The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-11-17


Coal Field Monster oil Well and
its Franks Thrilling Journey
Across the Caucasus-Sublime Seen.
ery-Snow storm Enc0untered-The
Cossack Escort OF Daring Riders
Descent into Georgia, the Land OF
Beautiful Women.
THE Congress having adjourned
we took the second excursion" con
tinued DR. White, this time it was
what is known as the Caucasus ex-
cnrsion. You know that the govern
ment controls the railroads ana we
were taken ON special trains at no
expense to US. Arriving at the end
OF the first stage of our journey we
went through the coal basin of Do
metz. This is one of the greatest
coal fields in the world and some
very interesting processes were seen
in it.
But the most interesting and beau
tiful sight Of this part of the trip
was that afforded by the salt mines
of Charakow. Shafts are sunk to
the salt beds which lie about 500
feet below the surface. The part of
the bed which is mined is about 80
feet thick although the whole de
post is several hundreds of feet in
thickness.
The mines are among the most
beautiful things one can imagine.
The miners have carved out the
salt in fantastic fashion, leaving
arches, columns and pillars of vari-
Gus kinds and shapes and all kinds
of fancy cuttings which their caprice
has directed. The salt is transpar-
ent or nearly SO and the effect of
the array of crystals is bewildering.
The mines are all lighted with cleo
tricity and when the lights are all
| turned on the splendors Vi the tabled
castles liz Arabian Nights are out
shone. We spent hours traversing
the galleries and viewing as much
as possible of the beauties of this
underground fancy land
During our stay in the mines
tremendous blast was set off This
had been arranged especially for our
benefit and no other blasting had
been done for several days. The
system and regularity with which
the mining is carried on is a most
striking thing.
The next thing to engage ones at
tention was visit to the Grosney
oil fields along the sea of Azov at the
northern base of the Caucasus This
oil field is one of apparently limit
less possibilities Among the many
wells which have been struck here
was the largest producer in the
world. For fourteen days after the
oil began to flow 100000 barrels per
day ran out to waste All efforts to
control it were futile The derrick
was destroyed by the force of the
flow, the casing was blown out and
the sides blown to pieces so that
they caved in but the greasy flood
continued. Thousands of dollars
were spent in building an immense
hill of dirt and stones over the
mouth of the well but still it flowed
After weeks of labor it was finally
subdued. Now it flows about 10000
barrels after nearly two years pro
duction.
However such "a we'll is not nearly
GO rioh Ia,
ted States. The Russian oil is a
heavy black substance looking very
much like black strap molasses
Only about 20 per cent of it can be
obtained for Illuminating purposes.
The residue is a heavy substance
like pitch and is extensively used
for fuel. About half of the railroads
i'll Russia use it and a great many
steamers also make use oft Several
days were spent in these fields, we
then started across the Caucasus.
The mountains form an impassa-
BILE barrier to railroads. The engi-
neering difficulties are so great that
all efforts to pierce the barrier have
been set Mt naught. The only way
to cross them is by a military road
called the Georgian road. This is
one Of the most remarkable pieces of
engineering skill in the world. The
length of the road is 100 miles. At
one point it rises to more than 5000
feet a owe the sea The grade is
uniform and the road is kept in
splendid condition. Near the top
it has to be protected by immense
sheds from the terrible avalanches
which are precipitated from the
high mountain peaks around which
the roadway winds In many places
the road crosses gorges which seem
almost bottomless. Everywhere it
is overhung by huge crags which
are simply terrible in their majestic
grandeur. The scenery is sublime
and by its varied changes constant
ly engrossed ones attention.
This portion of Gar route is one
attended with considerable danger.
From time immemorial it has been
infested with bands of brigands who
preyed on small companies in their
passage of the mountains. Every
precantion was taken by the gov
eminent to add to our safety from
these marauders and strong escort
of Cossack cavalry was sent with
us. All postal trains are similarly
guarded.
These Cossacks are as is well
known, the most daring riders
in the world Their Workmanship
is unequalled on the globe They
gave us many exhibitions of their
skill in riding and to those Of the
party who had never seen examples
of their proficiency it was revelation.
Even to those of us who had seen them
before the agility displayed was al
most marvellous. They were gen.
ial, happy lot Of fellows, who did not
seem to have care. They added no
little to our enjoyment by their end
less pYanks. The trip lasted for
three days.
Several high peaks were assembled
during the trip by the mountain
climbers of the party. The weather
grew very cold and we were treated
to snow storm as we sarmounted
the summit. The SUBMITS of the
mountains are constantly covered
with snow and the cold gave us con
siderable discomfort. From here we
wound down into the county of