The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-02-08
OUR TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENT.
FRANKLIN, Venango Co., Pa,
February LIST, 1873

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FRANKLIN, Venango Co., Pa,
February LIST, 1878.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Noticing letters written
from this Oildorado, signed PRETzEL, who
seems to have overlooked items of interest,
now propose to give that which CLEANED
from the lips of actual residents, in shape
of sketch of this goleonda.
AS early as 1859, one Mr.. Drake sunk a
we'll 2S3 feet deep. striking oil, and gas
flowing with great force 40 to so feet in
the air. Like the gold fever in California,
the contagion spread; property was sold for
immense sums; wells we're put down at ran
dom; millions were lost by those having
money. On the other hand, millions were
made by those hard handed sons of toll,
who had nothing but labor to risk. Yes,
some without dollar had millions of
greasy lucre spurted on Mens even in mo-
ments of despair in shape of wells yielding
200 to 800 barrels per day; while others
bored dry holes at from $4,000 to $4,000
each.
1t is estimated that from 1859 to 1868,
each gallon taken from this region cost
somebody 81 per gal. During 1868. the
business was reduced to system so far as
we'll boring were concerned. Barrels were
substituted for bulk-boats, and boring was
first done by steam power But the strik-
ing Of a 8, 900 barrel (per day well made the
producer think Of a larger receptacle, and
the first tank to hold 100 barrels was built.
! That tank soon full to overlowing-no
! barrels to be had-the oil overran the coun-
| try.
Then came stock spectators. Wild. cat
leases were made on barren territory; peo-
! pie went mad on oil stocks and new leases.
Towns, and even cities sprung into exist
ence in few weeks. Among which was
Pit-Hole City, at one time containing 49,
900 people: now deserted wreck of its
once former greatness. Lands there once
commanding $1,000 a foot, are now bought
for mere nominal prices at tax sales; over
! looking which stands, silent and decaying,
as a monument to mans greed, hundreds of
tall, skeleton like derricks and their rigs,
representing millions gone below.
And this short history of Pit Hole City
finds its repetition in various others since.
These oil fields are supposed now to en-
brace 500 square miles. There are 5000
wells, now producing 2, 100 barrels per day;
and new wells going down at the average
rate of 1888 per month. Within a radius of
30 miles, in the Oil City District, $163, 900,
600 worth of oil has been taken from the
earth since 1865, and in consequence the
town is growing at the rate of 100 houses
per month, nearly an average of S per day.
tElkton 1879 behind as far as heard from.
In addition to tanks, containing each 400
to 600 barrels, they have formed pipe COM
pauies running the oil direct from wells
in the interior to railroad, sometime to :
miles, into tanks on cars by means 81
pipes similar to water or gas pipes, charg-
ing each producer per gallon per mile
The export for 1872 was said to be 1872, 900,
600 gallons.
Four first-class railroads pass through
this district, and are taxed beyond theil
capacity as carriers, and fifth is being fin.
ished to meet the wants of menstrou,
production. 5000 steam engines are daily
employed during the year 1865 days. y
Human foresight wearies in trying to KEEP
pace with trade that in magnitude and
success stands without parallel in com.
mercal history. Yet a stagnation ha:
come, and a momentary pail seems to over
hang Oildom, despite their palatial homes
their tinseled females, their 2:40 horses ano
last though not least, their to,oing eelts
yielding their thousands per day. Frowns
hang on the brow of the millionaire as wei
as the small producer alike. Caused by
what, query you, amid this abundance,
cast forth by dame nature, aided by man:
genius and greed? Cause. simply reaction
Trade ever has been, and ever will be, con
trolled by supply and demand. In theil
greed for gain and extravaganza Is found
the cause of their present straitened condi
ton. The supply now and has been fol-
II months past, several thousand gallons
per day in excess Of demand. Hence OF
has gone down to So 10 to $2.35 per barrel
None being sold; market already overstock
ed; no money in hand; plenty of oil await
ing demand; operators can't pay opera
tives; all their capital in oil-houses, horses
refineries, &C., &c. Hence, thousands are
unemployed with no money; even though
day laborers get 81 to So per day; while
rough mechanics get $3.50 to $6 per day
when all goes right.
They, like their employers, seem tl
think money was made to circulats, and il
shall not rust on their hands. They are
lavish in money in all things. Only think
of it, took an excursion trip, % miles, tc
see $50 barrel we'll flow, last Wednesday
in sleigh Omnibus Style accommodating
90 persons sitting, thermometer 10 below
zero, in which all the excursiOnists were
freely perspiring; and sheet iron stove il
the front of sleigh was the cause of it,
Sleighing with close Bnss by side ola glow
ing fire is more comfortable and enjoyable
than the old style-a cold Buss in an opel
cutter.
Now, to the $50 barrel well. We arrived
all o. X, to hear noise and see spasmodit
stream from 81 inch tube flowing s to l.
feet higher than the derrick, which is 6:
feet high. The oil and gas picturing ou
in its graceful curves scene at once al
novel as grand to my eye. This well i.
owned by a couple of brother laborers.-
The rising of Tuesdays sun found then
rich in grease and as they own lease the,
can sell out for quarter million easily.
Hence when one is inclined to 20 int
greasedom, health is a forerunner of wealth
Yours, SAUER KRAUT.
e THE METHODIST of New York
edited by Rev. G. r. Crooks and Rev. Abe
Stevens and concede d to be at the head o
the Methodist press in point of ability, is
presenting to its subscribers for 1875, an
op,royinp IF prnor yalua NOT only o :