The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-14
Sample Of That Found in B dfold
City 10 BE Tested.
GOVERNMENT TO sEND " y. 8
II Find Proves Is Valuable ay IS Hoped There
May Be Legal Qu.stiea as TO Who
Owes the Property on Wick
II IS Located, 6
!.
fspecia1 Dispatch to The Times.)


BEDFORD CITY. IA, March 13--Mr.3
in Early, IN front Of whose residence
on College Street, the ooze OF Oil was
recently discovered. is to-day making
an excavation in order to ascertain more
definitely the nature of the oily liquid
He will get specimens Of the ooze,z to-
getfrer with the soil and rock. to for
ward to the director OF the United States
Geological Survey, at Washington, and
il these are found sufficiently promising,
the department viii send an expert TO
make scientific investigati ton Mr.. Early
intends to follow the course Of the VEIN
by digging, and at the point where IT
goes downward, viii sink a small SHAFT.
fill the hole with water and then skim
from the surface. a sufficient quantl1y
of the oily liquid required for examina-
ton. He will also tfast for specimens OF
the rock formation.
Two weeks ago Mr.. j. W. Gist. whose
home is situated about a hundred yards
from that Of Mr.. Early was attracted
by the odor OF kerosene in the street.
The odor was so decided he set to Work
to find whence it proceeded. ana there
noticed that the water IN the gutter
along the sidewalk was covered VIII
a kind of skim with tiny globules or
what was Enthusiastically oil in many
places. He followed the flow and found
its source was small ooze in front OF
Mr.. Early's gate. The next day hun
dreds of citizens visited the spot to IN
spect the strange phenomenon
MAY SEND EXPERT.
Mr.. Early Immediately communicated
with the Department of the Interior at
Washington. through Major 9eter :.
Otey, and was informed by the director
Of the Geological Survey that it was
against the law for the government to
make examinations for corporations or
indiyiduals in acknowledged oil regions,
but that Bedford had never been re-
garded as an oil possibility, and that5the
department would send an expert II con-
WINGED I; survey might lead to the devel-
opment Of new territory. Specimens
were requested, and If these prove salts
factory, the examination will be ordered
at once.
A rather interesting question of own
ership may arise if the property is found
| worth developing. The flow is found IN
| the street, but this was originally Mr..
E,arly's land and he claimed was only
| opened to the public under certain con-
ditions, and that the land still belongs to
| him. A few feet farther and the land
! is public thoroughfare. However, Mr.
II e. Hutson, Of West Virginia, a coal
expert, with some acquaintance with Oil,
traced the vein last week, and was con-
l T1nceQ WClC sEStchs llllo TEtIly .
/ property and several hundred yards
! northward into the rear of the premises.
The people generally are convinced OF
| the odor and appearance of kerosene, but
are very slow to form any opinion as to
| the value of the find unfit the expert
! has made full investigation.
The style of the firm 81 Stone Brothers.
| the oldest dry goods house in the place.
| has been changed to Stone and Company.
| and Mr.. Albert J. Goodwin admitted to
| partnership. Mr. Goodwin has been en-
ployed by the old firm almost since its
! organization.
Mr.. C. E. Harris has been employed to
/ take charge of the electric light plant for
! the town. Mr.. a. r. Dooley has been
elected to fill Mr.. Harris's position in the
| council.
Hotel Bedford has been leased for the
season to Mr.. B. Wilkes Jopling, an eS-
/ perienced hotel manager.
Mr. Harry c.. Rosser has leased the
/ Peaks Of Otter for this year.