From Oil City
Oil City, Jan. 3rd, 1870
Editors Morning Herald:
Since my last everything has been quiet here, with nothing to disturb the peace or equanimity of our citizens. The holidays passed off quietly, in fact, if it had not been for the almanac, we should not have known the difference from other days which brought rich harvests to the rum sellers. But notwithstanding the number of drunken men on the streets, no disturbance was raised of any kind. Why, I cannot say, unless the prompt arrest of two frisky youths, aged perhaps 50 or 60 years, was a warning to all who felt like asking somebody to tread on their coattails.
Jamestown and Franklin Railroad Accident
Thursday morning, a section foreman on the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad was killed while attempting to get on board of a moving train on the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad about one mile below town. It is the same old story, a grasp, a misstep, and a sudden death. The top of the head was crushed off, and his brains were found lying about 20 feet from his body. And this accident, horrible as it was, is no warning to anyone of the danger consequent upon trying to jump on a moving train. Saturday evening, a boy near the same place, who knew of this accident, tried the same thing. Made the same misstep. But not with the same result. He only had his foot crushed off, and a job for the surgeon, so it is.
New Town Hall
The subject of a new Town Hall, or as some imaginative, enthusiastic, and visionary individuals has been heard to exclaim that an Opera House is attracting some attention just now. Figures show that an outlay of $20,000 will bring an annual interest of at least 20%. But that is not at enough to tempt our capitalists to invest, as long as oil wells yield so much more profit. Then too, no one intends remaining here, after having made “his pile.” Instance, P. H. Tierman, Esq., who has just purchased a $40,000 farm on the James River, Virginia, and has thirty men at work improving it. Others will probably follow his example and thus, money will be made here, and taken away for investment.
Gift of a Gold Cane
On New Year’s Eve, the congregation of the M. E. Church called upon their pastor, Rev. Mr. Lyttle, and left with him $100 in Uncle Sam’s greenbacks, besides many other things valuable and useful, too numerous to mention. New Year’s afternoon, Dr. J. R. Arter, who for many years has had a large practice here, was the recipient from the hands of Rev. J. Coady, the pastor of the Catholic church, on behalf of its members, of a very valuable, solid gold headed cane. The affair passed off very pleasantly, and the Dr. started off on his rounds, the possessor of at least $75 worth of walking stick.
In the evening, between six and seven o’clock, his office student met him on the street and informed him that a man had been seriously injured on the railroad, and was laying at the P. & A. Telegraph office, and that he wanted immediately to attend him. He (the Dr.) proceeded at once, with visions of amputations, trephining, or at least fractured limbs on his mind, to attend the sufferer. On arriving at the office, no sufferer was to be seen, but instead a large number of the most prominent business men of our city.
The Dr. saw that there was something up. The little arrangement was soon explained by William McNair, Esq., who, in a short speech, neat and to the point, presented to him, on behalf of his numerous friends among the oil men and others, a token of regard in shape of probably the most costly and elegant gold-headed cane ever brought to the oil regions. The surprise was complete, and the Dr. for a few moments was in a fix, but he soon rallied and expressed his feelings in a manner worthy of the occasion.
Catholic Church Benefit Concert
The same evening the concert for the benefit of the St. Joseph’s Total Abstinence Society came off in the Catholic church. The music was furnished by the St. Mary’s (German) choir of Erie. The house was well filled. Everyone was highly pleased with the entertainment. Fearing that this letter will take up too much of your valuable space, we will hold over several items till our next.
– Praedico
Oil Territory in Riceville
Riceville, Jan. 3, 1870
Editors Morning Herald:
I do not wish to annoy you or your readers with an account of “dry holes” and tested but worthless territory. I simply wish to state a few facts pertaining to this section.
Riceville is situated three miles from Centreville [Centerville], in a valley on Oil Creek – equal distance from its head the lake by the same name. Long before petroleum had revolutionized the world, there was in the construction of a mill dam a small vein of oil opened, which at that time excited some curiosity. However, it was forgotten, until the illustrious Drake struck his well, when it was then refined too, and reopened by parties who ultimately sank a hole, and there are today many that believe it could be made to pay. There have at different periods been six or eight wells started, but only three put down to a reasonable depth. All of said wells, with one exception, have good shows, and oil can be dipped from them at any time. Some months ago a well was commenced, and at a depth less than 300 feet the prospect was so good that it was pumped for a few days. They then went on, but have for some reason shut down. It is not yet 400 feet deep.
On the hills we have the stand stone, and, in fact, all the indications. We have the best show this side of Titusville. Lands can be reasonably obtained. Our citizens will gladly give any information, and assist others who wish to test our territory.
– P
From Parker’s Landing
Parker’s Landing, Jan. 3, 1870
Editors Morning Herald:
I had rather expected lively times here on New Year’s, but nothing of note occurred. The “free and easies” were running in full blast most of the day, and until a late hour at night. The amount of whiskey, beer, etc., consumed must have been enormous, judging from the noise which could be heard outside. The town is at the present time about as full of gamblers as we could conveniently accommodate. The game of “Three Card Monte” is played in open daylight at the Ferry Landing or any convenient spot in the town. It is strange that nothing can be done to rid the place of such characters. I think that if the Vigilance Committee of Titusville had the matter in hand, the town would soon be cleared.
The river is on the rise, and we shall have big water. Crude is being shipped mostly by boat as cars cannot be had. Production: 1,500 bbl. daily. Two new wells of 50 bbl., each have been struck within a few days. Crude $1.50 in barges.
Yours truly,
Bruno