The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-05-29
Corresponding Of The Star.
TrrusvrLLE, May 18th, 1861.


ed unworthy feeble correspondence from
this the country where the wonderful and
astonishing operation of oil digging is si,u-
ated; where Kerosene in lis crude state
| flows like wafer from mountain spring in
an abundance full as inexhausibIe and far
more unaccountable, and where old residen-
te,s .sstand in ave." beholding the wonder
! ful phenomenon in the immediate vicinity
of their life's history, and they so long ig-
norant of the existence of wealth so near at
hand and so readily secured Ii so, you
are mistaken. | would gladly have com
municated before now had circumstances
proved favorable and entertaining no fears
as TO my inability 10 please and satisfy
partially fastidious people. Should how
ever through inexperience and timidity
falier in this effort | beg you, friends, to
spare criticisms and supply by your own
Imagination adequate descriptions and ap-
propriaie language where applicable
Petroleum is the term by which opera
tors have been pleased 10 designate this
world of wonders, therefore should one un-
acquainted hear it, a taxing of the brain
would be necessary to decipher its signifi
cation as is frequently the case, will spare
some that trouble. "Petroleum," simply
means "oildomn OF "oil region u In order
! 20 give more correct account of these oil
operations, &C., | will note what | have
Witnessed and tell only what know about
this grease from the ground
Twas evening-an April sun was send
ing his long slnntondicular rays through
narrow copse of beech and maple, display
/ ing a visionary region of inconceivable
magnificence in the air, and innumerable
waterwiches and swamp FAIRIES in mead
beyond as he was evidently about TO bid
adeu TO earth and sink into the eastern
horizon (for By the way the world seemed
10 revolve conversely as party Of seven,
one of whom was myself, entered this nota-
BILE village. To the south west is the only
opening through the everlasting hills that
surround Us, and IN that direction we ex-
pected TO find "Petroeum." Blu, as we
were fatigued a visit TO the place was de-
fered The excitement occasioned many
/
daily, and OF course accommodations would
be rare as frost in August. The common
fate of many was also shared by US and not
few tough nights were spent After re
/ quisite regaling we repaired eamasse 10
this Iiule world in itself in order 10 satisfy
/ ourselves on the well creased subject
! When within a few hphdred yards OF the
nearest we'll a strong yet not unpleasant
odor came in contact with our largely infia-
ted pertuberances which caused no incon-
siderable amount of snuffing. In an hour
we could inhale it with little or no Difficult
ty The utmost caution was observed so
as not TO appear "green," but in spite OF
that caution great many curious and per-
haps silly interrogations passed our lips
The operation of sinking a well is similar
to that of drilling holes into rock-suffice
il TO say that the labor of two men is requir
ed not less than three months from the
commencement OF a well until oil is found
al an expense of from five 10 eight hundred
dollars.
There are two Geysers or flowing wells
which at times spout oil 10 the hight OF
sixty feet or more, as general thing they
flow about six hours per day. witnessed
the operation of one which acled as follows:
When first approached all was silent, but
| the smell of oil was very strong. Presently
low sound was audible, slow oozing,
succeeded by slight spirits of pure water,
! then all ceased-in a few minutes, without
! any further indication of flow, large jets
| of oil spouted 20 a great hight, four or five
! times in succession, as this abated con
! staut flow ensuec al ra:e OF sixty barrels
! per hour or one barrel per minute. ! re-
mained three hours and then IT flowed as
! brisk "a al first Crude oil in color is not
unlike the water of a siagnant frog-pond,
bui is So gaseous as 10 hiss in half depres
sed manner continually-not perceptible
! unless placed near the ear. However so
| family portrayed this wonder working dis
covery must leave the residue for an abler
| pen or until ! recruit in mental strength
| will yet add that should any one wish 10
dispense with an overplus of Bank notes
10 an advantage TO come and behold and
| he will return we'll satisfied with his visit
well divesied of his money-and well
creased from Top 10 zoe.
War has stagna.ed business some-young
men are scarce, nearly all have volunteer
! ed, and are now in Virginia Tiiusville
small as il is, can boast OF sending rs noble
fellows TO the seat OF war, showing that
patriotism is not quite crushed out here -
-Four ''Slar Spaneed Banners" float images
ticaly over the Iown-among which floats
the D;adem'' of our nalior's glory, one
which floated in the battle Of Lake Erie
The wind now flaps the corners of its time
| r,I1s