New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-01
Petroleum in Newly orks
The n. Y. Tribune.


CASAsDNGUA, Jan. q, 1868
The rapid increase Of wealth consequent upon
the discovery Of petroleum in Pennsylvania and else
where has naturally turned the attention Of people In
Central and Western New.York to the indications Of
similar deposits which have long been Observed in thas
region Investigations have been made in the counties
of Ontario and Yates which have been satisfactory in
the estimation Of the psres concerned and have led "a
the formation Of number OF oil companies. and the
Of determined efforts to pierce the rocky
strata which are supposed to lie above the hidden
reservoirs Of petroleum.
The existence Of boiling and gas springs in the val
eys of Mud Creek and West River has long been known
ard their origin has been the subject Of much specula
ton among the scientific. And the waters Of these
streams have from the earliest known period been ob.
served lom time to time to bear floating upon theis
surface an oily substance which the Indians were Ia
tue habit Of collecting for medicinal uses and which hss
long been kncwn In consequence Seneca oil This
substance is known bc the yertsble petroleum.
The gas which issues in such abundance from tbs
surface Of the springs and the assures in the rocks OF
the most infammabe character and some Of the more
thrifty farmers have long been in the practice OF COL
Letting IT, and conveying it in tubes TO their houses for
Illuminating end even culinary purposes. The Official
surveys Of this County show that the cscareous shsy
rocks Known the Hamilton Group underiie its whole
extent cropping on. at the surface Immediately to tbs
| south and west OF Cansndngua and dipping to tbs
southwark at the rate OF about fifty feet 20 the NILE
About five or six miles south aud west ofCanondaigus
a stratum Of the Gcnesec slate about enc hundred
and dny feet in thickness makes its appearance and
found deposited above the Hamilton shale through
Yates County and all the southern portion of Ontario
The Portage Group, consisting of shales, slate and
sandstone in alternating layers. is also found. bus
only on the SUBMITS OF hills and other elevated spots.
In its geological features this district corresponds
almost precisely with that portion OF Canada West in
which petroleum has been found In quantities. In the
oil districts OF Pennsylvania the shay aud Sandstons
rocks OF the Chemung group found lying next to ths
surface h,se being the next eronp ia order above the
Portage. The stones especially the sisy OF this
region have always been remarkable for their bitumi-
nous odor. The Union Company have the largest and
best situated Tract Of land in the two valleys but have
not ye; commenced practical operations.
Tho oil companies which, under the names of the
Ontario. the Union, the Canandai.n ia, &C.. have beea
organized hersahout during tie last few months,
comprised mainly Of tie farmers OF the Counties
with slight infusion Of New-York and New. England
capital Derricks are going up along the banks Of two
streams, and boring has been commenced in about
dozen uiHtEcnt places IN oniy lhree lhslulccs H's
the wells yet been sunk to any considerable depth.
Two wells OF the Ontario Company on Mud Greek ars
from 20 TO 100 feet, and tie well Of the West River
Company, the Sawyer farm. is eco feet in depth.
The volume OF gas DISCHARGED ON this well ia immense
and petroleum in considerable Quantities has been OBJ
tanned from IT, Boring has been suspended here FOX the
present the company being engaged in putting Up new
steam engine and pump From what has been stated 10
viii be seen that the existence OF petroleum is placed
beyond all doubt The only question is as TO the guam.
titles in which Il is likely to be found. This viii.
long be asceraincd definitely. Bus it is TO be hoped
with reference no, less the general welfare than t.
the interest of the Industrious and intelligent farmer
who inhabi: this region and upon whose lands these en-
pcriments in progress. that their labors may 30
crowned with success and that new, lucrative and
legitimate Of wealth "a about TO be added TO the
resources of our STATE