The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1916-11-25
OIL WELLS.
A Bit of History from an old
Reprint.

One OF the most remarKaDtP
trades, suddenly sprung mp into
importance in modern times, IL
that in oil obtained from subterra.
mean sources.
II ia known that oil bearing
mineral beds exist ia various parts
Of America, as well az, in the older
continent; but the richest deposit
hitherto discovered ia in the
United States, in VeDaDgo county,
at a spot in Pennsylvania not far
from the point of junction Of that
state and New York state with
Lake Erie. Oil had for many
years been seen floating at the
surface of the water of well near
Tltusville; it was taken up by alb
sorptioD by means of flannel, and
applied to medicinal purposes
DIR. Brewer IN 1868, suggested
that it might possibly be used for
lubricatipg and tor illumination;
and in the following year was
formed the Pennsylvania Rock oil
Company. This Company langu-
ished until 1863. when Col. Drake,
manager of the Company, and MIR
Bowditcb, resolved to sink well
purposely for oil. They were am
ply rewarded, for oil was pumped
up at rate varying from 400 to
1000 gallons daily. The news be-
ing spread abroad, Adventures
quickly came to the district, which
obtained the names of Oil Greek
and Petrolia and they experienced
every degree Of fortune from
utter failure to splendid success
BY 1860 it was known that OIL ex
listed beneath 100 square miles of
at depth varying from
20 to 5000 feet. In 1861, the first
large flowing well WAS struck
that is. q well up which the oil
rose 30 profusely. as to How over
the surface, yielding 1890 barrels
(of 40 gallons each) PEI day. No
mining enterprises had ever offp,
ed such sudden fortunes. A well
costing 8 few thousand dnliais
might yield from 100 10 1000 bar
rels of oil daily with no expense
for pumping. The Noble wei
10 little more than one
year 800 600 barrels of oil. The |
Sherman flowed $50, 900 in abou
two years
AT first the uncertainty in this
trade was extraordinary On one
occasion q well was bored with the
usual centerbit to a considerable
depth without any oil being found
On Withdrawing the Bit, aud put
ting In q trimmer to widen the hole |,
q vein was struck at the side !,
The bit had just missed the vein,
and the well would have been a
failure had not the orifice been en-
larged. This precedent gives
meaning to q phase much used Ia
America---that of striking OIL
Another we'll was bored, flowing
. large amount of oil; but by the
time the owner had built tanks to
collect 1t, the oil had altoget her
disappeared. The deepest well
sunk In the district, more than
1000 feet, yielded no oil whatever;
and altogether only Is per cent. of
he boriDgs were successful.
When the oil began to be sent
% New York and other towns, the
of price led to it's ap
,lication AZ lamp oil, and in many
'ther ways the increasing demand
the price up again to a rea
'ODsble 0gure at Petrolia, and the
rice induced the sinking of new
vells. Small villages rose into
arge towns, with banks, hotels,
md wealthy people, all, however,
'egrimed with oil. Titnsville,
which had 243 Inhabitants IN 1866,
ose to nearly 5000 in 1870 Oil
)ity has now become town of
,reat Importance. The new Oil
Exchange liz q handsome building.
only for the requirments
sthe muaf impOttant ,Atr<,la,,,n