Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-06-03

nous as the OIL Creek regions that his
Interest was sufficiently awakened by
reports, which reached him in some
way, Of possibly rich deposits OF coal
oil across the Canadian border. Ia
cause him to leave Oil Creek and repair
to Canada. One OF The objectionable
features OF the farm he left. according
TO the story, was the ooZing Of q green
ish scum TO the surface of the streams.
SO much that at The point where his
horses and cattle drank il was neces-
sary 10 construct i surface dam, in or
der that the animals might drink with
out being compelled 10 dip through the
noXious deposit floating on the surface
of the water. This floating substance
was OF an oily allure and long had
been used In the war paints, rites and
medicines Of the Indians Of the region.
from whom It derived its namc-Sene-
ca oil. No thought. however, OF the i'm
mensity Of the supply Of the multiplied
uses to which 1t might be Put was en-
tertained by any one. Tie oily wealth
the restless settler sought in Canada
failed TO materialize at that time.
Meanwhile. in the form Of the dcspis-
ed scum ooZinC from the old Oil Creek
farm he had deserted. it was making
the effort nature afforded 10 force upon
the world more lifting recognition Of
the volume and value Of Ii stored in the
hidden natural reservoirs from which
1t anne. This oil found its way to the
surface at various points along the
.,111- 49,. -. t. 49, ;.;.t. 8
the lumber mill of Brewer. Watson &
Co, perhaps Il mile south Of Titusyille.
Eventually a high value was put upon
1t for medicinal purposes, and the gath
ering Of it-principally by the process
of soaking it from the water with blan-
kets-became quite a profitable bust
ness. 1t also had a limited use as a III
bricant, and A more limited Use as an
iluminant in its crude state.
In the days just prior to the discov-
cry of oil the Oil Creek valley. from
Titusyille southwark to the Allegheny
River, or to the present site of Oil City.
a distance of about twenty miles. was
practically uninhabited. Titusviile was
a little numbering village. IT was not
until 1857 that it was believed that oil
existed in sufficient quantities for ON
mercal purposes. and in that year
drilling through rock was begun at Ii
tuSville under the direction of Col. Ed
win l.. Drake. who had been a railroad
contractor at New Haven. Conn. Hts
salary was TO be $1,000 Il year and til,
company had provided him with 81 ,o~
with which 10 begin til" work Of sink
ing n we'll. Tie little village afforded
but few of the necessary equipments
for the work. and the funds We're SooI
exhausted. Tie company, losing faitI
in the enterprise and becoming indiffcr
cnt. failed To advance col. Drake NOR,
money. 1t was then I'll" lattcr'> trou
bles began. Tie drillcrs he had engac
ed failed TO appear. THIS WAS due il
part TO the report spread over tho r.
cionS that Drake was crazy in lt"lity
ing that oil would te found ny 1rillin.
into the rock. But his faith on tli
point was mistaken. after his study q
the salt wells and other Investigation
of insanity. only served to intensity HI
| determination 10 demonstrate that III
theory was correct. Il was no. unit
!, the middle of June. 1853. that Ia VA
able to proceed With I'll" well. and the
/ only from outside assistance.
/ The First ~Completcd Well.