USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 2
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Topography.
'T'he latitude of Scioto County is 38 degrees, 48 minutes north, longitude 83 degrees west. The whole southern border of the County is the Ohio river, whose course from Sciotoville to the southeast corner is east of southeast. From Sciotoville to Portsmouth, the river runs almost east to west, but from Portsmouth to the southwest part of the County the general course is west of southwest. The result of this course of the river is that the City of Portsmouth, the County Seat, while on the southern border of the County, is nearly in the cen- ter. The County is intersected by the Scioto river which empties at Portsmouth and whose course from Columbus to Portsmouth is south. The main watercourses of the County, tributaries of the Scioto river, are Bear Creek which rises in Pike County and flows some eight or ten miles and empties into the Scioto about three miles below the Pike County line. The next important tributary is Brush Creek which empties into the Scioto about eight miles north of Ports- mouth. The principal tributary of this stream rises about two miles back of Rome, in Adams County, and flows south for several miles and then east until it strikes the Scioto County line, near the village of Wamsleyville. This stream flows east to near Otway, where it is joined by the waters of Rocky Fork coming from the southeast. At Otway the north fork of the Scioto Brush Creek empties into the south fork. At Rarden, six miles northeast of Otway, there is a small stream comes in from the north called Rarden's Fork which rises in Pike County and from the south a small stream empties called Dunlap, but the most im-
7
EARLY HISTORY.
portant stream of the north fork comes to Rarden from the northwest rises in Adams County not far from Locust Grove. Below the mouth of Scioto Brush Creek, Pond Creek, a stream six miles long, empties into the Scioto two miles south of Brush Creek. There is a small stream called Dry Run which empties into the Scioto two miles north of Portsmouth. There are a few streams emptying into the Ohio be- tween the west line and the city of Portsmouth. There is first, Lower Twin, just above Buena Vista in Nile Township, then a mile further, Upper Twin, a small stream. Then Pond Run comes in nine miles from Portsmouth and flows along parallel with the hills for some time before it empties into the Ohio river. Six miles from Ports- mouth, is Turkey Creek, which empties into the Ohio, and one mile below the City is Carey's Run. The Scioto has but few tributaries on its east side between the Pike County line and the Ohio river. The principal one is Miller's Run, which empties into the Scioto from the east, two miles above Lucasville. The other streams south of that and between that and Portsmouth are too insignificant for mention. Coming up the Ohio from Portsmouth, the first small stream is Munn's Run, four miles from Portsmouth, named for the Revolutionary sol- dier, James Munn. At Sciotoville is the mouth of the Little Scioto, which comes from the north and has its sources in Madison Township of Scioto County and Hamilton and Scioto Townships of Jackson County. Long Run flows easterly for some five miles east of Harri- sonville and is a tributary of the Little Scioto. There is one on the east side of Madison Township, another on the west side, the latter being the largest tributary. The next important stream emptying in- to the Ohio in Scioto County, is Pine Creek which has its sources in Bloom Township and flows through Vernon and Elizabeth Town- ships, Lawrence County, back into Green Township and empties into the Ohio near Wheelersburg. There are no other streams worthy of mention in the County except Genat's Creek which flows past Ohio Furnace and empties into the Ohio about two miles below Haverhill. Some of the roughest lands in the state of Ohio are found in Scioto County and west of the Scioto river. Of this land the best specimens are found in the upper part of Nile Township and in the lower part of Brush Creek Township. The lands on the east side of the Scioto river are of a very different character from those on the west side. The hills are less steep and rocky and more susceptible of cultivation. The whole country was timbered originally, including Scioto County, which timber will be described under the title following :
Timber.
As to the distribution of timber on the mountains, there was, pine, chestnut-oak and chestnut. On the next lower bluffs, grew white-oak, red-oak, black-oak, cedar, gray-ash, blue-ash, elm, hickory and poplar. On the low grounds were the sycamore, cotton-wood, walnut, cher-
.
