Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-22
STROKE OF FORTUNE.
Oil of Fine Quality Found in the
Northern Part of Alabama.
a 25-BAkREL PRODUCER STRUCK
In the First Venture Made by Party of
Memphis Capitalists.
25-BAkREL PRODUCER STRUCK
LATEST REPORTS FROM THE FIELDS
nPxc1AL TELEGRAM TO THE prspArcz,

rPxc1AI TELEGRAM TO THB prsPArcH.
MEMPHIS. Jan. 81 There are some
things where the simple facts are more won
derful and attractive than any amount of
exaggeration and inventive Imagination,
aud this is the case with short story of the
stroke of fortune that has come to little
party of Memphis gentlemen.
Early in 1890 r. L. Goyer became in
terested in examining the alleged rich
asphalt beds of Northern Alabama. He
consulted the scientific men and experts of
Alabama and was referred to Lawrence
county as being the place where he would
find what be wanted. He spent several
weeks carefully examining and testing
the hills and valleys; as a result of this he
became convinced that there was oil to be
obtained IN that section. He returned to
Memphis and consulted with some of his
friends, who decided to invest money enough
10 make careful examination. They sent
10 tine Canada oil regions, secured the SER
vices of John c. McRea, of Port Colborne,
Ont, a gentleman who had devoted eight
years to the study of the oil and gas-bearing
portions of Canada, Pennsylvania and Ohio:
having made several reports thereon to the
Canadian Government and was thoroughly
up in all matters connected Herewith.
A Careful Examination Made.
They also secured ]. n. Gray, who is con-
sidered one of the very best and most ex-
pert drillers in the country, having COM
menced drilling with the first half dozen
wells of Pennsylvania and has been actively
at work there ever since; ;slso S. E. Humphrey.
equally experienced. With these men. Mr..
Cover made a careful examination of
Lawrence county and the country adjacent
thereto, Mr.. NIcRae carefully studying the
geological reports OF Tennessee and Ala
bams, ascertaining the dip of the rocks and
their outcrop and calculating the depth of
the oil-bearlng sand. They found that all
the indications were present in Rocky Val
ley, extending east and west 40 miles by 10,
or from Russellville through to Moulton,
the county seat to Danville.
They decided that tie oil-bearipg section
was confined to that particular portion called
the Moulton Valley, 20 miles Dy 8, and con-
tanned between Sand Mountain, which is
the southern end of the Appalachian chain,
and Little Mountain. This is an old settled
country, the first settlers having come in
1910 anu IuS COuull OIgdulZtu III lou,
with Moulton as the county seat 1t is
beautiful and fertile valley, we'll watered,
with an abundance of springs and clear,
rapid streams. Two or three wells were
drilled some 25 years ago, little beyond the
outer edge Of the valley and good indications
found, but nothing further was ever done.
Starting the Drill at Work.
After this territory had been carefully
art MAJ fhair
report, Mr.. McRae giving careful and de-
tailed views as to deposits and probabilities,
and the results from time to time have shown
him to have been correct in every instance.
Mr.. Goyer took these reports TO Memphis
and formed the Moulton Valley Oil Com
pany, q little family or association, consist
ing of W. A. Williams and j. P. Jordan,
ii. J. Forsdick, r. L. Goyer and F. II.
Gordon. of r. L. Goyer & Co.; j. S. Duns-
comb, P. Mcintyre, H. H. Maury, Fred NJ.
Nelson, all well-known business men of
standing and responsibility.
They procured the machinery, made con-
tracts with S. c. Humphrey & Co., and on
August 19 began drilling, after having re-
moved some Is feet OF drift covering the
rock, while Mr.. Geyer, assisted by Mr.. Nc
Rae, commenced buying and leasing land.
AT tlrSt difficulty was experienced in OBJ
tanning leases, as such things had been at
tempted two or three times before and had
resulted only in unfulflled promises; but
IS the machinery was put in place and work
actually commenced, the difficulties disap-
peared and the people Ofthe valley willingly
aided all in their power to promote the en-
terprise, knowing the wealth such develop
ment would bring to the valley.
Oil Struck at Last
They have secured BY purchase or on long
lease 81 square miles OF land, leaving yery
title, If any, more necessary 70 secure. The
well is located six miles from Moulton and
one and one-half miles from the low range
hills forming the watershed between the
streams flowing through Alabama and those
10 Tennessee. The first stone struck was the
St Louis limestone group of the sub-car-
honiterous period. The Genesee shales were
struck at 900 feet. AT 800 eet vein of gas,
sufficient to run a small engine, was met,
and at 30l feet a vein Of salt water. At 500
feet gas was found again, and al sol feet
vein of very strong salt water.
On Saturday last six of the members of
the family were at the well, deeply inter-
ested spectators as the drill steadily bored
its way downward. Late in the afternoon
the strata OF the Trenton period was reached
at depth OF ], 596 feet, and the announce
ment that oil was struck was emphasized as
unfragrant wealth dripping from its point
and hand shaking and mutual congratula-
tion abounded within the dingy walls of the
derrick.
Good for 25 Barrels.
The drill dropped back to its work, and
foot by foot pressed through the oil-bearing
sand and formed pocket in the limestone
below, and incontestable proof was abun-
dant to the most doubling that a 25-barrel
natural well was reached, of a
heavy green oil. An analysis of the oil,
as brought from the well, gives the follow
ing results: Rigoline. gasoline, benzine,
etc, 16 per cent; Illuminating oil, $50
degrees test, 80 per cent; lubricatIng oil, II
per cent; residue contains vaseline, para
lhine and heavy oils.
Preparation for the drilling OF another
well has been commenced, and the work will
be actively pushed. These gentlemen are
amply able to own and develop this pro D.
erty, and there are no shares for sale and no
stock will be placed on the market,