The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-28
Totals ........................1 Is. rs.


ting them into producing shape amounted
to Sc, 203, 200 The bonus money and other
expenses of the work would swell the total
expenditures at least 900 more, to say
nothing of the network of pipe lines, pump
stations, iron storage tanks and other
things needed in the handling of the prod
uct Well-known operators estimate the
money expended for everything in the line
velopmentS would represent more than the
capital stock of the Standard Oil Company.
MANY SMALL WELLS
The year now closing has been one of
small wells as hardly gusher has been
completed in any portion of the State. Tho
wells have ranged as small. but good, pro-
ducers, and no new fields of any impor~
lance outside the rich pool in Jasper coun-
ty has been opened, and that has developed
into one of the best spots for making money
fast in any portion of the producing terri
tory. The cost of operations there is moth
ing to compare with that in the territory
where the drill is sent to the depth of 800
to 100 feet below the surface. The work
done near Loogootee has not proved sue
cess. and the field probably will be aban-
dOned as worthless in the near future un-
less something develops soon in the way
of a paying oil well, although some fairly
good gas wells have been found there by
Guffey & Co in their attempt to find an
oil field. The field IN Madison county Is
looked on as one that Will be of the gusher
stripe when the gas pressure dies down
so that the operations for oil will be al
lowed. The Delaware county field is still
young. but the outlook is good, and the
same can be said of Marion county, where
some good wells have been found near
Broad Ripple. The little pool i'm the west.
ern part Of Randolph county also will bear
watching. The Grant county field is rapidly
growing into prominence, as is Huntington
county. The southern end. of Jay county
has not been thoroughly tested for oil as
yet, as most Of the drilling has been for
h,,f tn CO. ,I, Ill
has made it's way into the wells. Adams
county has great future before 1T in the
oil pool opened something over year ago
near the Ohfo-Indiana line. There still
thousands of acres of good undeveloped
oil territory In that county, which will be
thoroughly tested within the next two
years. Wells county still has considerable
Irritable territory. but the drill has been
kept going right along in that county for
several years With dollar oil in this State,
a great many test wells would be drilled
but when the price of the product is below
rs cents the operator will confine his work
to the older fields, where he is sure of find
ing something for his investment.
The idea that the Indiana territory does
not stay has passed away. Some years ago
many would say that the wells are of a
fashy kind and would not have any life.
but these have changed their minds, as
they find the territory to have as good
staying qualities as any part of the Tren-
ton rock formation. There are wells I'm this
State which have been producing oil for
the past dozen years and are still produc-
ing five barrels day, which is good rec
ord for any field. few fve-barrel wells
will make a fortune for any one in time.
There Is one good feature Of the oil bust
ness. One never hears of hard times at any
point where oil is being produced. The
money from the business is always In cir
culation. and there is no business which
will pay good dividends the oil trade
If one Is successful In getting producing
wells.
OIL MEMS MEETING.
Many interesting matters will be brought
up pertaining to the oil industry at the
annual meeting Of the Western Oil Mems
Association, at Toledo, o., on Saturday
Jan. 5, when the officers for the year 1901
will be elected.
Monthly Work for 1900
The following table gives the number of
wells completed during each month for