The Washington times., 1895-03-21
Where Workmen Struck Oil.

Workmen struck oil yesterday ID the north
western part OF the city, but whether it is
a genuine well, capable OF producing floods
of the illuminating fluid, or whether some
practical joker has perpetuated clever
hoax, viii be a question that is likely to
prove perplexing gforseveraldays.
At any rate, worFmen in digging cellar
for new building TO be erected or the lot
Of ground at No. 1898 Fourteenth street
northwest. unearthed an old well Of water
that had been abandoned and filled up for
twenty years, and bubbling up out Of the
ground came streams OF oil that soon sepa-
rated itself from the water into which it
was mixed.
The discovery caused the greatest aston
ishment and surprise, and gallons OF the
fluid were scooped up. When put into
vessels and lighted. the oil burned with
clear, strong ana steady white light. To
the smell il was like ordinary coal oil, but
IN color il was golden. quite unlike the
ordinary blush white fluid, and heavier
in body. Darkness prevented further
examination OF the mystery after the well
had been dug out about foot, and the
problem was given up until to-day.
OCCUPIED FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS.
Cook Pros, a grocery firm on Fourteenth
street, next to the corner Of T, are having
the cellar excavated for the purpose Of put
ting up a new building and store. They
own the ground and occupied il for eigh-
teen years, and John G. Cook, one OF the
firm, declared last night that he knew Of no
way how the oil could have gotten into
the old well.
Il was standing in the cellar watching
the worRmen at work. said Mr.. Cook,
when ] noticed a ColoTed man strike his
pick into the ground, and then a burst of
some liquid, which oozed right through the
hole With an exclamation, he bent down
and wet his finger and smelled it. did the
same, and naturally recognized the odor at
once.
when the cry wasmade that oil had been
found the spot was quickly surrounded by
all the men. and there was of course intense
excitement. As we dug down deeper into
the &ack soil the oil gushed out more CO.
pious;, and we found il would burn freely,
and, although we took a considerable
quantity out, more took its place"
The approach Of darkness prevented
closer examination Of the mystery and it was
given up until daylight Marshal Shea has
charge Of the excavation and he was
equally surprised
MAKES A SMART FIRE.
The worknen had a fire burning in a part
OF the cellar and they soaked pieces Of wood
and old bagging in the oil and threw them
into the fire to make a smarter and hotter
blaze. 1t was decided TO dig out the rest of
the well and see If the oil would still gush
forth the first thing in the morning.
Mr.. Cook expressed his wondement at
The incident and said he knew Of no possible
way for the oil To have found its way into
hs present hiding place. He said that he
would have an expert examine the find to
discover the true nature OF the inexplicable
discovery.
years ago q colored woman named Mrs.
BEL occupied the land from the corner Of
i street TO the lot where the oil well was
louho' ana il was SOLD for cents a foot.
Eventually it passed into the possession
OF the Cook family. Eighteen years ago
the COOK brothers started grocery store
on the land where the well lies. and a few
years ago moved into the one-story stores
Just adjoining. One of the first things
they did, said Mr. Cook last night was 10
III up the old bnck-walled well where the
oil now lies. 1t was then partially filled
but the work was soon Completed for pre.
cautionary purposes.
TWO INCHES OF OIL.
The existence of the well was forgotten
until II was brought 70 light again yester.