Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-05-16
70 BEGIN BORING.
rHR OIL BOOK GROWS STEADILY
IN CENTRAL MISSOURI
SECURING LEASES On LANDS
Machinery Contracted for MOberiy
Begins 10 Feel the Fever That
First Appeared At Wells
vills-A Company Has
Been Yormed.

WELLsyILLE MAY g Three OIL
companies have secured leases and
contFacted FOR machinery 10 begin
boring in the Wellsyille neighbor-
hood. The number OF individual
leases taken is very great, and the ex-
citement shows no evidence q sub
siding.
Henry A. Bradford, president Of the
Western Onion OIL Co, and the ia
ther Of WellsyiIes oil boom, said to-
day;
I'VE have contracted for drilling
machinery in ST. Louis and will have
1t on the grounds within 10 days
Work will begin at once On the Davis
property ia wellsyiIle, where the first
shaft win be sunk.
While I cannot say positively that
there is oil in commercial quantities
under the town, the indications are
without doubt the best ! have ever
seen"
Mr.. Bradford has increased his total
leases from 5000 to nearly 7OO0 acres
OF this % acres are in the town Of
WeIlsville itself, where the citizens
show a disposition to allow their
yards, gardens and even the streets
to be torn up in looking for the prec-
ious fluid.
Jacob O~ppenheimer and A. NJ.
Trumberg, representing the Western
Pennsylvania Oil Co, Of Pittsburg,
have secured options on 900 acres OF
land south Of town and announced
that they will commence operations
at once. Samples taken from the sur
face Of stock wells on this land were
tested in st. Louis this week, and
showed over 10 per cent Illuminating
oil.
Representatives Of the Allegheny
OH Co., Of Allegheny, Pa, who have
also obtained a number OF leases, as
sure the owners Of the land that they
have already ordered the necessary
machinery and expect to have 1t on
the ground before any Of the Compel
ing companies
The supposed representatives OF the
Standard OIL Co., who were here last
saturday and Sunday, have not been
heard from since, and It is thought
they are In the country, quietly secur-
ing leases.
The number Of strangers in the
city increase from day to day, and all
seem to have an eye on the oil situa-
tion. Eugene II. Benoist and Chas.
Dexter, Of the Mississippi Valley
Trust Co, St Louis, who were here
Tuesday, stated that they did not
close any deals as representatives Of
the company.
All the leases 50 far signed In Wells
vile 7 for a normal consideration,
usually 81 and for o~ne-eighth Of the
oil or mineral found. The land owners
in nearly every Ease have leased only a
part Of their property, and their pro-
fits, Of course, are entirely dependent
upon the discovery Of oil, gas or min
erals.
Under the circumstances, it is re-
as absurd that there should
have been any attempt to doctor" or
salt" the wells where oil is found.
Prices Of property have stifened
somewhat, but usually in the case Of
town property, where the owners have
more Of an eye to the crowds, in case
Of a boom, than in the country, where
most Of the prospecting will be done.
The rental price Of vacant houses on
the listsof the real estate agents have
been increased, and property, which
has been suddenly withdrawn from
the market.
The towns around Wellsville have
the contagion and are prepar-
Ing to explore the earth in search Of
treasures, whatever their nature may
be.
At Moberly, 81 miles west, the citl-
.ens have organized a company, with
paid up capital stock Of $1,000, for
he purpose Of sinking a shaft. The
money was subscribed by sixty
public spirited citizens, In sums
II 500 each. Former United States
Marshal John E. Lynch, has charge OF
he subscription work, and says the
mount was raised In three days, and
hat it can be doubled II necessary.
The company win secure options on a
arge amount u land before begin
ling work.
Biologists say the formation at
doberly and Wellsyille are identical.
I will require at least four weeks 10
% deep enough at either place todem-
nstrate whether the hopes Of the
Enthusiasts are TO be realized.