National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-25
GREAT GUSHERS,
"Reminiscences OF Early Days OF OIL
DcvcIopmcnt-Enormous Fortunes
Mado-Exoitcment Among the Peo-
Philadelphia Times.

Devclopment-Enor Fortunes
Mado-Exoitcment Among the Peo-
pie.
Philadelphia Times.
PITTsBURG, Oct. 19.-The two greatest
oil wells over struck in the world are
still spoutlng oceans of petroleum within
thirty miles of this city. Railroad trains
for Butler county are thronged daily with
visitors to the field. 1t Is estimated that
in the ono week past no less than $1,000
people have been to see these Baldridge
gushors. Since tho Christie we'll was
brought in this week, with its first days
production Of $500 barrels, aud since the
Phillips we'll was completed last week,
with an increasing capacity of $500 bar
rels per day, interesting comparisons
have been in order with other great wells
of past years. The Christie wells pro-
duction of nearly 5000 barrels in twenty
four hours gives her the first place In the
history of petroleum as the biggest won
der Of the oil trade. Her rival. the Phil
lips well, with its 4500 barrels every
twonty-four hours, ranks next. Some
history about other big gushers will DO
interesting at this time.
After the discovery of petroleum and
the boring of the first oil wells in Penn
sylvania, In 1859, the first largo strike to
attract widespread attention was the
Hamilton McClintock well, two miles
north Of Oil City. In January, 1860, it
started off at the rate go gallons per min
ute, or 2,160 barrels per every twenty
four hours. The people were astounded
by such tremendous flow and so great
was the volume of greasy stuff that they
could not get sufficient storage for IL, and
much of IL went to waste. This shameful
waste 10 we'll illustrated in the case of the
Cornplanter Oil company's we'll on the
Clapp farm, in Vonango county, one year
later. 1t was by no means large we'll,
but 100 barrels were filled in tho first
sixteen hours and the waste filled pond
twenty-five square rods in extent.
But IL was in September Of 1861 that
the most intense excitement was created
all over tho country by immense wells.
Oil creek Developments in Venango
county had progressed as far as the Tarr
farm, without doubt the most prolific
piece of territory ever discovered. All
at once the Dom Pedro, or Phillips we'll
No. 2, struck oil OF depth of 1000 feet.
A perfect geyser spouted forth. In the
first twenty-four hours she vomited 1000
barrels, and kept that rate up for quite
long period. The excitement knew no
bounds. Thousands of spectators who
had at first held aloof now rushed In on
the infant petroleum industry. |
A few days later this excitement
was greatly augmented by another
huge strike. In close proximity to the
Phillips we'll the Empire we'll was An
ished. with q daily production of $500 |
barrels. An extract from a newspaper
published In the oil regions in 1861 reads:
$50 much oil is now produced that it is
impossible to care for it, and thousands Of |
barrels arc running into Oil creek. The |
surface of tho Allegheny river is covered |
with oil for miles below Franklin. Some |
wells are being plugged to save produce
ton. Fears are entertained that tho sup
ply will soon be exhausted IL something |
waterways and farms are saturated so deep
with the surplus of this dangerous fluid
that vast fires are also to be feared"
In January Of 1868 the Noble and Del
amater well on the Farrell farm, on Oil
creek, started off at the rate of 5000 bar
rels. As a result the Caldwell we'll, near
it, decreased one-half in production. The
Delamatcrs bought and plugged 1t so that
their wells flow would not be interfered
with, paying $4,000 for IL. Up to Au-
gust they had sold from their great
gusher $4,000 barrels Of oil for 1854, 900,
and the market rate was still $3.50 per
barrel. In August of the same year the
Maple Shade well was started at 1000
barrels per day. In March of the follow
ing year it was burned, with 10000 bar
rels Of oil. In February, 1864, the Noble
and Delamater we'll, above alluded to,
was sold for $22o.000 Up to that time it
had produced $685. barrels, which, at
% IN harra1--.1aaa than thn |
amount to $1.052. 155. Illus
trating the quick decline of oil fields, we
find that on Nov. 16, 1865, the entire pro-
duction of tho Tarr farm wells had
dwindled down to 700 or 1000 barrels per
day.
From 1865 to 1872 operations in the
Pithole district occupied the attention of
people. Ono of the largest producers in
that section was the Mclaughlin we'll,
which flowed at the rate of 1900 barrels.
two wells with the same
production were brought in on the Modoc
field. The Hunter and Cummings we'll
near st. Joe, in Clarion county, was
brought in November, 1874, with 1900
barrels per day. The Lady Hunter we'll
near it also did 1900 barrels. The cele-
brsted Bullion we'll, that caused such
speculative excitement in 1876, was only
rolls an hour, but it opened up vast terri
tory, then new. By agitation 1t was after
ward increased to ] 900 barrels per day. In
June, 1877, the drill in tho Bullion region
brought to light the "Big Injun" we'll,
with $500 barrels per day. 1t ceased
flowing on the Goth of tho same month,
but after being torpedoed went off again
at 900 barrels. The Cherry Grove ex-
element of 1882 Is we'll remembered. Its
two greatest wells were the Murphy No.
2, rated at 3.460 barrels per day, and the
famous Mystery we'll, mo. 646," which
was generally accredited with q 1000
barrel gait.
Tho size Of all these wonderful wells
,an better be comprehended when one
that the average size of oil
wells is from 20 to 300 barrels day only.