8
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
ry, hack-berry, buckeye, linn and a few beech trees. In the Fall and Winter the line of the white limbs and bodies of the sycamore trees marked the course of the streams, and anyone standing on the top of a hill or mountain viewing the landscape could observe the course and sinuosity of the streams by the white branches and bodies of the syca- more trees.
Trees and Plants.
The following plants grew in Scioto County and the region round when the first settlement was made by white men, and had medicinal properties :
POPULAR NAME.
LINNEAN NAME.
Senna, Arsmart,
Clivers, or Goose-grass.
Lobelia, several sorts,
Palma Christi,
Racinus.
Datura Stramonium.
Malva Rotundifolia.
Hibiscus Moschentos.
Hibiscus Virginicus.
Sida Rhombifolia.
Sida. Abutilon. Napaea Hermaphrodita.
Virginia Marshmallow,
Indian Physic,
Euphorbia Ipecacuanha,
Asclepias Decumbens.
Actaea Racemosa.
Polygala Senega.
Valeriana locusta radiata.
Gentiana, Saponaria, Vellosa, et Centau-
rium.
Ginseng,
Panax Quinquefolium.
Angelica,
Angelica Sylvestris.
Columbo Root,
Tobacco,
Nicotiana.
The following were the plants and trees which bore fruit suitable for eating :
Tuckahoe, Jerusalem Artichoke, Granadellas,
Panic,
Indian Millet,
Holcus Laxus.
Wild Oat,
Zizania Aqutica. Dolichos of Clayton.
Wild Pea, Lupine, Wild Hop,
Humulus Lupulus.
Wild Cherry,
Prunus Virginiana.
Cherokee Plumb,
Prunus Sylvestris fructu majori.
Wild Plum,
Wild Crab Apple,
Pyrus Coronaria.
Red Mulberry,
Morus Rubra. Diospyros Virginiana.
Persimmon, Sugar Maple, Scaly-bark Hickory,
Acer Saccharinum. Juglans Alba cortice Lyumoso. C.
Common Hickory,
Juglans Alba, fructu minore rancedo. C.
Pecan, or Illinois Nut,
Unknown to Linnaeus.
Black Walnut,
Juglans Nigra.
White Walnut,
Juglans Alba. Fagus Castanea.
Chestnut, Chinquapin, Hazel Nut, Grapes,
Fagus Pumila.
Corvius Avellana.
Vitis various sorts.
Fragaria Virginiana.
Vacceneum Uliginosum.
Ribes Grossularia
Rubus Oxycoecos.
Rubus Occidentalis.
Rubus Fruiticosus.
Rubus Caesius.
Rubus Chamaemorus,
Wild Gooseberries, Cranberries, Black Raspberries, Blackberries, Dewberries, Cloud-berries,
Lycaperdon. Hebanthus Tuberosus.
Passiflora Incarrata Panicum, many speciees.
Pleurisy Root, Virginia Snake Root,
Seneca Rattle-Snake Root, Valerian,
Gentian,
Cassia Ligustrina. Polygonum Sagittarum. Galium Spurium.
Jame's Town Weed, Mallow,
Syrian Mallow,
Indian Mallow,
Napaea Dioica.
Spiraea Trifoliata.
Lupinus Perennis.
Prunus Sylvestris fructu minori.
Scarlet Strawberries,
Whortleberries,
9
PLANTS AND TREES.
POPULAR NAME.
LINNEAN NAME.
Maize, Round Potato, Pumpkins, Cymlings, Squashes,
Cucurbita Pepo. Cucurbita Verrucosa. Cucurbita Melopepo.
The following trees and shrubs are designated as ornamental, al- though many are also useful :
Plane Tree,
Platanus Occidentalis. Lerisdendron Tulipifera.
Populus Nigra.
Populus Tremula.
Tilia Americana.
Acer Rubrum.
Aesculus Pavia.
Bignonia Catalpa.
Magnolia Tripetala.
