Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-12-22

three-quarters a new interest
- has recently been aroused in
EISi the earliest military adyen-
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 historf-
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
ipean population, France maintained
Sovereignty over most OF North Amer
ica's area They were apparently de-
termined to occupy northwestern
Pennsylvania, partly because II was
known even then to be rich in petro-
leum.
Regions Wealth Known
Pioneers and missionaries, Eng
lish, French, German and Dutch, mad
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 its possioiii-
ties that he later became owner OF
large area of oil-bearing lands. Al
though the petroleum industry In us
modern form was then undreamed OF,
Washington was so sure that Tor
tune resided in his oil-bearing lands
that In his will he listed them as MS
most valuable holdings. In the prop
erty schedule attached to the Will ne
wrote:
"This tract was taken up by Gen
ieral Lewis and myself on account oil
the bituminous spring which II con
tains. of so infammable nature al
to burn as freely as spirits and Al
nearly difficult TO extinguish.
The viii Of Washington
Some historians declare that In an
earlier will Washington dedicated tni'
burning spring" to the public. A
any rate. ii had passed from his own
ership before his death. He sold tnli
tract for 100000, but, suspecting 7
might revert TO his estate under
mortgage. he warned his heirs tina
should ii do so 1t would be "oru
much more than the 100000.
+ Although Washington's first know
edge of petroleum was gained wftnil
a few miles of the place where tn
first oil well in the world was drliieo
that first we'll was not opened unu
one hundred and six years lates
1859. In that year Edwin Laurentln
Drake bored the first well. just sout
of Titusyille. Pennsylvania, and real
started the modern petroleum indui
try.
A Development Wonder
Today the American industry IS IN
major part OF the worlds oil business
s Americans are directing oil deveioI
ments all over the world. 1t is a
part of the huge problem: to max
sure that the tomorrows shah Sc
Americas requirements met. Ever
decade the production Of petroleum
has doubled Science and tenn
cal progress have met all demand
Foreign investment and dsvelopmeL
are in the nature OF insurance for IN
future.
In the days of Drake and the indu
trv's beginnings petroleum's value 10
IN lubricants aud kerosene. Inc az