The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-06-23

erabiy above the altitude OF Oil Creek. Some
three miles above Plumer there arc a number
of wells being bored, and we were told that the
''shows' of oil were good. Just above Plumer
there are many derricks and between that place
and the Humboldt Refinery every half acre has
an engine uPon II, giving the place an air of ac-
tiyity which we saw nowhere else in all our
travels Right here the Bedford Mutual is
sinking a well, boring having just commenced
when we visited the place. The territory in this
neighborhood has not yet been fairly tested, but
few months will determine whether the
Cherry Run basine1tends to this locality. There
are certainly strong indications that it does. A
flowing well was struck here the day prior to
our arrival at Plumer; as the seed-bag ian ar
rangement to shut off the water in the well) was
not put in tight, it is hare to tell the amount
of oil produced by it per day. The OIL and
water flows odt together at the rate OF about
$50 barrels per day. The depth of the well
is $50 feet. 1t is about 800 yards South OF
the ''Mutuars'' well. Another well has been
struck on the hill few hundred yards East of
the one lust described, winch it is thought VIII
be good one. \ well producing at one time
at the rnte Of hundred barrels per day $50 we
we're told by the operators) and within stone 8
throw of the scene of the ''iIutuars" opera
sions, through some dsarrangement of the tub
ing has ceased to yield. There seems to be
an indefinite amount OF trouble with the break
ing of boring tools, the improper tubing Of
wells, &c, and the misplacing of seedlings,
it is thought, has prevented more than one well
from enriching its owners.
From PLuMER To On CIw.
g7rom Pluuler we confused our trip afoos
till we reached Oil City. We followed the
course Of Cherry Run 10 its junction with Oil
crea., visiting on our way, the "Reed, cyan
kee" and other famous wells. It is called a
mile aid 4 half from Pluner to the Reed we'll.
But by the Run read, We think It two miles,
at least. We were very anxious to see The
flow Uf the Reed we'll and as there was 20 ot,.-
er way CT getting to the top of the tank, than
! by climbing = greasy pole, ,go performed that
slippery operation to the serious detriment q
/ linen coat and cashmere partaloons. The flow q
this famous we'll, Is irregular, the oil some
times gushing forth to the IA!l capacity Of the
pipe, at other times ranra in a hin stream,
bat yve were informed ii es.iutains It's orig
iE4! Aow Of about 500 barrels. IN the imme.
date neighborhood Of this well, there ara many
tanks and the yield Of oil seems to be large
( New wells are going down On the hillsiiea, some
( good ones having been struck far above the lev
el Of the Run. But even in this locality, con.
sidered by many she most fert;le in the claag;n.
ous product, there are ten ''dry holes for every
paying well that is struck, showing that oil
seeking is, more or less, 4 lottery. This Is &C
counted for by tie theory of the geologists, thu
petroleum is found in vertical crevices in th
sand rocks, which crevices must be tapped i.
order TO obtain any considerable quantityof oil
Hence "dry hol6" and q ,asying well may b
! bored within n few feet ofTeach other. Not
Hithatanding this fact many persons have be
come immensely wealthy, through this business
Of oil seeking, and thousands are now tryin(
their luck with the Cars the ''reamer" anC
''sandpump.n The region from the Reed vel
70 Oil cityis literally ''pePperboxed'' with wells
some Of which never produced anything bu
water, a number Of which yielded oil at ont
time. but have been abandoned, and many o
which ere still paying handsome profits to the
owners. The food in the spring did great
damage to the operations along Oil Greek and
many wells had to be abandoned on that account
FROM On CIrY TO EMLEEroN
OH City, the centre of the red tape portion
Of oil-dom, is built along the base of a steel
ridge, which 'ogerlooks the west bank Of tn
Allegheny river. 1t extends from above tn
mouth of Oil creek, abolt half a mile below it
The single street in the place, is beautiful,
diversified with numerous mud-hoLes, and tht
way teams founder about in them, Is caatiol
to horse-fesh. There are a number Of hotel
at which tolerable fare is to be had at the rat
of four dollars per day. The stage of water il
the river, at this place, is too low at this seasoI
for navigation by steamboat, but fat-boats ar
still dragging their slow length along" anC
assist very materially in the transportation 0
oil. These are towed up stream by horses
three or four being attached to a single boa,
each bestrode by rider, to guide It along tn
banks of the river and over rough places in tn
water. We left Oil city for Franklin, by th,
Franklin Branch Il. r., and arrived at tn
latter place in time to take the coach for Eas
Sandy Franklin is the county seat of Ven
ango county, and is a pretty, thriving village
There are number Of good oil wells, on th
banks of the Allegheny river, near this place
After trundling along for about six hours, owe
q rnal -zithnI.t rent hottnu1 srrlue.