Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-09-28
e1lany.
Petroleum Again.

Farmer on the subject Of petroleum in
Wisconsin, in which he proved to his own
satisfaction, and may be to the satisfaction
Of some others, that petroleum had not
and never would be found in this state
But as this is subject which admits Of
argument, and as large number of per-
sons in the state firmly believe that oil can
be found, some asserting that it has ac-
tually been discovered, we propose to give
the experience and opinions of the editor
ofthc Grant county Witness, who has paid
a visit 10 the reputcd soil region" of this
state, for the purpose Of ascertaining facts
for the benefit of his readers. Here they
are:
"There are numerous places in Wiscon-
sin where indications of oil have been dis
covered. The most marked, and the re-
gions about which the greatest excitement
has been generated, arc in Crawford, Sank
end Green counties Two companies have
been formed for the purpose of boring
1.-THE Sank County Petroleum Company"
which proposes to operate in the neighbor-
hood Of Sank City, and ''The Copper Creek
Petroleum and Mining Company" which
has commenced operations near Seneca in
Crawford county. The first of these com
panies is small, having capital stock Of
only S15, 600, and is made up among the
people resident in Sank City and vicinity.
The second is gotten up on large scale,
the capital stock being $4,000. This
company is made up principally in Nc
Greeor. Iowa, and Prairie du Chen. Capt.
Thomas. of Prairie du Chen is President.
E. Beckwith, Of McGregor, Secretary, and
r r Baron, of McGregor, Treasurer
They have secured the services of three
ernerienced oil men from Pennsylvania,
bought all requisite machinery, and will
commence Boring some time this month.
Conner Greek, the operating ground Of
this company is the only locality we ex-
amined closely. The strongest indications
are at "Oi City" which we have else
where described as consisting Of hotel
and barn. There are two springs in which
oil may be gathered. The first is clear
spring of sparkling water, which gushes
out of the rock at the foot of steep bluff.
Atfirst glance, no one would suspect the
presence ofoil unless his suspicious should
be aroused by the oily scum which covers
the surface Of small pool of still water ad
iacent. But on close inspection, oil bub-
bles may be seen rising to the surface in
the running water. If stick be placed
across the current SO as to partially dam it,
and then the water of the spring vigorous
ly stirred, the presence of oil becomes
more apparent, and an oily scum will col
lect just above the stick. A piece of fan
mel spread over the surface of the water
will absorb the oil thus collected and when
the cloth is saturated, it may be wrung
out, and the same process gone through
with again. This is the simple @ot7ats OPP
erandi of collecting oil for specimens We
regard the evidence which this spring pre-
sents of the existence of native oil, as in
controvertible Sailing or printing is
impossible. The oil flows out of the solid
rock, and has been observed SO to flow
since early last April. Below this, is an
other spring, which has been dug out, and
from which the product Of oil is more plen-
tiful. The water in this spring is turbid;
there being little or no current, the oil
which rises remains for some time on the
surface, and may be collected in consider
able quantities. Near this spring, the COM
panv have erected their derrick, and here
they intend thoroughly to test tho ques-
ton as to whether oil can be procured in
paying quantities
Mr.. Wiloughby, the superintendent OF
the works, who has had considerable ex-
perience in boring in Oil Greek and Pit
hole in Pennsylvania, considers the indi-
cations fully as favorable here as there
The appearance of the country is much the
same. The hills are az high and the val
leys as deep. The number and flow of oil
springs are as great. The country is
equally as near to extensive coal fields. II
is generally supposed that the existence Of
oil is dependent in some manner upon that
of coal. This theory may be correct. No
one knows whether it is or not. But it is
o fact that no oil has yet been struck in
tho immediate vicinity Of coal beds. The
oil region Of Pennsylvania is from one hun
bred to one hundred and fifty miles dis
tant from the coal region. There is no Goa
that we know ofin the vicinity Of the Can
ada oil region. The coal mines about
Rock Island, in Illinois, are not more than
one hundred and fifty miles from Copper
Creek or Sank City, while west, within a
hundred miles, immense coal beds are said
by biologists to exist. Thus, in regard to
coal, this is as favorably situated as any
region where oil has been discovered. We
believe that oil will be found in paying
quantities in Crawford county, ifthe search
for it is prosecuted with sufficient energy,
perseverance and pluck.
The Copper Greek company is pioneer
enterprise, and we shall watch its progress
with good deal of interest. If it sue
ceeds there will be an immense rush to
the Seneca region, and lands and leases
will be at high premium. We advise
people to wait andisee the result of the OPP
erations now commenced. If they are
successful, then Ego in" to the best OF
your ability and means.
"On City"-every place must have a
name-is situated about midway between
Mt. Sterling and Seneca, about half a mile
off the main road. 1t is rather pleasant
hollow, shut in by high bluffs, and abound
ing plentifully in mosquitoes. The hotel
and barn were built about month ago,
for the accommodation of workmeE and the
numerous visitors who are drawn thither
by curiosity or speculation. The accomo-
datlons are as good as at any country no.
tel.
While we were at Oil City, Major Roun-
tree stripped of his coat, rolled up his
sleevs, and gathered . quantity of the gen
une native petroleum. Specimens OF it
may be seen by the curious at the Witness
office The Conror C-noL Calnnanv exnect