The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-21

Nade-Names Of Some Early Wells
Very few people are cognizant even
IN western Pennsylvania OF the raudity
OF development. in the petroleum bust
ness from the time, tnirty-seven years
ago, when 1t was known as Seneca OIL.
Active operations began IN 1883 when
Col. Drake, Of New Haven. wss en-
plOyed 70 ank'an artesian well for Bis
sell & Eyelesh, who had leased the Titus
vile oil springs ii 1884 from Brewer,
Watson Sc Co, paying them 5, 600 for a
ninety-nine year lease.
4 few years before the land mad been
traded 70 8 man named Chase for COW.
At first Bissell s. Evelesh had trenches
dug, which filed with water and oil,
and this was pumped into watts. The
well drilled by Drake struck oil at a
depth of 69i feet. 1t September 1t
pumped forty barrels a day, winch sold
at 90 cents a gallon II began 70 hurt
the coal oil distilleries which made oil
from shale and camel coal.
Operations spread down Oil creek. and
in December. 1889, well was struck at
the Buchanan farm, near Housewife, but
it was a small enc. Mr.. Harper states
that the first crude oil delivered IN Pitts
burg was from the Albion well. on the
Allegheny river, owned by Phillips. Frew
& Co. This well made fifty barrels =
day. The oil sold az 80 cents a gallon,
with the provision that the barrels be
returned The machinery, supplies and
men necessary to drill the well wers
shipped in the old canal packet Crystal
Palace.
WHEN WELLS MULTIPLIED.
In 1850 the petroleum trade began 70
be recognized as business worth some
thing more than curieus mention, but
its magnitude had NOT impressed itself,
for The people rated production Of crude
in gallons and not n barrels. There
were no oil exchanges TO rouse public at
tention. Some big wells made their ap-
pearance, but not many. The Hauil-
ton McCintock, two miles above Oil
City, started of at sixty gallons a min
ute, and was worth - cents a gallon az
the wells. The Economics began 70
rake in shekels at Tidioute, and reineries
began TO spring up in various places.
Crude sold IN this city at 50 cents a gal
Ion.
Royalty to land owners, now ranging
from oue-eighth 20 one-fOurth delivered
IN pipe lines, then ranged from one
fourth TO three-fourths, and the oil was
furnished 20 the land owner In iron
hoped barrels, winch ranged IN price
from $3.50 70 S3.25 each. This arrange
ment bankrupted some operators IN 1862,
when the price Of crude dropped 10 10
cents barrel, and they allowed many
thousands of barrels . flow into OIL
creek and down the Allegheny river. As
Senator Ingalls, might say, their rides
cent dreams OF wealth We're speedily
diss1pated. In September three-quarters
of the oil in barrels furnished by the
operators was paid for the lease Of q lot
seventy-fve feet front at TItusvile
In 1861 the greatest wells ever struck
were brought in on Oil creek. One IN
Butler county, on tue Marshall farm,
some years ago made Il larger flow at the
outset, but it did not hold ont long. The
breaking out of the rebellion and conse-
quent panic FRUSTRATED petroleum bust
ness IN the early part Of the year, but
Of the industry took place dur
ing the summer as the prospect began 10
grow for increased uses for Oil. In
August there were SEQ wells between
OIL City and Titusville In September
the Phillips No. 2, on the Tarr farm. was
struck It's first days production was
4, 600 barrels. The Empire was also fow-
ing ?, 800 day The oil was 60 plenty
that wells were plugged, when they
could be thus restrained, but many
thousands Of barrels were allowed % run
into the creek, and the Allegheny river
was covered with oil for many miles be
low Franklin.
GROWTH N 1862.
The WoOdford well on the Tar farm
was struck in December and made 100
barrels day, This well ruined tie
Phillips No. 2. and IN turn was ruined.
The water was not caSed of n those
days. and when the tubing was drawn
St the Phillips the W0odford began Ao~-
ing B. 5, The same trouble developed az
that time on the upper end Of tbs Blood
farm. L Is said the boring Of the Wood
ford well was Instlgated by pure hog
gerry. with intent % ruin the Philips
No. 2. The attempt wss successful. but
lt didn't pay the Owners OF the Wood
ford The Co9uette was also one Of the
Did tine spouters Of grea, renoEl She
was owned b. DR.. Egbert. who Low does
business az e. Fourth avenue. this city.
The year 1882 was mere memorable
Dor trade agitation reSa<dIng oil than
Tor large wells The market II th.s
country broke down tdls year, though
gallon Of refined cost IN this city az much
As a barrel OF crude does today. The
ocst Of hauling vas nnsu=e. and pipe
inc projects began 70 take shape.
The Transfers and tEelr friends II The
ou country were a powerful party, and
hey opposed the pipe hne proposition,
md some h1es were Destroyed Il PAGES
IND there were z0cs- Congress proposed
% lay a tax - i've cents a gallon OF
rude, more than twice what II sells for
how. and zen cents . saAOn o. refined,
Nd meetings q producers were held %
protest. Ts-1svlll= va then re Cs1-sr
or The Urud-ce-s TIE est q zeELrZ
! barrel = Cil . SeET York vas E -
md steam 1csts charged s. q oa-rel fS-
ringing II from On Cr-v % P1E-seCTz
-rzde ranged II pT1ce ttrls vasJ from ~
,suts n January 20 S3z5 pe- bsrrel Z
Dacsubsr s. yEe1ls. So2s peJpls were
-uined and others ussSse c1l0sss- foT-aI-ez
- 80 Z--[o-I 49, -sa-~