The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-05-13
NAV Investigate Mineral Prospects.
Ee. Sale y HARVEY co

May Investigate Mineral Prospects.
Some time ago we called attention
to letter received by County Clerk
Baxter from eastern parties who
wished to obtain leases on Edwards
county lands for the purpose OF devel-
oping gas, oil and minerals. Mr..
Baxter wrote for further information
and has received the following reply
which will be Of interest to many peo-
pie in this vicinity:
NEW YORK, April 18th, 1904.
D. D. BAXTER. Esq,
Kinsley, Kansas.
DEAR SIR
In answer to your favor of April
herewith enclose you a sample lease
and mail YOU under separate cover
number of blanks with which you may
operate if the conditions suit you.
NV situation is simply this:
NV recent operations in Kentucky
have left me in possession OF a large
quantity Of machinery and OIL sup
plies which [ am desirOus OF putting
into use.
My purpose is to operate in several
localities In Texas, Kansas and lndl-
an Territory, and for this purpose L
approached you.
The one rule governs my operations:
First, l never buy or sell leases, or
pay a bonus.
Second, In case l have tested
property and find thereon no oil, the
leas. is returned to the land owner.
Third, 1 approach him in the friend
liest ma amer possible, aud in case Of
damage to his fences, l repair them;
in case of damage to his crop, L pay
for it, etc.
Fourth, 1 put machine to work,
with instructions to drill and report TO
me when successful, or nave reacneo
the limit of drilling.
Fifth, When oil is found. then the
territory will be tested thoroughly,
and the oil brought to the surface.
Sixth. When drilling upon a mans
farm, | always give him the benefit OF
hauling the supplies and labor.
You must understand, however,
that one cannot drill upon every tract
of land in the territory at once, and
the best | can say to you is to secure
the leases aud will begin the drilling
without delay.
have secured q great deal OF land
in Texas. and am now arranging TO
send into this state high class ma
chinery and expert oil drillers; men
who know their business and who
may be depended upon in the prem
ises
Ii these terms are suitable to you.
secure the land, say $4,000 or more
acres. Upon the cOnSummatlOn OF
this acouirement, the developments
will begin.
1t will be my pleasure at any time
tn submit YOU references from Imam
cial institutions, or from land owners
who will gladly lease me their lands.
If we prosecute the work in your
territory. which will be done vigor-
ously, and the people that | will send
into the territory will be gentlemen,
and such as will comm AMI you respect.
If YOU will give me an opportunity.
I will find out if there is oil in your
territory ard do IL quick.
Yours very truly,
C. E. WILDWOOD,
President American Coal & Ry. Co.
Mr.. Baxter will be glad to consult
with our citizens in this matter and ii
any considerable number are interest
ed will prepare the leases and forward
the same to the parties at the other
end of the line. The people OF this
country are generally rather skeptical
as to there being anything OF value
beneath the surface in this county but
it must be remembered that the people
of Reno county had no idea OF the i'm
mense salt deposits under them when
a private citizen began boring for
coal. The result of his work has been
to give to that county one of the great
industries of the world, the develop
meut of which is still in its infancy.
We should not be skeptical but help
TO push the thing along, particularly
as the other fellow seems perfectly
willing to stand all OF the expense.