The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-29
THB BELMONT OIL FIELD.
The Standard and Washington
Company Active There.
EVIDENTLY OIL WAS FOUND
In Paying Quantities, or Operators
on tho stitt Farm would not DO
Leasing More Territory.
History OF tho Field.


The vicinity Of St. Clairsyille is al
present considerably agiated over the
probability Of becoming an oil producing
centre that promises, il one is to judge
from present indications, to DO one Of
considerable Importance. During the
past two years spectators as well us field
experts have leased territory in that
neighborhood, but as their means OIL
operation were limited they simply
leased such lands as they considered
sure oil producing ground, and with
these leases in hand they perhaps fell
secure and were inactive in developing
the oil interests, until finally the matter
attracted the attention OF the STANDARD
Oil Company and also Of q company o.
Washington, Pa, capitalists, who
promptly sent experts upon the ground
to investigate the matter aud lease such
lands as they considered OF any probable
value. After u thorough Investigation
Of several months j. b. MCAGeChen, act.
ing for the Washington company, and
q. s. Henderson, OF Pittsburgh, actint
for the Standard Company, began leas'
ing ground inaquiet way, and they now
have possession Of a tract about two
miles In width and extending from Nc.
MeChen's creek on the south, almost TO
Wheeling creek on the north, or a dis
lance OF nearly ten miles.
The majority OF these leases are held
by the Standard Company, and their
agent is still busy extending the field
for operations toward Cadiz. The terms
on which TREY secure these privileges
are unknown except 10 tue lessor and
lessee, and they keep the facts aud
iiguresseCret in the most careful manner,
refusing 10 impart any information what
ever on the subject.
Several months ago the Standard Com
pany's representative set up drilling
machinery on the Slit farm, which Is
located four miles south Of st. Clairs.
vile, and began the work Of sinking a
well. For weeks the work was con-
Quoted openly and in an ordinary man
ner, but after a while those engaged In
the work refused to say anything con-
corning 1t, and finally the machinery
and derrick were covered over ard adj
mittanCe and information concerning
the work were alike positively refused.
Tho work went steadily on, however,
in a mysterious kind OF way, until sew
eral days ago the engines suddenly stop.
ped, and after a few hours OF hurry and
hustle, the scene Of operation was aban.
doned except by two men, who re-
manned as watChmen, and whose lips
seemed sealed in the most profound
secrecy.
1t Is generally supposed that the drill.
ing oil the Slit farm terminated In a
gusher, and that the well was plugged
and guarded that the operator might
keep 1t q secret and thus lease the de.
sired territory at u much more reason.
anle figure that they could hope TO II II
was known that oil had been found.
These %suppositions arc strengthened by
the fact that sincethe drilling ceased the
agents Of both companies have been hard
at work securing leases, andthe Standard
Company's representative, after q flying
trip 10 Pittsburgh, has made preparations
to receive a shipment Of well castings
within n few days, and he Is expecting a
visit from several Of the leading spirits
OF his company this week. A careful
consideration OF the strange actions Of
these agents, and the'stranger action Of
the workmen on the Stitt farm, inClines
one TO believe that a gusher has been
struck, andthat extreme secrecy Is main.