Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-30
GAS WELLS.
THE MOVEMENT TO DEVELOP THEM
IN SACRAMENTO.
Citizens Who Have Faith in the Pro.
ject, and Are Anxious to Risk
Their Money In 1t.

The meeting held at the Court house last
evening, for the purpose of considering the
project of boring for natural gas in this vi
cinity. was quite largely attended. DR..
s. S. southworth presided, and B. Leonard
acted as Secretary. The Chairman ex-
planned the object of the meeting, gave an
exhaustive recital OF his investigation OF
the Stockton gas wells and outlined the
project that had been started in this city.
He then called upon engineer Grunsky to
give bis idea in regard to the matter.
Mr. Grunsky first called attention to the
difference between the methods of securing
natural gas here and at the East. There,
he said, the wells are bored dry, and ex-
planned why that was the case. In Cali
fornia the gas rises with the water, being
held in solution, and is collected in reser-
voirs constructed over the mouths of the
wells. Knowing that these conditions exist
here, the first thing to do would be to
strike flowing water The indications are
favorable if We go deep enough. In the
Hsggin artesian well (some 2,100 feet
deep the water rose to within about thirty
feet of the surface, and sufficient gas
was found there TO bnrn. If flowing
water had been found, gas would have
come with it. In Suffer and Colusa coun-
ties ERE wells that furnish gas with the
wafer. When the Stockton artesian well
was bored gas was found that burned to
eight feet above the ground. In MERGED q
well furnishes some gas with the water.
With reference TO the location of test
well, Mr.. Grunsky said the best would be
that which would seem to offer advantages
for an artesian well-some low place
DR.. Southworth said the original PROPOSE
ton was to get 100 subscribers at 500 eacb.
The committee had canvassed with con-
siderable success, and he thought the ne
cessary capital would be secured. The
sum now subscribed is Sc 500, those sub
scribing doing so with the understanding
that the full amount would be forthcom-
ing. He had hoped that all the stock
would have been taken by this time, so
that a company might be formed at the
present meeting, officers elected, and incor-
paration papers filed at once. Enough
promises had been secured TO bring the
number of subscribers up to 20, or the sum
TO 81 600.
Mr.. Leonard thought that if the present
subscribers would interest themselves there
sired number
Several gentlemen present promised to
get each a new subscriber, and others who
had taken one share each offered to take
an additional one.
DR.. SouthWOrth read a communication
from the Capital Gas Company Offering to
lease to the new company The lot on which
the electric light plant stands on which to
bore for gas, and stating that if gas suitable
for either fuel or lighting purposes should
be struck, the company would tender a bid
therefor.
A communication on the subjset was
also read from John Eitel and another
from person in Ohio, the latter giving the
expense of boring there for gas The lat
ter claimed that no person could tell where
gas or oil could be found-nOthing can de-
termine that but the point of the drill. The
writer's conclusion was that the Stockton
wells were on the outer edge of the gas
field; but he was of the opinion that gas
in large quantities would yet be found in
California. The development of natural
gas in Ohio had caused manufactures to
spring up in all directions, and had added
immensely to the wealth and industries of
that State.
Add. c. Hinkson moved that two com
mittees of three pers0 each be appointed
~ AiSlAASl tAS CitS oAN Sdu lioo III SUI
scribers.
F. r. Dray thought that each sub
scriber should start out and look for other
subscribers. If they would take lively
interest in the matter they could accomp-
hsh much Two or three men soon ex-
haust their circle Of friends on whom they
can work. All are equally interested, and
each subscriber should do his best to secure
the necessary number of subscribers.
Mr.. Drsy read letter from a practical
well-driller, offering all necessary inf1rma-
ton regarding well-boring, and another
from man at Kelseyville, who has boring
tools, etc, to dispose of.
Mr.. Leonard favored Mr.. Hinksons mo-
ton for two committees, but thought that
the other subscribers should exert them
selves outside the committees work.
Mr.. Hinks3n's motion was adopted, and
committees were appointed as follows:
First Committee-Add. c. Hinkson, Alex.
Neilson'and C. A. Luhrs.
Second Committee-A. MeNasser, L. L.
Lewis and Peter Newman.
L. L. Lewis said the Oak Park Company
would give a block Of ground and $500 for
the purpose Of sinking the proposed well.
The meeting adjourned to meet at the
cali of the committee.