Swamp Laurel.
Magnolia Acuminata.
Laurus Indica.
Laurus Barbonia.
Rhododendron Maximum.
Many Species.
Laurus Benzoin.
Laurus Sassafras.
Robinia Spuedo-acacia.
Gleditsia.
Cornus Florida.
Chionanthus Virginica.
Buberis Vulgaris.
Cercis Canadensis.
Iles Aquifolium.
Crataegus Coccenea.
Euonimus Europaus.
Euonimus Americanus.
Itea Virginica.
Sambucus Nigra. Annona Triloba.
Myrica Cerifera.
Kalmia Angustifolia.
Hedera Quinquefolia.
Lonicera Sempervirens.
Azalia Nudiflora.
Bignonia Sempervirens.
Calyanthus Floridus. Agave Virginica.
Rhus, many species.
Phytoloca Decandra. Tellandsia Usneoides.
The following trees and shrubs are classed among the very use- ful :
Reed, Virginia Hemp, Flax, Black, or Pitch Pine,
Arundo Phoagmitis. Acneda Cannabina. Lenum Virgineanum.
Pinus Taeda.
Pinus Strobus.
Pinus Virginica.
Pinus Foliis Sngularibus,
Pinus Folis Singularibus
Thuya Occidentalis.
Juniperus Virginica.
Cupussus Disticha. Cupussus Thyoides.
Quercus Nigra. Quercus Alba. Quercus Rubra. Quercus Phellos.
Quercus Prinus.
Quercus Aquatica.
Quercus Pumila. Quercus Virginiana.
Betula Nigra. Betula Alba. Fagus Sylvatica. Fraxinus Americana.
Poplar, Black Poplar Yellow Poplar,
Aspen, Linden or Lime,
Red Flowering Maple,
Horse Chesnut,
Catalpa, Umbrella, Swamp Laurel. Cucumber Tree,
Portugal Bay,
Red Bay,
Dwarf-rose Bay,
Laurel of the Western Country, Wild Pimento,
Sassafras, Locust, Honey-locust,
Dogwood,
Snow Drop,
Barberry,
Red Bud, or Judas Tree,
Holly,
Cockspur Hawthorn, Spindle Tree,
Evergreen Tree,
Elder,
Papaw, Candleberry Myrtle,
Dwarf Laurel, Ivy.
Trumpet Honeysuckle,
Upright Honeysuckle, Yellow Jasmine,
American Aloe, Sumach, Poke, Long Moss,
White Pine, Yellow Pine, Spruce Pine, Hemlock Spruce Fir.
Arbor Vitae, Juniper, Cypress, White Cedar, Red Cedar, Black Oak, White Oak, Willow Oak, Chestnut Oak, Black Jack Oak, Ground Oak, Live Oak, Black Birch, White Birch, Beach, Ash, several species, Elm,
Trea Mays. Solanum Tuberosum.
10
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
POPULAR NAME.
LINNEAN NAME.
Willow, several species.
Ulmus Americana, Salix.
Sweet Gum,
Black Jack Oak,
Liquidambar Styracifera.
Barren Scrub Oak,
Quercus ferruginea.
Black Walnut,
Quercus catesboel.
Butternut,
Juglans nigra.
Pecannut Hickory,
Juglans cathartica.
Butternut Hickory,
Juglans olivoeformis.
Shellbark Hickory,
Juglans amara.
Pignut Ilickory,
Juglans squamosa.
Whlte Maple,
Juglans myristicoe porcinis.
Box Elder,
Acer erocarpum alba.
White Flowering Dogwood.
Acer negundo.
Yellow Flowering Dogwood,
Cornus norida alba.
Big Laurel,
Cornus flava.
Small Magnolia,
Magnolia grandiflora,
Pawpaw,
Glauca.
Bution wood, or
Annona triloba.
Sycamore, two specles,
Platanus occidentalis.
Mountain Laurel,
Buckeye, two species,
Kalmia latifolis, rare. Pavia lutea.
