A RIVER ON FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 64, 15 March 1877, Page 2

A RIVER ON FIRE.

It Is said that, a singular phenomenon can now be seen in Clarin county, Pa., on a small stream known asr.tbe Catfish Run. For a longtime the inhabitant^of that locality have noticed that a commotion on the : surface of . the water, like that made by. gas bubbles, has been teen for many years, but no particular notice was taken of them until recently, when the quantity of escaping increased, and the turf ace of . the stream for several rods was covered with bubles. A strong smell of gas also impregnated the air in the vicinity. La»t month the place was visited by several gentlemen who had heard of the phenomenon. They became convinced that it was ga3, and determined to test its burning qualities. A bi^rich of rags was obtained at a farmhouse and thoroughly saturated with kerosene. To this a match was applied, and the burning ball thrown into the stream. Before it reached the surface of the water tho gas ignited and a slight explosion followed. In a few 'minutes the body of the gas burned steadily, and in every portion of the stream small flames sprang up where tie gas escaped in moderate quantities. Since that day the gas continued to burn, and the area of the stream covered by it has increased until how the fires extend a quarter of a mile up and down the run. Catfish Run is a sluggish stream, bounded on either side by steep wooded bluffs. At night the scene along the burning stream is magnificent. The fires light up the dark forests, making a fine scene. The stream is contiguous to oil territory, and the only satisfactory theory of the source of the gas is that it arises from petroleum deposits beneath the water, as the same phenomenon, although the gas was in less quantity, has been noticed in Oil Creek.— N. Y. Sun.