Year: 1871

| EDITOR CHRONICLE Since my


last communication from this place


the unchanging routine of oil country
life has been agreeably enlivened by


several magnificent coil strikes" thai


causes the immense throng of fortune


hunters to surge first towards one
point attractive, then again in per-


haps an opposite direction, as the
excitement draws them back and


forth.


Nearly all newcomers and every


body in general have given the coun-
try along the Clarion river a pretty


thorough tramping in the race for


leases, and to see the big well of Mr..


NJ. Hulings recently struck near that


stream and distant from Parker about


five miles by road. And as this well


has been drilled on hitherto unde-


veloped territory, the excitement has


been very great. All the territory


lyi1g within a mile in a direction


either north or south of the well has


been secured by enterprising adven-


turers, and operations appear to be
about as lively in that vicinity as we
have ever witnessed in this region.
l paid visit there, as every one else
QOGS WIZ COAuCS AElGs anu A4NSN dAAAAN
! that the possession of such producer
of wealth is rarely met with in any
land, where the amount of capital
employed is taken into consideration.


Although other wells have been
sunk here that yielded still greater
than this one, yet, while gazing at
the apparently exhaustless stream
pouring into the tanks arranged for
its reception, we could not but re-
mark sit is plenty for one man." and
think it is Gf the family isn't too
extravagant). Commencing to pump
at IS bbls per day, it has been steadily
increasing in production, instead of
falling off as most large wells do, and
I learn from reliable source it is now
doing full 80 bbls per "a hours. Her
fortunate owner has refused S75, 900
for her, but 1 learn a share of one
sixteenth was disposed of since for
s., 900. Everyone thinks he is very
unwise to disregard so liberal an offer,
but he still regards it as too low a
consideration for so much oil well.
Very many there are here who throw
away offers of this kind that would
give them an independence for a
lifetime as far as pecuniary matters
are concerned, while they foolishly
Overestimate the value fsuch slippery
property, and awake in a very short
time, in some cases, to the fact that
their well has "played," +" or a fire per-
haps has swept il from them and their
opportunity is past.


A great portion Of the wells in this
region are drilled through large iron
cusing, in order that the water may
be kept from the oil producing rock
while it is being penetrated. The
immense pressure off column of water
one thousand feet or more in height,
has, no doubt, in many instances,
completely ruined wells that might
have been worked successfully had
they been drilled by the dry method.
By the new plan a hole eight inches
in diameter is drilled down through
what is known by oil men as the first
sand, usually about $50 to $50 feet
deep, according to the elevation or
depression of the earth's surface; and
as but little fresh water is ever known
to exist below that depth, the casing,
about six inches in diameter, is then
inserted and placed firmly in its place
against the bottom. The water is
then exhausted from the inside and
the hole is dry, after and through
which the five and one half inch hole
is drilled. This Obviates all the diff
eulties arising from water standing
on the oil rock, and much greater
headway is also made in drilling as
done away with. Wells bored in this
a, F~v II,
if much gas is encountered, and in |
many instances destructive fires are |
the result of the too careless handling |
Of lights while the drilling is in pro-
gress at night.


We are having a few cases of small
pox in our midst, but have learned |
Of but one fatal case so far; many |
vague rumors of its vIruleDce and /
fatality constantly reach our ears, but /
was assured by well known physi-
clan a few days since that they were |
without foundation, and
that the whole number now under
treatment in this whole region would /
not exceed ten cases. A project for
The erection of hospital was under
contemplation, but as the necessary
money would have to be raised by
1 am afraid it will not
prove a success. The weather has
been remarkably fine here during the
after part of the present season. Yet
he drought has done great injury to
he crops, and farmers are complain
ng sorely. Everything in the shape
If farm products-grain, hay, vege-
ables, poultry, etc., command high
price in our market, and are in active
lemand.


The provision trade outside of what
s done in the shape of country pro-
luce, is principally supplied by
houses; and as the freight
: very high on the 4. V. r. R., and
erriage and teaming exorbitantly so
It this point, it is not surprising that
.fter adding the enormous profits o.
he retail dealers, our market price
ist is far above that of other places.
there seems to be no scarcity
# money among the laboring classes,
nd as the demand for labor is good
nd constantly increasing, we don't
hard times the coming win
er. A heavy rainstorm on the upper
Allegheny about the 10th inst. caused
he long looked for and much needed
rise I" in the river, enabling those
ngaged in the lumber trade to supply !
he wants of the market much cheaper
han it has rated all summer. About :
II the lumber and timber used here
Or building purposes during the
ntire season was shipped by rail, !
nd the usual price per thousand feet
or very common rough pine boards
vas S24. a gondly supply of barges
vas also received by tow boat from !
for the transportation of
il to the latter point, the result of
Thich was a slight advance in the oil
market.
Very cold at present writing, and if
should continue a few days longer
he river will close, and then adieu to
avigation for this season. Yours,


PETROLEUM.


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