The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-13


surely never in the history of the trade
has credit been so literally extended
to all engaged in the trade.
1t is most remarkable that the stocks
of Pennsylvania oil only increased
about $500, while at the same time the
stocks of Lima oil were decreased 2Oo.-
600 barrels. The report shows that the
shipments of Lima oil for the month of
December show the smallest average of
the entire year and under those Of any
month since December, 1897.
Parkersburg is credited with being
the hub of the Mountain State just at
present, and from this point the ex-
perimental drill radiates in every dIrec-
ton, and there is perhaps more capital
invested by oil men, making Parkers-
burg their headquarters, than in any
other section of West Virginia. Many
fortunes have been spent in the earnest
endeavor to open up an oil field around
Parkersburg in the immediate vicinity.
But with all the drilling that has been
done In the past twenty years the long
hoped for development has never come
to pass. The territory in every direc-
ton and at almost every point Of the
compass has been perforated with dry
holes, and the goal of the venturesome
and energetic operators is as far away
to-day as 1t was when the first expert
mental well was drilled many years
ago. And yet, with all this discourage
ment, the prospector is still animated
and inspired with the hope that the
dark and disastrous days, which have
so long lowered over Parkersburg ter
ritory, will in time be supplanted by
bright and glorious record by the
striking Of a big well and the develop
ment Of a pool of Importance. Nor
has the vast amount of prospecting
been confined to any particular forma-
ton, but every producing sand known
to the trade has been tested. In the
face of past developments 1t is indeed
most remarkable to note the faith OPP
orators have in the future of the. ter
ritory, and they cling to the hope that
history will here repeat itself, and in
spite Of the large number of dry holes
drilled some one will yet find the covet-
ed prize, in digglngs long since con-
demned and relegated to an obscure
past. Parkersburg. too. is practically
full fledged oil town. BY years Of con-
tact and association with the talent
the natives become purely oleagenous
in character, departure in this re-
spect never before recorded in any sec
ton in the history of the trade.
At present, developments are quite
active in different sections Of Wood
county and a number of experimental
wells are under way, which are regard
ed as highly important. There does not
seem to be a disposition to hang up the
experimental drill for the winter, but
on the contrary the high price for crude
and the promising outlook Is an incen-
tive in this class Of work. and between
now and spring large blocks ~ terri
tory will have been tested. Whisky
Run, Just now. is claiming consider
able attention by Parkersburg opera
tors, and results in the past two or
three months have been most crafty
ing, although nothing new Of import
ance has come to light. Official reports
from the developments on Campbell'S
Run show beyond doubt that the Cor
don sand Is not now producing the big
wells credited for this field In the past.
Campbell's Run, like Flat Run, is ret
regarding. The last effort OF the South
Penn OIL Company on the A. j. caroth-
ers farm. located near Cross Roads.
was very small affair, but In time
will pay cost Of Investment.
While the old producing sections OF
the sand formation are showing the
white feather, the Big Injun develop
ment, northeast from the noted Mills
tract on Richmond Run, wetzel Goun-
ty, lS coming to the front and accord
ing to the most trustworthy and official
reports, some very fine producers have
been found recently. The KnnawhH
Oh Company, which holds "a large
amount Of territory, has been lucky in
their Big Iniun operations. A message
from the Big Mills tract to the writer
says the Knnawha No, well on the
Morgan heirs farm is making better
than two hundred barrels day. From
the same source OF information It is
learned that the South Penn oil Com
pany has Just completed very Inn
portnnt Big Injun test we'll on the NJ
King property, with every indication of
finding n we'll The well has made sew
eral flows and II 1t turns out good
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