The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-03
AN OIL CRAZE.
Kansas Appears to Be on Verge
of One.
Prof. Grimsley Tells of the
Drilling Going On.
THAT DEXTER STRIKE.
One Of the Greatest in History
of Kansas Wells.
Holes Being Put Down in Every
Locality.

Kansas is on the verge of gas and
oil craze. Drillers are busy punching
holes in the state from onet end to the
other. Gradually the profitable gas and
oil fields are being extended from the
extreme southeast corner, which has
been known as the "gas belt,' and now
there are drills at work as far west as
Hodgeman county. which is only
hundred miles from Colorado.
There is an immense amount OF
drilling going on all over the state
said Prof. G.. P. Grimsley today. TT
will be of great value from a geological
standpoint, if nothing else. provided the
drillers preserve a record of what they
pass through
Speaking of the recent strike at Dex-
ter, Prof. Grimsley said: III they have
such a well at Dexter as they claim, it
is one of the geatest discoveries in the
history of Kansas gas wells Dexter has
not been supposed to be located in the
gas belt, but according to reports it has
one of the strongest wells in the state"
The strike at Dexter. Cowley county,
was made about thirty days ego. Dex-
ter is about 15 miles east Of winfield
and Arkansas iCty The we'll is esti-
mated to be one of from 1000, 900 10 s.
900, 900 cubic feet production a day. It
was drilled by Paullin & Bagnall. and is
$50 feet deep. A second well is being
put down for oil. 1t is now about 1000
feet deep. Will England. clerk In the
supreme court in this city. lives at pex-
ter and his father. James England,
owns 80 acres of land adjoining the
we'll Dexter is on the Missouri raclnc
and promises to be one of the boom
towns of southern Kansas. 1t has plen-
| ty of clay for brick making, and COM
pany is being organized to build
brick plant. An Indiana glass company
| is also arranging to locate there.
1.-The Dexter gas well is all that has
been claimed for it," said Will Eng
! land today Il leave today for a two
weeks trip to Dexter and other points.
l am looking after this brick PROPOSE
ton. The hot air stories which have
been sent out from Winfield and Ar
kansas City, trying to discredh the Dex-
| jealousy Those towns know that Dex-
| ter will outstrip them unless they, too
\ can find gas" ~
II is the great amount of drilling
outside of the gas belt which is the
important sign of the times just now.
1t means that important discoveries are
certain to be made in regard to the re-
sources of Kansas. If gas and oil are
not found. something else of equal i'm
portance may be discovered
out on the banks of the Smoky river.
where the gold shale is found. there is
| a company composed of Topeka men
| who nave a grill enkdKeu 10 put QOfN
a hole this summer. Work will be COM
menced very soon. and there is plenty
of money to back the project The
plan is to sink hole from 1000 to
prospecting and finding out what there
is below the stratum of shale. which
has never been penetrated so far by
drill There is reason to believe that
gas and oil may be found
At Clay Center company has been
formed to drill hole. and work VIII
be commenced very soon
! At Manhattan work is progressing on
a hole. and some of the drillings which
are brought up from depths of 400 or
500 feet give quite large values of
precious metal. But what the drillcrs
are after is gas or oil.
| At Minneapolis Senator Harry McMil-
Ian is heading a company which has
contracted for the drilling of severaf
| holes
Charles Sheldon. the Kansas ooli-
ding. He has interested considerable
eastern capital and is drilling for any,
thing that he can find.
In Barber county there has been or
ment company, Incorporated. and drill
ing is going on.
Barton county and Hodgeman county
secured authority from the last legis-
lature to vote bonds for the purpose of
drilling prospect holes, and they will
begin work soon.
i Oberlin also has prospecting drill at
work, hunting for gas, oil and general
results.
II The work of the Marcasite Oil and
Mineral company at Wamego has not
been abandoned. Some gas was found
there but the well caved in before II
was finished.
At Eureka two wells have been
drilled, and some gas found in both, but
a third we'll is to be started soon.
There are dozens of other places out
side of the gas belt where holes are
either in process of drilling or where
companies have been organized to be-
gin work as soon as drillers can be
secured to do the work. 1t Is hard to
get drillers. because of the great de-
rnand for their services