Native Wild Flowers.
The author is indebted to the History of Ohio by Caleb Atwater. A. M., for the following list of flowers found growing wild by the early settlers. This list was prepared by R. Buchanan of Cincinnati, in 1838.
SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
COMMON NAME.
Erginia Bulbosa,
Turkey Pea. Rue anemone.
Anemone Thalictroides,
Anemone Virginiana,
Thimble weed.
Erytheonium albidum,
Dogstooth violet, white.
Erytheonium Americanum,
Dogstooth violet, yellow. .
Trillium sessile,
Trillium pendalum.
Trillium grandiflorum,
Delphinium tricolored.
Larkspur, ever flowering,
Delphinium exaltatum,
Larkspur, tall late flowering. Blue violet.
Viola Cucullaria,
Viola Canadensis,
Changeable colored.
Viola Pubescens,
Yellow violet.
Eneneion biternata,
Windflower.
Monarda didyma,
Bergamotte.
Monarda oblongata,
Bergamotte.
Iris versicolor,
Blue flag.
Commelina Virginica,
Day flower.
Houstonia cerulea,
Dwarf pink.
Houstonia purpurea,
Dwarf pink.
Pulmonaria Virginica,
Blue bells. False cowslip.
Spigelia Marylandica,
Pink Root.
Phlox divaricata,
Early sweet william.
Phlox aristata,
Early prairie sweet william.
Phlox paniculata,
Tall meadow sweet willjam.
Phlox pyramidalis,
Tall meadow sweet william.
Phlox maculata,
Spotted stem sweet william.
Creeping sweet william.
Phlox reptans, Polemonium reptans,
Greek valerian.
Campanula Americana.
Lobelia Cardinalis,,
Spring beauty.
Gentiana saponaria,
Blue gentian.
Gentiana orchrolenea,
Marsh gentian.
Hentiana quinqueflora,
Fringed gentian.
Tradescantia Virginica,
Phalangium esculentum.
Lilium canadensis,
Lilium superbum,
Superb lily. Catesby's lily.
Lilium catesbei, Convallaria racemosa,
Solomon's seal.
Large flowering.
Lizard's tail.
Evening rose.
Large primrose. Senna. Senna. Indigo weed, blue.
Gentiana crinita,
Spider wort.
Wild hyacinth. Meadow lily.
Convallaria grandiflora, Saururus ceruleum, Oenothera biennis,
Oenothera grandiflora, Cassia Marylandica, Cassia Chamachrista, Baptisia cerulea,
Bell flower. Cardinal flower, scarlet.
Claytonia Virginica,
Marsh gentian.
Dodecatheon integrifolium,
Wake robin, purple.
Wake robin, white.
Wake robin, white.
FRANCIS CAMPBELL. [Page 1258.]
RICHARD DOUGLAS. [Page 279.]
EDWARD KING. [Page 282.]
SAMUEL F. VINTON.] [Page 170.]
11
PLANTS AND TREES.
SCIENTIFIC NAME.
COMMON NAME.
Silene Virginica,
Catch fly, scarlet color.
Silene regia,
Catch fly, meadow pink.
Spirea lobata,
Pride of the meadow.
Spirea aruncus,
Pride of the meadow.
Gillenia stipulacea,
Indian physic.
Gillenia trifoliata,
Rosa parviflora,
Rosa rubiflora,
Rosa lucida,
Rubus odoratus,
Sanguinaria canadensis,
Saracenia purpurea,
Nymphae odorata,
Naphar advena,
Aquilegia canadensis,
Clematis Virginica,
Clematis viorna,
Caltha palustris,
Dracocephalum Virginiannm,
Scutellaria cordifolia,
Euchroma cocinea,
Ruellie strepens,
Antirrhinum linaruia,
Collinsia verna,
Chelone glabra,
Martynia proboscidea,
Dentaria laciniata,
Geranium maculatum,
Hibiscus militaris,
Liatris scariosa,
Liatris spicata,
Eupatorium coelstinum,
Eupatorium,
Aster nova anglica,
Aster shortii,
Aster, varous species of,
Solidago, various species,
Achillea millefolium,
Helianthus, twenty species,
Rubeckia purpurem,
Rubeckia, various species ,
Silphium perfoliatum,
"Tabenaria incisa,
Habenaria psychoides,
Orchis spectabilis,
Aplectrium hyemale,
Asclepias tuberosa,
Apoeinema canabinum,
Asarum canadenis,
Wild ginger.
