The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-11-02
THE WONDERS OF pIThoIE.


rels day. Standing on the scaffold b.
the side of huge tank into which tn
pipe is laid, we could watch the spoutins
fountain pouring forth in convulsive gasp
its stream of muddy colored fluid with
!, such velocity as to toss into foam the sur
face of the vats The flow is slightly ir
regular, consisting of forcible ejaction
for about 20 minutes, with an intermis.
|, sion. Although the oil runs all the while
it is spasmodlcally forced out with in
creased volume. Sometimes two or even
three of these eructations run together
The temperature Of the oil is about SO to
GO, of a deep dark olive green, of night
specific gravity and pure oil. Other wells
are going down beside it. one Of which
commenced pumping 200 barrels day
yesterday. The gas given off By the
flowing wells is very pungent and infa-
mable. Two or three destructive fires
have occurred lately.
! Next to this is one flowing about l 900
barrels much in the same manner. There
are not more than dozen flowing wells
on Pithole Greek at this time, though
there are so pumping. Nearly all of the
spouters had to be pumped In the first in
stance, so that the number may be in
creased. The gross product of the creek
can be put down at about 5000 barrels a
day. Hundreds Of new wells are being
put down. Of course, the land in this
vicinity is held at enormous rates, single
leases commanding as much as $4,000
and half the oil. Six hundred teams are
employed hauling oil to the railroads,
and line of pipe six miles to Oil Greek
carries off portion. There is an accu-
mutation of 10000 barrels standing.
One Of the most remarkable features of
Pithole City, and in fact, of the whole
region, is the hotel enterprise. Hotels
are American institutions, and have their
most astonishing development hereabout
At the Morey Farm Hotel, where our
monster excursion stopped, We found a
large and commodious house, lighted with
naptholine gas, with very fair rooms, tel
egraph Offices, stables, and everything
very complete TO be sure, we had only
eight or ten in room, but the fare was
truly excellent for the place. Ugly as is
the name of this city, it is most express
lively appropriate. Such roads and streets
we venture to say, nowhere exists in the
world, not even in Stanboul Ali over
this part of the country the roads are bad,
here they are horrible. Railroads are be-
ing constructed hither, but until they
reach here everything is left in worse
than natural disorder.
CHERRY RUN AND OIL CITY.
Leaving Pithole next morning, after a
complimentary supper furnished by the
kindness of Messrs. Duncan & Prather,
very fortunate operators here, our party
made its way through cold peltng
rain, over the hills again to the famous
Cherry Greek, er Run, as it is called
Here, again, we observed the same state
of abandonment, in less degree, as be-
fore. Cherry Run has had its day, and
now, out Of 1000 wells put down, less
than 200 are paying expenses. The der
ricks in some places stand as thick as
masts in the North River. There are two
or three refneries on tire creek.
From Housewife, which is at the mouth
of Cherry Run, to Oil City, we continued
down Oil Creek. Oil City; at the june :
ton of the latter stream with the ALE
ghany, is principally important as point
for shipping oil in fat boats down the riv-
er to Pittsburgh. 1t is like the rest, a
wretched little place perched up under
the brow of steep bank, consists of one
long, wretched street, and several large
store houses for oil. A good deal of this
trade will no doubt be diverted from the
place by the railroads now building.
RENO, A CITY OF fHE FUTURE.
Two miles and half further down is
Reno, as yet small place, with but few
wells put down, but from its natural site
and its advantages of trade, is no doubt
destined to become one of the centers of
the oil trade, if not, indeed, the princi-
pal one. 1t is most favorably and beau
tifully situated, and is the freight termi-
nus Of the Franklin Branch Gen. Burn
side, who is expected here to night, has
commenced work upon railroad that is
to connect Reno with Pithoie, which it is
to be done in 50 days. Mr..
Culver is the builder and protector. [
may mention that in order to avoid the
notorious impediments which are usually
thrown in the way of Railroad enterprises
by the Pennsylvania Legislature, the cor
porators introduced bill through very
quiet old member from the eastern part
of the State, for charter for railroad
from the "head waters Of Bakers Greek
to Skaters Run, said road not to interfere
with the privileges" Of a certain road
down in the eastern part of the State
As nobody knew or suspected the locali-
ty, the bill was passed unobstructed.
A GIGANTIC STOCK COMPANY.
From Reno we take the cars for Frank |
lin tonight, thence back again to Mead !
vile. On the whole, though the elements
have been very much against the excur
sion, it has been a success. It's commit
tee have done all in their power to rem
der it comfortable [ should mention