The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-09-07

independent press Fab
Petroleum In Fairfield County,
This dispenser Of fortunes is likely
to have, as we understand, some seek
ors in our county, and from what we
remember as having occurred some
years since, in the northern part, we
would not be surprised if the Greasy
god was ready TO spout the treasure in
abundance, if probed on tho subject
From various conversations with those
familiar with the oil regions Of Penn
sylvania and other parts of the coun-
try in which oil has been found in pay
ing quantities, large majority Of the
opinions state that the external indi-
cations are as favorable for finding the
precious illuminator here as in any
other section of the country. But
there are some things beside mere opin.
ions to be found, and we wonder that
our people have forgotten the follow
ing circumstances which were looked
upon as being so singular at the time,
that hundreds of persons visited the
spot themselves and verified in their
own minds tho existence of the pho
nomena we are about to describe.
In the year 1854, Mr.. Daniel Viii.
dermuth and his son. with somo hired
laborers undertook to dig a we'll for
watering stock on his farm in Green
field Township, in this county, near
Walnut creek, At the depth Of about
Is feet the character Of the earth was
peculiar, being saturated with oil, so
much so that man digging, found it
was greasy enough to grease his
boots. The odor was exactly the
same as tnat of petroleum, not thus
understood by any one digging at the
time, but several of whom are acquain-
ted with oil wells since, establish that
beyond question. At this point an au-
ger was used for boring about 10 feet
further, when it suddenly dropped in
to cavity as far as the handle would
allow it to fall. The men became a
Harmed, and upon tho auger being
withdrawn, n strong stream Of gas fol-
lowed, and was brought condensed to
the top of the we'll by piping made
of eldor with the pith punched out
The gas at the top of the tube was
then then lighted and burnt for seve'
raj days and was visited by large
numbers of people, when the we'll was
filled up on account of the trouble Civ
en- by visitors in throwing down fence:
and intruding on the premises, and
has thus lain since.
We are also told that the ground i'm
mediately in the vicinity of the well
when covered with water in the win
ter, in no case would freeze over en-
tireIy, but holes were always apparent
Many other facts about this burning
well we have foigotton, but since thu
successful search for oil in Virginia, ii
: the neighborhood of the burning
springs, where it has been found il
= large quantities, and also in Canada
! tho indications are worth and deserv,
l a close examination, for they are a.
8 strong to all appearance as those foun'
, anywhere else. So far as the locally
: of the oil is concerned, all the conclu
0 sions arrived at by those who have in
: vesligatod and are still examining
o closely every we'll being dug almost
J are indefinite. A prevalent idea tina
Y tho oil. bearing lands lay in a belt of
}. certain width, extending from North
i East to South West and including Eas
!: tern Ohio, is exploded by the finding G
oil in Canada and Ohio, Qor instancci i
!, Medina Co, outside of tho limits
the belt. In fact, while from what La
- been done, we believe of course, tina
= Oil Crock is the greatest locality fo
oil vet discovered, the earlier indicI
y tions, from what has been published
y y were not stronger than those show
- above as happening and being in tn
- county. That oil may be found at th
=, identical spot, we do not say, but thu
- from what does ex,st there rs evidenc
Il we believe that oil cannot be farawa..
al and that a thorough research will an
n ply reward an enterprise for the pu
A. poso.
~ ~ The land of Mr.. Wildormuth vi
II leased eome months since by son
~ parties who reside in CircloVille, al
co co atwhich place the Pioneer Oil ar
or or Mining Company, q chartered assoel
Uo ton, is being organized. Wheth
NJ NJ they are interested in this lease,
~ are unable to say, but hope they W
!, be, and will give attention to that
30 "a cality as soon as possible, for wo b
y, !, lieve it will pay them abludantly, a
~ W. our own people ought to bo alive to t
a. a. Importance of the matter, as it cam
lo but be an advantage to their intercs
iIUo 9se a. *%*