320 The American Geologist. May, 1892 
This well now furnishes Messrs. R. M. Lee, T. J. Estle, J. E. 
Lee and Robert Lee with all their fuel and light. Mr. Robt. Lee 
is a little over one mile from the well. 
It is carried in common gas pipe laid on the top of the ground. 
The pipe is 2 in., 1} in., and the last half mile 1 in. in diameter. 
This well supplies 12 fires and 16 lights. 
No estimate has been made as to how many more it might sup- 
ply, but the number would certainly be quite large. 
Mr. J. E. Lee stated that the opening admitting the gas from 
the casing of the well to the main was considerably less than the 
size of an ordinary lead pencil, and that it flowed a half mile in 
the main in 14 seconds. How this rate was satisfactorily ascer- 
tained we did not learn. 
The same gentleman said the pressure at first was about 53 
pounds, which has steadily risen till it is now 12 pounds. From 
a large stream issuing in our faces we could detect a faint odor 
resembling ether or chloroform. It gives a fine steady light and 
most intense heat in the stoves and artistic grates. It seems in 
all respects to be equal to or superior to the best artificial illum- 
inating gas. The gas is used just as it is when it issues from 
the well. 
Within a circle of about three miles in diameter in the town- 
ships named above, from at least seven wells sunk for water, gas 
issued. The depth to the gas ranges from about 90 ft. to 125 ft. 
At a depth from 6 to 25 feet below the gas a good, constant sup- 
ply of water is obtained. It seems to be very easy to shutoff the 
gas by the rapid sinking of the casing in a sort of blue clay with 
some sand, in which the gas is thought to be stored. The clay 
seems to form a tube as the drill and casing descend, and this 
prevents the gas from getting into the well, unless it is given a 
little time at the right place. The country for miles around 
is full of wells, which are all believed to be sunk to the water 
below the gas, without discovering the gas for reasons given 
above. 
I made the following tests on the water from below the gas. 
With potassium ferrocyanide I observed no reaction. On evapo- 
rating perhaps 50 ce, a considerable amount of solid matter was 
obtained. This was of a somewhat yellowish brown color, and 
effervesced readily with hydric chloride. This solution when 
tested with potassium ferrocyanide gives a deep blue. I was led 
