HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 1

LOST RIVER, STAMPERS CREEK, CAVES, ETC.

Lost River makes its first sink on Section 4, Township 3 north, Range 1 east, upon reaching the eastern exposure of the concretionary limestone. It makes its second on Section 8, its third on Section 13. Township 3 north, Range 1 west, and its fourth on Section 11. In dry weather the first sink takes all the water, which is not seen again until it reaches Orangeville. Light rains will overflow the first sink and the surplus enters the second sink. Heavy and continuous rains will fill the dry bed from the second sink to Orangeville, as the subterranean passages are not of sufficient size. These passages are a complex system of mains and leads, and not a single channel through which the water rushes. They do not follow the course of the surface bed. On Sections 33 and 34, whenever the water is of sufficient quantity to enter the fourth sink, it rises through three openings and flows on through the dry bed. This dry bed is not an open channel and is unlike the valley of the usual streams. Large upland forest trees grow along the bank showing that for a long time the river has been lost in the concretionary limestone. The underground stream may be reached at the fourth sink, where the cavernous opening is about eight feet wide and four feet high, the descent being gradual and 590 feet. The river comes to the surface on Section 9, Township 3 north, Range I west Here the subterranean stream may also be reached through a cave. At Orangeville is said to be the rise of Lost River, though it is probable that the true rise is on the Higgins farm, about a mile further down the stream. Stampers Creek, in a small way, is a counterpart of Lost River, lacking the dry bed. It sinks and is thought to rise again at Spring Mills, and forms the source of Lick Creek. It is said that sawdust and other fine material has been passed through, thus proving the theory. There are in the county ten or twelve caves, several of which are deep and beautiful. New ones are boing discovered yearly, and doubtless many others will come to light in the future. In several are stalactites and stalagmites of great purity and beauty. Doubtless the foundation of Orange County is honey-combed, and future generations will make surprising discoveries. It is said that a cave a quarter of a mile deep underlies Paoli. In the caves and subterranean streams are found several varieties of blind fish, blind crawfishes, etc.

FRENCH LICK AND WEST BADEN SPRINGS

These springs in the valley of French Lick Creek break out through the fissures of the Lower Chester limestone, and doubtless get their mineral constituents and gases from the shales, clays and stones through which they originate and flow. Many break out, but in only two places are they fully utilized - French Lick and West Baden. These places have become popular resorts for recreation and for invalids, and accommodations are furnished pleasure and health-seekers. In the hands of persons of greater public enterprise and less parsimony the springs could be made of much greater benefit to the public. The analysis of "Pluto Well", by Prof. E. T. Cox, State Geologist in 1869—70, gave the follow- ing results: The gaseous contents of one imperial gallon were, in cubic inches, carbonic acid, 7,337; sulphydric acid, 6,717; oxygen, 5,407; nitrogen. 18,504; total, 38,045. Total solid matter in one gallon. 381.85 grains:

The analysis of the principal spring at West Baden by Prof. Cox gave the following result: The gaseous contents of one imperial gallon in cubic inches - carbonic acid, 6,198; sulphydric acid. 5,931; oxygen, 2,093; nitrogen, 6,572; total, 20,794. Total solid matter in one gallon, 381.85 grains:

A few springs of more or less value are found in other parts of the county. One on the farm of Hon. D. S. Huffstutter, near Orleans, is chalybeate in character, and has quite a local reputation. Another is on the Higgins farm, near Orangeville.

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