Cleveland Morning Leader

French Creek, for cooper lots and Allegheny sites have become of heretofore fabulous prices, and those who are there are perfectly willing the generality of mankind should stay away. In connection with this account, we copy the following explanation of this formation from the Pittsburgh Chronicle: The following explanation of the manner in which those extensive oil deposits in the Counties of Warren, Armstrong, Venango and Crawford, which are just now exciting such interest in the community, were created, may not be without interest to the general reader: "Geologically," says the writer, "the three northwestern counties of Pennsylvania lie just below the coal, not always positively lower, but as the stratification dips southward, all the rocks there would be overlaid with coal if the coal formations had not been removed by great denuding agencies. These underlying rocks are sandstones and shales, containing many layers of carbonaceous matter yet too slaty for use as coal. They contain also the drainage of the whole system of bituminous coal beds, and in certain strata are actually saturated with coal oil. At several points on western tributaries of the Alleghany river, in Crawford, Warren and Venango counties, this oil has risen to the surface, and has been, for the entire period since the country was known, collected for various uses and carried away in small quantities under the name of Seneca oil. It is now found that the supply is much on the same principle as that of saline waters in the adjoining geological region, and that by boring, these small springs, which now reach the surface, may be made to produce large quantities, possibly inexhaustible quantities, of an oil essentially the same as that distilled so successfully in recent years from the best bituminous and cannel coal of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere. Pittsburgh Chronicle.

OTHER ITEMS. Near Le Boeuf and Union Mills is a stone quarry from which the stone used at Erie is obtained. Union Mills was originally settled by William Miles who was appointed to survey the "donation lands" in Erie and Warren counties in 1785. Ten years after this in 1795 he removed his family and settled here. From Mr. Wilson King, who was born and reared in this section, we obtained a great number of interesting items of historic interest as well as personal adventure, which we must omit for want of space. One singular coincidence however we must relate. On the 7th of July 1838 Mr. King was traveling the woods when he came upon a tree, upon a dead space of which was cut his grandfathers name, put on and dated July 7th 1795, just forty three years to a day, before. This must have been put on when exploring the country. At a point three miles east of Union Mills there is a quicksand cut which requires a constant force to prevent the banks from sliding in and destroying the track. To remedy this the cut is to be widened. At Columbus 29 miles from Erie a farmer has gone crazy over the railroad. He had a fine farm and excellent buildings within a quarter of a mile of the track. With the railroad came of course a rise in the value of his place and the excitement incident upon that destroyed his reason, so that he raves about it continually and the whistle of the iron horse as it rushes by, sets him perfectly wild. From hence to Irvine the road descends the valley of the Brokenstraw, a small creek that empties into the Alleghany at Irvine. The scenery along this creek and indeed through the whole route is singularly fine and in summer must be perfectly charming. The villages are nestled down in the valleys and the streams are overtopped by crags and hills covered to their summits with verdure. These hills and woods are grand tramping grounds for hunters, deer being very abundant, while the streams are full of plump and delicious trout. For a summer retreat nothing could be finer and the "Corn-Planter" House at Irvine is just the place to stop. It is named after the noted Indian Chief, "Corn-Planter" and is a fine ancestral, stone mansion, admirably kept by Mr. Patterson.

WARREN AND THE CELEBRATION. And so at length, after descending the bank of the Alleghany for six miles, we reach Warren. The county seat of Warren county and the "trading village" for many miles around. It is a pleasantly located and laid out village, containing some 2500 or 3000 inhabitants. It has four churches, three hotels, quite a number of flourishing stores, public halls, &c. The principal trade has been in lumber. During a portion of the year the Alleghany is navigable to this point by rafts and flat boats from Pittsburgh. Formerly this was the place for shipment of salt from N. Y. Having been brought to this place by teams, it was placed upon flat boats, averaging about 250 barrels to a boat. One old resident told us he had seen 40 boats thus loaded clear in an hour or two for the Ohio. The railroad startled the even tenor of some of the old and staid Pennsylvanians in this section — One man 91 years old rode out to see for the first time in his life the horse that thus annihilated time and space and great was his wonderment thereat. Upon our arrival at Warren, the Warren Rifle Guards and the Rescue Fire Company, with a large number of citizens were ready to greet the excursionists and escort them to town. The procession was under the charge of Brig. Gen. Brown. As it moved through the town it was evident that the people were prepared to forego work and devote the day to celebrating their union with the world at large. At 4 o'clock dinner was served at the Johnson Exchange, the town of Warren being the host. After the eatables and drinkables (a profusion of both of the first quality) had been discussed by the hundreds of guests, the speechmaking commenced under direction of B. Curtis, Esq., President of the Day. For the speeches we have no room for a report. The toasts were as follows.

