The Portland daily press., 1865-03-06
The Oil Lands Of 0attaraugus Co., New
YORK.

The New York World has just published an
able article upon the oil lands of South Wes-
tern New York, in Wyoming and Cattaraugus
counties. From all the evidence the writer
has procured from personal examination of
the country, its geological formation, gas
springs, oil excavations and wells bored and
in process OF boring, he has come to the con
clusion that these counties will equal if not
exceed the famous Oil Creek of Pennsylvania
in the richness and abundance Of their oleagi
nous productions. He says:
"Here in Western New York precisely the
same indications have existed that prevailed
| in Pennsylvania. The theory, or as it may
be defined, the scientific demonstration, that
a subterrauean belt Or bed of petroleum ex-
tends from Northeast to Southwest across
nearly the whole centre of the United States,
is additionally confirmed by these signs"
Sand here at last lin Cattaraugus) science
and enterprise and patient examination dis
| covered and are beginning to develope the ex-
istence OF Oil, that healing mama 10 the an
clients and that magnificent fountain of wealth
| to the modefns Into the hands OF those who
believe and have been willing 10 test their be-
lief in the fact now known, has passed the con-
troll of more than 8square miles of territory
along the borders of those streams. Held thus
in trust, the time is coming and has come
when these acres, perforated and resounding
to the clank of new and peculiar machinery,
may prove another section Of the realm of
riches above which, for generations modest
people have walked unknowing they trampled
upon prize"
"The remarkable surface indications that
prove the presence OF oil in this locality are
numerous, viz: the Seneca oil spring was per-
haps the first explicit foundation of hope. lis
nature was precisely like that Of petroleum
1t proved to be the darkest, richest kind of Luz
hri0 oil Nnnornua OaC m
in the vicinity and for miles around, having
the same odor as those found in Pennsylvania,
ignited and burned on the application of a
match. Oleaginous exudatlons from lodges
of rock and ragged embankments along the
hill sides, greasy scum.upon the surface OF
the streams, which in wet weather was also
found in the mire on the bottom lands, further
tended to enlarge the expectations of scrutini-
zing men. The petroleum stone, known for
years under that name, a dark brown stone.
emitting strong odor of petroleum, was
found thickIy strewn on the borders of Cdtta-
rGugus and Clear Greeks and all their tributa-
ries. The fact added to this and other minu-
ter proofs that this entire section lay on the
direct Northeast aud Southwest line regarded
by biologists as the center of the petroleum
formation of this continent, was the final ar
gument which induces belief Ia its value as an
oil producing SOIL"
Inc ONelll farm, the Miner farm, ana
host of others, are all now controlled by CON-
panies formed in New York, Boston, Buffalo,
and eIs,ohere, and preparations are being made
which, by spring will make all the country
near resound with business enterprise. The
fact that thousands OF acres are held in trust
by parties exclusively associated with the oil
interest, and that numerous bona fde wells
are now actually being sunk, the machinery
for and labor upon which involves an outlay
OF many thousands of dollars, is sufficient
proof of the great confidence felt by large
numbers of intelligent and active gentlemen
that their investments here are destined to be
rewarded"
"The excitement caused by the present dis
coveries aud enterprises is constantly grow
ing, and there does not appear to be the slight
est doubt but that the spring will witness an
influx of travel and speculation corresponding
with that which attended the early day OF the
oil fever in Pennsylvania. The land north of
the village, along the banks of CdttdrGugus
Creek, is said to present extraordinary signs
of promise, and the ledge and slopes through.
out the region are reported to bear the same
eneral marks"
These extracts are of great significance and
serve to demonstrate the sagaeity and good
judgement of our enterprsing friends of the
State of Maine Oil Company, whose lands, it
appears, have been selected with great care in
the same locality.
1t argues well for the prosecution of per-
manent and highly prosperous business, and
gives the promise of richer and more remun-
erative returns for their investment than the
most sanguine of them may have anticipated.
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