Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-01-20
A Gallant Volunteer.

The s'organ." sometimes yclept the
Medicine Lodge Cresset. has organized
a company to prospect for oil and has
elected itself treasurer of the institution
and magnanimously announces that it
will receive all the money that anybody
may feel like subscribing to the enter
prise. just to show that there are
other ''patriots" in this country the In
dex will agree to take all that the "best
newspaper" and the ''smartest editor"
can't handle, and when we get so much
that we can't handle it, several have
signified Willingness to come to our
relief.
The Index is not questioning the
"organ's" honesty or sincerity in this
matter but it seems to us that there
are better places to make these de-
posits. Generally bank is regarded
as very convenient place, for instance,
and if the "best newspaper" and the
''smartest editor' mean business why
would it not be good idea for that insti-
tuition to start the ball rolling by chip
ping in $500 or $500 at the head of the
list. We have its statement that it has
twice as many subscribers and does
twice as much business as any news
paper in the county, and if that is true
little contribution like $500 should be
easily raised. The Index is little
short just at present but if any re-
sponsible person will guarantee US
that our business in 1904 will be double
that Of 1908, we will subscribe $500 to
the prospecting fund and we won't
insist Oh being treasurer either.
It is now up to the ''organ" to resign
the Office of treasurer of the com.
pany and to head the list with $500,
always remembering that ''faith with
out works is dead"
1t has been suggested to the Index by
man of means who IS supporter of
the enterprise, but who isn't very
enthusiastic over the self.elected
treasurer, that the 'organ's" committee
plan is very good one because if it Is
anything that outfit is long on. it is to
do work through made to order ICON.
mittee'' and give the people who are
interested, as little to burden them
with as possible.
Seriously, however. property owners
should take hold of the prospecting
en- terprise with q determination. 1t
should not be undertaken in q half
hearted way, and ample funds, should
be subscribed before the work begins.
Accordingly to the best authority
obtainable it would require $4,000 to put
down 200O-foot we'll. Several who
are interested in the project have been
in communication with G.. w. Stongh
Of Longton, Kansas. Mr.. Stongh is
an expert IN the business and has put
many communities on the road to
wealth by making valuable mineral
finds. He says that it will cost no less
than $4,000 to put down 1000 foot hole
and case it properly. If something
should be found at a less depth the cost,
of course, would be proportionately
less.
There should be no difficulty in rails
ing the necessary funds, but it should
be started IN the right way. ALI
semblance OF private graft should be
eliminated and there should not be
even the remotest circumstance to in
dicate bad faith on the part Of anyone
connected with it, and above all the
party or parties who handle the funds,
should any be raised, should be men
who are substantial and responsible
and who at all times can be depended
upon. Let all do their part toward
bringing this matter to a successful
issue.