The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-03-05

though they soon may be
and filled, too, AMI the big steamer
on the right backing out. loaded
to the guards with the precious liquid.
From samples of surface oil shown that had
been taken from Mr.. Sauerss place near by,
and also from other places, no ono can fail to be-
lieve that there is rich prospect. Mr.. Ford is
an experienced man in this line-who has sunk
many wells in the Pithoe country, and has ex-
amined the Buffalo Territory very carefully, in
forms US that he never saw such encouragement
anywhere on the surface as IN Buffalo. he
came here last fall to see for himself-he took
stock at once brought his machinery, and
is now at work. The result will soon be known.
Invitation came to assemble for dinner
Never more welcome call, for man cannot
live on oil alone especially can he not do il
upon ''surface indications" hence there was
negative to the proposition. But what man can
live on and live like lord, is just such dinners
as we found prepared by the skillful hand of Mrs.
Butcher. The tables fairly laughed with their
burthen of rare viands, and the business of the
hour was self evident. Never was dinner more
heartily more actively complimented.
Dinner over there was social session, where
in were some speeches made-some by tae piO-
neers in the organiZation,-Messrs. Dickson and
Bracket, concerning the formation of the COM
pany, and the strong reasons that urged them to
under take the work also by Geo. II. PARKER,
ESQ, who related some oil-experience; by Mr..
Sauers who had seen this oil for years at n
spring on his farm, but could not until recently
account for it. Another strong indication men
toned was marked depression in the earth on
Mr.. Morehead's farm which had been taking
place for years past also the frequent gas ex-
plosions on the river near where the well is being
sunk. The explosions are peculiar. Every win
ter the clear solid ice is suddenly upheayed and
scattered about with immense force and loud
conclusion as if a cannon had been fired. Sew
eral have occurred this winter-one recently
These occur near ''air holes" as often AT
distance from them, thereby showing it is not
caused by atmospheric pressure Mr.. Ford sta
ted his opinion to the party present that the ln-
dications could not be better-he had been OPP
Grating in the oil regions for several years, and
felt confident that if there was anything in surf
face indications, surely there must be rich dePos-
its of oil in that vicinity.
The matter is soon to be determined. The
company has contracted with Mr.. Ford for sink
ing two wells 500 feet deep each, in different To-
caties should not oil be reached in less dis
lance Those who have undertaken the work
are not men who will stop short of thorough il
yestigation. Should they succeed, it will be
the biggest thing for this county that ever hap
pened To it. Should it be otherwise the com
pany will still deserve great credit for thus I'm
dertaking TO develop he resources of the coun-
try. They wln soon commence running night
and day, going down about fifteen eighteen
feet in twenty -four hours, and people-whether
Immediate interested not, will await further
developments with great anxiety.