Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-01-14
Fiorida's Mystery Solved.

Az attempt has been made to explain
tie great smoke which has been puz-
zhGg observers for years, and which
could be seen on any cioudless day as
cendiug from the vicinity of Amelia
River, IL 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 Indians. The recent ex-
Pedit;on threw no light upon the mys-
terry, the tall grass, bogs and dense
uniergTcwth impeding the progress OF
the curious. One Captain Asher is the
hero who arrived in ApalachIcola with
the following information, which puts
out the Florida volcano. and the ro-
nance i LOST of the poor 5 smlnoie ling
eriug il the land of bis fathers Al
the same time 1t adds TO the attractions
of the lovely land of fruit, flowers AM
wonders. PEI haps from thsss sulphu
ric pools came the healing virtues whscf
laid the found luOn for the legend that
il Florida flowed the waters OF eternal
yoath. Captain Asher vas ID search OF
palmetto logs on the Aucilla River
II eu hs deserted the smoke or cl0nd
~ II a point in the distance. Remen.-
bcrng he many reports he had heard
/; but this smoke, he determined 20 an
oarth this mystery If possible; 50, call
iIg bis crew together and packing up
their traps, the party pursued their
way in small toats up tie Amelia Il v
er. They travelled up the river, or
creek, Tor 1t hardly deserves the name
oi uver, Tor miles. After ascending
frym its mouth about twenty five OF
til ty miles, lie judges, he was brought
o an alb up5 halt by rock barrier II
fr 1t. Upon investigating he found
that the river ended and was lost un
dern1ath the ground. Seeing that the
smoke became more distinct at this
point and seemed straight ahead, he
had the boat hauled 10 the bank and
sprang ashore, determined, If possible,
to pursue hls Investigations OF foot.
a. he spIapg on shore he gave an ex
clamaiion OF surprise Scattered at
various points were huge rocks, tower
in many feet above hls head thing
unheard o. IN Florida. Mr. Asner de-
scribes some OF these rocks as beng as
large as an ordinary dwelling and ap-
pareutly hollow, containing much water.
He describes them as being OF Il filthy
npaearuuce, and when struck with az
iron OF steel instrument to emit ttiou
sal ds Of sparks. a mile or two further
on were seen numerous rocks that were
formed inio round basins, their side
being smooth and beautifully polished
Mr.. Asher sprang upon the top Of one
of these basins. As his foot came II
contact with the fiInty substance hol-
low sound WAS emitted from the rock
Calling for pole, and It being handed
to him. he placed it III the centre OF
the basin. What was his surprise Oh
drawing the pole to the top may br
easily imagined when he discovered
that the rock, being hollow, was fiileo
with a strong sulphuric water. Pursu
ing their way through the bog, some
times up to their knees, again On hard
ground some distance, then again
scratched and bruised by the under
brush and fighting mosquitoes that
seemed to resent thIs intrusion of their
dominion, the little party had hard
time of 1t. Presently they came to
where the river issued from It's under
ground covert and pursued its way Oh
ward, to again disappear in the bowels
of the earth. Mr.. Asher states thai
every few hundred yards these pool-
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.
He stated that the water III these poO!~
was AS clear as chrystal and filed with
beautiful fish, both fresh and salt. He
caught a great many of the fish and
attempted to drink the water, but it
was Notwithstanding to the
smell and taste.