Pavia ohjensis.
Vines.
Vitis Vulpina. Vitis Sciotoensis.
Vitis Accumimatis.
Vitis Alba maxima.
Vitis Rubia maxima.
Vitis Bigantea ohioensis.
Grasses.
Southern Ohio was a great grass country, especially, along the rivers and in the prairies and barrens. Even in the woods, in many parts of the country, grasses grew abundantly. On the prairies, there were grasses, intermingled with flowers. There was a clover, called "buffalo clover," but the original native grasses have disappeared and the imported grasses have taken their place.
Animals.
The following animals were found by white men when they first explored the country : Bison, elk, bear, black bear, black and yellow wolf, sometimes called the gray wolf, the panther, black and gray
Unicorn plant.
Tooth root.
Crow foot.
Swamp hibiscus.
Blazing star.
Gay feather.
Blue eupatorium.
Various species.
New England Aster, many species.
Star wort,
Star wort.
Golden rod.
Yarrow.
Wild sun flower.
Wild sun flower.
Wild sun flower.
Ragged cap. Ragged cap.
Ragged cap.
Gay orchis.
Putty root.
Swallow wort.
Indian hemp.
Sweet Buckeye,
Fox Grape, Sweet Prarie Grape,
Hill Grape, White Grape,
Red Large Grape, Frost Grape,
Indian physic.
Small rose.
Small rose.
Many species.
Rose flowering raspberry.
Blood root.
Side saddle plant.
White pond lily
Yellow water lily.
Wild columbine.
Virgin's flower.
Leather flower.
American cowslip.
Dragon head.
Scull cap. Painted cup.
Painted cup.
Snap dragon.
Snap dragon.
Shake head.
12
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
fox, red fox, catamount, wild cat, raccoon, opossum, polecat, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, weasel, gray squirrel, chipmunk, fox, squirrel and hare.
Birds and Fowls.
The following is a list of the birds and fowls found in the coun- try when first visited by white men. The common name is given first and the technical name is given second.
SCIENTIFIC NAME.
COMMON NAME.
Tyrant, Field Martin,
Lanius Tyfannus.
Turkey Buzzard,
Vultur Aura.
Bald Eagle,
Falco Leucocephalus.
Sparrow Hawk,
Pigeon Hawk,
Fork-tail Hawk,
Fishing Hawk,
Little Owl,
Strix Asco.
Blue Jay, Baltimore Bird,
Oriolus Baltimorus.
Black Bird,
White Bill Woodpecker,
Picus Principalis.
Larger red-crested Woodpecker,
Picus Pileatus.
Red-headed Woodpecker,
Picus Erythrocephalus.
Gold-winged Woodpecker,
Picus Auratus.
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Picus Carolinus.
Nuthatch, Small Nuthatch,
Humming Bird,
Wild Goose,
Buffel'e head Duck,
Anas Bucephala.
Summer Duck,
Largest Crested Heron,
Crested Bittern,
Blue Heron, Crane,
Brown Bittern, Indian Hen,
Wild Turkey,
Meleagris Gallopavo.
Pheasant, Mountain Partridge,
Ground Dove,
Pigeon of Passage, Wild Pigeon,
Turtle Dove,
Lark, Sky Lark,
Field Lark,
Red-winged Starling, or,
Marsh Blackbird,
Red Bird,
Virginia Loxia Cardenalis. Musicapa Rubra.
