The age-herald., 1902-01-19

It has been truthfully said that this is an age of oil. The eyes of the whole world are turned towards the oil fields of Beaumont Texas. as well as those fa- vored sections of the South where oil has been found in paying quantities. Ken lucky and Tennessee have in recent months come in for their share of the oil development and 1t is now recogniz- ed as almost a certainty that North Ala bama will follow In their footsteps In the production of oil. For many years geologists and scientists have predicted that this section of the Tennessee Valley would some day prove successful oil field. and today that prediction Is on the eve of confirmation.
 Development of oil Industry.
 oil Is now recognized everywhere as the best of fuels. and while enriching the producer, is the cheapest fuel for the con sumner. The first we'll was drilled on Col. Drake's farm in Pennsylvania in 1859, and like all new things 1t was slow, but a few experiments proved its utility. Capi- tai and brains combined with the result that this black, greasy stuff taken from natures storehouse has made more and larger and quicker fortunes than any product ever discovered. This great wealth not only comes to the man with money but to the people with little means. oil is now found in New York, Pennsyl- vania, Oho Indiana. Kentucky, Ten nessee, Wyoming, California, Texas and the Indian Territory The oil of the east Is of e much higher grade than that found in Texas and the west, the east ern oil being generally of a parafine base and is used for Illuminating and lubri- eating. while that of Texas and the west Is of an asphaltum base and is generally used for fuel. The oil found in Tennessee and Kentucky is of both grades. That is, in the same section, one well will pro- ducs high gravity oil. which is used for illuminating, while other produce grade that is better adapted for fuel.
 Draw a northeast line and a southwest line from the New York fields to Beau mont, Texas, and 1t will run through or close to every eastern development passing through the recently developed fields of Kentucky and Tennessee and crossing the northwest corner of Ala bama Prospectors follow this trend and look for croppings and seapages as an indication of oil
 After leaving the Cookeville, Tenn, fields, where large strikes have recently been made. the first croppings and sea- pages of any importance are found in North Alabama It Is most pronounced in Colbert Lawrence Morgan and Frank lin counties, extending into Tishomingo county. Miss, then disappearing to show up again in Texas.
 Extent of oil Territory.
 The Tennessee Valley oil fields of North Alabama extend from Morgan county west through Lawrence, Franklin and Colbert counties following the trend of the foothills of the Cumberland ridge, which runs out in Tishomingo county, the extreme northeast corner of Mississippi. These oil measures dip from the north east to the southwest and again appear in west Lauderdale county, but show depth. possibly from 1200 to 5000 feet. A few croppings of asphaltum and oil sands have been thrown up by upheavals are found in Lauderdale. The Tennessee river has cut its channel through the valley between the foot hills and in low water oil seapages can be found at in tervais along It's bed. The North Ala bama basin or oil measures are very similar in physical formation to the Kern