The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-03
THERE is GAS
NEAR WICHITA
Chanute Experts Say For
nations are the Same.
AND INDICATE GAS AND OIL
Mr.. Bringe Wants Wichita
Field Developed.
AND INDICATE GAS AND OIL

The gas committee is still working, and
while it may appear that the committee
is not doing a great deal because there
are no derricks being erected. all the
same the committee is still at work.
Yesterday morning J. r Beilew. (. T.
Allen and c. II. Smith. went out in the
country southeast of the city with Mr..
Bridges, of Chanute, who is one Of the
men most deeply interested in the oil and
gas fields in that vicinity.
Mr. Bridges looked over the field and
said he thought there could be no better
place to bore for gas or oil than the terri
tory over which he was shown He left
yesterday morning for Newton and wiz
return here in a few days. He is not a
''driller'' but is interested in the develop
ment of our fields and for this reason paid
Wichita visit as he had heard of the in
tention of this city to bore for gas.
Mr.. Bridges is a member OF the firm OF
Thompson. Oglesby K Co. OF chanute,
adm has been actively engaged in the gas
and oil business there for many years.
He is a practical oil ard gas man and
an expert. he carefully examined the
formation Of the land and outcrops OF
rocks while east of the city and on the
return, said:
You have just as good reason for be-
lieving that gas and oil can be found near
your city as the people of Chanute ever
had. As far as / see the formations are
IDENTICAL
He was out on the Hill east Of the city
when he said: This looks exactly like
the hills around Chanute." He was far
enough over the hill that he could not
see the valley to the west
Although a prominent member of the
| firm at Chanute. he could not say def
nitely what his company proposed To do
| in developing this field. The company can
get the machinery for drilling here on
! short notice and Mr. Bridges was Of the
/ opinion that If the city should offer them
any inducement they would come here.
| All that they wanted was an assurance
| from the city that they would be given
| an opportunity TO dispose of the gas IL
they found il and they were perfectly
! willing to come TO Wichita. They would
| do the drilling on their own hook. but
before they started to work the company
wanted TO know what they were going TO
| do with the gas in case they found a
well flowing gas in commercial quaint
| ties.
Mr.. Bridges was very sanguine in his
| opinions concerning this section as a gas
and oil producing territory. He firmly
believes that gas will be found here in
! large quantities, and but for the attitude
| OF the city in the matter he thought that
his company would have been at work
here long ago. The city and citizens have
shown a disposition TO own the gas and
oil wells and control them Mr.. Bridges
| thought this was a very good scheme and
would result in much benefit to the city
after the field was developed. He thought
that the citizens should assure some re-
liable company of drillers that IL gas
or oil was found the city would buy the
well at a reasonable figure and at a profit
to the drillers. The city would have the
upper hand i'm the game anyway. as they
could refuse TO grant a franchise 10 the
company If the price was unreasonable
| and the company would be compelled to
| sell. He believed they would begin opera
tons here. but not without guarantee
that they could sell their well TO the city
or be given franchise TO sell the gas &c
the people.
Mr.. Allen is getting all the leases on
. land which can be obtained. but many
OF the land owners are holding back be-
cause they seem to be of the opinion that
they will receive a better proposition by
| waiting. As matter OF fact. the PROPOSE
ton made by the city is very liberal
one and should be accepted by every land
| owner In the district where II is expected
70 bore. II is all 70 win and nothing 10
lose to the owner Of the land.
The subcommittee has heard nothing
| from the Winfield firm. but Il seems 20 he
the coneensus of opinion that II RACES &
Co. do not want the proposition extended
! 20 them. some other firm will take II.
| However. no definite action will be taken
| for a few days regarding the matter
NEW WARS CHANGE