Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-04-25
THE RAFTsNAN's JOURNAL. .@A
DoIrGs IN oILDoM.

The Citizen, printed at Franklin, Venango
county, Pennsylvania, in its issue of the 18th
instant, gives the following account of visit
of the editor to the oil region =
Wearied with the monotony of &C city life, -
on Wednesday last We left our sancfum to see
oil and oil wells of Oil creek. Knowing that
many of our readers, in common with oursel-
YES are sorely afflicted with. the new epidemic,
&C the oil fever,' we have concluded to print
our &c notes by the way'' with desire to in
terest Cur readers, and furnish reliable infor-
nation to strangers visiting Grassland. Our
route at first was along the Allegheny river.
The first derrick pointing its posts heavenward,
was on the farm Of j. p. Hays. The we'll is
only % feet deep, yet oil has been found in
small quantities. The next on the river is
that of Drum & Arnold near the mouth of
Oil creek. These enterprising men have not
yet realized the success their energy deserves.
The we'll is now $50 feet deep. 1t yields salt
water of u degrees strength, and some oil,
but not enough to satisfy the proprietors.
They are still boring, but will soon again test
their we'll by pumping. Across the river,
nearly mile above, is the well of Phillips,
Frew & Co. 1t is 204 feet deep, and yielded
during the first 65 hours of pumping &c barrels
of pure oil, Sc of which were shipped to Pitts
burg Immediately. We timed it carefully on
Wednesday last, and found that it yielded at
the rate of % barrels per day. In the imme-
diate vicinity, Luther, Redpath K Co., are sink
ing two wells, one of which is 100 feet deep.
Good surface indications are abundant. and
there is no doubt but both will be successful.
On the island opposite these, Hilands & Cow
ode Ga brother OF honest john are operating.
They have experienced some difficulty in get
ting to the rock, but their prospects warrant a
vigorous prosecution of the enterprise.
Thursday, April 18th, we commenced to as
cend Oil creek. The first we'll, just begun, is
hat In6 Il ~.
few rods above, VIM. Cross IS operating. The
next well, belonging to Graft Il Co., was pump
ed few days, and yielded barrels per day,
which did not satisfy the proprietors, and they
have again commenced boring. 1t is now ITO
feet deep. The company have started another
well close by. The McClintock we'll, reported
to be twelve barrel, is next, but while We
were present it was not yielding SO much.
The cause of the decrease was attributed to
the high water. Another well is being bored
in the immediate yicinity-down 100 feet with
good prospects. On the farm of Buchanan,
above these wells, Rouse Il Benedict recently
struck rich vein. The oil, after the manner
of Artesian wells, rushed up over the conduc-
tor, feet above the surface. Over thirty
barrels have been dipped from this we'll. 1t
will be pumped in few days. III. r. Rouse,
L. Mitchell & 5. q. Brown are operating on
the same farm, and on Monday last, struck OIL
which was forced up the conductor in the man.
ner last mentioned. Several barrels had been
dipped when we were there, and oil was still
lowing over the conductor at intervals. The
ground In the vicinity was completelo satura-
ted with oil that had so fast as to prevent
the operators from saving it. Two barrels a
lay are dipped. A large number of men were
busily engaged in putting up an engine pre-
pairing to pump. The firm, satisfied of the
richness OF the well, are putting up the most
substantial buildings, &C., we saw on the creek.
NO estimate can yet be made of what it will
yield. 1t is beyond doubt one of the very
best wells yet found. The company are start
ing another well. Martin & Co., on the opposite
side of the creek, have we'll down Sc feet,
with some oil. Bell, just above Martin, has
also found some oil. Barber & Chase, on the
John McClintock farm, have well down 120
eet. The tools are fast in it. They can dip
rom it ten gallons per day. The Hubbard
we'll is few rods above this one. 1t is 100
FEET deep, and yields abont II barrels per day.
rhe barrels at this and the McClintock we'll are
marked g Titusvile, Pa.,'' although some IA
niles distant-a piece of semi-innocent decep-
ion, of which the oil merchants of Titusville
ought to be ashamed. Homan & Webber are
boring few rods above the Hibbard well, with
good prospects, and near them D. Hays & Co.
nave bored $50 feet, and have struck oil in
paying quantities. They have dipped off sew
'ral barrels. On the land of John Rynd, Wat
'on & kier, have well down so feet, and
lave surface oil. Brooks Rynd is also prepar-
ng to bore on Rynd's Run.
There are wells commenced on this
stream, and that of HoYas & Co. furnishes
some oil.
Our foreman says ss up" and we must defer
notes for another article.