A Few Facts About Natural Gas

There are two distinct theories regarding the production of what is known as natural gas, and on the point as to which of these theories is correct hinges much of the value of the discovery. It is generally conceded that the gas is to be found only within or beneath the belt of Trenton limestone - known as " Trenton" from the fact that it exists in great quantities about Trenton, England. One theory is that natural gas is formed by decomposition of vegetable matter. In that case the supply must naturallv be somewhat limited and eventually be entirely exhausted. The other, and more generally accepted theory, however, is that the gas is formed by intense heat in the interior of the earth. Water is constantly percolating down through the earth and when it reaches a certain depth it is converted into steam. The expansivo forcé of this steam drives it against some hot substance and the regult is a violent concussion, the steam is decomposed and hydrogen gas is evolved. This hydrogen gas, when liberated, comes to the surfaoe in a greater or less degree of impurity. This theory is sustained by the fact that natural gas wells, so far as discovered, seem to be inexhaustible. Wells more than 1,000 years old are known to history. One well in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh haa been in operation for twenty-eight years. Natural gas wells are, in fact, coeval with the discovery of the county. George Washington called attention to a couple of these wells in Virginia as far back as revolutionary timee. None of these wells, however, were kept clear and they were therefore practically worthless. Gas wells which were alluded to in sacred history are known to have been flowing ever since. The value of natural gas lies largely in its cheapness and general adaptability for fuel for manufacturing purposes. After the plant is once established the cost of manufacturing it is a mere bagatelle. The natural gas excitement at Port Hurón began as far back 88 May, 1882, when a oompany was formed to bore for oil and struck natural gas instead. For a long time they didn't know how to handle it. Tbey bored beneath it and their tubing was defective. The first well whioh promised anything like success was completed in August, 1886. This was found to have a oapacity of 2,000,000 feet every twenty-four hours. Since that date about a dozen wells have been sunk witti varying success, many of them by individual enterprise. The most recent was a second well sunk by Henry Howard, which was successfully completed only afe w days ago. ín this instance an immense flow oí gas was obtained at a depth of but 240 feet. This is thought to be as powerful as the famous well at Fiudlay, Ohio. It is claimed that gas can be readily struck any where in or about Port Hurón by going to a depth of' 500 feet. The residents are visibly excited over their property, lands have maierially inoreased in valué, and every body up that way dreams of Immense future wealtb. It ig claimed that when the well on the court house square, in this city, was sunk in 1871, Trenton rock was ■ struck at a depth of about 755 feet. There is little doubt but an abundant supply of oil or gas may be found at a depth of from 2,200 to 2,500 feet as the strata appears to be much lower in this vicinity than around the famous gas wells in Ohio.