Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-01-24
TO be cOntinued.l
BIG OIL WELLS.
a String of Phenomenal Producers in the
Pennsylvania Oil Country.

Some account or the phenOmenally Dig
oil wells of the country will be interesting,
says an Oil City, Pa, letter to the st. Louis
GlObe-Democrat. The three largest wells
| ever struck on Oil Creek during the early
development were the Maple Shade. Phil
lips and Noble wells. 1t is not known eX-
actly which one of these wells was the
largest. The production of each of them
at the start was not less than 5000 barrels
a day. The Noble well did this much by
actual gauge. after it had been turned into
the tanks and after it had been flowing on
the ground for some time. 1t was located
on the Farrell farm. The well was struck
Nav 81 1868. and the value of the oil ac-
tually sold and shipped from the well was
s., 500, 600 The Caldwell well was fin
ished on the same farm a short time be
fore the Noble 1t was flowing 300 barrels
per day when the latter was struck. The
owners of the Noble, fearing that the
Caldwell would ultimately hurt their big
sprouter. purchased the latter for Sl45. 900.
This money was all realized from the Noble
well within 45 days, the period In which
all the payments, three i'll number, were to
be made. The Caldwell flowed regularly
for two months and then dried up COM
plctely.
The Maple Shade well was struck Aug.
). 1868. on the Hyde 4 Egbert tract, near
Petroleum Center, seven miles above Oil
City. The net earnings of this well are
given by Dr. A. G. Egbert, of Franklin,
Pa. one of the owners, as 81 800. 900. The
Phillips we'll was located on the Tarr farm.
Oil Creek. and was struck Nov. IA, 1861.
1t commenced to flow at the rate Of 5000
barrels per day The total production of
the well is estimated to be between $50, 900
and 100000 barrels.
The Empire well, on the McEIhenny
farm. near Housewife, flowed ,, 200 barrels
day for some months Bradley q Son,
of Cleveland, had contract by which they
were to receive month product of this
we'll for $500. They received the oil ac-
cordiug to contract, and it was a fortune
purchased for $500.
The Sherman well, on the Foster farm.
Oil Creek, was struck in March, 1862 1t
started off with 300 barrels, and produced
81. 100000 worth of oil in three years.
These comprise the largest 'gushers' of
Oil Creek, but they have been eclIpsed by
wells struck since in other territory.
The largest we'll ever struck IN the Penn
syvania regions is undoubtedly the Sempe
Boyd Il Armstrong, at Thorn Creek, Butler
county. Its production for few days was
equal 10 Tile CbliDlltN DlOtutilOl Vi tilt
three largest wells found ON Oil creek or
nearly 10. 600 barrels day. This well was
opened Oct. 81, 1884. Two days prior to
this it had been reported through the oil
sand and dry. But when the well was tor
pedoed on the 9th it began flowing at an
extraordinary rate, flooding all the ada
cent lands The gas and oil burst from the
well with roar that was heard for several
miles While this great well was unbrldI-
ed and flowing into the air to the height
of over 100 feet the scene was one of the
grandest ever witnessed in the oil country.
As soon as possible, but after Il great deal
of difficulty and danger to the wOrkmen.
the well was got under control, and the oil
turned into tanks After the well had
been flowing on the ground for some time
its actual gauge in the tanks was at a rate
of 1900 barrels a day. The total YIELD OF
this well was not so large as many others.
but it stands nchaIlenged Us the largest
well in PENNSYLVANIA for single day
production.
The Boss well on the Parker farm be-
tween Petrolia and Brady's Bend, Butler
county. was struck July Is. 1894. Its pro-
duction for the first day or two is eStimat-
ed at 1000 a day. After it was turned
into the tanks it gagged 5000 barrels a
day. The Lady Hunter was located near
the Boss and had ii daily record of l.50O
barrels. 1t produced longer that its big
neighbor and was the better well of the
two.
Washington county has produced some
phenomenal wells. John Mckeovn has
opened up several that flowed from l,500 to
5000 barrels day. John Mckeown's in
come from his wells at one time was IS
high as 1000 a month He has three
farms in Washington county that have
Welded him 100000 Mckeown land
ed at Castle Garden poor emig-ant about
the time the oil excitement broke out on
Oil Creek.
Ohio has produced some very large wells.
three or four having record of from 5000
to 10000 barre's a day. These hardly
count against the Pennsylvania wells, as
the oil Is worth but Is cents a barrel. The
wells at PithoIe were not exceptionally
large as oil wells go. but they created
Juror that has never had parallel in the
oil country The United States well, the
first struck at Pith0la. January. 1865. never
did over 500 barrels a day. Then follow
ed the Grant well. with product of 100
barrels day This was Pithole's largest
well