213723 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by J. P. SKELLY & CO., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Penn sylyania. STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY PREFACE. THIS work aims at nothing more than a mere popular description of the oil region, of the early history of petroleum operations, of the manner of boring oil wells, bringing the oil to the surface, and preparing it for use. As this region is attracting a large share of public attention it has been thought proper to devote a few pages to its ancient history; by way of illustrating its changes, a brief chapter is also added, bringing down its history to the period when modern oil operations commenced. As there is much curiosity abroad as to the manner of boring deep wells in the rock, and pumping from great depths, these processes are detailed with great minuteness and particularity. The chapter on the origin of petroleum, although claiming little originality, is presented with much diffidence. From the circumstances of the case, we are not likely soon to pass beyond mere theory in the matter, and, with the light we yet have, that presented seems the most plausible and consistent with the facts exhibited in boring and pumping. It was manifestly injudicious to attempt to give the number and production of each well in given localities, for what would be true to-day would be unreliable next week, as the development in new wells is constantly changing the features of particular localities. Consequently a general view is given, in order to arrive at general results. The design of the work is set forth on its title page-a history of the oil region of Venango county, Pennsylvania. It is not by this designed to ignore the existence of petroleum in neighboring counties, in this or in other States; this is admitted, and it is also anticipated that other regions still may and will develop large resources of oil; the design is to discuss the matter in its bearings on this region, where we find the evidences of its earliest development, and where, as yet, its largest resources have been brought to light. Grateful acknowledgments are due to gentlemen who have aided in collecting materials for this work, and thanks are hereby given. The Oil scenes in this volume are from photographs by A. D. Deming, an enterprising artist of Oil City, Pa. FRANKLIN, Pa., November, 1865. CONTENTS. Interest in this region-Mysterious footprints--Queen Ya- ga-wa-ne-a-Six Nations--Lookout-Indian god-Strug- gle between English and French-English claim-French claim-Fort Venango-Washington's visit-English fort— CHAPTER II.—THE MODERN HISTORY OF VENANGO Franklin-Character of county-Vicinity of Franklin- Early settlers-Hardships-First court-Jail-Furnaces— CHAPTER IV.—ANTIQUITY OF THE OIL BUSINESS IN Ancient traces-Oil pits-Mysterious origin-Attributed to CHAPTER V.-MODERN WAY OF COLLECTING OIL. Early value--McClintock farm-Modern oil pits--Blanket process--Uses--First shipment-Yankee enterprise--Gen- Idea slowly developed--Use in saw mills-Venango physi- cian--Bold theory-Failure to profit-Coal oil-Specula- tions--George H. Bissell-Eveleth-Colonel Drake-Per- CHAPTER VII.-MODE OF PROCEDURE. Prices of Land--Leases--Monopolies of leases--Large com- panies--Small capital-Individual liability-Abandoned wells-Serious losses-Effect of flowing wells-Patient Choice of site--Pit Hole-Surface indications-Ravines-- Neighboring wells-Black spirits and white-Hazel rod- Low lands first sought-Value of low lands-High lands |