Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1883-09-22


riosity. No one knows-it is too far
under the earth for us ever to know
much more than we do now about it.
Science, on many points 50 precise,
gives us two theories. BY one it is
contended that the porous sand rock
which underlies the oil region is the
original source of oil deposit. In these
sand rock strata, so it is said, formed
from beds and shoals of rivers there were,
ages ago, deposited large masses of veg
citation. These, under certain condi-
tions of pressure and chemical changes,
produce coal, but, under conditions
a little varied, produce oil; which,
with gases, is held suspended in spongy
stone, which is held fast by the i'm
mense pressure until it is released by
the oil digger's drill. A second theory
asserts that the oil is not generated in
sand rock, but in the carboniferous
shales far below. Here there is devel-
oped by heat a gas, which forces its
way upward until it reaches this sand
rock, where it is held down by the
harder and cooler crust above, until
released by the oil searcher. What
ever the origin of petroleum, there can
be no doubt of the vast supply, and of
its wonderful influence in the CONNER
cial world.
But there are other notes that | wish
to make as l hurry along. From the
oil region / came direct to the lake
country, which l find level and gener'
ally in high state of cultivation. |
visited many farms in Erie county, Pa.
This is said to be one of the best stock
counties in the state. Saw several
herds of Shorthorns and Alderneys,
but none that can equal our Kentucky
herds. The wheat and grass was
mostly saved in fair condition. Most
of the oats had been harvested, yet
saw few fields that | think will be
cut by the frost, and the same is true
of much of the corn. From Erie
came north to Buffalo. Here | founC
one of the busiest cities | have evel
seen. A population Of over 100000
everybody driving business toits fulles
capacity, every conceivable industry
represented-manufacturing of allkind
on boom.
From Buffalo, N. Y, l came t.
Detroit, through Canada, distance
nearly three hundred miles. did no
stop on this route, but noticed iron
the car window things, different iron
our people in the states. Their farm
were smaller, but not so well !cultiva
ted. Every man had his patch fence
in. The houses were very small genel
ally, but looked like they might b
comfortable in the winter. | notice
some good stock, especially cattle an
hogs, but most of them were very poe
and scrubby. The people looked lik
they were not in hurry about any
thing-took their time and appeare
to enjoy life; and, after all, may NJ
this be the bestF / heard a sermo
the other day on speculation. Some
the thoughts are SO good that l wi
reproduce them for the benefit Of You
young readers.
owe see all about us faces that al
touched with perpetual unrest, striving
| struggling for supremacy in wealtl
place or power. I have seen men pa
from beautiful homes to the penite
? tiary; 1 have seen their wives ar
children fash with jewels, and in OIL
: year all gone. The next struggliI
with poverty-out in the cold wor
{ without friends. But / have new
]. seen the righteous forsaken. l ha'
D never seen those fall into trouble vi
S studied to be quiet and did their ov
s business, and worked with their ov
8 hands. The man who will make AXE
a that will cut; who builds houses tn
s will stand, will not lack for good fun
e whether the times be good or bs
= You may get what is called religiC
r and go far wrong but you can't
!. wrong nor be in want if you rema
n sweet women and true men, and stu
/. to be quiet and work with your hand