HEMLOCK ISLANDS - MILE 27�

Being in the immediate vicinity where the event transpired we will relate for the benefit of those who like to hear stories, a strange page in the history of an Old Indian Chief of the Moncey tribe, by the name of Ross, and another Moncey by the name of Lock, who figured in this neighborhood as early as 1755 and probably earlier. The Monceys were a branch of the Delawares who had been crowded out from the Eastern waters by the encroachments of the whites, came to this region as early as 1724 which had been assigned them as a home by the Six Nations. But to return to the story:

Ross and Lock, were in the employ of the British during the Revolutionary War. They together crossed the mountains on a trip for massacre and booty. Somewhere on the borders of Huntingdon, or Franklin County they murdered in cold blood a Schoolmaster and twenty five or thirty children. Taking their scalps they proceeded to Niagara, disposed of them and received the "bounty." Lock was somewhat of a bravado and on their return to Hickory Town represented himself as the principal hero of the scene. Ross was mortified and determined on revenge. In true Indian style he waited for years for suitable opportunity, and at last in a drunken war dance murdered Lock. This dance came off on the left side of the river out near the foot of the mountain not far from the mouth of East Hickory Creek. Lock it seems acted the part of a singer, whiskey being in abundance, and Lock having twiged the bottle to the tune of a deep dram, became so stupefied that his music displeased Ross who commanded him several times to sing louder, but to no effect. Ross became enraged and seized a brand from the fire around which they were dancing and struck Lock on the head so hard that it put his music entirely out. Ross appeared before a council of the Senecas, and was condemned to support the widow of Lock for twenty years. At the expiration of that time he was to be slain by the nearest relative of Lock then living. This mild sentence was passed on account of his bravery. At the end of twenty years he surrendered himself up to the council of the tribe assembled near Buffalo. In the meantime, the only son of Lock had married the daughter of Ross. His son-in-law was unwilling to slay him, for time had long since worn off the edge of his revenge, and so the sentence was never executed. He lived to a great age and died on the banks of his native stream, the noble Allegheny.

From 1954 C of C write-up:

TIONESTA

"To the Seneca Indians :Tionesta" meant "where the waters strike the land" where the island forced Tionesta Creek to flow delta-wise into the Allegheny. Phonetically, "Tionesta" resembled Seneca for "home of the wolves."

Two centuries ago no white could pass beyond the Allegheny-Genessee line north of French Creek. Western Senecas , unlike eastern Senecas, gave slight heed to their Iroquois, pro-English, Six-Nations, membership.

Accordingly, with Tionesta the focal point, the western Senecas under Chief "Mud-Eater" founded refugee towns for weaker tribes dispossessed by Iroquois landsales and wars. Here, the great Moravian missionary David Zeisberger, in 1767, breached the anti-white embargo with the gospel.

Senecas called the site of Tionesta "Sa-qua-lin-get" (place of council). Pennsylvania ceded this acreage to Lieut. John Range in 1785 for Revolutionary service. Settlement came a decade later.

County seat of a county named for its majestic forests, Tionesta is an unspoiled, uncommercialized vacation spot. Forest County enjoys high trout-stream mileage, game-fish and top-bracket rating for big game: bear, deer and wild turkey.

Tionesta is the southwest gateway to a frontier-like out-of-doors region: Well-forested mountains, clear streams, rugged, natural and beautiful scenery. Included are the Allegheny National Forest, Cook's virgin forest, the Tionesta Dam 7-mile lake with elaborate picnicking facilities and the Tionesta Fish Hatchery and aquarium.

Northwestern Pennsylvania is finding Tionesta a natural center for hunting, fishing and vacationing."

TIONESTA ISLANDS - MILE 37�

Of these islands there are thirteen in number, and extend down about two miles. Some of them are under a high state of cultivation and are owned by different individuals.

OIL CREEK ISLAND, NO. 1 - MILE 57�

Oil Creek Eddy is the place of embarkation for the Oil Creek lumber which is manufactured in great abundance for many miles up this stream.

Oil Creek derives its name from a peculiar kind of inflammable oil known as the "Seneca Oil" which is found floating upon the surface of its waters in different places. This oil takes its name from the Seneca Indians. It was used by them as an unguent, and also in their religious worship. To the Indians it was almost as celebrated as the far famed Neptha of the Caspian Sea. With it they mixed their war paint, which gave them a hideous glistening appearance and added great permanency to the paint, as it rendered it impervious to water. What a startling spectacle the oil anointed warrior of the Senecas must have been as he gave forth the fearful war-hoop or paddled his light canoe along the dark blue waters of the Allegheny. I will give a description of the use they made of this oil on one of their religious occasions in the language of the commandant of the Fort DuQuesne in a letter to his Excellency Gen. Montcalm, the unfortunate hero of Quebec. This letter must have been written as early as 1753, in which the commandant says,

