The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-08
GANNUN Is READI
Old Civil War Weapon Was to
Be Used on Burning Gasser.
Plan Abandoned for Fear Of the
Results.
HOOD is NEARLY READY
Effort Nay Be Made to Put Into
Place Today.
People Bring Their Lunches and
Camp Near Fire.
IOOD is NEARLY READY

Caney. kan, March S.-After another
days hard work in the heat and roar Of
the burning gasser, Vanderpod No. 1, /
in Indian Territory. southeast of here, /
there is still much to be done by the
workmen before the gas experts are
ready to put to the test their plan of
snuhing out the flames and Gaping the
spouting we'll Several sections of p |
inch pipe, which is to convey the flames
away from the well, have been attach
ed to the hood and the device is in po-
sition on the rails of the miniature
tracks ready to be run to the mouth of
the well.
While the flames are to be forced into
one pipe leading from the hood at a
distance Of 100 feet IT. has been con-
structed and from that point for a dis
lance OF 800 feet the gas will be divert
ed into two lines Of pipe, each u inches
in diameter This viii lessen the force
of the flow of the gas one-half and it is
expected make it much easier to snuff
out the flames at the end of the pipe.
The chief trouble which is causing
| the gas men much concern is the task
/ of placing the hood sQuarely in posi-
! tlon over the mouth Of the well. Ex-
/ tending a couple Of feet above the
| ground is the tube, which was twisted
/ off after the we'll was struck by light
ming. Fearing that this would inter
J
was planned to shoot it off. The Caney
cannon, relic of the civil war which
was started to the scene of the well
/ once before for the same purpose, was
taken out of its repository and hauled
to the well. 1t was loaded and placed
/ in position, but again the gas men
/ abandoned the plan.
1t was feared that the ball, in case
/ gunner could hit the pipe, would not
break the tubing off clean, but instead
4 would wreck the elevators aandueassnesa
/ in1the we'll. II that happened the q lanes
/ would spread more, so the tubing will
/ be allowed to remain. 1t has been de-
cided to use a crane to place the hood
1 over this. This crane has arrived and
was taken to the well today, but it has
I not been placed in position.
While the track has been built within
a few feet of the mouth of the. gasser. it
is not believed that the hood can be
dragged over the intervening space Be
sides the heat has warped some of the
track already laid, close to the well. The
plan is to run the hood as close as pos
sible, then the crane will pick it up,
! carry It the rest of the distance and
drop it into position. After the hood
/ was placed on the track, although 1t
stands many feet from the fire. an iron
shield was erected between it and the
| we'll to- prevent any Damage from the
flames. Another shield has been erect
ed to protect a workman whose duty
| it is to throw streams Of water on the
men and on the ground to cool the at
mosphere.
/ All dav this man sat behind this shield
/ spraying water out of a hose. During the
day sigshtseers from. miles around throng-
ed about the well and watched the force
lunches, but for those who did not, there
was an. enterprising baker in Caney, who
and furnished the sandwiches cake ana
coffee. His bu~A1ess was profitable. Wis
itors were kept at safe distance from
the gasser. 1t is inclosed by DIG bafo
wire fence on two sides and a ravine pre-
vents them from approaching in the. other
direction. Danger signs have been. posted
around and no one Is allowed inside the
Enclosure with the worlSnen.
The ground in the neighborhood Of the
we'll is streWn with bits Of cotton. When
they reach Caney or the small towns in
this vicinity the sightseers are warned
that they can not Withstand the terrible
roar unless they are provided with cotton
to put in their ears. So now before leav-
ing for the well all visitors purchase cot
ton which is sold in punches Tor nNe
cents In Caney there is a colony of 21
deaf and dumb people. Four Of these
visited the well yesterday afternoon and
were an object of great interest and en-
Wy. Standing where the great roar pre-
vented Others. from carrying on a. con-
versation, these mutes with their hands,
carried on a lively discussion.
Among the visitors, also. were several
children. The spectacle was great one
to them. as it is even to the white people
All forenoon they calmly sat, on the
ground, some distance away never TAX
Ing their eyes from the roaring flames.
At noon yesterday they drove TO their
homes. several miles away, but again in
the afternoon they were to be found in
the same place. They remained there I'M
til work was stopped. All incoming trains
here are met by farmers with wagons,
who are willing to haul persons to the
} well for 81. Right this way for the well.
Hurry, hurry, we are going right out. is
the yell of the farmers, who. have quick
" learned the methods of the old time
bus men But the farmers are having no
trouble in getting patrons. The trains
are crowded ana the wagons, some of
them accommodating ten or fifteen per
, sons are quickly filed.