The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-09
THE DGAS GEYSER.'
THE wELLssuRa WELL
The Notion of Hr. Barclay aad the Big Results
That Came From It-sOns Other Wells Which
Have Bees Sank Near the PrtIsnt aushsr.
The Excellent Work for this 0ae. s.

WELIsBuRG, January s, lSS3.-As many
mistasements have been published con-
cerning the wellsburg gas well, it may be
well to give correct review OF the enter
prise from its beginning to its develop.
ment. About ten years ago Mr.. W. @.
Barclay, Of this place, discovered the
waters in Buffalo creek, near the Pitts
burgh, Wheeling & Kentucky bridge
bubbling in manner that attracted his
attention. He was by his curiosity led to
believe that the bubbles was caused by gas
escaping from the earth, and on applying a
match over the bubbles flame shot forth
that proved to him that his former opinions
were correct. He held on TO his. opinions
and was often laughed at by his friends
on account OF his faith. Some said the
bubbles In the creek were made by turtles.
The bubbles continue and have been
christened Barclays bubbles"
For several years Mr.. Barclay attempted
TO organize q company TO bore for gas, but
after many unsuccessful efforts found no
man with nerve enough TO stand up with
him until he ran across Captain William
Barnes, an old Weilsburg boy, now OF st.
Louis. The two together induced the Hon.
W. II. Tarr to 60 in with them. Other
business so engaged the attention OF Capt Z.
Barnes that he had TO very reluctantly
withdraw from taking part in the enter
prise.
In February, 1882, the present company
was formed, an ordinance prepared and
submitted to the Town Council, which was
passed, granting the company the exclusive
right Of the streets and alleys for laying gas
pipes. The company organized by virtue
Of charter granted under the laws Of this
State, on the 10th OF May, 1852. In the
latter part OF July following, everything
being in readiness, boring was commenced.
At depth OF fifty feet small vein Of gas
was struck, and as the depth increased
numerous other small veins were encoun-
tered. At depth Of one hundred and
sixteen feet the first vein Of fire clay was
struck, which was twenty feet thick. Then
came ten feet of slate. At one hundred
and forty.eight feet the second vein
Of fire clay was struck, which
was forty feet thick. This vein
proved to be Of very superior quality.
Then came twelve feet OF sand rock.
After passing through the tive-foot vein OF
sand rock the five:foot vein OF coal, known
as vein No. 0, was struck, which is the
same as that now being worked at Steu-
benville, Brilliant and Rush Run. At OPS
feet six.ioot vein OF coal was struck. At
a depth OF 100 feet the great vein OF salt
water was struck, which was forced out by
the pressure Of the gas in immense quanti-
ties. The quality OF the salt water is up to
the highest standard. 1t required Ut feet
OF casing to shut off the salt water so that
boring could be continued. At 1910 feet,
on Thursday, December 2S, 1882, the pres
ent great flow OF gas was reached, which
came out with such force as TO prevent
any further operations in the way OF drill
ing. This well is one OF the largest in the
United States, and is attracting the atten.
ton Of people from every quarter.
Sometime during the late war well was
bored on Panther run, about mile and u
half east OF town, and on reaching depth
OF 800 feet the tools were lost and the enter
prise abandoned. Some gas was found
there, but notsutficient to attract attention.
Sometime prior to the war well was sunk
about 800 yards below the well that now
produces such an immense quantity OF gas
to the depth OF 352 feet and some salt water
and gas found. This well was known as
the Antill we'll. The Wellsburg gas well
was sunk by Messrs. Z. A. Durst and John
G. Rayl, contractors, assisted by William
Thompson, George Peppard and John
Gorly.
To show that these gentlemen have per-
formed their work well and faithfully /
have been permitted to copy the following
resolution from the minnte-book OF the
company:
Resolred, That Messrs. burst and Rayl
having completed the contract entered into
with this company for sinking well, and
WHEREAS, The territory being new they
encountered unexpected difficulties in
boring making the labor and cost attending
same more than anticipated, yet with
energy and perseverance they adhered to
and completed the work according to
contract,
Resolred, That we give them great credit
for accomplishing what they undertook
after encountering difficulties that would
have overcome less energetic and persever.
ing workmen, and we do recommend them
to any parties desiring to put down well,
for their honesty, capability and tuntiring
devotion to their work. G. B. G.