Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-07-08
From the Danville lntelligeneer,
WEST HEMLocK Twp.
June Ia, 1865,
Mr.. EDITOR :

The recent discoveries of
Petroleum or coal oil and coal in Colum-
bia county, has caused considerable ex-
citemont among the people in our neigh
borhood. The difference OF opinion Of
persons in regard to the existence of oil in
those regions induced me to visit what is
usually termed the "Oil Regions of Col
umbia county," on account of which may
interest your readers, as no detailed ac-
counts has yet been given in the local
journals of their negbborhood.
| | started on the morning Of the 18th |
of June, and reached the first oil spring,
which is located obout one mile northeast
of lola, in Greenwood township, Columbia
county, near point known as "Shooma-
kers Saw mill, ;" or the farm Of MIR.
Shu;z. These springs were discovered
by returned soldier,a son of Mr.. Shultz,
who had previously visited the Western
oil regions. The springs are situated at
tbs foot Of high and steep hill or noun
tain, 10 Hhat is considered the most bar.
rcn section Of land in that neighborhood.
They rise nearly perpendicularly out Of
the ground. The oil floats on the water,
When the sun sbiues upon it the oil is Of
rainbow hue-when it is shaded from the
sun the color is b!ua.
Leaving these springs | proceeded up
the creek towards Rohrsburg, visitiogssey
eral springs, on the road similar to those
above de cribcd. On my arrival al
Rohrsburg, was shown specimen oi
coal which had lately been discovered on
Green Creek, two miles north Of the above
village, on the farm Of David Keller
This discovery, as was natural, had Gre
ated much excitement 10 the neighbor-
hood. The coal has the appearance of
the Bituminous. There are several oil
springs a short distance from here, be-
side large sulphur spring All the
springs rise perpendicular, same Us the
Que on Mr.. Shultz's farm. The gentle
man who discovered the coal, who is from
Oh CITY, is confident of the existence of
large quantities OF oil in this tcrritory,-
Other men of experience in these matters
expressed the same opinion. then turned
', nor.hward 10 Benton. No oil springs
have vet been discovered between where
, the coal was found and Benton. North OF
Benton The indications for oil arc the best.
: One oil spring upon the mountains, and
near West Creek, about four miles from
Benton, is said to be the best yet found.
, The water of this spring comes through
the rocks with thick greasy substance -
There is another oil spring near Cambria
II about four miles northeas, oi Benton
s About tweuty years ago company com
menccd boariUg at this place for salt
i, After reaching to the depth Of Dear 4Oi
y. feet, dark greasy substance commedco'
flowing from the well, which ran into tn
:. creek below and could be seen, for milo
down, on the surface Of the stream. Thl
caused the company to stop bearing. Ih
drills we're left in the ground and shorti
! aftcrward were broken off The discove
o ry Of oil led many to believe that tn
'.nasty stuff they had found was Petro
- leum, They accordingly went to wor
and raised the drills, aud found them a
-, brigh, in appearance as the day the com
pauy had left off boaring. The drills ha
not rusted in the least, This place l di
n. not visit, and only relate what was told
be me by reliable persons.
all After visit Of two days l became full
or, satisfied that oil exsts in Columbia coul
be ty, whether in quantities sufficient to pa
cd q profit over working expenses Is yet to
he tested. The "Green Greek Petroleu
ith Company" is the only company yet o.
ith ganized, are, l have been informed,
nd commence operation next week 1t
,k. probable the first well will be sunk
,ks West Creek, north OF Benton
erv Most Of the best oil territory is situat
in the Fishing Greek Confederacy.'
During my stay in that regien beca
her acquainted with several of the gen'lom'
BAT many of them venerable in years, W
we're so upjustly ncarcerated in Fort N
the fin, They spoke feeliDgly of the suff
a ings they endured in The dungeons at
hands of their prosecutors, Many OF tn
~. gentlemen, older than the Constitution
their country, are completely broken do
- in health through their incarceration
..I the dark, damp and filthy cells of T
~. Mfiin, and for what oTcnca they rem
in ignorance, They were set free
President johnson, who has released
my political prisoners. One drafted man
rev. refused 10 don the uniform to "set
anne nlgger free" yet remains in Fort Milf
Il