Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-19
Kenfuck1 on Region.

We have had chat with one of cur
citizens Just returned from 8 trip to the
oil region of Kentucky, bordering on
Sandy River and its tributaries from
which We lot down the following informs-
ton for the benefit of our readers, esPeci-
allv those who have doll on the brain -
Sandy River empties into the Ohio, at
Csssletsburg, $50 miles above Cincinnati,
and forms the dividing line between Ken
tuucky and Virginia. 1t is navigsble BY
small steSmboats TO Paintsville, some sixty
miles from its mouth, about one-third OF
the yesr, and flst-bosts can run down from
the same point about two thirds OF the
wear. Psintsville is at present the head
quarters for oil speculstors, any number OF
whom are finding their way there. Paint
Creek empties into Sandy Greek at tins
point, and oil indications are abundant
along this stream for some twelve miles,
at which point Oil Spring Branch emptiess
into it, and adjacent TO this are several
large springs, from which barrels OF oil
have been gathered yearly, for long time
back. Leases were taken in this LEGALITY
lust prior to the breaking out Of the rebel
iion,l and wells drilled from 100 to 200
feet, in which more or less oil was found,
but the parties were driven of before they
had time to make full developments. The
same may be said Of other localities.
Another point of special interest is the
Burning, Spring. In the same neighbor-
hood is what is called the Burning Fork Of
Licking. 1t is close to the public high
way; and the wster, covering space of
about four feet in diameter, is constantly
sgitated, foaming and boiling like q seeth-
ing eauldron. A shed is erected over it,
and the shelves being filed with fruit,
q match Is applied TO the gas, and from
the heat generated the fruit is dried. Across
from ths road, and not more than fifty feet
from this spring, well was commenced &
short time before the rebellion broke out,
and at the depth of 175 feet oil was struck,
which flowed for sometime, but here, too,
the rebels interfered, and the parties had
to abandon the operation for the time be-
ing. But the Union cause is In the sscen-
dency again, and they intend soon to re-
sumo operations. Along this road, on the
creeks aSd ponds, in many places the wat
er is continually sgitsted with gas, resem-
bling the effect produced BY hesvy show
er of rain.
Above Psints7ille, some five or six miles,
at the mouth Of creek emptying into the
Sandy, 8 well was drilled some twenty-five
or thirty years since, for salt water, and at
the depth of 900 or 700 feet, q vein of oil
was tapped, which was thrown up by the
gas go or 20 feet, continuing for several
days flowing and burning, much to the
wonder Of the natives, who came great
distance to witness it. The we'll was aban'
doned, and rocks piled upon It, the oil hsv'
ing disappointed their expectations for sal
water.
Every appearance indicates an abund
snce of the greasy fluid in that region, snC
another advantage is that there is al
abundance of coal for fuel, the absence o
which is much felt in operations on Oi
Greek. As the rebellion Is pretty vel
crushed out in that part Of Kentucky, on
informant predicts lively time in devel
oping the oil deposits existing there
Crawford Journal.