Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
GAZING AT THE GASSER.
Hundreds of People Watch the Tongues of
Flame Shoot Out From the Exposition
Well Standpipe-DriIling to be Resumed
This Morning, With Bright Prospects.

Hundreds OF People watch the Tongues OF
Flame Shoot Out From the Exposition
Well Standpipe-DriIling to be Resumed
This Morning, With Bright Prospects.
Early morning yesterday saw hundreds
OF people vending their way to the Exposi-
tion grounds, at the Point. to view the big
gasser. A standpipe about 80 feet high had
been placed about 60 feet from the we'll and
the gas lighted. In the still morning air
the long sheet OF fame fiickered and wayered,
and now and then, as the wind ressaerted its
power threw its tongues cut as If seeking
victim on which to expend its power.
AS the hours wore on tho crowd increased,
but had to be content with peering through the
spaces between the bars Of the iron fence.
Manager Johnston, with number of Exposl-
tion Society members and friends, for time
watched the gas burn, and talked of the pros.
pect for larger strike. The crowd clamored
for admittance. but were steadfastly repulscd. 4.
The driller on duty said that he would have
asked nothing better than the privilege of per
mitting people to enter the grounds for u
apiece.
Last night the engine had been reset and
everything made ready to commence drilling
again this morning. Mr.. Crawford, of the OIL
Well Supply Company, said that the drill had
only touched the crust of the oil sand. and that
the prospects for q larger strike were very
good. I'VE will not talk" said MIR. Crawford,
''but await developments. 1t smells pretty
oily around here, and we might strike oil
can't tell. you know"
The roar of the burning gas could be heard
for a number of squares, last evening. as the
main Exposition building was approached from
Duquesne way. The light looked like that OF 2
large fire. On going nearer the west tower and
whole west end of the building appeared to be
lighted from within by powerful illumlnant.
Melville ID. Landon (Eh Perkins) passed
through Pittsburg yesterday en- route 10 Brad
dock, where he lectures tonight The humor-
ist was found examining the new gas well, and
was asked what be thought of it:
"It brings to my mind, F" said Eli, "the first
experience we had in Saratoga when they
struck the Geyser spring. We all went out to
see the water streaming 30 feet into the air.
The French Minister was there from washing,
ton. He hadn't been in the country long and
couldn't speak very good English"
"What did he do?"
"Why he put on a look OF alteration, then
shrugged his shoulders and spread his arms out
like great V and exclaimed:
CeSt grdrde! Cest n1dgntfQue-he bust ut
first rater'
MY last experience in writing up gas well
was unfortunate. 1t was when they discovered
the great Delamater well IA years ago near
Petrolia. l described il minutely for the New
York Su1a-how it burst y feet into the air,
and, though it was in December warmed a
ten-acre lot into green garden. described
how it made noise like train OF cars, and we
heard 1t l6 miles, which was true. l thought
had done nice piece OF newspaper work.
Then read it all over. spelled all tho hard
words correctly. punctuated it brilliantly and
sent it to MIR. Dana.n
What was the resulten
"Well, went West. and about a week after.
ward l was delighted to see my VIVID description
copied into Story's Chicago Times. Yes. was
very proud, but my pride received fall when
turned to the editorial page and read this
paragraph: Our readers will notice that IN
another column we copy Eli Perkins Su'
article on the Pennsylvania gas we'll Oul
readers will notice that he speaks very favor
ably of it, which is very magnanimous on the
part of Mr. Perkins. when we come TO think
that this gas well is the only real rival he has,