Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-11-27
NATURAL GAS FORCE.
Charles Dudley Warner Describes Its Aw-
ful Display of Power.

Charles Dudley Warner Describes Its Avr-
ful Display of Power.
Although the wells about Findlay are
under control, the tubing is anchored,
and the awful force is held under by
gates and lovers Of steel, it is impossi-
BILE to escape feeling OF awe in this
region at the subterranean energies
which seem adequate TO blow the whole
country heavenward. Some OF tho
wells were opened for us. Opening n
well Is unscrewing tho service-pipe and
letting the full force OF the gas issue
from the pipe at the mouth of the well.
When one OF these wells is thus opened
the whole town is aware OF it by tho
roaring and the quaking of the air.
The first one exhibited was in field a
mile and a half from the city. At tho
first freedom from the screws and
clamps the gas rushed ont in
such density than 1t was visible.
Although we stood several rods from
1t, the roar was so great that one could
not make himself heard shouting in
the ear of his neighbor. The geologist
stuffed cotton in his ears and tied
shawl about his head, and assisted by
the chemist, stood close TO the pipe to
measure the flow. The chemist, who
had not taken the precaution TO protect
himself, was quite deaf for some timo
after the experiment. A four-inch
pipe, about sixty feet in length, was
then screwed on, and the gas ignited
as it issued from the end ON the ground.
The roaring was as before. For several
feet from the end of the tube there was
no flame, but beyond was sea Of fire
sweeping the ground and rioting high
in the air-billows of rcd and yellow
and blue flame, fierce and hot enough
to consume every thing within reach.
1t was an awful display of power.
We had n like, though only mo-
mentary, display at the famous Karg
well, an eightrmillion-foo we'll. This
could only be turned on for a few sec
onds at time, for it is in connection
with the general system. II the gas is
turned off, the fires in houses and fac
tories would go out, and II 1t wero
turned on again without notice, the
rooms would be full Of gas, and an ex-
plosion follow an attempt to relight it
This danger is now being removed by
the invention Of an automatic valve in
the pipe supplying each fro, which
will close and lock when the flow OF
gas ceases, and admit no more gas un-
til II is opened. The ordinary pressure
for house service is about two pounds
to the square inch. The Karg well is
on the bank OF the creek, and the dis
charge-pipo through which the gas
(though not In its full force)
was turned for our astonish=
ment extends over the water.
The roar was like that OF Niagara; all
the town shakes when the Karg is
loose. When lighted. pillows Of flame
rolled over the water, brilliant in color
and fantastic in form, with n fury and
rage OF conlagration enough to strike
the spectator with terror, ! have
never seen any other display OF natural
force so impressive as this. When this
flame issues from an upright pipe, tho
great mass OF fire rises eighty feet into
the air. leaping and twisting in fend-
ish fury. For six weeks after this well |
was first opened its constant roaring |
shook the nerves of the town, and by |
night its flaming torch lit up the
heaven and banlshed dapkpess, With |
the aid Of this new agent any thing
seems possible.-Chdrics Dadieu War
lscr, ia Hdrper's Magazine.