The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-22

Geolcgists Sar II Cannot BE Found East OF
the Alieghenies.

Biologists Sar IL Cannor BE Found East of
the Alieghenies.
Philadelphia Record
The presence of natural gas in the region
east Of the Allegheny mountains has long
been believed by many biologists and practical
prospectors, and this belief has gained many
more supporters by the accidental discovery Of
gas by a Perry county farmer while driving .
well In search of water. The greatest interest
was manifested in the discovery by the mana
gers of the Standard OIL Company, who have
spent thousands OF dollars in examining the ter
ritory, and are prepared to expend hundreds OF
thousands now, II gas shall be discovered. Ac-
cordinRly sJarge party OF prospectore and geolo-
gists were set At work In the interest OF this
great corporation. and a report was recently.
submitted by them in which the presence OF gas
was indisputably proved.
In order 10 push matters the right 10 use
tracts of land sgereeasine 10000 acres in area
Was secured to prospeeters. These tracts lie
within the boundary OF Perry, Dsuphin, Mifiin.
Juniata and Huntington counties. in q region
where nothing was supposed to exist except
ragged peaks and occasi' al deposits Of rich
earth. In this territory ellis are to be driven
and Jig holes bored fos TIE precious vapor. and
arrangements are being CON pleted to lay lines
OF pipe to this city TO convey the fuel. AL the
necessary capital to push the scbems Is TO be
furnished by the Standard T~npany, and moth
ing will be left undonet ths supposed res
ervoirs of gas.
But the operations in n of this gas are
not all confined to the Allegheny mountains.
The VALLEY Forge NaturAl-gas Company has
been prospecting In the Schuylkill valley, near
Valley Forge, and is now more than s~ancuius
that its efforts will be successful At last re-
ports o derrick had been erected for boring pur-
poses, and q drill had been inserted nearly fifty
feet. Nothing has Jet been discovered OF thu
presence of either oil or gas, but engineer
McCabe. en- old oil-worker, who has charge of
ell operations, is of the opinion that gas will DO
struck before the drill shall have entered $50
feet Many of the residents Of this city are In
terested 10 this scheme, and when gas shall
have been found operations will be commenced
on an extensive scale.
The State geologists, however, claim that no
gas can be found east OF the Allegheny mount
ical survey, ciscredits all stories OF the vapor
having been discovered 10 middle Pennsylvania.
and states that the character Of the gas acci-
deptslly found 10 not appreciated. ut 10 hardly
possible for gas to be found east Of the presens
regions" said the Professor yestsrday, Judging
by the topography Of the %couptry. The surface OF
the natnral-Ras region 10 undulsting, and nowhere
rsashss a rugged appearance, while the sharp,
high peeks, the steep narrow valleys and the
ragged riffs OF the Alleghsnies are proof positive
OF q great volcanic disturbance that would have
allowed whatever gas was beneath the surface
to escape. The deposits in the Schuylkill val
ley near Valley Forge, are also unfsveraels TO the
presence OF gas. 1t 10 q comparatively new
region, composed OF new red sandstone and
siliceous lime deposits. without the presence of
oil-sand. indicating that natural gas was never
beneath the surface"
Professor Lesley shares the opinion Of Mr..
Harden regarding the unfavorable conditions
for the discovery OF natural gas east OF the Ale
gh cry mountains.
But while these opinions were we'll known TO
the operators they continue their work IN
da united and hope for eucc o.