The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-19

lists. This formation consists OF sand
stones, states and shales interspersed
with the sandstones. in their layers,
varying from five to fifty feet In thick
ness, while the states and shales are
found in immense deposits, sometimes
SOC or 1000 feet in thickness. To this
series doubtless belong the sandstones.
states and shales which appear in the
bluffs along the valley Of Oil Creek
through its entire length; also the first.
| second and third sand rocks Of the
wells with the intervening states and
shales. and how much deeper 1t extends
Is unknown. The fourth sand rock of
Pithole corresponds with the third Of
Oil Creek, because the second is split
into a stray sand. The rocks above de-
scrfbed are stated to belong to the
Paleozoic rocks. because containing the
most ancient remains of ancient animal
and vegetable life yet discovered,
stretching all the way between the
gneissic formations beneath and the
lowest of the coal deposits above. Some
times they are denominated "fossilfer-
ous," "sedimentary" or secondary"
rocks.
KEYSTONE FORMATIONS.
In Pennsylvania. says Professor
Rogers. who is considered the high
est authority. and to whom I am in
debted for the foregoing description,
this class has been deposited during
the four earliest periods of the great
European divisions, namely the Cam
brian, Silurian, Devonion and Curbon-
ferrous. No traces of the fifth or Per-
mian group, has been found in North
America. The prolonged succession of
sedimentary action closed with the
close of the Cambrian system, being
terminated by the upheaval Of the
ocean, in. whose broad bed, and
around whose margin these deposits
had collected. The same eminent au-
thority states that the vergent series
abounds in the remains Of Marine
vegetation, and also that the aggre-
gate thickness of all the rocks be-
longing to the class above described
measured at their greatest depths not
more than thirty-five thousand feet.
The sand rocks Of Mexican county
belong to an entirely different strata.
West Of the Alleghenies there is a dip
in Mexican county on the top Of the
highest hills of eleven feet to the mile,
irregular 20 to 81 in oil field on n line
SO degrees west of south, and toward
the Gulf of Mexico. This strata over
lies the conglomcrate or third sand
by 60 feet, but here the Mexican coun-
ty third sand underlies that of the
lower oil country by 1900 feet, ard il
an entirely different composition, be-
ing reddish in color, resembling choco-
late grounds and abounding in fire
shells, which are not found in the 9TH
er regions.
BY actual measurement one well on
Oil Creek was drilled through SO feet
of earth. 16S feet of slate rock to first
sand, which was 20 feet deep, then
through another strata of slate 115
feet to second sand, % feet thick, then
10 feet of slate rock to third sand Of
20 feet, making in all 40 feet to the
top OF third sand, which was 25 feet
thick.
SHOOTING A WELL.
Some wells flow at irregular inter-
walls, while the quantity of gas in
others is sufficient to blow the oil
out. Others have to be piped to the
bottom and the oil pumped or lifted
out, often from a depth of 1000 feet
several times a day as it accumulates.
After q well has been drilled to the
proper depth and sand in order to
loosen the rock and make a pocket
for the oil to gather in a torpedo,
which consists of q tube of tin 2Xi
inches in diameter is anchored near
it's mouth and from 10 to 40 quarts Of
nitroglycerine poured into it, and on
top is placed percussion cap and
all lowered, and when in readiness O.
weight is dropped down which strikes
the cap, exploding the nitroglycerine,
and then follows a magnificent sight
At first there is heard rustling sand
followed by Il noise like distant thund-
er, which increases in volume, ani
shortly a black column of oil which
retains the form of the tubing. is car
ried more than 100 feet up through
the derrick, where 1t spreads out in
the form of u spray, and like sud
den shower on q sunny day is
sprinkled over the vicinity Of the well,
covering the new timber with mud
and oil; this Is followed by a perfect
fuslade of stones of all sizes up to
q goose egg; then all is quite for 4
little while, when the well flows again
If it is a large one, or it may continue
to flow constantly or at intervals for