The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-10
THE OIL REGIONS.

been perpetrated in the name of petrole-
UNI, and under the pretence of organic
ing companies for legitimate business,
makes everybody suspicious if the article
is $50 much as named. Somey(g whole
some, but at the same time very expen-
sive, lessons have been taught. The
petroleum mania, like most Others of
the kind, seldom prevails more than
once in the same place. For this reason
as much as any other (the material for
speculative excitement having been
pretty thoroughly exhausted heretOfore)
whatever business is now done in OBJ
tanning or manufacturing oil partakes of
the general features which characterize
other branches of industry. Every
movement is made with deliberation,
with an eye to legitimate earnings rath-
er than to practice successful imposi-
ton. In other words, the "ground tier"
or really substantial part, is about all
that remains, the upper stratum having
fallen through. From the quietness that
prevails, it should not be inferred that
the petroleum interests are dead. Weare
induced to believe, from trustworthy
sources, that of late there is decidedim-
provement, not only in the feelings of
those who have oil lands, but that there
is an increased productiveness in many
of the wells, For some time past, the
"Pit Hole" region of Pennsylvania has
been most in favor, on account Of the
large yield of four or five wells recently
put down, and, as consequence, alfthe
adjacent lands are held at much high
er valuation. In fact, the interest ex-
cited has been quite high enough-ap.
preaching somewhat to the wild mani
festations of former days. The rush of
population thither is large, draining 9TH
er localities which in turn have been
the great centre of attraction. A gen.
tleman arrived from the spot last week,
says the inhabitants already number
about 10000, supporting five hotels, each
of which will accommodate 25O or 800,
and that the best lands are now chang
ing hands with much activity-what
one loses being another's gain. Other
localities of course suffer from the tenn
porary diversion. An exception to this
statement is made in favor of the old IA
vorite grounds designated "Oil Creek"
where the yield of oil, of late
somewhat reduced, is coming up
again. This is accounted for by a
fact worthy of notice. AS is well known
the custom has prevailed, where wells
are exhausted or abandoned, of leaving
them open, thereby allowing the surface
water to filter through into the lower
crevices. Observation shows that the
effect is to expel the oil wherever these
superintendent columns of water are
allowed to penetrate, damaging, if not
wholly destroying, other wells in the
neighb orhood. Doubtless much valua-
BILE property has been affected in this
manner. Oil Creek is supposed to have
suffered severely from the carelessn ess
or ignorance of those who first sunk
wells for, in repeated instances, after
stop ping those that remained open and
pur nping water from others, oil has been
req .ched. A few wells, resuscitated by
tn is means, yield so well that certain
d egree of reaction is taking place, and
grounds deserted by former owners are
once more coming into favor. In Pit
Holo tbaro Il, a oo,,, h; N of;op Of ,,roporty
owners. which stipulates, as condition
of sale, that the tubing shall not be ex-
tracted from any well bored, so
as to admit water. The enforce
ment of this plan appears to have
been attended with the best eff
fects. 70 make the subject clearer, it
shoulds be understood that, in boring
wells, an opening is made from four to
live inc hes in diameter, to the depth of
several h undred feet if necessary. When
This is cleared of sand, wrought iron
tubing, like the common gas-pipe, is
sunk. To make the well tight, and to
exclude surface water, bag of stout
leather, filled with fiag-seed, is attached
to the pipe and carried, down with it to
the requisite depth. The seed-bag"
soon swells and closes the opening by
its enormous pressure, s,' that the sub
sequent extra elton of the tube often be-
comes work of extreme difficulty
The rule now is, that the bag and pipe
shall remain ,Indisturbed. The impor-
lance of insisting upon this has been
brought to notice only within few
months, but enough is already known
to excite hopes of gain among many
who had been in despair. We trust
there may be ITO further disappointment.
But, however bril- liant the promise, it is
well to be distrustful rather than over
sanguine if the oh. iect in view is petro-
ieum. Ii hundredA have been enriched
oy this unctuous substance, thousands
nave been impoveris he'd. All that gilt
ters is not gold, and ,Ioil, from its nature,
Is very slippery.
The Philadelphia NORTH american
mas the following, on tIN,e same subject:
pennsylvania continues to be great headquarters
u 'nis eusnesand the OIL Creek \wels maintain their
notwihstandng all " hear said other
=, recent Ttusville paper re- PRESENTS the daily