The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-03

RS9S% mas TeCeuIy Deon aroused In
& the earliest military adven-
lures Of George Washington.
When barely twenty-One years old, In
1853, Washington was sent by Gov
ernor Dinwiddie Of Virginia into, the
far northwestern wilderness-that is,
northwestern Pennsylvania-to warn
the French that they must cease their
efforts to occupy that region. Recent
researches have given q new histOri-
cal significance to that expedition,
during which Washington, always
reckless Of his personal safety, had
n Of his narrow escapes from death
at the hands of q treacherOus Indian
guide.
The French at that time occupied
Canada and claimed the Mississippi
and Ohio Valleys. Though the fringe
Of English speaking colonies along
the Atlantic contained the chief Euro
pean population, France maintained
sovereignty over most Of North Amer
ica's area. They were apparently de-
termined to occupy northwestern
Pennsylvania, partly because it was
known ven then to be rich in petro-
leum.
Regions Wealth Known
Pioneers and missionaries, Eng
lish, French, German and Dutch, had
all reported to their governments
that the petroleum was Of great po
tential value. There is, however, nc
reason to believe that Washington
knew of its existence or value unit
his adventure Of 1853. Then he learn
ed that the oil had long been used By
the Indians and the pioneering whites
for fuel and light, for medicine and il
making war paint. Washington wa
so much impressed with its possibili
ties that he later became owner of
large area Of o~il-bearing lands. Al
though the petroleum industry in it,
modern form was then undreamed Of
Washington was so sure that a for
tune resided in his Oil-bearing lands
that In his will he listed them as hi
most valuable holdings. In the prop
erty schedule attached to the win b.
wrote:
This tract was taken up by Ger
eral Lewis and myself on account o
the bituminous spring which It COZ
tains, Of 50 infiammable q nature a
to burn as freely as spirits and q
Aeafly dihlcult to extinguish."
The Will Of Washington
Some historians declare that In q
earlier win Washington dedicated thi
burning spring" to the public. A
any rate, it had passed from his owl
ership before his death. He sold thi
tract for 500, 900, bat, S~uspscting
might revert 70 his estate under
mortgage, he warned his heirs ths
should 1t do so it would be wort
much more than the 100000. .
Although W&shingtOn's first know
edge Of petroleum was gained With
RrfeW miles Of the place where Ii
first oil well in the world was driTle
that first well was not opened unit
one hundred and. six years late
1859. In that year Edwin L@ursntiE
Drake bored the nrst well. Just sou'
Of T~ftusvilla, Pennsylvania, and real
started the modern petroleum indu
try.
a Development Wonder
To-day the American industry is Il
major part OF the worlds ell bushes
Americans are directing oil develo
meRts all over the world. II Is
part Of the huge problem: 70 NAL
sure that the tomorrows shall s
Americas requirements met. Eve
decade the production Of petroieu
has doubled. Science and techl
cal progress have net al demand
Foreign investment and develOpme
are In the nature Of Insurance. Tor I
Stature.
In the days OF Drake and tha ind'
tFy's beginnings petroioum's value J
In lubricants and kerosene. The q