The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-08-13
THE OIL WELLS ARE BOOMING.
Great Activity All Over the
Northwest Hills.
People who Think They Have Large
Fortunes in Sight.
A Trip Over the Distriot-Wells to Be-
Bored As Far South rs Westiake
Park-Eighty in Operation
Now The Prospects.

A representative OF the HERALD Wis
ted the oil wells Of this city yesterday.
There is no doubt that Los Angeles has
an oil boom OF the most pronounced
character. Thirty new wells have been
added to the little Second street park
district within the past three months.
When ell now being bored are COM
pleted there will be so wells within
radius OF half mile. All now being
pumped give down." as the oil men
soy. The yield is from five to 20 bar
rels day, and the oil sells from $l.25 to
81. 40 q barrel. Three months ago it sold
for s1.75 a barrel, but the production has
increased so that there has been drop
in prices. But even at $1.25 a barrel the
owner of lot in the oil district figures
that with 10 barrel we'll he will have
an income OF $3.50 q day. or $4562 in
365 days. He lie as enthusiastic as the
owner of boom lot in May, 1887. The
latter could sell his realty for $500 at
that time in September he was cure it
could not be worth less than $4,000, and
he was positive that by January, 1888.
people would be fighting to get 1t TOR
$40 600. Optimism has prevailed in
California since 1649.
1t costs from $1,000 to $4,000 to bore q
we'll and there are other expenses-re-
pairs, help and many other trifes-thst
count up. Some wells give an almost
steady flow, as the pump brings It's pres
sure to bear on them. Others require a
half minute or go to yield their eoanty
pint of the tar-like looking mixture. 1t
seems to the onlooker that 80 wells is
providing the 100-acre patch about the
park and that some OF the late corners
may tread on the tail end OF boom. II
you venture to suggest such an idea to
an owner of lot you will get some hint
to change the subject.
But the oil excitenn snt ia spreading.
From the Los Angeles river on the north
to Westlaks park on the south men are
prospecting, and the farther southwest
you 20 the better the yield has been
thus far. Around Westlake park and
the Bonnie Brae tract 1t ia said there ia
plenty OF oil, and forest of derricks
may make their appearance any time ell
the way to Fourth street. Already there
ia we'll near Third street, and Ohio
street is to have three new ones. The
extensive deposits of brea near West
lake park lead some operators to think
the great bonanza may be out there. At
all events, the subject is exciting great
interest.
As to the nuisance feature OF the
business there Is the greatest difference
of opinion. There is not very much
odor about the wells themselves, but
the smoke ia carried long distance and
ia noticeable half mile away in the d.
rection the wind blows. The north and
southeast winds OF the fall and winter
months will make change so that some
new district will have q chance to try
it. The oil men say the odor is very
healthy. They claim it bRnishes ma
laria and cures pulmonary troubles.
Some residents on the north west hills
are not quite 80 willing to admit of its
beneficial qualities. The derricks and
oil pipes and tanks are not pleasant OBJ
jects for neighbors. The claim that the
wells are nuieances 10 coon to be tested
in the courts, so the excited people on
the Crown hills and vicinity who are
talking OF moving their houses may as
well wait for while.
1t will pay Anyone interested to visit
the oil city of Los Angeles. A few
minutes' ride on the Westlake electric
car or the Temple street cable will
bring you to the present scene of activ-
ity, or at least within block or two of
it. Whether it ia to 60 the way of
former oil, coal, gold and silver booms
or to remain q permanent industry,
making Los Angeles o great mRnufact-
uring center, remains problem OF the
futur0