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Photographer: Mike Wintermantel
Taken: November 30, 2014
Caption: The Gas Well
Additional Description: Adjoining the town, and only distant a few hundred yards, but visible from all its limits, is the celebrated gas-well. It is situated on the real estate of Henry Remaley, on the bank of the Turtle Creek. When boring for oil this gas-well was struck at a depth of fourteen hundred feet. It was at once utilized by Haymaker Brothers and H.J. Brunot, who erected a large, lamp-black works...This gas-well, one of the greatest wonders of the day (was) said to be the largest in the world. Its flaming fire issuing forth can be seen for eight or ten miles in all directions, while its buzzing sound is heard for a great distance. It is visited by thousands from all parts of the world, and many of the most distinguished scientists of the day have been here to examine into its workings and analyze its gas...The heat from the flames is terrible, while the light shed by them is simply grand. It can truly be said of Murrysville, "and there is no night there," for the country for miles around is made light as day.

Excerpted from History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1882
Submitted: November 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Database Locator Identification Number: p293813
File Size: 2.382 Megabytes

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