Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-28
GIVING A WELCOME.
Local Newspaper Men Act as Hosts
to Visiting Delegates to
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Lively Time in the Wildwood Oil Fields
Yesterday Afternoon.
WORK DONE At THE BUSINESS SESSION

lark yesterday, and though this is not the
season of the year most conducive to the
welfare of that sweet-voiced bird, they had
just what they went after.
The mysteries of roaring oil well have
never penetrated into the heart of many
Eastern or Western cities, and the idea of a
sight OF one of these gushers had charms for
hall hundred of the visitors. At 240
o'clock they boarded special train OIL the
Pittsburg and Western, bound for the Wild
wood fields.
ALI went as merry as could be until the
passengers were hustled from the train at
their journeys end-as they thought. But
it wasn't, and half dozen farm wagons were
lined up for two-mile jaunt, or jolt. to the
home of the oil business. where dozens of
derricks point to the skies, and the lie fluid
of the earth pours forth to enrich the pocket
of the lucky owner.
Before half mile had been travelled a
conspiracy was we'll under way to send the
manager of the trip to the happy hunting
grounds over a route less circuitous and
probably not inclined so much toward the
pearly gates. However, the driver impaired
the cheering intelligence that "These roads
amt nothing. Just wait Bit"
Not the Straight and Narrow Way.
The crooked and narrow path grew worse
as they proceeded into the country. until at
last it was abandoned entirely and they
took to the fields. First or one side, then on
the other, there was an awful hole that almost
dumped the passengers out into the mire, and
though it looked soft, no one was anxious to
try it. So all hung on and shivered until they
got into the woods. ,.-
shadowed by those above. The low-hanging
boughs caught hats. scratched faces, and in one
instance tore mans watch from his pocket,
breaking the chain and deposltiDg the time
Like the journey of life. after all its ups and
downs. and twists and turns, the goal was
reached. and good many people were slightly
dlsappointed-that they could not carry one of
the wells back to New York or Boston and put
1t on exhibition.
There is said to be a peculiar kind Of mud in
the oil districts, but that encountered yester-
day was not peculiar at all. 1t: stuck TO one's
feet with the tenacitY of an old joke and one
New Yorker declared:
IF had all the land being collectively car
ried around by this crowd, located on Broad
way or Wall street, Pd be millionaire"
A Visit to the Cress Gusher.
Overshoes were tried as panacea against
trous failures, and half the men in the oil fields
will have gums for sale for the next few days.
Here and there along the side hill leading to
the Cress gusher, an overshoe was LETT sticking
in the mud as a reminder of the visit of the
hustIers.
The Cress well was certainly revelation to
people who never saw gusher, as 1t pours out
l40 barrels of petroleum every hour. 1t was
pronounced wonderful by the men scientifically
inclined, marvellous by the ladies and a mighty
olr@- H,-
people in the party. That well came in on
Monday.
IF it was running 81 500 a day into my pocket
book I'd walk out in nv pltent feathers to see
1t seven times week" said one of the gentle
men who had been bewailing the amount of
mud that could stick to mans feet
The visitors decided that they had had
enough, after rramping about in the mud in he
vicinity of the gusher and no more of the wells
were visited They were content to ask ques-
tions about them. and stand off and admire the
oil-covered men who presided over them.
Some of the Pleasures Found Rife.
The return trip to the station was as eventful
as was the ride to the field, but all got back in
safety and covered with mud. The ladies were
not favored, and though they had a spring
wagon at their disposal, their costumes were as
badly begrimed as were those of the gentlemen.
II never expected to live to see so much
mud" said one OF the delegates. 'but suppose
this was scheme worked by the committee so
we would think Pittsburg a wonderfully nice
place, and we certainly will after we get back
The streets in the little hamlet are like those
OF Venice, full of water, but unlike the beauti-
full Italian city. it is not deep enough for
gondolas, and only served to fill up the shoes of
all who attempted to cross As there was a
sign, sample Room and Restaurant" just
opposite the depot. many of the men braved
the mud only to find that sweet cider and milk
we're the only beverages on tap. One by one
they appeared at the door, holding aloft mug
of country cider.
One however. was more mindful, of those left
behind. and assuming the role of milkmaid
carried a pitcher of delicious cold milk to the
ladies' One of tho latter suggested that If she
had ferry she would like to visit the place,
and this gallant, Pierce Purcell. of Rochester
Immediately gathered her in his arms. carried
her over the street and deposited her in the
house.
A Ferry's Fairy Burden.
''Ah, there is a ferry for you," exclaimed
someone in the crowd, but no one seemed to
know whether he referred to the young man or
whether he was attracted by the nymph-like
form of his burden.
At the depot a well was shot for the edifca-
tion of the tourists The work on Gibson &
Giles No. 9 well was hurried along SO that it
might be shot before the time for departure.
and just before the train arrived the charge of
nitroglycerine was set of. Just only slight
report was heard, and few seconds later a
purple cloud shot up as high as the derrick,
seeming to enyelop it in OIL 1t lasted only a
few minutes however, and all was over.
The visitors expressed themselves as highly
pleased with the trip and the wonders they
saw AT first the mud was so overpowerinC
that nothing else could be seen. but after they
simply delighted. The return trip on the train
was spent in making friends and having good