Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-06
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
The Gas and Oil and Mineral
Waters of Writ County.
Special Correspondence OF Pittsburgh Post.
PARKERSBURG, w. VA. !
July 81 1879. (

Special Correspondence OF Pittsburgh Post
PARKERSBURG, w. VA,
July 81, 1879. !
Having had considerable talk about
the gas, oil and sulphur waters OF Writ
county, this State, we proceeded last
week To Elizabeth, the county scat oJ
Writ county. Here we ferried the Kama
wha, and in about two hours reached
the Valley OF Devora Fork, Standing
St2Rs cTfk.,Ad s0i9n aa We teF6mthls
sound OF the
CELEBRATED GAS WELL,
on the Simpson farm, as OF an approach
inc haul storm. Travelling distance Of
about one mile after having heard this
rumbling sound, We came up in plain
view of this wonderful phenomenon in
nature. Here we found Mr.. +. W..
Minshall, whom we found to be very
intelligent and cultured gentleman.
This well was bored under his Imme-
date supervision, under the dry
well system, and thoroughly cascd, shut
ting out all surface water. 1t is caScd
with S.inch casing to the depth of l39
feet, and a D inch hole to the bottom,
,O6O feet. There is more or less gas
from 2SS feet down to l,OlO feet. The
volume Is immense.
The well was completed in March last,
and there is no visible abatement as vet.
Ii is located on the apex orcrOwn OF the
"belt." 1t contains no fluid save some
oil in the bottom. 1t is the intention OF
Mr.. Minshall, ut some future day, to
deepen this well to the depth of 100
feet, with the hope of obtaining big
oil we'll We have seen many gas wells,
but this one excels them all.
The morning of the 30th again found
us in the saddle, with our heads porth-
ward, on the line of "oil belt, which is
as easily traced as Il worm fence. Well
may they call this locality Standing Stone.
Having travelled distance of two and a
half miles, we came into the once noted
oil region, now the property OF Mr.. Fred
Prentice, of Oil City, better known as
coil Rock" where in 1866 and 1867
was all din and hustle, now not unlike
a graveyard.
DESERTED DERRICEs AND sHANTIEs
presenting a forlorn and deserted APP
pearance. Alas poor victims! How
ever We have no doubt should oil i'm
prove in price this section may again
come to the front. Still coursing the
line of "belt" distance of about five
miles further on we come in sight OF
Sulphur City, where are the celebrated
sulphur springs, which had local repu-
tation for many years for their medici-
nal curative properties. The water is
blue sulphur The waters OF the spring
have proven to be of extraordinary etli-
cacy in pulmonary troubles and for del
lcate females. Their tonic properties
are par excellent, as your writer can at
test.
We soon reached the Staunton turn
pike, distance of2 miles from Park
ersburg, and the shades of night draw
ing near concluded to make that place.
Having a plucky stud, whose staying
qualities were most excellent, about -
o'clock we hauled into Andy Ais Cen
trail Hotel, Parkersburg, somewhat ia
tigued with our 33-mile ride, but greatly
delighted with our two days peregrina-
tons and perambulatiOns, rs we'll as the
valuable information We gained bv rea-
son of our visit. III. J.