The Breathing Well of Yakima
An artesian well on the P. R. Wood property displays strange, inexplicable atmospheric fluctuations.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The artesian well on the P. R. Wood place is exhibiting most singular characteristics. The drill was sent down about 290 feet when work was suspended awaiting casing, owing to a phenomenon which cannot be accounted for. Sometimes there is a suction and sometimes a blast of air from the well. One day a paper placed over the hole would be drawn down, while the next it would be sent flying into the air. That an air chamber has been struck there is little question, but the varying moods of the wind is what is puzzling those who are interested.
“One day a paper placed over the hole would be drawn down, while the next it would be sent flying into the air.”
This mystery of the earth reflects the curiosity of a developing town trying to understand its natural resources. It serves as a reminder of the raw, unpredictable environment pioneers faced while drilling into the Yakima Valley floor.
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