The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-16


a distance of 200 miles;
He had talked withfa number of CAPT.
talists who were willing to pipe gas. to
wichita, but they Were afraid that gas
might possibly be found in the territory
between Wichita ana the territory from
Wnlcn the supply is taken. In the event
o. TINS discovery the pipe line would be
worthless and Capitalists did not want to
put their money IN game like this.
he was of the opinion that this section
of the state should be prospected and
II no gas was discovered then it would
De possible to interest eastern men in
building pipe lire into Wichita.
He had found a plan that he would sug-
gest be adopted. He believed that it was
practicable. He wanted company or
ganized with large capital, but with the
par value of shares rather low. say about
IL share. He thought that many peo-
rle were not able to invest any great
amount of money in this project, but he
believed that every man in the city and
county would very gladly invest few
dollars and on up to 500 to do some
prospecting and see If gas was not to
be found close 20 Wichita He was hear
thy in favor OF this plan and would do
all in his power to help carry the plan
cut
Mr.. S. S. Ashbaugh, who spoke next,
said that he was in favor of Mr.. Hat
fields plan a1d would heartily support
1t. He did rot like the idea of offering
reward for the discovery of gas. but
wanted the people to go after it. He
wanted the work TO begin about twenty
five miles est of the city and if gas was
discovered there, wells could be drilled
nearer
Mr. a G. Pearson was next called for
He has been interested in a number of
gas prospecting schemes. He is also a
geological student and had made some
investigations on his own hook and was
most sanguine in his belief that there
was gas in paying quantities within
twelve niles Of wichita. This could be
found if the people went after it. but
Mother Earth was one who held onto
things and would not give UP unless COM
PEELED 10 do So
Mr.. Pearson has been quietly working
on several propositions that would bring
company TO this city and do some pros
pecting, and il the city would meet them
halfway the capitalists would do some
work here. He had his plans in such
shape that he was ready to confer with
the mayor and city officers and give them
further details regarding the matter. He
the city Were not satisfactory and if gas
or oil was discovered it would not protect
the city.
Mayor Mclean explained the offer made
by the council and the purpose of the
meeting and Mr.. Stewart moved that
subscription paper be circulated and see
what the citizens present thought about
the matter.
Ia discussion of the motion Mr.. A. f.
Helm, city attorney, stated that he knew
of company that would go 10 work lay
ing pipe line from the Caney fields and
everything was in readiness, but a halt
had been called because the company was
afraid that gas would be discovered
nearer Wichita than Caney and they
would not go into it until the country
around Wichita had been prospected. If
gas was not found after diligent search
nearer Wichita, this company would have
gas into Wichita within twelve months
Mr. Helm was heartily in favor of Mr.
Hatfield plan because he believed the
people of Wichita would gladly make the
small contributions necessary to start the
work If there was no gas to be found,
there would be little loss to any
one individual as a company would
have gas here within a year II
gas was discovered it would mean many
thousands of dollars to every Wichita
and Sedgwick county property owner.
The burden would not be heavy on any
one il prospecting failed and there would
be gas brought here at any event
He was not in favor of hanging up a
purse for outside capital to come here
and discover gas and wanted the well
nrilled by local capital.
After Mr.. Helms discussion Mr.. David
son put the motion which was passed
unanimously.
Then came Il short discussion as TO how
the company should be organized and
how the money was to be paid in. On a
motion by Mr.. Helm. it was decided that
the capital stock should be SIS 900 and
the par value should be 81 per share.
The company is to he incorporated and
the board OF directors is to be organized
and these will decide what proportion of
the par value of the stock should be
called for at once SO that operations could
begin at once
On motion. of Mr.. Hatfield a commit
tee was appointed to draft a plan for
the company and make such provisions
as may be found necessary to conduct
the affairs of the company. Ii was also
in the motion that another mass
meeting is to be held in the council cham
Der on Tuesday evening when this COM
lnittee would report the organization of
the company perfected and the subscrip-
ticrs of stock be taken.
Mr.. Davidson appointed the committee
as follows: Rudolph Hatfield chairman:
G. w Robinson. ]. H. Stewart. e. T.
Allen. c. j. Potts.
The meeting adjourned until next Tues
daV