08/24/2026
We did our best to transcribe this old paper for readability:
Mecca Oil Bulletin
Posted weekly at the Bone Solvent Agency–Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio–VOL. 1. NO. 2–$1 per year, in advance
For the week ending Saturday, November 24, 1860
No statement regarding yield of oil wells allowed in the Bulletin, save upon an authority that makes it “a first class house” with Douglas’ Mercantile Agency, or “par paper” at Baring Brothers.
The coal oil interest is exerting every energy to re**rd investments in the rich wells of Mecca. Just wait till they sell out their stock and see what a dive they will make for our oil–the run on the Wall Street banks in ’57 won’t be a one barrel well to it.
Strata thesis versus “Oil-Bearing Rocks” pressure theory, will soon appear; also letters from an English correspondent, whose feet have tried 100 times the oil district of Asia–a leading New York chemist is preparing a column on the refining process.
Colonel Gilson, of Defiance, arrived at Mecca Thursday last. The Bulletin will be at the counter of W.N. Porter, Friday 8:30 AM–price two cents–size “wee”, but with more original and lively matter in it than in a Cleveland daily, no old advertisements kept in it for love or money. Mecca oil takes the lead of the various petroleums now competing in the lubricator market. Roberts & Co. (which includes Barry Miller and Edwards of this place) intend to start a steam pump this week. Their bore shows big signs.
President, not “Buck” nor “Honest Abe”, but the Durham owned by the Messers King of Howland–the question is–which is the best made, Locomotive 2d, Locomotive 3d, or the first named. The later gets good stock. Persons at a distance, desirous of improving their short horn herds, can buy yearlings in this county that are No. 1, none better in Kentucky. By the way, we once noticed grazing on the valley of Rock River, Wisconsin, a fine lot of some 20 Durhams, all from the herd of our townsman, E. Kinsman Esquire.
The merchants of Warren are filling up their brand new rooms with splendid stocks. This town has risen like a Phoenix from her ashes. We possess as go-ahead lot of business men as any inland county town in America, standing No. 1 in credit at the East. Our Mercantile capacity commands facilities for purchases at low rates. Pittsburgh, Cleveland, nor Buffalo do not and cannot job Drugs, Hardware, or Clothing at less prices than just our own Warren, Ohio.
The flow of oil still continues unabated, not withstanding the constant drain of a dozen or more steam pumps daily at work at the successful wells, among which the Hoxie is foremost with an average yield of two barrels per hour. Its capacity, however, is equal to three times that amount. The steady weekly pumping of the good wells of Mecca, as at Titusville, points to the certainty of their permanence; that is the great question with all classes of oil speculators–will the wells be permanent in the tremendous yield of the present day? We answer yes–unhesitatingly yes–as we remember that the oil bearing districts of Burma have produced over 500,000 barrels annually for the past three centuries. Those wells as a general thing only have failed where the yield was least abundant when first opened.
Observe the coal beds of this section. The vast deposits are found in the vicinity of these veins which have heretofore, and our now affording the most turns, those mines alone proving unprofitable, which were of limited yield at first. They were outside of the coal bearing region – so it is with the Galena lead mines, as alike the silver ones of South America, and such is the fact that the gold diggings of California. Where the 40 minor struck their big heads, there too, have those of ’59 found the best dirt – so will it be with the oil wells – three months at Mecca – nine at Titusville – and hundreds of years in Asia – bear witness to this presumption which forces itself upon the reflective mind as a basis of action – it becomes a fact.
Lots can be bought or least at reasonable rates. Drilling can be contracted for it for it one dollar per foot for first 75 feet next 10 feet at a dollar and a half each successive 50 at 50% over the proceeding of 90 feet is the average depth of good wells. Mecca is 10 miles northeast of Warren – the oil region is in the midst of a populous agricultural district.
346 drillings on Oil Creek gave twenty-nine paying wells. 29 and 346 goes how many times? A drill is down 49 feet near Plymouth, Richmond county, Ohio, showing oil–a salt well was… illegible…inland of Pennsylvania was leased nine… illegible…eighth. C. Howard made large leases in Medina county, found an oil spring. Wick, Converse & Parish are down 121 feet on Mosquito Creek near George Heaton’s. Judge Barr of Cleveland superintends the drilling at S. Abell’s.
They say that at Mecca, that was a spanking good team. Our townsman Charles and Henry Smith drove out there lately.