Cat Bird,
Black-cap Fly Catcher,
Blue Bird,
Motacilla Sialis.
Montacilla Regulus,
Parus Becolor.
American Swallow,
Hirundo Pelargia.
Purple Martin, Goat Sucker,
Hirundo Purpurea.
Great Caprimulgus Europaeus,
Bat. Whip-poor-will,
do do
Serpents.
There were two species of rattle snakes which had their dens in the hills, the small spotted rattle snake and the large black rattle snakes; two or three species of black snake; water snakes of several species : and the common garter snake, copper-head and lizards.
Fishes.
The fishes in the waters of the Ohio river were as follows: black. yellow and white perch ; spotted perch, pike, trout, buffalo, several species of sucker, two species of sturgeon, eels, herrings, garfish, chubs, minnows, and catfishes of two species, black and yellow.
Ardea Herodea.
Ardea Violacea.
Ardea Caewlea.
American Partridge, Quail,
Tetras Virginaus.
Columba Passerina.
Columba Corolinemis. Alauda Alpestris.
Alauda Magna.
Summer Red Bird,
Musicapa Caroliniensis.
Wren,
Crested Titmouse,
Falco Sparrerius.
Falco Columbarius.
Falco Furcatus.
Corvus Cristatus.
Trochilus Colubris.
Trochilus Colubris.
Anas Canadensis.
Anas Sponsa.
13
GEOLOGY.
Geology. By the Editor.
To make an extensive chapter on this topic would be a fraud upon our patrons and readers, because we would necessarily have to repro- duce something already written. The editor of this work is not a ge- ologist and to assume to be one would be to quote from some one else. Instead of quoting and occupying space much needed for other sub- jects, it is best to refer to the works where a good descriptive geology will be found. The article on the Geography and Geology of Ohio, in Howe's Historical Collection of Ohio, published in 1889, in two volumes, contains an article by the late Professor Edward Orton, State Geologist, which gives the subject so full that it could not be quoted here. In Geology, only the latest works are reliable and this is about the latest. No complete treatise on the Geology of Scioto County has ever been written and the editor could not write one sole- ly for this work ; for two reasons: first, he is not fitted for that task. and second, if he were it would not pay to do it for a work of this scope. Professor Orton's treatise beginning on page 61 occupies to page 89. In 1836, the State first began to study its geological forma- tions and those studies have been pursued ever since. In 1869, the State had a second geological survey and again in 1881. The rocks and clays in Ohio grew, or were stratified in water. There are no igneous or metamorphic rocks in the State. All our formations grew in the sea. One time the waters of the Gulf of Mexico covered our State. The waters of the Gulf extended to Lake Erie and were warm. On page 64 of the work referred to is a good map of the geological formation of Ohio. On the opposite page is a map showing in what territories the various outcroppings exhibit themselves and in this ar- ticle we refer to those maps as one and two. One has the vertical sec- tion of the rocks of Ohio, and two is entitled Geological Map of Ohio. The reader will please place those maps before him and then this arti- cle will be readily understood. Scioto County is in the Carboniferous System, nearest the top. It has under it the Devonian, the Upper Silurian and the Lower Silurian. The Carboniferous System is divi- ded into eight parts of which Scioto County belongs to the Subcarbon- iferous limestone. It lies under six measures and has eleven under it. The lowest rocks in the state No. I. Trenton Limestone, crop out at Point Pleasant in Clermont County where General Grant was born. The series count from I at the bottom of Map I, to 18 at its top. No. 2 the Utica Shale, shows at Findlay, 800 feet below the surface. No. 3. Hudson river series, shows at Cincinnati. No. 4. Medina Shale, shows at many points in South Western Ohio. It produces the gas at Lancaster 1902 feet below the surface. It crops out only in Southern Ohio. No. 6, the Niagara group, is in Adams County, Clark, Miami, Montgomery and Green. The Dayton stone comes from this system. The Hillsboro sandstone is also the last upward clement in this group.
