Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1901 — LAKES ARE DISAPPEARING. [ARTICLE]

LAKES ARE DISAPPEARING.

Twin Bodies of Water Are Gradually GrowitiK Smaller. A peculiar phenomenon exists in the northern part of Blackford County. Two lakes, known as "Twin lakes,” are gradually disappearing. The lakes cover twen-ty-five and forty acres each. They were formerly much larger, but are gradually being encroached upon each year by the rank vegetation, so that it is but a question of time until they will completely disappear. Less than ten years ago fish was abundant in these lakes, but at present only a few smaller species are found, and sportsmen no longer gather along their banks. The lakes lie in a flat section, and for several rods front their edges the soil is one mass. of entangled roots floating upon the water. As one approaches the edges of the lakes the ground shakes in all directions, and care needs to be exercised to prevent sinking beneath the treacherous surface. A pole forty feet long can be shoved straight down out of sight with but little effort, after it once passes through the roots upon which the spectator stands. Cattle and horses have disappeared in this peculiar formation, and in 1893 a botany class from the high school of Hartford City rescued a horse which had ventured out too far. / The pitcher plant and many of the in-sect-devouring species of plants are abundant here, and botanists find much to interest them. In 1899 the Standard Gil Company built an oil derrick as near the water's edge as possible. When the drill was dropped it disappeared completely.