Phenomenon in Oildom

Lewisburg Chronicle (Union County, Pa.), February 16, 1866

As those who were engaged in putting out the fire [in Pithole] yesterday were throwing water on, it was discovered by so doing they were only adding fresh fuel to the flames. On closer examination, a quantity of our liquid greenbacks was seen floating on the water. A rush was made to the nearest pump from which water was taken. There we found a [man] with his teeth chattering from fright at the flow of gas from the spout. He had pumped the well until all the water had been exhausted and then oil and gas flowed in liberal quantities.

The pump was then handled very lively. The oil continued to come, and the fire lost all interest except to the losers. Many disbelieved the account and would hardly credit their eyesight, some thinking that the oil was put there for “a sell.” But before long, it was found that two other water wells and some springs had also commenced spouting oil, and incredulity gave way to belief.

The wells so far are three in number. There are some four or five flowing springs. The water of all these wells and springs had been considered of a very good quality until about last Sunday, when a disagreeable taste was noticed, which has been increasing ever since. Not the least strange thing is that these oil wells are all at least 150 feet above the “flats.”

The first well “struck” belongs to Mrs. Rickerts, a widow woman, who has heretofore earned her living by washing. It is at the depth of sixteen feet, and was only pumped at intervals, but the oil came freely in answer to the pumping and would fill a barrel in ten minutes. She was offered at first $1,000 for it, then $2,000. At last, a gentleman secured the refusal at $5,000 until this morning.

Ms. L. L. Hill’s well was the favorite and was pumped very vigorously during the day. It filled a barrel in five minutes during the time it was pumped. The owner refused an offer of $7,000 for the well. This well is 23 feet deep.

The other belongs to Mr. W. H. Dame, who got some four or five barrels, and had to stop then because he had no place to put it in.

One of the springs is owned by Mr. Blaisdell, who has just been burnt out. He evidently thinks his gain may yet counterbalance his loss. Many theories are broached as to how the oil got there. The most probable of them seems to be that the artesian well has exhausted large quantities of the water, allowing the oil to run out of crevices and flow into the wells and springs.

— Pithole Daily Record, Feb. 9.