1869.] 365 [Niles. 



were not generally well known among scientific men. He had be- 

 come acquainted with the facts by travelling through the region, by 

 conversation with those well acquainted with the country, and by 

 some publications of a popular character. The best representation 

 has been given by Rev. S. J. M. Eaton of Franklin, Pa., in his pop- 

 ular book entitled " Petroleum : A History of the Oil Region." In 

 this book might be found a fuller statement of nearly all the facts 

 with which he had become acquainted. 



Artificial excavations or oblong pits are to be found in considerable 

 numbers in sections of the Oil-creek valley. Sometimes the sections 

 thus marked embrace hundreds of acres in extent. The pits are from 

 four by six to six by eight feet in size, and although much filled by 

 natural accumulations, are frequently from four to six feet in depth. 

 Some of the larger ones were curbed with timbers. The bark was 

 removed, and it is stated that sometimes the timbers were halved and 

 rudely adjusted at the corners. In one instance, while excavating 

 preparatory to the construction of a sawmill, some workmen came 

 ujjon one of these pits where the timbers were twelve feet in length, 

 and placed perpendicularly upon end. It is also stated that in some 

 of these wells there have been found logs with notches cut in them, 

 which may have served as steps for the descent and ascent of those 

 who constructed and used them. 



Such works are not found beyond the limits of what is known as 

 the oil region, and that they were excavated for the purpose of ob- 

 taining petroleum, there scarcely can be a doubt. That petroleum 

 was obtained is evident from the fact that the timbers used are thor- 

 oughly impregnated with it, and by it preserved in a good state of 

 soundness, and frequently are almost free from decay. 



But the interesting questions are, when were these wells formed 

 and by whom were they used? 



That they are works of ancient construction is quite apparent. 

 The trees growing in the hollows of these pits never seem to be more 

 recent than those of the surrounding country. In some instances the 

 trees tlius situated must have been two hundred years old, and there 

 is no known reason for supposing that the' date of the desertion of the 

 wells could be fixed even here. 



The fact that the timbers bore the marks of some cutting instru- 

 ments caused some of the settlers to assume a modern origin, and 

 attribute them to the French. But Fort Vernango was completed 

 about the year 1754, and it is highly probable that this was about the 

 first of the operations of the French in this region. The antiquity 



