The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-26
FROM EAST BENTON.

| VIII AShelman, OF this place 1
getting his timber sawed out thi
winter. c. w. Smith has the job
Will expects to build a barn mex
summer.
Last week we had solid winter
weather. For three consecutive
mornings the thermometer dropped
to zero. Especially Friday, Satur
day and Sunday mornings.
The hard freeze last week terri
bly, hove up much of the winter
grain, especially on low lands
where much water accumulated
after the heavy rains.
The small pox scare takes hold
even Of Our rural community, yet
there are no known cases nearer
than Plymouth. But a stitch in
time saves nine-hence the better
way is to vaccinate.
A Christmas anniversary was
held on Christmas eve at the Ham
line M. L. Church. But with what
results we could not foretell as the
event took place before the issue of
this number Of the COLUMBIAN.
Now that we are in the heart of
the holiday season let us not for
get our obligations which mutually
depend upon all Of us; and so dis
charge our duties we owe our
fellow man less fortunate than our
selves.
The recent heavy rains and high
water have delayed the arrival at
Shickshinny of the boring machin-
cry for the new oil well at Register.
There are three cars of t1lis boring
freight. But the man, or boss
borer, who operates the machinery
has arrived nearly week ago.
Judge Krickbaum, of this place,
bought one hundred shares of oil
stock in the Pine Creek Oil Com
pany, and many others have in
vested in various smaller amounts.
The Judge also leased one hundred
acres of his farm to the Pine Creek
Oil Company.
Space is illimitable and we will
not attempt to occupy it all. But
newspa per space is not so extensive
afterall. Of course, the editor is
always greater than his paper, and
the correspondent greater that the
space he occupies. But it alto
gether depends upon both, whether
the paper is current and circulat-
ing feast that appeases the intel
lectual appetite OF the public taste.
Another drilling enterprise may
spring into existence in our i'm
mediate locality in the near future.
There is strong talk of boring with
diamond drill in the vicinity of
Hamline, prospecting for coal and
other mineral. The neighbors all ap-
pear willing to contribute towards
this manner Of development. The
general feeling is, that if we have
rich mineral deposits, it is about
time that we know it.
Benjamin McHenry - Grand
pa" as he is familiayly called, is
at present with his son Alfred, at
Cambria. He is very much inter-
ested in the prospecting for oil.
He is we'll preserved for one Of his
years, being, as he informed us
about week ago, in his goth year.
His mental condition seems as
active as ever. 1t is said that he
is the Oldest McHenry that ever
lived in our community.
Much interest is centered in the
old Salt Well near Register. Last
Thursday as Alt McHenry, D. c.
Britain and the boss driller were
standing by the old we'll, which
continually emits blubbers of gas, a
bubble burst and spread a scum
several inches square on the surface
of the water. Probably many do
not understand how any one can
watch and see these blubbers. The
old Salt Well was started on the
smooth surface of rock, hence
there is no soil on the surface rock
where the original drilling was
done. And hence the we'll is all
the time filled with water, and
through it bubbles up gas, and at
times specs of oil as in the case
above mentioned. AS the drillei
pronounced the appearance of same
OIL" it created quite an excite
ment, and, in consequence, the
new we'll will be bored in very
cloca nrn ~ i,nitu 10 the old