Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-11-15
The Oil Territory in Canada West.
From the Detroit Com Advertiser.


There are few of our readers who are not
acquainted with the fact that very exten-
sive region of the country in Canada West,
comprising portion of the counties of Lamb
ton and Middlesex, the township of Ennis
killen, in Lambton coun ty, being apparently
the centre Of the territory where the pre-
cious fluid is found. The existence of rock
oil in this region has been known to the In
dians of Canada from time immemorial, and
was highly priced on account of its medici-
nal virtues. Two very extensive beds of
Bituminous resin lgum beds they are COM
monty called by the Canadians) attracted
the attention of the white settlers as early
as 1859, and some successful attempts were
made to covert the substance into illumina-
ting oil by distillation. The company which
first entered upon this work had occasion,
in the fall of 1858, to sink a well for the
purpose of procuring water to cool their re
torts, when, after digging about fourteen
feet, they encountered petroleum in large
quantities, which flowed to the surface en-
abling them to secure from twenty to thirty
barrels per day for six months. This led to
various excavations, all attended with simi-
lar results. In a few months there were
some thirty flowing wells in that vicinity,
yielding thousands of barrels daily. But
derstood by the world. 1t had just been
brought into use as an illuminator There
was no steady market, and it commanded a
very small price, and was hardly worth
storing. Its use however, soon came to be
appreciated, and it has for the last three
years formed an important element in the
commerce of the country, and the workings
of the oil wells at Oil Springs has become
prominent and highly profitable business
The Oil wells of Oil Springs are classified
under three heads, to wit /: Surface, Flowing
and Pumping wells The surface wells are
such as derive their supplies of oil from the
upper strata of the rock There are several
of these, yielding very excellent article and
in great abundance. The flowing wells are
not so numerous, and cease flowing after
few months. But the most reliable source
of oil is through the pumping wells, which if
supplied with powerful machinery and prop
erly managed, in large paying quantities.
The rock from which the oil is obtained is
drilled from two to eight hundred feet,
through various strata of limestone, shales
and soap stone. There are now in opera
ton at Oil Springs andin the immediate vi
cinity, about one hundred pumping wells,
averaging three to thirty barrels per diem,-
a few yielding fifty or sixty. The price of
crude oil delivered at the wells is FIVE dollars
per barrel in gold, and ready market is
found for AL that can be. produced. 1t is
forwarded east on the Great Western, and
also to Sarnia, by plank road, giving en-
ployment to nearly two hundred teams.
The early attempt to work these wells
proved unsuccessful for two reasons: First,
from the want of skill and experience in the
business, and the absence of powerful engines
and pumps;-and second, from the low price
of the oil in the early stage of its introduc-
ton to the world it was found to be unprof
table. The facility with which oil is OBJ
tained in this section induced many individ-
uals to enter into the business without ade-
luate means to work the wells to advantage.
Most of them long since were compelled
to abandon their wells, which are rapidly
passing into new hands. The formation OF
several companies, with heavy capital, has
given new impetus to the business, which IS
now assuming proportions. The vigor with
which these companies have prosecuted their
work, and the success which has attended
heir efforts, augur favorably for the devel-
,pment ofthe oil interests in Canada There
ire several extensive refneries at the Springs
md we have seen specimens of as beautiful
refined oil there, as can be produced any
where in the world. 1t gives brilliant light,
S as clear as water itself, and what is of no
title consequence to consumers,l is complete,
y de- odorized. Fora while in Canada oil
suffered by comparison with other mer-
.hantable oils, but it is now beginning to
axe rank with the very best that is offered
n the market.
The prospect that is now presented, of a
steady and remuneratlve market, and the |
rery great abundance which is found is this
erritory, ofcourse creates much excitement. |
A large number of adventures are in that
ocaiity, with the view of purchasing, and
is exchanging hands very rapidly, |
mostly in small parcels, and purchasers de-