markets for the dusky diamonds which
arc mined under the surrounding hills
| by the hundreds of millions of bushels
| per year. The greater part of these
vast fields of coal has been supplying
other markets, but that supply will
now be increased by the hundred thou
sand tons until there is not CRATE nor
a fiery furnace in tho neighborhood of
littsburg's mountains of coal in which
one OF the black diamonds will be per-
mitted to shine forth with its mellow
and cheerful warming glow of light.
This destruction of the Pittsburg coal
trade is indicated now by unmiStaka-
bic signs. Indeed, the beginning of
the end has already commenced to be
felt very sensibly. 1t will take a little
time to accomplish it. perhaps a few
years, but, unless the promised supply
of natural gas suddenly, unexpectedly,
and very ANONYMOUSLY fails, it will
certainly come to pass. and the next
decade may witness the utter decay of
the coal trade in the homo market of
Pittsburg.
USES OF NATURAL GAS.
Natural gas has been introduced and
is now in use in almost every largo
manufacturing establishment in or
about the city, where it can be had,
and many of tho smaller factories have
found the cheapness and advantage of
it But the use of the gas is not con-
fined to these places alone. Hundreds
of private families havo given up the
coal and now toast their toes or cook
their victuals over the gas fire. As q
rule the gas meets with very warm
reception in private houses, and has
generally proved satisfactory. The
number of families that use it is daily
increasing. and in order to supply them
as we'll as the factories lines of pipe to
carry the gas are bcing laid all over
the twin cities. Only the other day
one OF the largo natural gas companies
sent an order to Cincinnati for 5000
tons of this kind of pipe.
This gives some idea of the present
supply and demand, as we'll as the fu-
ture prospects of the fuel that can al
most undcrsell coal in the mines, as far
as home trado is concerned.
OBJECTIONABLE FEATURES.
But while its prospects arc bright,
there are certain Objectionable features
always to be found in any new thing
of general public use and value-which
must be obviated before it is entirely
satisfactory. Its peaetrating qualities
are so great under high pressure that
it will forco its way through iron or
stone. 1t is also generally edorless,
though in seMe wells u strsns smell OF
petroleum may bo detected; and very
explosive; SO it may readily be seen
that 4 auid so insidious must be thoE-
oughiy understood and perfectly under
control te DO perfectly harmless, or as
near So rs It Is possible to mako it,
The difficulty OF aeeecdng it by the
sense of smsA, whom it nasiy be escap-
iag ia large quantities, and its exslo-
sivs qsakties, have boon strongly argsd
against h, and yet, in spite of this, it
kas gained a strsRs festhsld. Sc far
ne asesdSntS disastrous to kHnaR life
have occurred from lis Use, bst there
have been many explosions, which re-
suited with more or less damage to
property. and on one occasion caused
the city to institute proceedings against
one of the companies to compel it to
cease laying pipe or to give bond for
the safety of their pipe system which
would be sufficient to make good any
loss that might result to life or prop
erty.
Another objection made by the mill
owners is q certain irregularity in the
supply, which is apt TO be suddenly di-
minished or shut of altogether. owing
to the bursting of pipe or other ac-
cidents in the use of imperfect Pipe
line service. There being no reser-
voirs for the gas between its natural
storerooms in the earth and the points
of consumption. though separated by
distance of many miles. this imperfec-
ton of service is often the occasion of
very announcement delay; but, notwith-
standing, those who have commenced
the use OF it do not seem inclined to
Danish it on that account, but rather
to bear with necessary inconveniences
until they can be remedied by the skill
ful application of the proper mechan-
ical devices. Auxiliary pipelines and
the erection of tanks outside the city
in which to store the gas have both
been suggested as a remedy.
A WEIRD AND BEAUTIFUL SIGHT.
As yet there has not been much
thought of saving the gas. because the
supply seems ineXhnustible, but it is
argued that what is werth using is also
werth saving. and the chances are that
something will be done towards ac-
complishing that end. For the pres
ent, when not in Use, the gas is turned
up into the open air in immense escape
pipes, where it burns with great
roaring noise.
No more weird or beautiful sight
could be witnessed by one unaccustom-
ed to it than vision of these natural
gas escapes. dotting the hills and val
leys of Plttsburg and surroundings, es-
pecally in approaching the city from
the lower river ut night. when the
great volumes of burning gas, in strik-
ing contrast with the myriadS of twink
ling street lamps and long, regular
rows of electric lights. seem to leap
forth into the sky like the beiching
blazes of sn many volcanoes. Such are
the source, Use. and prospect, in and
about the soon TO be no longer Smoky