Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-10
OIL AND GAS
To be Drilled For at
Barberton.
Stock Company 0rganized-Sonie.
thinq About Local Field.


ially to citizens of Summit County:
Oil has been produced for nearly
half century in several states of the
union. 1t is classed as a deep min
eral. and it certainly lies very deep
here in Summit County. for an un-
limited number. of attempts have
been made to reach it. Four wells
have been drilled in the city of Ak
ron. One of them was located in the
Sixth ward one at the Cascade mills;
one in the southern limits of the city
and one on Perkins hill-the depth
not exceeding 2,300 or 2400 feet in
any instance. Besides, other wells
have been placed. Brewster Bros,
have gone down about 1900 feet.
There is one in the celery field at
Greentown, 2.40O feet. beside a num-
Der at Suffield, Portage County,
Ohio, but all to no purpose.
The drilling of such a number of
wells in such. proximity was the
magnet that attracted Mr.. H. d. Van
Campen to this territory ,and as sur
face reader, he, too, concluded that
deep minerals abound here. 1t
was suggested to the citizens of
Wadsworth that a company be
formed and a deep well drilled and
it sufficed, he agreeing to go 1000
feet or more if necessary, and it was
necessary. for the well was drilled
to the depth of 1926 feet, disclosing
the fact that an enormous bed of
salt was at their disposal. Today
Wadsworth people are reaping their
reward. for it was the means of
placing one of the finest salt plants
eXtant in their vicinity with a daily
output of from five to ten hundred
barrels.
Eventually one of the capitalists of
Akron secured the services of the
same driller. or, rather, formed CO.
partnership. and placed well at
Britain, Springfield township. Sum-
nit county, Ohio, known as the Sci
berling we'll, which was drilled to the
depth of 3,5l6 feet, Or thereabouts,
here, too, penetrating a salt bed of
more than 300 feet The great drill
was pushed onward and on the 9th of
November, 1892. it was placed in both
oil and gas at the depth of 3,5l6
feet.
After delay of one month and
three days it became apparent to those
interested that they could not work
harmoniously and after little alter
cation the matter drifted into the
hands of what was known as 1.-The
Akron Gas q Oil company" The
failure on their part to further de-
velop the field was the cause of we
local boys stepping to the front, in
defense or rescue of the field, for we
were and are in possession of real
estate close to this well and having
lad free access to the derricks,
Know all concerning the well and its
output. We could not suffer or sac
rifice further developments, for we
had witnessed the workings of the
we'll; had seen them bailing oil in
quantities great enough to convince
us of the probable merits of the well.
The we'll was witnessed to have three
natural flows, continuing for twenty
minutes at time, or thereabouts.
This was simply miraculous, owing
to the disadvantages under which it
was working. The oil producing
rock had simply been reached, not
drilled into but a very few blows, and
Just as soon as the gas was noticeable
the engine was reversed or brought
to stand-stin. AS no leases were
taken before drilling began, and be-
causeof this delay there accumulated
2,7GO feet of this liquid in the well,
which was hindrance and serious
damage. An attempt later on to
drill the well deeper proved futile.
The tools would float and no blow
could be struck.
One of the principal millers and
grain buyers of Akron called at the
well and was heard to say: What
a waste! | never became wealthy by
such practices. You ought to be
served with an Injunction. This oil
ought not to be allowed to come down
the river, it gets into our forebays
and is damaging"
Cons ervative parties were heard to
say: 81 believe there are one
thousand barrels of oil in that pool
or ravine.'' 1t was reported that oil
had been hauled to and emptied into
the well. We simply say it was inl-
possible to have done anything of
the kind without having been seen,
heard or leaving some tracks. In
conclusion concerning the well, we
ask: ''Where could oil have been
sethred?"- this oil cannot be
duplicated anywhere or by any field.
Ouite an amount was carried to the
Empire Mower d Reaper manufac-
tory and used on their. fast running
machines, giving the best of salts
faction as lubricator. The B. & o.
sesteG it on their car journals, pro-
nouncing it equal to Oils retailing at
fifty cents per gallon. A chemist of
Pittsburg pronounced it the best that
bad ever been brought to his notice.
Comparing it with Lima oil he said:
I-.,....l .I-1.I.tl &c In, e