The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-15
GAS Or OIL BELOW 1T
AN EXPLANATION OF MYSTERIES AT
THE NEWPORT HOME.
Standard Dill Agent to Bore on the
Lot Where the Demonstrations
Have Been Taking Place.

The Standard Oil Company has become in
terested, it is claimed, in the peculiar disturb
ances at the home of James Newport, on North
Capitol avenue. Mr.. Newport says a representa-
tive of the company visited the place yesterday
afternoon and made a careful examination of the
place and came to the conclusion that oil or
gas was responsible for the strange disturbances
which have been noticed during the last few
days. Mr.. Newport and members Of his family
were questioned and as many of the neighbors
who had heard and seen The phenomena were
asked to describe what they saw and heard. The
oil man was convinced that the field was worth
prospecting and he told Mr.. Newport he would
begin to-day the work of sinking a well. 1t may
be that the work will be abandoned before a well
is completely drilled, as the indications Will be
carefully noted as the drill goes down, and #
the signs are unfavorable the project will prob
ably be abandoned. Mr.. Newport says he closed
the deal with the company and the work will
begin this morning.
The manifestations which have been SO much a
source of alarm and curiosity occurred three
times yesterday. MIR. Newport end his family
slept in the house night before last and were
awakened by the loud reports which come with
the disturbances. The reports were even louder
at this time than usual. They began at 8 O'Clock
in the morning and continued at intervals of
two or three minutes for half an hour. In all
there We're seven distinct shocks at that time.
Mr.. Newport and the members of his family
MeIG NiJAblELly I'LL IlEy Il IGlL the
shocks before. but coming as they did in the dead
of night, there was something teTTor-striking
about them, which the nerves could not well
withstand.
About 8 o'clock yesterday morning there was
another demonstration, this time the shocks be-
coming more severe as they continued. 1t was
at a time when there were many people about
the house and there Were many new Witnesses
to testify TO the truthfulness OF the statements
Of those who had heretofore experienced the
shocks. At this time there were twelve shocks.
each accompanied by a terrific report as of a
large gun mufaed.
The place was quiet during the remainder of
the day until about 6 O'Clock last evening, when
the noises were repeated again. This time there
were only three distinct shocks, but they were
followed each time by a rumbIing sound which
had not been noticed before. The belief is that
whatever il is that is causing the disturbance is
in the ground, and is working its way TO the
surface. The reports get louder and louder as
ports is more distinct. The rumbling noise also
adds to the strength of the theory.
The peculiar affair has been the talk of that
end of town for two days. AT first people who
some kind. Most of those who did not visit the
house jumped to the conclusion that IL was a
joke OF TTed Kisseil's. but a visit to the place
convinced them that this could not be the case.
On the streets il was talked of freely yesterday,
and for once since the silver arguments have be-
gun one was not certain that every groupe of
men seen on the streets was discussing that all
absorbing topic. Some of them We're talking of
the haunted house on North Capitol avenue.
Yesterday several hundred people visited the
examine the premises and on several occasions
men went under the house and examined IL
closely to ascertain the cause of the disturbances.
The conclusion reached was that the disturbance
work OF the Standard OIL Company will probably
settle the question.