The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-12-22
BRILLIANT PROSPECTS
For Future Developments in
the Oil Field
OF GREENE AND sosoNeAtIA COUNTIES.

VI 0hEtNe ANU mONVNcfLiH hVoNitlot
A Reminiscent Recount Of Initial Strikes
at Mt. Morris, the Subsequent Deyel-
opments and the Future Possibilities
of the Field Graphically Told About.
MOUNT MoRRIs, Pa, December II.
Tho Arab has legend that when
the desert was assigned to him as his
portion of the earth he complained
Of its barrenness. The Creator told
him that il be would search for it he
would find Treasure that he would
not exchange for the wealth of the
world. The Arab searched the Dor
der of his territory and found moth
ing, but, after toiling through the
sand for long days and nights. be
found an island marvellous in its
richness and beauty and on it herds
of horses and camels, and the chill
dren of the desert we're satisfied.
Somewhat similar was the exper-
fence of the Greene county farmer
Steep, rocky hills afforded him a
scsnty livelihood. Farming was all
ups and downs-m mostly downs. Bot
away down under the rocks and sand
nature had for ages been laying by
something of far more value than
broad fields of waving grain. The
discovery of rich oil field made the
farmer unwilling TO exchange his
little, rocky, stumpy fields even for
the rich broad acres of the west.
The first well in the Mount Morris
field was on the d. L. Donley farm.
1t was drilled by f NJ. Hukill. of
Pittsburg, the pioneer oil man, TO
whose energy and ability much cred
it is due. Many anxious weeks Of
drilling we're rewarded one dav by a
stream of oil that spurted up into
the sunlight over the top of the der
rick, and the well became shrine to
which all the country made pilgrim
ages. The yield for time was 200
barrels per day. There was strong
desire to keep the find from the
knowledge of the public until all de
sirable leases had been secured, and
big roof was built over the well, q
dead line" marked off and a guard
stationed. But these efforts were
unsuccessful and the well was for a
long time the one topic of converse
tion over the countryside. During
the first year hundreds of barrels OF
oil flowed down the run for want of
sufficient tank accommodations, but
after that big receiving tank, hold
ing $4,000 barrels, WAS built at a
cost of $4,000 After this many
other wells were put down and mum
erous companies formed.
In 1887 the first gas well in the
field was drilled on the d. L. Donley
farm across the line in West Virgin
ia. So strong was the pressure OF
the gas that the roar of its escape
could be heard fol a distance of six
miles 1t furnished power for the
pumping of from thirty to forty oil
wells, and was the first gas used in
Morgantown.
There are now in the field several
hundred wells. The last one drilled
was that on the Lot Mcclure farm
where oil was struck about six week
ago. 1t has an average yield of 20(
barrels per day and is owned by the
Bald Head company, said to be sc
named because that style Of head is
required condition Of stock holders
The field now extends from Noun
Morris to Warrington, which in
cludes part of Monongalia county
Until recently it had been enlarged
only on the southwest side, but work
is now begun in Pennsylvania, and
is progressing rapidly. The ayerag,
depth of the wells is about 1000 feet
and the cost of drilling a well i,
$4,000.
Arrangements are now being made
to pipe the gas from here to Pitts
burg. The oil in the field is the pur
, est in the world, and so far the work
has been nothing more than expert
mental. With absolute certainty o
wonderful results it has now taken 9
new start and fortunes will be made
, in day. These little farms will
soon be so dotted with oil derricks
and overlaid with pipe lines thai
there will hardly he room for a pota
to patch between.