Gilpin observer., 1911-09-14
TdANaMo6Aa
R0oaEx/(0

ployed. The blanket was carefully squeezed and
the oily substance recovered. Rude pits were
dug, lined with rough-hewn timbers, and the OIL
was stored away for future use Thus began the
first known practical conservation OF petroleum
In America. Many of these old Indian pits are
still found in excellent condition. the timbers
being practically sound as the day when cut
from the forest.
1t was not long. however before the white man
began to realize the value OF this remarkable
discovery and enterprising pioneers began to dig
pits similar to those Of the Indian and to gather
the OIL which for many years was bottled and,
under the names OF Seneca OIL" Indian Oil,
and Snake OIL" sold extensively as sure cure
for all the. aches and pains to which man In heir.
1t was universally accepted a medicament, but
with little curiosity to how great quantity
of the wonderful curative could be secured or
whence 1t came
AS early $780, the manufacture OF salt be-
came important industry in the United States,
and for the purpose numberless brine wells were
sunk throughout the country, especially along the
western slope of the Allegheny Mountains. where
the brine found in great abundance, collected.
and evaporated into salt. Many OF these wells
had to be abandoned on account OF their produc-
ing uncomfortable quantities OF petroleum. then
considered a most undesirable element. A nota-
BILE incident Of this kind occurred at Little Renox
Creek. near Burkesville Kentucky. in 1929. when
an attempt made to sink well and secure what
supposed to be unlimited supply OF brine
resulted in the striking OF a mammoth oil gusher.
CONSERVATION and disappointment spread among
the owners of the well they witnessed the
great quantities of oil flowing rapidly beyond the
creek and into the Cumberland River, where 1t
finally caught FIRE and burned for distance of
over Fifty miles. When the fire extingushed
the oil flowed on rs rapidly as before. and, with
me exception OF a small quantity which was later
recovered. bottled. and sold under the name Of
American Medicinal OIL" the product was
wasted.
In 1886 DR.. Abraham Gesner discovered
method OF extracting excellent grade Of illum.
mating oil from coal, and In 1854 he patented q
ruccessful illuminant. Kerosene" commonly
known "coal-oil" The Improvement was so
great the animal and vegetable oils then In
use, the Objectionable odor and smoke being elm.
mated. that they gradually set aside and in
order to meet enormous and ever-increasng
demand for the product, II became necessary to
establish factories throughout the country for the
extraction of this popular Illuminating oil from
coal. Altogether there were over so OF these
establishments in operation at one time, and the
price OF kerosene advanced rapidly until 1857
when It sold high as 81 a gallon The industry
short lived, however. for upon the discovery
OF petroleum In suficient quantities to effect
competition a basis from which Illuminating
oils could be manufactured these kerosene fac.
tories converted into renneries Of crude oil
In order to prevent their total loss.
The great demand for kerosene and its conseJ
Quent high price were the at attracting the'
worldwide attention Of chemists asd scientific
authorities, and repeated attempts were made to