The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1921-06-09
ESTABLISHED 1894
DARLINGTON WELL SPOUTS
WATER 148 FEET
Suddenly Broke Loose, Shooting Bar.
rage OF Water. Shale, Rock and
Alum Over Tank.
Darlington News and Press.

Darlington News and Press.
Some comment and certain
amount of inconvenience has been
occassioned by the very peculiar an
tics of one of the wells belonging to
the system of the local plant. A few
weeks ago traces of alum were dis
covered in the drinking water, and
this increased until it interfered with
its drinking qualities. Just about
this same time one Of the wells got
on a spree, apparently of the home
brew variety, for the we'll itself was
entirely responsible for all that was
being done. Without a moments
warming the we'll got very busy and
started a geyser Of its own, some
thing that had never been attempted
by any body of water in this flat To-
cality, geographically speaking. II
is an actual fact that the geyser
spouted to the height Of 146 feet
throwing up large stones and pieces
of shale, some of these going entire
ly over the tall tank.
The stream of water went up In
the air fully one hundred feet, com
ing from six inch pipe; and broaden
ing very much as the stream got
higher This we'll had always been
!, Well-behaved. For more than seven
years it had been a quiet, orderly
well. To break out in one night in
such a performance was startling to
all. The alum deposit was directly
traced to this intoxicated stream OF
water, and samples were at once
sent to the state chemist, after hav-
ing also been subjected to chemical
tests locally. Every test made es-
tablished the fact that the water
can continue to be used as hereto
fore, and that there will be not the
slightest danger in doing this. Man
ager T. NJ. White went Immediately
to work, carefully looking into every
detail and was palnstaking and most
accurate in all that he did. He as
sures all users of the water that
there is no danger. and that every
thing possible will be done to get the
we'll to settle down to good behavior
again.
The state chemist has asked fol
more samples of the water. stating
that while there is no danger, it is
very difficult to arrive at the real
facts. He has been investigating fol
about ten days now and Mr.. White
is looking for an official statement al
any time, and this will be given to
J the public just as soon as it is re-
ceived. In the meantime pipes have
been connected with the flowing well
in the park, and this water is being
used. The water from the we'll thai
is on spree is being pumped out
and only water from the other wells
will be used as soon as the tank is
cleared Of the alum water. In addi
ton, another we'll has been worked
upon for some time, and this will
be an entirely new one which will
soon be ready for use.
The whole occurrence is to some
: extent inexplicable. The new geysel
vs. an old well with good record. II
never misbehaved before. Why il
should suddenly go through such ac
robatic performances, in perfectly
flat country, where the pressure has
to be comparatively slight, is hard tc
understand. Some are inclined tc
the opinion that e the well hac
thought a little it might have given
samples of something very much bet
ter than alum. Others incline to the
opinion that careful search should be
made for oil in these greasy days oi
gushers. Still another group OF
thoughtful philosophers think that
there are a very few men in Darling
ton capable of offering some reason.
able explanation, to whom the mat
ter might be referred. IN the mean
time, let it be remembered that the
water is safe, even for addicts tc
q other beverages