The record-union., 1891-07-10
NATURAL GAS.
What the Local Company Has Al
ready Done.
The President and Directors Say the
Outlook is Favorable-The Out
lay Thus Far.

In the report of the President of the
Natural Gas Company, prepared for the
purpose of acquainting the stockholders
with the operations of the company in its
efforts to develop a gas supply, the fol-
lowing information is given. The direct
ors feel encouraged by the prospects of
success, and will push the well in the
hope of striking an abundant supply.
The report says:
1--WE have had some bad luck in prose-
cutting our enterprise, but not by any
means as serious as some others who
have had even more experience. The old
gas company at Stockton have been ell
gagged for weeks in actually drilling out a
ten-inch sand pump which became stuck
in the well at several hundred feet depth.
While we may mourn over accidents
which have resulted in delay, are not the
results obtained worthy of annoyance
and considerable expense?
"a syndicate of our business men re-
solved to spend $4,000 in searching for
natural gas and artesian water within our
city limits. We have found both in salts
factory quantities. Natural gas was found
at $40 feet, but its quantity did not in
crease materially until about 750 feet,
since which it is constantly increasing in
quantity, until it can now be lighted
without gathering in reservoir.
Regarding the development of arte-
sian water. the prospects seem to point to
more important results than the discovery
of gas, owing to the great benefit which
this will have ON this and the adjoining
county over the river. We have made
10 definite tests yet as to the quantity
flowing or the altitude 1t will reach, and
probably will not until our well is COM
pleted; but we now know we are safe in
hnrino aTtnSian water
within city limits not higher than the r.
street track-that means up and down
the river on both sides.
"It must be remembered that the vol
ume of water now pouring out of the
R-street well is only the quantity which
forces itselfthrough the joints OF the pipe.
and through a SeVen-lnch aperture at the
bottom of the last casing, and this is low
cred as fast as the hole is bored, shutting
out both gas and water.
Another result OF our experiment is
the interest developed among the far
mers on the plains-lands. A syndicate
is being formed at Brighton for an ex-
south of that place, one individual offer
ing to contribute 81 ,0G0i the well is bored
on his place, and to pay the whole bill if
successful. Another fruit-grower to-
ward Folsom is preparing to put down
a gas and artesian well on his premises.
ITO secure artesian water here the we'll
should be at least 400 feet The first rise
of water can be secured at $50 feet, but it
would not be safe well. A perfect well
must have strong enough flow to bring
up the sediment from the bottom, and
this cannot be secured at less than 400
feet, when the water at X street flowed
six or eight feet above the ground, and
has continually increased since in hight
and volume. An eight or ten-inch pipe
should be carried through the gravel bed
first found and into clay, say lI5 feet.
Then six or eight-inch pipe can be easily
carried the balance of the distance.
'"The ten-inch would cost 3Il5, and a
seven-inch, $l75, of No. II iron, say $500
for pipe and about 81. 200 for boring
81, 500 total.
1--WE cannot close without drawing your
attention to the power produced by an
artesian well of small bore and standard
iron pipe which does not leak. We think
the power generated by these wells has
not been appreciated as much as it de-
serves until quite recently. In Aberdeen.
Dakota, an eighty-barrel flour mill is run
by an artesian well. In Jackson, Florida,
the City Fathers utilize this force in
pumping sewerage from lower to
higher land. In Waco, Texas, dozens of
small industries are being operated by
water power from artesian wells, among
them being woodworking machines,
circular saws, planning mills and sewing
machines.
"It would seem that an artesian well
which furnishes fuel and light forour
houses, power for machinery and water
for irrigation, should be recognized as a
factor of very great importance in this
section of California, and the Sacramento
gentlemen who have contributed toward
the development of so important matter
are certainly worthy of some praise.'
The financial report shows:
Commenced operations with ninety
nine members. The first installment
brought in 1890, or $40 share; the second,
of $50, Sl,Sl0; third, of $40, 81 ,7S0; fourth,
of SIS, $1,000; fifth and last, of SIS, 81, ,775,
or total of $3.50. Up to date there has
been collected S, ,3S5, leaving deficiency
of Sl,5l5. Eight of the subscribers paid
$40 each, or the first installment, and re-
fused to pay any more one paid $40, and
and one $40, and refused to pay further,
leaving deficit on these alone of $3.50.
Paid out, S7,7l6 81; of which there has
been paid for pipe $3.50 so; for wages,
81 ,95S "a; for plant, 81, ,4SS II, and the bal
ance for incidental purchases and ex-.
penses. In bank, $3.50, and bills payable
for about S400. The assets Of the company
are: the plant, capable of boring a well
of 1900 feet depth, worth s., 900; $500 of
nina. on SnYI60 lof OFT E,1s1a and ID