"I would desire to assure your Excellency that this is a most delightful land. Some of the most astonishing natural wonders has been discovered by our people. While descending the Allegheny fifteen leagues below the mouth of the Conewango, and three above Fort Venango, we were invited by the Chief of the Senecas to attend a religious ceremony of his tribe. We landed and drew up our canoes on a point where a small stream entered the river. The tribe appeared unusually solemn. We marched up the stream about a half league, where the company, a large band it appeared had arrived some days before us. Gigantic hills begirt us on every side, the scene was really sublime. The great chief then recited the conquests and heroism of their ancestors. The surface of the stream was covered with a thick scum which bursts into a complete conflagration. The oil had been gathered and lighted by a torch. At the sight of the flames the Indians gave forth a triumphant shout, that made the hills and valleys re-echo again! Here then is revived the ancient fire-worship of the East; - here then are the 'Children of the Sun'."

This oil has been discovered by the whites to possess several medicinal qualities, and is at present considered one of the valuables in Materia Medica.

The old Muncey chief 'Ross,' the hero of the Hickorytown dance confidently assured an aged citizen of Venango County that there were metals found and mines worked by the Senecas. And Black Snake, a Seneca chief, concurs in stating that there were three different mines between Franklin and Conewango, one of which is situated not far from the mouth of the creek. Any person who has traveled over the road between Franklin and Oil Creek will remember a deep dark ravine overhung with rocks, hemlock and pine, about a quarter of a mile below Hollidays. Ross led the white man up the ravine about a hundred and twenty rods: there another gulf comes down from the right, up which they passed some fifty rods further. The gap here assumes a fearfully dark and forbidding appearance. Vast rocks are thrown and piled one upon another, and the hill has the appearance of having been rent by an earthquake. The chief here bid the white man stop, and mentioning the awful death inflicted on one who disclosed the mines to strangers, said, :"I can go no farther. This mine is within five rods of here - find it for yourself."At the same time he showed several specimens of metal procured there. It was of an excellent quality though poorly refined. The mineral was found as in South America, in sand-stone rock. This spot has been a familiar one to Cornplanter. Some time about 1792, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted him a tract of about 500 acres of land here, including the oil springs; which he sold many years ago. A fuller and more concise history of this distinguished individual will be found in the history of Franklin.

From 1954 C of C write-up:

OIL CITY

"Since the drilling of the first oil well near Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859, Venango Count has often been called the oil capital of the world. The largest city in Venango County is Oil City, and since those early days of the oil industry, Oil City has been the industrial and commercial heart of Venango County.

In the earliest days of the oil industry crude oil was brought to the refineries and refined oil was shipped into the market by river boats and barges on the Allegheny River and its principal tributaries. Several Pennsylvania refineries are still located on the Allegheny River and Oil Creek, which joins the Allegheny at Oil City. The Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation has two of its four refineries so located; one is on the Allegheny at Emlenton, Pennsylvania, the other is on Oil Creek, just above Oil City.

Although the Allegheny River is no longer an artery of transportation for industries around Oil City, it still plays an important part in the life of that community and those surrounding it. Many residents of Oil City enjoy the excellent spring and summer recreational facilities offered by such pleasant riverside resorts as Rockmere, Walnut Bend, Henry's Bend, President, and Oleopolis. From these resorts located just a few minutes driving time from their home, fishermen and motor boating enthusiasts enjoy these pursuits on the Allegheny.

Oil City is also the convenient summer shopping center for the many people from other parts of Pennsylvania and elsewhere who make this section of the Allegheny River their vacation residence.

Oil City, a prosperous city of about 21,000, is, as its name implies, primarily concerned with the refining and marketing of pure Pennsylvania petroleum products. One of the pioneers and established leaders of the Pennsylvania oil industry is the Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation. Quaker State produces and refines 100% Pure Pennsylvania Grade Crude Oil into the finest motor oils, lubricants, aeroplane oils, and marine and outboard motor oils in the world.

Oil City is the home of the Quaker State Refining Corporation. Just about a mile from Quaker State's home office in Oil City is a point of particular historical interest to the oil industry. This is the Quaker State-owned McClintock No. 1 oil well, which is the oldest, 93 years, producing oil well in the world.

The complete line of Quaker State Motor Oils and Superfine Lubricants which are sold throughout the world, has earned Quaker State and Oil City the reputation of being the source of superior petroleum products. Quaker State "Duplex" Marine and Outboard Special Motor Oils are made from the same 100% Pure Pennsylvania Grade Crude Oil and with refining skill that goes into all Quaker State products.

Quaker State "Duplex" Marine and Outboard Special Motor Oils are available to sportsmen for their motor boating needs through thousands of motor boat suppliers, boatyards, and service stations throughout the world.