The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-02
NATURAL GAS IN THE DELTA.
Investigations Proposed by the Enter
prising Greenviile People.
From the Grecnville (MisS) Democrat

prising Greenville People.
From the Grecnvile (MsS) Democrat
BY the courtesy OF Col. W. N. Hood, We
are able to publish herewith most inter
esting letter. and one which makes a sug-
geston we gladly indorse. Those who
know the vast possibilities and future
opened out to city by the discovery Of
force OF Mr.. Doniphan's letter. What
would be the limit TO Greenvile's growth
could such glorious discovery be made in
her vicinity? 1t is positively stated that
natural gas already exists at Lake Proyi-
dence and at other points in our section.
nor Is there any reason why discovery
should not be made right here in WASH
ington County. A few hundred dollars
paid in will suffice to make the expert
ment II il fails, a very interesting geo.
logical investigation will have been
made; no one can lose much; II II sue
ceeds, every dollar invested will be worth
thousands With almost gratuitous fuel
for heating and motive purposes, our city
would soon have $4,000 people. and every
vile. Who will start the list2 We would
suggest the formation OF chartered COM
pany and the paying in Of small sum on
each share 10 deiray the expense OF boring.
Let every one who reads this weigh the
chances and note how "tho game is worth
the CANDLE" We hope 10 hear from our
friends and readers at once. Here is Mr..
Doniphan's letter
W. N. Hood Esq;
Dear Sir-Replying TO yours OF the 9TH
on the subject Of natural gas. am in
| doubt as TO whether biologists can tell
! anything about IL from surface indications.
4 At least that was our experience here be-
| fore the gas was discovered, as we had one
20 look carefully over the ground, and he
gave IL rs his opinion that gas could not
be found in this county.
Some Of Muncie's enterpriRing citizens,
however, largely backed by the pluck and
liberlity Of our Bagging Mill Company,
sustained by hope that II might be found,
began TO bore, and our first well struck II
in paying quantity mt 800 feet depth.
We have now IN the county not less than
forty-five good wells, and the population
OF Muncic. in consequence OF this great
boon, from a population Of 5000 three
years ago, has jumped 10 1900. Manu-
factories OF all kinds are coming hero, for
the burning question with them In these
times OF sharp competition, il fuel gas.
Added 10 the already almost gigantic en-
terprisc OF Groenvillo citizens, II they
could find naturals gas under her fertile
and generous soil, her destiny, as you say,
would indeed be fixed. An influx Of man.
ufactures might tend 10 make strong pro-
tcctionists out Of some OF your best free
trade thinkers. but with the increased
wealth which n diversity Of industrial en-
tcrprises would bring you, am sure you
would not quarrel.
Think OF 500 an acre for Magenta plan
taiionl Such prices for farm lands con-
tiguous 10 Muncie are now an every day
occurrence, some selling yesterday Just
across the river from ms for 5000 per aero
for one tract Of seventy-seyen acres.
| SO much for some OF the results Of nalu-
raj gas. As 10 the possibility Of finding IL
In or near Grccnyille, the luck might be
tried. Two thousand five hundred dollars
will sink a well !, 800 feet, and II YOU fail
I 10 find IL 100 Of you would not DO much
out. got OF steamboat once at Wilder
ness Landing IN lssaquona County, and
heard a sizzling sound like the escape Of
gas, and upon touching a match 10 the
hole near the edge OF the bank raised n
blaze strong enough 10 boil cup Of water,
aud u burned for some timo until some
one famed II out IL may have been an
escape from n pocket" OF gas which we
often strike here and which soon blows
itself out. Get your neighbors 10 clip in
and try your luck somewhere about Ave
miles back from the river, and ii YOU find
gus please secure mo an option on 1000
acres near by. Yours very truly,
j. V. DoSirnAS.