The Portland daily press., 1865-07-08
LETTER FROM THE OIL REGIONS.
~ 81 OHERRY Bun, Pa, July, 2, 1885.
TO the Editor ofMe Press:

To the Editor or tie Press:
In my last letter conducted the reader in
to the oil regions and went with him up Oil
Greek as far as Housewife, and thence up Cher
ry Run as far as the Yankee well, which is Just
at the upper end of the little valeylrefe red to,
wherein are located SO many flowing wells
Continuing ON above this valley, we notice no
marked change in the configuration of the ter
ritory, except that the hills converge more to-
wards the stream, and the bluffs are less pre-
cipitous. We find innumerabIe derrieks both
new and old, but few tanks and no oil, from
the bridge that crosses the Run just above the
Yankee well, to the Humboldt works at Plum
mer. Numerous wells are still being sunk
along the line Of the Run for miles above
Plummer, but so far without success. How to
account for this entire absence of oleaginous
fluid, when it is SO plentiful a short distance
below, puzzles the most wise and sagacious,
and has convinced the sufferers at least, that
the only safe way to locate upon any stream
is, to get betageen points, where good wells al
ready exist. l am told that they have never
found the third sand rock in these wells. and
where that is not found it is of very little use
to bore for OIL There is nothing worthy Of
note above the Yankee well until we reach
the Humboldt Petroleum Works. an extern
sive oil refinery near Plummer, capable of re-
lining nearly thousand bis. of oil Der day
when in full operation.
Plummer is at present, thriving village, of
perhaps two thousand inhabitants. and unlike
most of its class in the oil regions has no der
rlcks In the village proper. Its central loca-
ton between Oil Greek and Pit Hole, makes
it the base Of supplies for Pit Hole, West Pit
Hole and Stems Run, and the growing import
ance Of these streams has recently given q new
impetus, and great activity to the business of
the town.
We cross Cherry Run just at the entrance
to the village, and bend of it just beyond;
but as 1t is of no use to look for oil up this
stream, we follow the Neilsburg Pike for a
mile or more, and then strike east THROUGH
the woods for Pit Hole, stream running par
allei with Oil Creek, and emptying into the
Allegheny Run. Several companies are one
ratingdn this vicinity with good indications of
success. ta1f fgJ
Han mile beyond, we cross West Pit Hole.
beautiful stream, that reminds one of speck-
ted trout, and would surely tempt disciple of
Isaac Walton to throw line. MANY wells
are going down on this stream, but none have
yet reached the oil depth Still beyond is the
main branch, winding its way through mar
row valley, heavily wooded with Cherry. hem
lock and pine. A stranger coming suddenly
upon the scene for the first time, would surely
think he had found camp meeting in fuIl
blast. The numerous rough new board shan
ties scattered about the woods, and perhaps an
nundred horses hitched to as many trees, and
'"o OF three hundred people grouped about or
ing IN the shade, altogether make up
scene 50 extraordinary as to strike one unac-
quAlnled with the cause, with amazement.-
Emerging from the woods we come in full
view Of the cause Of all this fbronc There
near the bank of the stream. st.nds low
rough, modest looking derrick. the lo,,-sr ,,art
housed in and rooted over. two1,as,. -