The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-11-26

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 a new histori.
cal significance to that expedition,
during which Washington, always
reckless of his personal safety, had
one of his narrow escapes from death
at the hands of 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 even 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, no
reason to believe that Washington
knew of its existence or value until
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 in
making war paint Washington was
so much impressed with it's possjbili-
ties that he later became owner of a
large area of oil-bearing lands. AL
though the petroleum industry in its
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 his
most valuable holdings. In the prop
erty schedule attached to the will he
wrote:
"This tract was taken up by Cen
eral Lewis and myself on account of
the bituminous spring which it con-
tains, eff so inflammable a nature as
to burn as freely as spirits and as
nearly difficult to extinguish."
The Will of Washington
Some historians declare that in an
earlier will Washington dedicated this
burning spring" to the public. At
any rate, it had passed from his own
ership before his death. He sold this
tract for 100000, but, suspecting it
might revert to his estate under a
mortgage, he warned his heirs that
should it do so 1t would beaworth
much more than the 100000.
Although Washington's first knowl-
edge of petroleum was gained within
few miles of the place where the
first oil well in the world was drilled,
that first well was not opened until
one hundred and six years later,
1859. In that year Edwin Laurentine
Drake bored the first well, just south
of Titusville, Pennsylvania, and really
started the modern petroleum indus
try.
A Development Wonder
Today the American industry is the
major part of the worlds oil business.
Americans are directing oil develop
ments all over the world. 1t is all
part of the huge problem: to make
sure that the tomorrows shall see
Americas requirements met. Every
decade the production of petroleum
has doubled. Science and techni-
cal progress have met all demands.
Foreign investment and development
are in the nature of insurance for the
future.
In the days of Drake and the indus
try's beginnings petroleum's value lay
in lubricants and kerosene. The age