Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-08-22
The RAJ TsMAn's JOURNAL,
PENNSYLVANIA ITEMS.

VENANGo CoUNTY.-The oil fever is on the
increase. In speaking of it the Spectator,
published at Franklin, says: The crowd OF
strangers in our town suffers no diminution.
Our hotels constantly filed to overf1owng,
besides large number of private boarding
houses. People come here to the center of
Oildom and radiate in all directions prospect
ing, or visiting the wells. We are like Cali
fornia in the days of the first discoveries of
gold except that we have a better and more
orderly population in our new comers. Large
shipments of oil were made last week for New
York by way OF Erie, and nine hundred barrels
were shipped on Keelboats to Pittsburgh des-
tined for the same place, on Monday of last
week. On Saturday last rich vein of oil
was struck on the farm of ii. MClintock, at
the depth of twenty six feet in the rock. and
the flow of oil was very great. Chase Al
den on John NJ M'Clintock' s farm, on Oil Greek,
struck splendid vein on Wedneday last.
Hoover's Well, two miles below Franklin, on
the bank of the river, is stated to be yielding
forty barrels day. s'It is hard to believe,
says the editor, ssbut counting the barrels af-
tords very positive evidence" Several other
wells are yielding thirty barrels day.
JEFFERSON CoUNTY.-The barn belonging to
Jesse Geist, near Ringgold, was struck by
lightning on Sunday, the 29th ut. The barn
was filled with grain and hay, all Of which was
consumed by fire, together With five head of
horses that were in the barn at the time. The
family with the exception of two small chill
dren, were at church. Solomon Silvis,
hand employed on PAINS saw mill, on the
North Fork, while engaged in getting logs to
the mill on Saturday, the 14th inst, fell from
the boom log and was drowned. He had
pike pole in his hand when he fell in, but re-
fused TO reach it to man on the boom log
least he might draw him into the water.
VIM. Gearheart, of Ringgold township, SOW
ed two bushels of wheat on two acres OF ground,
and reaped one hundred dozen of wheat. lie
brought up three bushels OF his wheat, which
weighed eighty pounds to the bushel A
young man, named John Brocius, living in
Troy, was hauling wood with two horses on
Tuesday the 7th inst. ,and while ont was over
taken by thunderstorm. He and one of the
horses were instantly killed by lightning, while
the other horse escaped without injury.
MoNToUR CoUNTY.-The Danville ssAmeri-
cam" gives the following account of an extra
ordinary sucide in that neighborhood : eve
are informed that man by the name of Plech-
er, residing four miles from this place, on the
Cattawissa road, committed suicide by hang
ing himself on Saturday evening last He was
addicted to the use Of 'StIychnne Whiskey,"
and had returned home with fresh supply,
remarking to his wife that there would be two
deaths before night. His wife became alarm
ed and hid herself After preparing place
foy two executions in the barn, he searched
for his wife, but being unable to find her, took
his two little children, the oldest being about
years of age, TO the barn 10 see him die.
To one he gave his hat, and to the other his
handk erchief, when he deliberately swung off.
The children raised the alarm, but he was
dead before assistance came. Another victim
to the insatiate Demon"
CAMBRIA County, woman named Clarke,
residing at the South Fork, in Croyle town
ship was bitten on the 9th inst, by rattle
snake, and she now lies in critical condition.
The snake had been seen by one of the family,
and Mrs. G. being told of it. she took hatch
ct and, being ear-sighted, in mistake cut the
tail off the reptile. The head portion of the
snake took refuge in some weeds, whittier it
was pursued by Mrs. Clarke, who was bitten
in the hands whilst parting the weeds in the
prosecution of her search. :. Rev. Festus
Tibbott, an old and highly respected citizen
of Cambria township, was on the 18th INST.
precipitated, by the breaking of plank, upon
which he was standing at his sons grist-mill,
distance of about feet to the ground,
breaking two of his ribs, and materially de-
ranging his entire spinal system. His injuries
were serious, but he is gradually improving.
FAYErrE CoUNTY.-The ConnellsvilleP Patriot
tells the following snake story: 'sWc are told
that few days since Mr.. Leonard, who lives
three or four miles up the river, killed some
sixty copperheads a rock near snake-den.
He could have killed more, but was forced to
leave the vicinity account of the disagreea-
BILE odor of the serpents. Mr.. BGrgett, living
in the same neghborhood lost aJsteer from
the bite of either a rattlasnake or copperhead.
Mr.. b. informs US that turpentine is the most
effectual remedy for snake bites. The mouth
of the bottle containing the liquid should be
held against the wound until the poison is ex-
tractcd or neutralized.
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