Clayton herald. (Clayton, Del.) 1867-1870, 1869-06-12
strange story Of a once Famous city


The visitor to what was once the focus
of oildom, Pithole, will naturally fall
into train of thought like the one that
inspired Goldsmith to sing Of that
"Sweet Auburn, lovelicst village of the
plain"
Not that Pithole evor was "lovely
Villages" but its utter decay from what
was once busting place. running over
with life and excitement will suggest
the simile. This fungus growth of tho
towns is salient feature of American
life. They are the results of various
causes; the iceptive IOint of some great
national worlS-a railroad, perhaps the
discovery of remarkable oil "indica-
tions;" or any great popular furore that
calls men together with its irresistible
attraction. Thoy cause towns, and even
cities, TO spring up in single night as
il were-some of them to achieve perma
nency, and stand as perpetual wonder
in the eyes of tho world; others to
crumble away with the speed of their
growth, like the once famous Pthole.-
The picture that this town presents is
sadly unlike its old self. 1t was once
the headquarters of the oil XII lg, and the
amazing swiflness of its growth has
hardly % counterpart in this land. One
cause after another, however, Slapped its
prosperity the decrease in the produce
ton of oil, the discovery of petroleum in
new localities, and u t.'rr BE visitation
by fire have almost blignted Pithole out
of existence. A person who knew the
town in the days of its prosperity VIII
| experience curious sensations if he vis-
its it now. The crowds that once
thronged the streets; the oil teams, al
most countless; the elegant hotels save
ohe-thatywere once its PRIDE, and tine
in afkgna af s.ff A..
metropolis itself--all are gone. The
Morey Farm HOTEL was erected at a
cost of 10000, sumptuously furnished,
and supplied with gas and all the cum
ming works for comfort and convenience
that distinguish the choicest hotels in
the most fashionable cities. The very
nabobs of shoddy and lucre were wont
to give wine dinners here, and -evel in
everything that plethoric pockets could
command. The " Morey'' was set on
fire by an incendiary, in 1866, and was
destroyed. Then there were the "Chase"
and "Bont, Houses. The first was n
favorite headquarters for the "arist0c-
racy" of Pithole; and writer in the
Wtusville Herald says that the name OF
some of the wealthiest and wisest men
of the country, as well as some of the
greatest williams, can be found upon its
register. 1t was novel to Peasantville
last spring. Sir Morton Peto and party
were entertained at this house during
, their tour through the oil regions. The
"Bonta" was an elegant affair, and its
proprietor at one time proposed to dis
pose of it by lottery. 1t has been taken
down and lugged away. The only no.
tells remaining are the DaufOrtll
House" and tho United States Hotel"
The former only is in use.
The once lively banking house o
3 Wadsworth is now doing duty rs drug
store; and the post office that once
ranked as third in Pennsylvania has
wasted away to the dimensions of sucl
as can be found at divers crossroads il
4 the country, AT one time,n says !
correspondent, "great wagon loads o
mails were received, and so great wa
{ the rush to get news from home, that ",
have frequently seen a line extendin.
from the delivery window for ten rod
> down Holmden street, and individual
> who were fortunate enough To be nea
II the head of the column have frequentl,
!. sold out their chances to impatient lei
n ter-seekers near the foot for one dola
and upward"
L A locality known as the " Flats show
o the change that has GENE over Pithol
F. the most wildly. 1t was here that til
, great wells sent forth their cleaginou
"A streams to enrich the pockets OF thei
1t owners-among them the celebrate
IS United States" the " Grant" tn
- i" Homestead" tho "Eureka," and til
y "Pool." Once this spot resounded wit
s. the buzz of a strange occupation; MOI
d nothing remains to indicate its formC
character except few ghostly derrick
= and the unsightly holes that mark til
81 spot where once were paying wells.
O. This, i'll brief, is the story of this singr
" lar town-one case in many that hay
/, occurred, and many more may occr
= again in this country. Much of the tow
re has already relapsed into its origin
". state, and is being used for farming pu
, poses.