I. The Sunbury and Erie Railroad—Its past, present and future.—Hon. Gideon J. Ball, of Erie, formerly State Treasurer, responded, paying a high tribute to Mr. Moorhead, President of the road and to his well directed efforts in its behalf. He spoke of the importance of the road, the commerce of Lake Erie, with its $400,000 tons of shipping, manned by 13,000 sailors, and of the resources along the line of the road.

II. Philadelphia—The metropolis of literature and commerce. M. B. Lowry, Esq., of Erie, and C. Thompson Jones Esq., of Philadelphia, responded in brief and pertinent remarks.

III. The City of Erie—The early and late friend of the Sunbury and Erie Road—divided on other roads—united in this. Here energy and public spirit give token that her future is destined to be proud and prosperous. C. W. Kelso Esq. of Erie & C. C. Curtis Esq., of Warren, responded in happy and eloquent speeches.

IV. Nicholas Biddle—The early and long continued friend of this Railroad; may its glory overshadow him, and its success be equal to his patriotism. Adj. Gen. E. C. Wilson was called upon to respond. He referred to the early efforts of Mr. Biddle for the road, and evidently spoke the sentiments of all the company in his praise of the eminent man.

V. The Pennsylvania Legislature of 1858—Their enactment against outside pressure of rival hostility has secured to us this road. Geo. W. Scofield, of Warren, spoke of another man besides Nicholas Biddle who had planned this road and who had seen the advantage of Erie, with its harbor built by eternal masons, as the terminus of this road, and proposed three cheers for Judge Wm. Wilkins of Alleghany. (Three tremendous cheers)

VI. The Directors and officers of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad—They will be rewarded by the plaudits of their country. Hon. Wm. A. Galbraith of Erie, Solicitor of the Company, responded in hearty appreciation of the labors of the Directors and Officers.

VII. The Engineers and Contractors of the Road—They have built an enduring monument in the hearts of the People. Hon. Robt. Farries Chief Engineer, traced the progress of the road from the commencement to its establishment as the great road of this State which is the only one to lay a track from the sea board to the lakes on her own territory. Mr. Worrel of Erie, a heavy contractor, made a felicitous and humorous speech, and said that of this 66 miles, the grading cost but $500,000 and iron as much more. The people of the two counties had furnished the rest. A. Wilcox, Director, of Elk co. also responded.

VIII. Erie and Warren counties. Willson King and Lieut. King, of Erie responded. The name of Wm. G. Moorhead Esq., President of the road was proposed by A. Knight Pedrick, and met a response on the part of the assembly by three hearty cheers and much enthusiasm. Very many volunteer toasts were given and responded to, and the excitement was kept up until 8 o'clock when the company adjourned to the Ball given in honor of the Celebration. Here the beauty of Warren county was gathered and such an array of fair damsels and beautiful women as to do one's heart good to see. The dance was kept up until 4 a. m. and as hundreds could not find beds to sleep in, the Ball was full to the last. Now the rest of the scenes of that night, how divers slept upon chairs and divers others upon floors, wood-boxes, coal scuttles, counters, and stairs, behold is this not written in the headaches of the next day.

THE RETURN. The excursionists left Warren at 8 A. M. Friday and returned to Erie, whence they dispersed to their several places of abode, abundantly pleased with the smooth and good condition of the track, the hospitality of the company and of the people of Warren, and in short, with the "opening of the Sunbury & Erie Railroad." We must be allowed to express our special thanks to Messrs. Rawle, Clark and Galbraith, of Erie, for "items" and noticeable points on the road. Long may they wave.