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Cherry run, and found fortune propitious. A prime vein was pierced, a flowing well was the result, and he can now repose on his laurels. Other flowing wells are in the same neighborhood, and pumping wells that yield bountifully are strewn thickly around.

A grand and magnificent view may be obtained by ascending to the top of the bluff in the neighborhood of the mouth of Cherry run. Not less than one hundred and fifty engines may be seen at a glance, all in active operation, with their columns of steam and smoke, running in every direction. The profusion of derricks is absolutely bewildering, resembling, more than anything else, a new town in process of building, with the simple frames of houses awaiting the roofing and weatherboarding. In connection with this the creek is seen filled with boats, and if a view of the river is obtained, it is seen swarming with flatboats and steamers. It is a busy scene, full of active life, and full of wondrous promise.

Rouseville is an active little village. Much business is transacted here in the way of selling and leasing lands. It was near this place that the celebrated "Burning well" was located, in whose fearful conflagration H. R. Rouse lost his life. The place takes its name from Mr. Rouse.

The next stream that enters Oil creek is Cherry Tree run, coming from the northeast, and joining the creek at the lower end of the Rynd farm. This run is divided into several branches; the first is Weikel run, and the next in importance Noell's run. Although no important developments have yet been made in these valleys. there is nothing improbable in the idea that they will

prove as productive and valuable as the other tributaries. of Oil creek.

There are some other runs of minor importance, such as Corn Planter's run, Bennehoof's run, Fox run these will ere long be heard from in the way of producing oil, that will bring them into notoriety, as the demand for territory is unceasing, and operations extending wherever there is the least prospect of securing oil.

Above Titusville, which is in Crawford county, numerous derricks indicate the intention of exploring thoroughly the whole region of the creek. There seems to be no reason why such explorations should not succeed, unless the geological structure of the rocks should be different from that of the region below. This would seem to be the case from the fact mentioned as to the trend of the rocks two miles below Titusville. Still as the face of the rock is frequently undulating, valuable territory may be opened up at no great distance above.

Titusville, like many other places in the oil valleys, has become decidedly famous for the last few years. It is situated in Crawford county, but as its influence and importance grew out of the oil wells, it is properly mentioned in connection with the history of Venango county. It is an old town; but, like Franklin, has taken a new lease of life, and is becoming rejuvenated once more. It is on Oil creek, and at a point very favorable to trade and business, being connected with the Atlantic and Great Western and the Erie and Philadelphia railroads by the Oil Creek railroad. The situation is good, and the streets laid out regularly. It has much beauty connected with its location and surroundings, and bids fair to become a place of great importance. From this point the railroad extends down

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Oil creek to the Shaffer farm, and it is in contemplation to extend it to Oil City. In this way a much larger amount of trade will be secured, inasmuch as the present way of conveying oil to Titusville is both difficult and expensive.

Titusville, from a small village, has now assumed the proportions of a large town, increasing within a few years from a few hundred to a population of six or seven thousand. It has four churches, some of them of very fine architectural beauty and proportion, with an amount of taste that does great credit to the place. It has also two banks of issue and deposit, with a large number of hotels.

The banking interest in the oil region is one of immense importance. Besides those mentioned above, Oil City has two banks of issue and a third of deposit, whilst Franklin has the same number, making in all six banks of issue and two or three of deposit or exchange. All these have grown naturally and legitimately out of the oil business of Venango county, and are safe and highly prosperous institutions. This business has been largely indebted to the enterprise and foresight of Hon. C. V. Culver, who has been connected with it from the beginning of the prosperity of the oil region.

Oil City is an active, energetic place, full of hope and promise for the future. The site is not pleasant nor favorable to expansion, yet to lovers of the beautiful it is very picturesque. The principal part of the city lies along the base of a steep, precipitous hill, that would, in many places, be dignified with the name of mountain; on the other hand is the Allegheny river. There is at the lower end of the place room but for a single street; at the upper end, and across Oil creek, the valley widens

out somewhat, particularly up Oil creek. The lower portions are mainly occupied for business purposes, and the level land does not suffice for this, but business is pushing its way into the hillside. On the northern side of the creek there is a beautiful section of the city, called Cottage Hill. This section is located on the steep hillside, out of the way of fire and the terrible atmosphere that arises from the oil boats and wells, but particularly from the refineries that are in the neighborhood. From this point there is a fine view of the river, the town and creek, that extends to a considerable distance in every direction.

Oil City has already several churches organized, with church edifices, either erected or in progress of erection, and everything betokens prosperity, enlargement and wealth. There are two banks of issue and one of deposit, whose business would utterly confound the officers of many of the old city banks. The lower portion of the city is literally covered with oil derricks, encroaching even on building lots and dwelling houses. Some of them are in operation and yielding oil, others are just commencing operations. These wells, however profitable to the owners, will render the town rather liable to accidents from fire.

Across the river, and just opposite the mouth of Oil creek, is situated the new city of Venango. This, too, bids fair to become a young giant in the race for prosperity and growth. One year ago it was a farm, with a single dwelling house. Now buildings are multiplying rapidly. There lacks but one thing to insure the prosperity of Venango, and that is a bridge across the river. With this, the greater portion of the new population would select that place as their residence, whilst trans