PREFACE. xiii 



The last four years have not given us new oil fields in the Trenton limestone so 

 much as important extensions of those already discovered. The counties which 

 were named in the report of 1890 as the chief sources of supply still constitute 

 our main reliance. The principal generalizations that the opening years of this 

 development seemed to warrant have been in the main confirmed and established by 

 the later experience, but a proper study of the newer facts cannot fail to throw im- 

 portant light on the geological conditions of petroleum accumulation. 



At the date of the last report, viz., 1890, many facts were adduced showing the 

 rapid decline of the wonderful supply of natural gas that several counties of north- 

 western Ohio were then enjoying, from which decline the speedy extinction of the 

 supply was inferred, so far as its large use in manufactures was concerned, unless 

 the unworthy applications and reckless waste that were then going on should be 

 promptly arrested. These warnings were disregarded; in one or two instances, 

 they were even resented, as likely to interfere with enterprises that were under 

 Avay. 



The event has proved, however, that the facts that were then apparent were 

 correctly interpreted. The decline went on steadily. Most of the glass factories 

 for example, that were brought into the district on the promise of free fuel have 

 been abandoned or removed. The few that remain are eking out the feeble gas 

 supply with coal, wood and oil. Pumps have been added to almost all of the pipe 

 lines, but even with their aid it has proved impossible to maintain an adequate do- 

 mestic supply for all consumers during the last two winters. 



The outcome is indeed a sorry one. Under judicious control, the gas stored 

 in the Trenton limestone might easily have supplied all northwestern Ohio with the 

 unspeakable advantages of gaseous fuel for household use for at least a quarter of a 

 century. Household use is the highest and, in reality, the only proper use to which 

 natural gas can be applied. 



It is a relief to be able to name one gas-field in the state that has, in the main, 

 escaped the prostitution and abuse which all the older fields have suffered. The 

 Thurston field of Fairfield county deserves this distinction. It has supplied gas in 

 large amount, to the city of Columbus, for household use, since January, 1890. For 

 a few months in the summer and autumn of that year, gas was also furnished to 

 manufacturers m various lines, as iron-working, brick-making, lime-burning and 

 the production of steam for power, but under these demands, the supply soon gave 

 unmistakable evidence of being overtaxed. Pressure and volume in the wells and 

 pipe-lines rapidly fell away, and the large consumers were, one after another, obliged 

 to return to coal. The pressure continued to fall until domestic use became 

 dangerous and finally the gas was shut off from the city altogether. 



After being closed a few weeks, the wells regained their pressure, but the 

 company had learned by disastrous experience, that it could not maintain the 

 domestic supply of the city and at the same time furnish fuel for rolling mills and 

 brick kilns. Household supply was forthwith resumed and it has not been inter- 

 rupted for a single hour during the past three and one-half years. The field gives 

 every indication of maintaining the supply for many years to come. Fully half 

 the population of Columbus is now enjoying the inexpressible advantages of an 

 ample and constant supply of gaseous fuel. 



