A Burning Well by E. B. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 15, 1874

A Burning Well.

By E. B. Lane

In Virginia, on the banks of the Ohio River, about fifty miles from Pittsburg, is a burning well. Passing up the river, you will see many places where coal is dug from the hills, and, occasionally, where wells have been bored or drilled for kerosene or coal oil. These wells are not like the wells we dig and stone up, using a bucket or pump to draw the water with, but they are wells no more than four or six, perhaps eight, inches across the top. They are drilled through the earth and rock, down many hundred feet, and an iron pipe the size of the well is thrust into them. In proper places such wells are made, and large quantities of kerosene oil are obtained from them.

This well was sunk for oil, but in the place of oil, gas (such as is used in cities) came out. An iron tube extending about eight feet above the surface of the ground was placed over the well, and, as the gas escaped the tube, it was set on fire. When there is no wind to disturb the blaze, it will shoot up so high that it will reflect on the clouds above, which can be seen at a distance of more than thirty miles. As it burns, it produces such a roaring as to be heard at a great distance. The blaze, as it leaves the tube, widens so that it is several feet across it, and looks like a burning tree. Day and night, rain or shine, it never ceases to burn; and the stronger the wind blows, the louder the flame roars.

The houses near are all lit with gas from it by means of iron pipes leading to them from the well; also their stoves are so constructed as to burn the gas for fuel. They do their cooking and warm their houses, all by gas. Would it not seem strange to see a fire continue burning in a stove, although you never put wood or coal in it?

But this is not the most interesting part of this story. A man discovered that, by bringing this blaze in contact with metal—as you have probably held a piece of tin against a lamp or candle blaze—it would collect a substance somewhat similar to lamp-black, and by preparation this would produce a superior kind of printer's ink. This man, securing his discovery by patent, has made a large fortune by supplying dealers with such ink. It is quite possible that, as you read this account, you see some of the production of this burning well; and as it gives light and heat to houses near it and has much to spare, may it give much intellectual light and warmth to your souls as you read the good instructions you receive from month to month in your dear paper, the INSTRUCTOR, made up of words which could not appear were it not for the ink which forms them.

The wonders of the earth are many, and we love to learn of them; but let us all learn to lead good and happy lives here, and finally we shall be saved in the better world to come.

—E. B. LANE, in Youth's Instructor.