Personals –
Mrs. Irwin was in town last week. – Warren is a good old place to visit. Abbie Potter, now Mrs. Sigler, is home from her wedding tour, where is fiction along side of truth’s wonders? “Arise, take up thy bed and walk” – Jennie Adams drove out several times lately. “Jack Frost, have a care, touch her cheeks lightly.” Mrs. Messer’s drawing rooms are thronged with ladies, inspecting her rich and delicate fabrics from the millinery markets. Our high school moves straight along under the discipline of the new teachers, guided by the scholastic practical eye of superintendent Marvin. Horace Hutchins is doing well at Detroit, young Quinby, ditto at Memphis. Rumor has married Charles Hapgood, now of Marysville, California. Calvin Packard returns from Iowa, to locate at Alliance, where friend Melony drives the hardware and stove trade. Honorary John F. of boot on dit [as additional gossip] will soon be at his hunting ranch in Putnam, Colorado. He is a good shot. Albert Flowers is out, Green will follow in a week or two, his trade is enormous. – Honorary Elisha Whittlesy’s health is good. So with George Parsons Esquire, whose morning walk daily lands him at the business parlor attached to the counting rooms of the W.B. bank.
Belden turns out some extra sleighs this winter coming. Jonathan Dunlap will shortly occupy his nice brick building on Market Street, it looks “to home-like”. He is at his brother James’s heavy grocer establishment, old stand. The Freeman homestead is now quite an improvement.
W.F. Porter, resident artist, Warren, Ohio, makes stencil brands, specially adapted to oil barrels of those firms who wish to facilitate rapid sales. Alphabets on hand.
Porter also gives lessons in drawing and painting, and his studio is attracting the attention of lovers of art. Several of his sketches in oil show great promise.
Oil men, desirous of having wood cuts of their pumps, well and fixtures, can be furnished on short notice. Room over Porter’s bookstore, where specimens can be seen.
Strata thesis, explanatory of cut, next week.
Farmers, who sell their land to oil speculator should remember that Warren is a pleasant, old-fashioned town, with the best schools, lots are low, carpenters can put up a house to order in a hundred days. The leading denominations of citizens have each a house of worship here, well sustained.
John C. Heenan, (the Dennison horse of Johnson) paced a third quarter in thirty seconds, gaining the heat and 2–25, at Louisville, Kentucky – ten to one against him.
Brown, of Howland, says that some of Buckeye’s calves are “sockers.” Fact is, Charley, they are good ones.
That new Cleveland Butcher slices off such nice steaks–shall buy our beef there tomorrow.
“Yes sir’e, that he does–and has the best of sausage–he is the white aproned chap down on Main St.” Edmond Greenmeyer says that if Warren folks keep patronising him as heretofore, he will give this town an A No. 1 meat market.
Barnum’s old tib takes two in a buggy at almost a three minute gait.
It is a feature in the oil region that within thirty rods of the north and south line are found all the best paying wells while if we narrow the limits down to within forty feet of each line we strike each of these those whose great yield dazzle, the speculative eye–foreshadowing wealth to the possessor and directly stimulating to innumerable drillings in their immediate vicinity.
Thayer’s well is doing finely, it has shipped over one hundred barrels whilst Mills’ gives a steady yield to each successive stroke of the piston – we like this well.
Skeel’s vies with Hoxie’s in public favor, some claim for it a greater proportion of oil to the water then at the latter, ninety days ownership of either would make a man rich.
Capitalists are but now being attracted to Mecca. The more the subject is investigated, the firmer becomes the opinion that the oil bearing rocks of this vicinity yield a more desirable illuminator than those of other districts, hence “heavy men” are investing money in oil lands as alike in wells– take pencil and paper – figure it up – five drillings – each one is failure – put up the expense – drill 61 – find oil – only a five barrel well – run it ninety days – see how the account stands – land $100– Drilling $300 – pump, engine and vats $900 – wood $300 – engineer, 150 – some total, two thousand and fifty dollars – four hundred and fifty barrels of oil at nine dollars net cash – four thousand and fifty – deduct cost and it leaves a snug two thousand for profits over and above well and fixtures.
Bulletin, postage – free in Trumbull County $.26 per annum in the Atlantic states. Wall Street subscribers will receive their copy at the Astor house – Clevelanders can find it at Hawks and Brothers. Prof. Newberry has an able article in the forthcoming Ohio Agricultural Report – on the petroleums.
Merchants exchange, special subscribers New York will be served at their private residence.
Excelsior colts are pointing up fine, L. Mathews has an excellent spring horse foal.
