The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-09
PROSPECT FOR OIL
SEEMS EXCELLENT
Renewed Impetus Given Efforts
in North Alabama
MAI. oTLEY'S PREDICTIONS
Relieves That the Field In North Ala.
bama Is Equal to Any East of
the Mississlppi-New Ma
ohlnery Purchased.

Dacatur. December 7.-(Speeial) Within
the last few days new life and new in
terest has been injected into the future
dovalonment of the oil fields of North
| Alabama. For several months past
there has been but little of consequence
done towards the development of these
fields. mainly for the lack of money.
The newspaper reports TO the effect
that Major John W. Otley had made a
rich fined at Humble, Tex, has given
the people of the Tennessee valley much
renewed hope that oil In vastly paying
quantities will be found IN this section at
no distant day. Their reasons for think
ing are these: Major 0tley is one of the
most famous geologlsts and oil experts
in the United States today, and 1t was
he who located the celebrated Beaumont,
Texas, oil fields for Captain A. E. Lucas
a few years ago, and it will be remem-
bered that 1t was Major Otley who In
1901 was sent by the United States geolog-
ical department to make a survey of tho
Valley of the Tennessee in North Ala
bama. After making this survey of the
Valley of the Tennessee, he gave as his
opinion that commencing southwest of
Decatur and extending westward into
Mississippi, there would be found very
extensive and good oil fields. highly gas
erous. Thus far in every case, where
test has been made, the opinions of
Major Otley have been confirmed and this
latest great find in Texas has given added
hope to those who are engaged IN test
ing the fields In Alabama. In his report
on the oil fields of North Alabama, Major
Otley says, 1.-The points recently exam
ined by me were the most pronounced 1
have ever met with and l unhesitating-
ly pronounce those lands in Morgan,
Lawrence, Franklin, and Colbert counties.
equal to any fields east of the Mississippi
BASIN
VIII Prove Rich Field.
Major Otley said further, 1.-THE North
Alabama oil fields are located In the
Hartselle, Decatur. Russellville and Moul-
ton valley section of North Alabama.
This field Is an extension of the great
Appalachian oil belt from Canada to the
Gulf of Mexico. The development Of this
section of Alabama will undoubtedly
prove a very rich field, both In illumi-
mating and lubricating oils The essential
geological features In much of this terri
tory are so pointed that the question OF
securing oil In paying quantities Is only
secondary. The structural arrangement
is such that the pools are necessarily
broad and where the catastrophies have
been sufficient, but not too violent, deer
pools may be anticipated.
with such evidence at your command
there is practically an assurance of rich
reward In discovery. This belt outlines
the same general direction as its northern
fields, of which system 1t will be a great
factor. Anti-cllnals all run from north to
southwest, nearly, but sometimes move
from the correct line by structural diff
culties.
1.-The points critically examined by me
were the most pronounced I have ever
met with
New Machinery Purchased.
The company that has been boring fol
oil at Hartselle, fourteen miles south oil
mere on the Louisville and Nashville rail-.
road, has just purchased new machinery
and have gone to work with determine.
ton to find oil In largely paying quaint
ties. Some time since this company found
a considerable amount of gas in one o.
their wells near Hartselle.
IL Is TepOfIeu that InlS company MAJ
but recently sold some $4,000 worth OF
stock and that this money will be spenf
In sinking wells on the company's land,
which they own either In fee simple OF
have mineral deeds for. Their holding,
consists of several thousand acres II
what Is known as the Hartsele basin.
Wells are being drilled near Hunts
Vile, In Madison county and near Ath
ems In Limestone county. also in th'
| southern part of Tennessee. Ii Is ex
pected that several wells will be SUM
near Decatur early in the spring 4
all arrangements can be made by tina
| time.
| In the years past both oil and gas hav'
| been found at various places in this coun
| ty In Lawrence, Madison and severa
| other counties in this section of the state
but never in paying quantities. However
the fields of the valley have never beer
| given a proper test, mainly for the lacl
| of money None of the wells were eve
sunk deep enough to really tell whethe
there would be oil in paying quantities
| or not.
OIL Found In FalkvllIe.
A year or two ago come oil was fount
in Falkville, In this county south of her
on the Louisville and Nashville railroad
| but as In other cases the wells were aban
/ deep enough. Some oil and consider
able flow of gas was found at Hartselle
Several years ago three wells were SUM
at Moulton, in Lawrence county. Til
drillers reported that oil had been found
| but plugged up the wells and disappeared
| BY some 1t is believed to this day tina
these drillers were bought Off by tn
Standard OIL. company While drilling
well for water at the American Oal
| Tanning company's plant in New De
| catur such an immense flow of gas wa
| struck as to make the well unfit 70
water. This well was plugged and re
mains so today. In many portions @
north Alabama there are to be foun
springs with thin skum of petroleum
| floating on the surface of the water. /
different section also much petroleum
| shale is to be found. BY experts this
said to be a very strong Indication G
petroleum in those vieinities.
There is considerable excitement a