The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01

the Indiana field, Ohio seems to be regarded
by oil men with a little more favor. The
reason is this: it has been characteristic of
the Indiana fields in the past that some of
the biggest gushers have been from pools
nothing more or less than underground
lakes of oil. When these pools are ex-
hausted no more oil comes to the top and
the well becomes worthless. On the other
free from pools, the supply flowing from
steady veins which in the past have shown
remarkably small lessening of power. At
Peru, Ind, a few years ago oil was struck,
and in the excitement $50 wells were driven.
For a time the results were wonderful, but
finally there was absolutely no flow. The
oil had arisen from a pool, and when that
had been pumped dry there was no more
oil. Very few of these disappointing pools
nave been found in Ohio, the wells almost
uniformly giving an enduring, steady flow.
AS an example of a steady-fowing Ohio
we'll one man who owns a single well in
the heart of the city of Lima has made a
fortune. Sixteen years ago it produced fif-
ty barrels a day, and at present it is turn
ing out eight barrels, with no prospect of
diminution. The owner will allow only so
uLuCH W ~ u Ills AhohOA
daily, preferring to drive it moderately
rather than run the risk Of forcing 1t to
failure.
In Indiana the counties where oil finds
are now attracting the most attention are
Wells, Blackford, Delaware, Miami, Grant,
Jay, Jasper, Randolph and Wabash. Della
ware county at present is the most tempt
ing field, but, as stated above, there is
49, " -,LsoL
an option has not been obtained. In Ohio
oil is found with the best returns in Lucas,
Wood, Auglaize and Allen counties.
OIL BELT TALK.
Oil men say there is absolutely no telling
where oil may be struck in this State. 1t
used to be said that there existed an oil
belt, and outside Of that belt there was no
chance for paying wells. Recent develop
ments have indicated there is nothing in
that theory. 1t used to be said also that oil
is peculiar to a flat country and that there
was no han for a rich fine in hilly
ground. Within the last year promising
wells have been drilled in the mountains
and hills of Tennessee and Kentucky, and
in view of the successes in those States, oil
experts believe that southern Indiana will
yet reap the benefit of development brought
about by oil. When gas was discovered in
this State it created almost in a night popu-
lous towns in the central and north CEN
tral part of Indiana. That section of the
State developed like magic. In striking
contradistinction to the prosperity which
came TO the new towns Of the gas belt,
there fell upon the towns of the southern
part of the State a blight from which they
have not yet fully recovered. Drawn by the
certainty of cheap and convenient fuel,
factories, railroad shops and Industrial in
situations Of all kinds deserted the towns in
southern Indiana, particularly the cities
along the Ohio river. for the cities Of the
gas belt. Since that time the towns in the
southern part Of the State have been, in a
measure. dead, or if prosperous at all,
much less so than more northern COM
munitics. oil men now say that some day
oil will be struck in the hills of southern
Indiana and the prosperity killed by the
gas discovery Will again be replaced.
The great fuel oil fields Of Texas appeal
keenly TO the imagination. The man who
puts his money into Texas oil thinks of the
Alamo and Davy Crockett. II has been UNI
kindly said that about all Texas was fam
Gus for. before Beaumont became a house
hold word, was cattle, murders and Joe
Bailey; but the oil discoveries bid fair 10
remove even that unfair aspersion. There
is no doubt that the extent and produc-
tiveness of the Texas wells have been ex-