The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-04-04
A Greasy Letter from the OIL
Springs.

The Fat Contributor OF the Sandusky
Register has been visiting the Oil Springs
in Trumbull County. and writes the fol.
lowing unctuous letter:
MECCA, March l4'h, 1860.
DEAR REGISTER :-EVerything about here
is so greasy and oily it is with extreme diff
Guilty that can write at all. My pen slips
out Of my fingers there is an oily scum on
the ink; the paper is fairly transparent and
slosh around in my chair in demmed un.
pleasant manner. Patience and persever-
ence (sweet oil is unnecessary here,) will,
however, overcome many obstacles.
AN OILY TRACK.
IarriVed here at very late hour last night,
on an oil train, and might as we'll have come
on train oil, as we were sixteen hours behind
time. A II trains are behind time here, / learn,
owing to the accumulation Of oil on the track
at this end Of the road. The oil fries out OF
the ground and lubrcates the rails for great
distance. We shouldn't arrived here at oil
il the passengers hadn't got out and sprink led
the track with cigar aches.
slipped out OF bed. (nobody arises here;
we all slip into bed and slip out.) at an early
hour this morning and begsn my investign-
tons. found section embracing fourteen
thousand acres OF land chuck full OF oil
springs.
HOW THE WOMEN FRY DOUGH NUTS.
Drilling ia unnecessary here as the oil
boils up in springs, sometimes to the height
OF twenty five feet, and is caught in tin pals
as it comes down. On Il hot day, am told
it is no unusual thing to see the women fry.
ing dough'nuts in these jets of oil. The
balls OF dough are dropped into the jets
where they are allowed to toss about like
cnrks in fountain, until they are fried BY
the heat Of the sun.
sLIPPERY ELM.
The only species OF tree which abound;
here in the slippery elm. These trees or,
SO slippery squirrel can't climb them with
out dipping his paws in Spa Iding's Prepare
Glue, q small bottle of which he aIway
carries suspended about his neck. Their
are few maple trees here but no sugar j
made, os nothing but oil runs out when they
are tapped.
RIVER OF OIL.
; There is one considerable ezad cree
running through Trumbull county which
all oil. 1t was discovered a short time oe
in singular manner. Three boys went
bathing and when they came out were
greasy they couIdn stay in their clothe
AS fast as they slipped them on they wouI
slip off again, and one OF the lads, in heec
less moment. narrowly escaped slipping o,
OF his skin. On reaching home their pa
rents, benny exceedingly frugal, wrung ther
out and extr Sbout fourteen gallons G
pure oil from the three boys i! Fact. A com
pany are erecting large candle factory O
the banks Of this river, preparing to dip can
dies in it.
ADJUSTMENTS.
The principal amusements here are climb
ing creased poles and catching oiled pigs
the necessary appliances being constant
; on hand. Sliding down hill is popular anon
; all classes during the summer mon,hs.-
This is effected without sleds, on hill c
solid taIIow, just back of the tavern. As
write, laughter rich and gushing is waited I
my window from number Of the beau,ie
oi'Bower's Corners as they sweetIy diSsolr
down the sides Of that melting slope.
CREASED LIGHTNING.
There was thunder storm this afternoon
and as the electric fnid ran down one @
those slippery elms told you OF, l wa
treated to my first view Of CREASED light
ning.' 1t is quite common here they say
y Thunder is dlvested OF all its harsh intona
u tions by the minute particles of oil whic
fl! the uir and grease the wheels of Jove
> nuisy chariot.
lfany OF your reader think ! hsve 'cut
. fat in this letter, let them visit the o
Springs and see for themselves.
Yours truly,
FAT CONTRIBUTOR.