The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-02
SINGULAR.
A CURIOUS FREAK OF n "A
TURE-A WELL MAKES
A GEYSER
A STREAM SENT WITH THE FORCE
OF DYNAMITE FLOODS A
WHOLE TOWN.

CHICAGO, August S1.-A dispatch was received at
the city hall this afternoon from the mayor of
Belle Plaine, Iowa, which states that an artesan
we'll four inches in diameter burst when the depth
of $50 feet had been reached in boring, and in
stantly volume of water was forced into the air
to distance of several hundred feet. This gradu-
ally increased in size and volume until stream of
water fully sixteen inches in diameter formed, and
the upward force of this stream is equal to the
power of dynamite. Water in huge volumes is
spouting high into the air, and the supply seems
ineXhaustible Two gigantic rivers have been
formed by this water burst, which is running
throu3h the town at the rate of twelve miles an
hour, and are carrying everything before them.
Houses and lives are threatened by this peculiar
freak of nature, and the citizens of the town are
appalled, at their impending danger, which at pres
ent they are powerless to overcome.
Finding it impossible to divert this damaging
flood, an attempt made to insert sixteen inch
boiler iron tube in the wells, but these were
instantly blown out, and forced high in the air.
Finding this plan useless, the terrified people then
attempted to fill up the huge aperature through
which this terrible Geyser is spouting its deiuge.
Fifteen carloads were emptied into the well, but
these were instantly blown out and forced upward,
as though propelled by the force OF bursting
magazine of giant powder. Bags of sand were
then hastily construc ed and ca,t into the well,
but these, too were hurled into the air with tre-
mendous force of the spouting water.
The Northwestern railroad was then called upon
for assistance, and instantly sent large gang of
men to the rescue. The bridge gang of the county,
was also called upon, but t. his evening no abate-
ment in the flood of water was percepubie, and the
rushing rivers formed by it were washing the
channel they had made deeper and wider, while
the basin formed by this immense volume of water
was squirting over the lands in the vicinity.
The mayor of Belle Plaine in his last extremity,
telegraphed to Chicago for the best engineers that
could be secured, to come Immediately to the spot
and use their skill and energy in attempting to
stop this perilous condition of affairs. City En-
gineer Artingstall, to whom the matter was re-
ferred, at started out to find an engineer who
would supply the demand, and succeeded in induc-
| ing Engineer Morgan to undertake the mission.
Messrs. Artingstal and Morgan are, however,
both of the opinion that but little can be done, IT
anything, to stop the flow of the water, but that
it may be possible to direct the rivers into less
dangerous directions and confne them to their
present channels. Mr.. Morgan left for Belle
Paine tonight, and if more assistance is neces-
sary Artingsall will send all that is needed This
is regarded as one of the most phenomenal freaks
of nature which has yet been known, and the
threatened danger to the people and property OF
Belle Paine demands instant and energetic efforts
to stop the ruinous deluge of water.