Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-02
A NEW OIL REFINERY.
The Kentucky Southern Oil Com
pany's Plant Put in Operation.
PITTSBURG CAPITAL INVESTED
In Territory Capable Of Supplying the
Entire Southern Trade.
YIELDS BETTER OIL THAN BRADFORD

Word was received in this city yesterday
that the Kentucky Southern Oil and Gas
Company commenced to refine Kentucky
crude petroleum yesterday. The results are
said TO have been perfectly satisfactory in
every respect. The refinery is located at
Oil City, Barren county. KY, and is owned
largely by Pittsburg capitalists. The de-
velopment of this Eew field was noticed
some time ago in The DISPATCH. 1t
promises to be an important field for the
South. If present indications are carried
out the entire Southern trade will be sup
piled from the Kentucky field at greatly
reduced rate, as compared with the Northern
product.
Heretofore all the Illuminating oils for
supplying Southern and Southwestern trade,
as well as the export demand supplied from
the Southern ports, has been shipped from
the North, the oil being produced in Penn
sylvania and New York States principally,
although Ohio and West Virginia also pro-
duce moderate quantities of high grade il
Eliminating oils. And recently the latter
State has more than quadrupled its output.
P1TTsBURG MONEY IN IT.
Within the past few years a great deal of
Pittsburg capital has been invested in de-
veloping the Kentucky field. Until quite
recently, however, the wells drilled were
not put to producing, owing to lack of re-
fning facilities, although they have greatly
surpassed the expectations of their owners.
And several new wells, which have come in
during the past two weeks are large produc-
ers. The first we'll drilled by the Havens
& Chase Oil Company, and known as their
No. 1, was estimated at from 80 to so
barrels, but when turned into the tank the
past week, it greatly astonished all parties
interested by filling it in less than "a hours.
The tank holds $50 barrels and since the
we'll is producing naturally, never having
been ''shot," the outputs remarkably large
one. The Chase & Havens Oil Company also
have a number of other wells drilled In, and
awaiting tankage, one or two of which are
believed to be as large as the one mentioned.
They also completed we'll within the past
ten days, which is reported as showing even
better than their Nc. 1.
BEING WELL PAID.
Bailey & Crowell have just finished their
first well, about one mile northwest from the
Havens' operations, which is pronounced
good for 80 to 40 barrels. For an initial
venture in new field, these parties have
been well rewarded.
There are about ten new wells now being
drilled in the Barren county field, and also
several in Cumberland county, which ad
joins Barren county on the east. And some
80 or 40 oil operators from Pittsburg and
other northern distri,ts are actively at work
with their field men securing every avail
able acre of territory not already covered by
leases or purchases. Many farms are being
bought outright, and good sums are being
paid for leases in desirable locations.
Tt SC taa hot 4 hoay
invested in leases there during the past few
days. And if the present excitement con-
tinues, the field bids fair to shortly rival in
activity the "palmy days of Bradford"
The Kentucky Southern Oil and Gas
Company, composed of active and leading
parties from Pittsburg and Kentucky. con-
troll most of the developed territory, as well
as very large bodies not yet tested. And to
their persistence and activity is principally
due the DEVELOPMENT of that section.
The field certainly appears very inviting
to the petroleum trade. Owing to the terri
tory being shallow, the expenses of drilling
wells are only about one.fifth OF the average
outlay necessary in the Pennsylvania and
other Northern districts. And in addition
to the inviting feature of economy in cost of
drilling, the oil is commercially much more
valuable than that of Bradford and other
districts.
A GREAT MARKET FOR IT.
There is estimated to be a ready market
for many times the capacity of the new
refinery, which is at present about 1000
barrels per week. But it is the intention of
the Kentucky Southern Oil and Gas Com
pany to enlarge as rapidly as possible, and
they will endeavor to keep pace with the
growth of production there, which is bound
to be very large within the next few months.
Pittsburg is largely benefited by the de-
velopment of the Kentucky field. Aside
from the investment OF Pittsburg capital,
nearly all OF the material, including sup
plies for drilling and tubing, is furnished
by Pittsburg manufacturers. There are
also a large number of Pittsburgers going
South for employment in the new oil field.
Oil City-which promises 10 be truly the
oil city OF the South-was named by Pitts
burg man. 1t is thriving little town Of
several hundred inhabitants. A large
hotel is projected, and it will be erected as
soon as the weather settles. A branch of
the Louisville and Nashville runs through
the place and furnishes ample railroad ia
cilities. Tool shops and supply stores are
in the course of erection, and the town is in