The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-02-04
Coal Oil.

Animal oils, rushes, resinous knots, even
nutshrlls, and 9th or substances have been
used at different times as ht-producers.
1t is not necessary, however, to dwell on
obsolete Examinations except as they may
Incidentally exhibit to better advantage the
important position which petroleum, as u
light producer, occupies before the world.
The large quantities of this substance now
consumed invest every place IN which 1t Is
found with an importance corresponding to
the amount produced. Even cursory
examination OF this subject will excite no
little wonder at the great productiveness OF
some of the oil regions Of this count y; and
it will also strike the observer with surprise
when he remembers the tardneas with which
the wealth of these regions wns Developed
1t would have been hard to have convinced
six years ago, even the least sceptical ON
such suite cts, thut to-day we would have
wells almost in our midst yielding thousands
upon thousands of gallons of oil daily.
The history of petroleum in America
commences in Indian times. The early set
tiers in this country found the Indians using
it for medicines, for paint. and in their reli-
gious ceremonies. But whatever may have
been the knowledge and uses of petroleum
in this country up to the present time, it is
now clear that henceforth it must hold II
prominent place among the articles of com.
mcrcc. 1t must not be supposed that the
history Of petroleum commences in America.
AS II fuel it is no stranger to the French,
to the jewellers on the Caspian, nor to the
Norwc yians. As an illuminating agent it is
fast supplanting the animal and vegetable
oils. The lamps of India are fed by it; the
streets of Genoa are Illuminated oy means
oft; and there is, perhaps, no considerable
city, either in the Old or New World, where
the new forms of lamps adapted to the use
of kerosene are not found in use.
Many scientific men have affirmed that the
slime with which the artizans at the tower Of
Babel cemented their structure was com.
posed in part of this same coal oil. The
walls of Babylon were smearcd with it, and
the Dead sea, which we are told burics
Sodom ard Gomorrah, is Il basin in which
rock oil is profuscy accumulated.
The Spariards who discovered Trinidad,
we are informed, gazed with amaZemcnt
upon a lake Of pure petroleum. Rock oil
is found in Sicily, and has Illuminated its
cities. Italy, France, and England, all
had their reservoirs of petroleum. Whether
we consider either the abundance Of the sup
ply, or the great comfort and benefit derived
from the use of petroleum. its recent dis
covery in this country must be ranked as
one of the greatest events of the age. The
pumping, bhrrclnnS. ana rcHhlnp OF II, Will
require the labor and reward the diligence
of multtudcs of men, and as an article for
light, as well us for various manufacturing
purposes, it will ever be in demand. 1t is
well known that Seneca or rock oil has long
been famous for its medical properties lit.
tie. however, did those who used 1t in small
quantities for this purpose dream of the
abundant reservoirs which slumbered so
quietly in their subtcrranean beds. We find
that no practical movement was made in
search OF the native article until as late as
the year 18Th when q company of New.
York gentlemen was organized and made
preparations for boring on OH creek, We
mango county Pennsylvania still, it was
not until 1858 that the borinss proved IL
success. This delay WAS not owing to q
scarcity Of oil, as events afterwards proved,
but rather to a want Of energy in pushing
the work to completion, probably a lack Of
confidence in final succcss. The first we'll.
Mt the depth of seventy one feet, developed
the oil the yield at first was but four h,,n'
dred gallons, bnt soon arose to one thous
and gallons daily. Enthusiasm now began
in earnest, and 'itusviile, small town near
tas we'll ON Oil creek, rose from long
obscuriiy to great distinction. Since that
time it he's spread over other parts of Penn.
sylvauia and into West Virginia, aud now
millions Of dollars arc invested in develop
ilr this yist treasure