The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-05
PLENTY OF GAS THERE
MARION Is IN VERY coon SHAPE O
THE WINTER SEASON.
City of Peru and the Local Gas Com.
pnny. Have Compromised Their
Troubles and Pence Reigns.
Special to ,he IndIanapolis journal.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
MARION, Ind, Oct. W other cities
in the gas belt are complaining of a short
age of gas. and many of the operating
have refused manufacturers and
large mercantile establishments the use OF
the fuel. holding AZ I'm reserve for private
consumers, Marion has an abundance of the
fuel. Gas men say there is little doubt that
Marion is surrounded by the best field OF
gas territory of any point in the belt. The
contention certainly IS sustained by present
conditions. The Mississinewa Mining Com
pany. of this city, is refusing gas TO M one.
and has an abundance of fuel. About Fifty
wells supply this company. and sever wells
are ready to be turned in at any time This
company has spent many thousands OF dol
lars developing its field and perfec,ing its
plant in this city during the past few
months. Mr.. Kuntz. the president of the
company, says there is plenty Of fuel for
the present demand. but is somewhat
alarmed over the way the Chicago Pipe
Line Company is developing its field in the
southwest corner of this county. He says
he believes q. soon will be necessary for
his company to erect a pumping station in
its field. adjoining the Chicago company's
field. in the southwest part Of the county.
10 pump the gas TO the city y. u LEACH
state gas Inspector, while in Marion to-day.
was told of Mr.. Kuntz's prediction. and he
replied that he thought Mr.. Kuntz was
right, and that not only would 1t be neces-
sary for the Mississinewa Company 10 make
such a step, But also of all the gas COM
panies in Anderson and the other cities
drawing gas from this section of the State.
The pressure of the wells In this part OF
the O holt ~ the praSapf time aVoraroS
about l6O pounds each. while three years
ago a observation-disclosures well was con-
sidered the average producer. Several of the
large manufacturing industries of Marion
are supplied by the Mississinewa Company.
and this year meters were placed i'm each
one for the first time. The result is that
the Thomas Evans glass factory, one OF the
largest manufacturing concerns In the city.
is using an eight-ounce pressure. while last
year ii used a pound and q half pressure.
The same condition exists at the Marion
fint-glass factory and several of the other
The Mississinewa Company has about ten
thousand acres Of undeveloped leased land
around Marion. This is much consolation to
those In this city who are afraid the fuel
will give out. IL has cost the company con-
siderable money to secure these leases the
and the indianapolis Company having made
a hard struggle for the land The company
intends to finish three or four more wells
before winter begins, and with this number
believes IL will nave no trouble I'm supplying
all consumers. The Citizens Company has
twenty wells in operation. four more ready
to be turned I'm and three being drilled az
the present time. IL has four thousand
acres of undeveloped land leased. The
companies, at the present time, are en-
gagged In renewing the contracts with their
consumers for the coming winter. Although
both companies have increased their rates
about Is per cent. they are having very few
complaints from their customers. the people
being anxious TO secure the fuel.
With all these assurances from the gas
companies the public is not depending too
largely on gas, but Is putting in a supply
of coal and wood in case of emergency.
and a local stove dealer says that the de-
mand this year for stoves Is wonderful.