The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-08-23
OVER THE OIL FIELDS
And Mineral Lands and Country
Around Wickliffe. XIV.


recent startling phenomena, dis
closing what seems to be the most
eXtravagant evidences of veritable
river of oil, and the center of an
area of land some fifty miles OF
more in circumference which is
thought to abound in immense de.
posts of mineral wealth, is situated
eight miles southeast of Cairo, Ill.
on the Illinois Central and Mobile
and Ohio railroads, running parallel
from Cairo along the Mississippi
shore to Fort Jefferson, one mile
farther down, where they diverge
again upon separate territory. 1t
also forms port upon the river, the
current flowing about 80 feet deep at
its wharf. The population is a
little more than 1000, and it is the
home of an intelligent, thrifty, and
hospitable people.
The country around Fort Jeffer-
son and Wickliffe is said to be the
last of DeSoto's explorations and
his final resting place. 1t was then
thought to be the mouth of the
Mississippi River Fort Jefferson
is itself of historical fame.
A few days ago party composed
of Dr.. E. B. Little, DIR. F w. Wat
sou, M. h. Porter, DIR. w NJ.
Turner and representative of The
Commercial landed at a point near
Laketon, south of Wickliffe, and
began tour of investigation
through the hills. DR.. Little, who
has become somewhat familiar
with surface indications and de-
posits and whose enthusiasm is
very little greater than his conf
dence in the discovery of large
quantities of hidden treasure, led
the party, with DR.. Watson, a stu
dent of mineralogy, and the rest of
us in the rear. The first symptoms
found were some small particles of
mica and feldspar. Going farther
up the hill we halted at DIR. Ter
rells. Here we found a large col
lection of samples taken from the
Doctors 150-acre farm. Not alto
gether satisfied with these the
Doctor consented to take us through
his place, and show us where these
specimens were obtained. The
party was then augmented by the
addition of Chas. Wickliffe, a
hearty. jovial spirit and a promi-
nent citizen of Wickliffe. Together
we climbed through ravlnes, up
and down declivities and over
ragged edges. stopping now and
then to collect new specimens, thus
chasing for several miles the glories
of dream of wealth, which may
perchance, so far as we knew, lie
not far away. The party returned
to Doctor Terrell's and refreshed
themselves with few minutes rest
and a social chat with the Doctor
and his niece, the latter cookbook
ing and interesting young woman.
OF course it would be a breach of
good faith to say who succeeded in
the part of the gallant beau, but it |
is easy to understand that it was
not the old bachelor of the crowd.
The specimens were laid out and
examined, including DIR. Terrell's
private collection. Among these
were the outcroppings of iron and
copper, iron pyrites, gray and
white clay and Ignite. The Doctor
showed us his laboratory and some
test experiments he had been max
ing. He also produced piece or
bar of clay taken from the gray
species and subjected to a process
Of heat. This had changed to
very clear white, and is said to be
IF the same material of which the
Rockingham ware is made. Some
If this clay has been sent to Bir-
Ala, and tested with the
furnaces, and, we are told, was
pronounced very fine quality.
The company then babe the
Doctor aud his family goodbye, and
began the drive to Wickliffe, dis
ance of six miles north. 1t is a
Unable offense to mention walking,
)ut there were some of us, of course,
who delighted iu the exercise.
Ne passed through fine section
If corn and tobacco country and
lalted once or twice to try those
ine-tlavored Kentucky watermel-
ms. These sell in the home mar
ret in preference to the Missouri
melon, and you can imagine what
his meant to those of us who had
lot had dinner. While we were en-
Dying the melons, Charley Wick
fife entertained us with his good
latured wit and jokes and incidents
II Ballard County politics Late in
he evening we drew up at Wick
fife, where the night was spent.
Next day some of the party left