The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-11-28
OIL Regions in Virginia.

a travelling correspondent of the
Washington Chronicle does the oil re-
gions of West Virginia, in the follow.
ing style. Writing from Catlettsburg,
under date of October goth, he says:
arrived here few days since, after
having visited a portion Of the oil re-
gions of West Virginia. To do that
| returned on the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, distance oftwenty-two miles
from Parkersburg, and stopped at Pc.
troleum, where | met an old friend in
the person of Colonel Van II. Buckley,
who is agent ofthe west Virginia Trans
poration Company at that point. The
Colonel is young man, who entered
the army as a private at the breaking
out of the rebellion, and rose through
tle different grades until he was Civ
en- the command of his regiment, and
received from the hands of General
Phil. Sheridan, on the field of Win.
chester, the eagle which designated his
rank. In his company | rode horse.
back up Oil Creek Run about three
miles, and saw the works ofthe company
he represents. The whole region is a
forest Of derricks, and the clang of
machinery echoes through the hills as
it drives the pumps, whose arms can be
seen for miles around, drawing the ole.
aginOus fluid from "the bowels of the
harmless earth" AS this is drawn
forth it is conveyed through miles of
iron pipe and emptied into reservoirs
or vats, whence it is pumped by steam
power into the tanks on the cars set.
ting on the railroad track, and carried
to any point desired. This oil is the
oulv article the company transports,
and its mode of doing so has been
brought to an almost complete system.
The miles of pipes have been laid, at
large expense, under ground, and are
cannected with each well. For con-
veying the oil from its source to the
railroad track an agreed amount is
paid by the individual or company
working it, and thus the name OF
Transportation Company" has been
taken by the corporation working it.
Lying away back among the hills,
about tv o miles from the engine which
runs this work, sits the oil center
known as the White Oak Region, and
in its center lies Volcano.
On ascending the top of the hill by
the regular wagon road there appear;
within sight a legion of tall scaifold
ings, surrounding the wells which dot
the hills all around, the appearance
being a perfect amphitheater crowded
by hive of busy workmen. The place
contains a population of about three
thousand, and has some large stores
a post office, telegraph station, and ,
newspaper, published weekly. Thi,
organ Of public opinion is sprightly
sheet, well patronized with advertising
and is entitled The Volcano Lubri
Gator. 1t is issued by Messrs. Sar
gent & Brown, and is devoted to tn,
development Of the resources Of tina
region of West Virginia and particular
ly the oil and coal. The excitemen
which followed the discovery of oil il
that region in 1S60-61, and which wa
followed by large speculations in land
has in great measure, died out, bu
there is an extensive and steady amout
Of work going on in the production
and shipping of the crude petroleum
from this and all The region surround
ing and along the Little Kanawha
There is a large refinery on the Park
ersburg side of the Ohio river, where
considerable amount of the crud,
article is made into superior quality
the quantity being only limited to the
capacity Of the machinery, which is
Kept running day and night.