COAL-OIL IN WEST VIRGINIA. 529 



of this belt, thus giving "West Virginia almost treble the amount of oil territory 

 to that of Pennsylvania. Already borings have commenced on and all along 

 this line ; probably there will not be less than one hundred wells sunk this 

 season at different points yet undeveloped between Burning Spring and tho 

 Ohio river. That many will be successful cannot be doubted. Professor 

 Rogers, in an able article on the history of petroleum, brought out last July, 

 believes the great basin to be near the Ohio river, in this State. Indeed, the 

 large yield of the wells on Bull creek, five miles from the Ohio river, recently 

 discovered, would seem to be proof of this assertion. It is not intended here 

 to discuss the theory of the origin of petroleum, nor yet its composition, or 

 gravity of the several oils obtained in West Virginia. In regard to the latter, 

 suffice to say they differ little from the Pennsylvania oils, a very able report of 

 which we have from Professor J. B. Lesley, just published. Indeed, these 

 great oil-bearing districts differ but little in any respect, both being hilly, 

 clayey soil, well watered, and with an abundance of timber. 



It will be observed that the yield of petroleum here during the year 1S63 is 

 less than former years. This, however, cannot be taken as an index of the real 

 productiveness of the region ; it may be said this is all that was brought to market. 

 In ]\Iay last the Rathbone district was, together with all the apparatus, 

 burned and entirely destroyed by the rebel forces under General Jones. Twenty 

 thousand barrels of oil were burned with it. The losses were heavy, and, of 

 course, were severely felt, both in material destroyed and time spent in rebuilding; 

 had these disasters been averted, the yield would have been equal to former years. 

 We rejoice to believe that the day is now come when, in peace and without 

 hindrance. West Virginia will be permitted to demonstrate the true extent 

 and richness of her oil districts. The wise and energetic administration of the 

 affairs of our State is beginning even now to tell in our behalf. 



The infant State is a giant even in its infancy ; and when once it is able to 

 give an undivided attention and care to its great internal interests, it will be 

 manifest to the world that the promise of its babyhood was only a truthful 

 augury of the prowess and splendor of riper years. 



The treason which once lurked stealthily or shook its gory locks defiantly 

 among us is now skulking to its grave. Men are daily feeling more and more 

 that traitors are infamous, and that loyalty and honorable industry are the 

 surest elements of power and progress ; and we venture »to affirm that when, 

 under the effects of a general education and a wise and energetic government, 

 the State of West Virginia fairly begins her course, she will take rank high up 

 and far forward among her noble sisters, and will have no cause to blush when 

 she looks at the emblems which betoken the sources of her power. When her 

 mineral wealth begins to be developed, when her reservoirs of oil, her vast 

 beds of coal, lead, and iron ore have become known in their true character, 

 when her facilities for refining these articles are known, and all her resources 

 for producing have been unfolded in their full proportion, we think her sister 

 States will not be reluctant to award honor and admiration and warm welcome 

 to the star that last began to shine in our national constellation. 



Oil is brought to Parkersburg, the general oil market of tbe State, from 

 Burning Spring during the spring and fall, by flatboats on the Kanawha 

 river at a cost of seventy-five cents per barrel ; other seasons, when the river 

 is not navigable, it is wagoned at a cost of two dollars per barrel. It is well 

 to mention here that a bill has recently passed the Virginia legislature for the im- 

 provement of this river. A company has already been formed, sufficient stock sub- 

 scribed, and we may expect that soon the Kanawha will be.navigable all the year. 

 From Hughes river and Petroleum districts the oil is hauled to points on the 

 Northwestern Virginia railroad at a cost of twenty-five to fifty cents per barrel, 

 and from Bull creek it is hauled to the Ohio river at a cost of fifty cents per barrel, 



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