The Green Forest tribune., 1903-01-31
OIL co. NOT RESPONSIBLE.
Has Done All It Could to En-
 courage Maj. Drought.

The report having become cur rent that the Green Forest Oil & Gas Co.,, is responsible for the failure of Maj. Drought in secur- ing the desired options upon min eral rights in the vicinity of Green Forest, THE TRIBUNE sought an interview with Judge w. A. Butt, secretary of the Oil & Gas Co.,, to ascertain what friction if any ex- ists between Maj. Drought and She Oil & Gas Co. Approached upon the subjectJudge Butt said i:
 "There is no friction between our company and Maj. Drought, nor has there been. I am aware that certain individuals have for causes best known to themselves censured our company as the obstacle standing in the way of Maj. Drought's resumption of mineral prospecting, and that the reports they have born are now widely circulated, and I am only too glad to make statement; and in order to make the matter fully understood, will go back and state some facts concerning our company, it's purposes and it's re- lation to the operations of Maj. Drought, giving the public all the information it is entitled to know concerning the business of our company.
 "Our company was organized to promote the development of what has been considered by ex- perts to be good prospects for oil in this vicinity. The organiza- ltion was perfected on July 3, 1901, and duly incorporated under the laws of the state. With the ex- pressed object of prospecting for oil, gas and other minerals, stock in our company has been sold. Promoting it's purpose this com pany entered into articles of agreement with the Kansas City & Arkansas Mining & Develop ment Co.,, of which Maj. Drought was the moving spirit, on Dec. 29, 1901, under which agreement Maj. Drought's company agreed to put down a drill hole to a depth of 400 feet, unless a valuable strike should be made before such a depth was reached. The drilling was prosecuted to a depth < of about 180 feet, when it ceased and a shaft was sunk down 135 feet, with results that are quite well known to the public.
 Following the suspension of l'work upon the shaft mass meet ing of the citizens was recently called at the instance of Mai. Drought to consider new propo- sition, the details of which are certainly fresh in the minds of all 4who are interested in the subject. One condition of the offer was to surrender the agreement hereto More entered into between our fco any and Maj. Drought. I fns were asked for on 1900 2 sstres of land in the vicinity of AGreen Forest, no reference being made to the land upon which our conpany holds leases. was ap- Spointed member of the solicit
 ing committee to see what could be done in meeting the require ments of Maj. Drought's offer.
 thought it was probable that the desired amount of land could not be secured outside of the Oil & Gas Co.'S. holdings and submitted the matter for our company's Consideration and a resolu ton was adopted authorizing me to release a certain portion of our territory for that purpose, should Hbecome necessary. 1 did so even releasing 400 acres more than I was authorized, and my action was fully ratified by the company. The 1900 acres was secured and turned over to the Major and 1 believe that more could yet be secured if desired.
 Now, you have the whole Transaction. Every request that has been expressed or implied by Maj. Drought has received the favorable consideration of the ] C INo..oaI O:l Q. lN.- Gr,