The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-09-18


sssia, conapoaaeaes Of he InteRl0Ao1s
wARnELD, KY, Sept. 15.-The people
Of Logan county, West Virginia, arc
much interested In the visit TO their
county Of NM. Metz and Durand,
two eetlemen from Paris, France. Tho
gentlemen In question arrived over the
Norfolk 4 Western railroad several
days ago, and were we'll supplied with
an innumerable quantity Of queer.
shaped boxes aud bundles, which, from
their appearance and general character.
aWoko considerable interest In the
naturally curious mountnlneers. Tho
two gentlemen, who speak English very
inperfectly and converse only In
French, made inquiries regarding tho
abandoned gas wells In the vicinity Of
tho Tug mountains. Tho necessary In
formation was secured and tho party
left, followed by their baggage and
freight. The man who guided tho OK.
petition on his return told story
which excited tho curiosity Of the In
habitants still more. and speculation as
70 the object Of the expedition became
tho general themc Of conversation.
DuRAND's STORY.
Your correspondent who had been
on hunting trip to the Tug mountains
and who had become separated from
the rest Of his companions, came upon
tho camp Of the Frenchmen. who were
living In O tent near tho base OF old
Mt Sterling. Having spent some time
In France and being conVersant with
the French language, he soon became
acquainted with the gentlemen, aud
upon their invitation remained during
the night with them. Having heard Of
the mystery attending their visit he
was naturally inquisitive and asked
Mr.. Durand as TO tho nature OF the
work they were engaged in.
Mr.. Durand, hesitated for moment
and then proceeded to outline tho gen.
eral points connected with their jour
ney hither. He said:
an. Metz and myself are members Of
q small society in Paris which is inter
ested in tho advancement OF science,
consisting Of come two score Of men.
The members Of this society are all mon
Of neans, who find time outside OF busi'
ness and social duties to devote their
minds to scientific research and a closer
study Of natural phenomena.
"The recent Greek earthquakes made
an impression on the members and tho
COMMONLY accepted theory OF tho
earth's contraction, owing to tho
dimunition OF tho internal heat, being
much greater at the surface, did not
meet with unanimous approval.
HIS UNIQUE THEORY.
81, aud number Of tho members,
pointed to tho fact that the trembling
Of the surface. II caused by contraction,
would have tho effect Of leaving the
surface In more convex condition, as
q circle Ia tho most economical form OF
confinement, and OF natures adoption
In the raindrop. In the trail OF earth
quakes arc frequently found large
cracks and crevices OF great depth,
showing that nature has not followed
her usual economical methods OF action
and has overdone the contraction BUSH
ness. Again earthquakes have oc-
Cured In regions where there arc sub
terranoous caverns Of such extent that
the space necessary for contraction
could be overcome by the elimination
of one OF these caves, which would relax
the tension.
"fo my mind the change OF positions
Of 1.-THE di fIerent gasaes and strata OF tho
earth seemed to offer O moro fruitful
field to the scientists as the true causes
OF these destructive phenomena. Tho
presence OF such an amount Of eioc.
tricity "a is stored in tho globe is, aa l
believe, caused by the circulation Of tho
immense quantities Of gas confined IN
its hidden reccases. By means oil this
electric fluid an ignition OF intlammabio
gases at great depth may lead to a dis:
arrangement OF the centre OF gravity OF
largo masses OF rock and other forma-
tions. Tho rearrangement OF these
masses In reaching position OF stable
eouilibrium' would cause oil tho diler.
ent phases noticeable In earthquakes.
| also stated that would DO able BY
artificial means TO produce an earth
quake that would In cvory way resemble
tho original article.
DAcKED FOR THE ENTERPRISE.
"This caused much Amusement TO my
associates and they seemed to regard
Inc as having lost my senses. l told
Thorn that by lowering flame or by the
uso Of an electric current OF sufficient
power TO irnlte the gas on explosion
would occur Of such force as to supply
several earthquakes.
II volunteered to mako the expert:
mont and provo to them tho truth oil
my statement. They considered tho
matter, aud said they would aid science
In assisting mo, but also made pro-
vision that Franco was not good coun'
try to experiment in at tho present
time, as the birth ratio was on the de'
elmo and that the throwing Of low
bombs afforded sufficient sensation:
knowing that tho natural gas holus
OF America abounded in dry holas, and
In certain places tho population was
small, decided to como to this country,
and II. Mutz, although skoptical as TO
the result, accompanied mo. We vii!
10 able 10 provo tho success or failure
OF tho theory In few days now, but !
firmly believe that success is assured.
NJ. Durand wiped of his brow and
made q vicious lungo Tor mosquito,
that had boon bothering him, and looked
at me as II inquIring regarding my
opinion as to tho practIcability Of his
scheme. N. Motz unearthed bottle
Of abSin.he and we regalod our paiatcs
with draught OF tho superior auise OK
tract Not wishing 10 display my
lack Of scientific knowledge, agreed
with N. Durand's Vows, and asked him
yrhot ,nauItu ,yould nnmo Of tho success.