14
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
No. 7. the Lower Helderberg, shows up at Greenfield, in Highland County, and at Lima in Allen County and in Lucas and Wood Coun- ties. No. 8, the Upper Helderberg, yields the Columbus and Delaware limestone. This is the finest limestone in Ohio. No. 9, is the Hamil- ton Shale. No. Io, is the Ohio Shale, found in Cleveland and in Erie and Huron Counties. No. II, the Waverly Group, is named for the sandstone found near Waverly in Pike County. This is the same stone quarried at Buena Vista, by the Rarden Stone Company, at Rar- den, Ohio, and the Henley Stone Company, at Henley, Ohio. No. 12, the Subcarboniferous limestone is found in Scioto, Jackson, Hocking, Perry and Muskingum Counties. No. 13 to 17, is the conglomerate and coal measures. They bear the coal, fire clay, limestone and cement rock found in Scioto County. All the seams belong to the bituminous division. By reason of these coals, Ohio comes only second to Penn- sylvania in the production of coal. The coal measures contain the iron ore and fire clay. The ore seams in these measures, at Hanging Rock, are not over twelve inches in thickness. The clays of this re- gion are used for fire brick, stone ware, earthen ware, sewer pipes and paving bricks. Ohio leads all other states in the industries growing out of these clays. Ohio is first in its production from stone quarries. There was never any glacier action in Scioto County. It lies south- east of the glacier limit.
Oil and Gas.
In some remote geological period there was an upheaval from the workshops of Vulcan in the center of the earth, under Tennessee, Kentucky and Southern Ohio, and this created the Cincinnati anticli- nal, or arch. The Trenton limestone is the floor of the formation de- scribed, and the roof of the anticlinal. The dip is thirty feet to the mile westward in our locality. Under this anticlinal is the petroleum and natural gas. The shales of the Waverly sandstone region and the Waverly stone itself are permeated with petroleum. Petroleum is found in paying quantities within fifty miles southwest of Scioto County, in the Bath County, Kentucky oil fields. It is not in our province to dis- cuss how petroleum and natural gas are formed in the bowels of the earth, or the various qualities of each. Newton Robinson distilled the finest of oil, from the oil bearing shales at Buena Vista and would have made a fortune at it but the discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania ruined his enterprise. There must be a porous rock to contain the oil and an impervious or nonporous rock to hold the oil down as a cover. This condition must exist before oil can be found in paying quantities. Salt water is always found in connection with oil and gas. To find oil there must be the source, reservoir and cover. The cover of the oil rock is usually a fine grained impervious clay shale. If this shale is found the rock underneath, if a sandstone, or limestone, contains oil. It is likely to be found at the surface of the Trenton limestone or at
15
GEOLOGY.
the bottom of the Ohio shale, No. To, in the series given. Oil and gas occur in all rocks which have a heavy shale cover. The oil is associated with salt water in the stratum which contains it. The oil is pressed upward by gravity until it reaches the cover of shale which holds it down ; when that is penetrated it escapes. Clay is an agency in the primary accumulation of petroleum. This is true in eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Sandstone rocks are sure receptacles for oil and it is sometimes called "oil sand" but it is really a sandstone rock. In the Findlay gas and Lima oil fields, limestone is the oil sand, but it has the same shale cover as elsewhere found. The pressure which drives the gas to the surface with such a mighty force, when the roof of the gas cover is penetrated is not fully explained by scien- tists. The pressure of the water about and under the gas reservoir is the best theory of the force which drives the gas to the surface. When gas and oil wells are exhausted, salt water follows and hence it is supposed that water is the force which drives the gas and oil to the surface with such great force. This water pressure is falsely termed rock pressure and the term has been adopted. It is 750 pounds in the Pennsylvania wells and 400 pounds in the Findlay wells.
Sources of Gas and Oil in Ohio.
These are given by Professor Orton as follows :
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