The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-05-24
LIFETIME OF POVERTY,
THEN A W|NDFALL
"SPOTTY" M'BRDE, AFTER % FAILURES AND
YEARS OF WANT, DISCOVERS AN OIL WELL
WORT HMuLIONS.

BUTLER, Pa, May 23.-"Spotty"
Mcbride, the oil prospector, had a
career of poverty, mighty hard work
and the limit of bad luck. Now he
has wealth even beyond the dreams
that kept him hopeful and industri-
Gus through all the years. He has
been enriched by one of the greatest
strikes" in the history of the famous
Pennsylvania oil fields. Nothing like
the Mcbride we'll has thrilled the oil
regions for 20 years. 1t is called the
Marie. The only request that
"Spotty" made of his partners was
that the we'll might be named in hon
or of Marie, his 9-year-old doughter.
She had steadfast faith in her father.
When failures accumulated and the
future looked BLACKLIST she had child
ish confidence that there was a good
time coming.
"And when you do strike a big
well, daddy. you will name it for
me, won't your she said.
Stalwart Mcbride, looking down
into the eyes of the little optimist,
assured her that the we'll should bear
her name. Though oppressed by hard
luck he was inspired by her faith that
the STRIKE" elusive and long de-
ferred as it was, would yet be made.
"Spotty" is Isaac b. Mcbride. He
got the pickname years ago because
of the freckles that dot his face.
In telling now of his experience
"Spotty" says: II drilled % wells
in my time, and out of the whole
lot sold 10 barrels of OIL"
In the Coylesville field he invest
ed $4,000 without getting a barrel
of oil At Jefferson Center $1,000
was sunk in a year without results.
In all, men who backed his ventures
lost $4,000. Every dollar that Nc
Bride could lay his hands on went
the same way. Still he persevered.
Back Il 1860, c. d. Angel ran an
oil line from Wellsburg, N. Y, to
the Gulf off Mexico. 1t is known as
the 45-degree line. Mcbride worked
along that line, confident that he
would get oil, despite his unbroken
series of clusters"
MS line leu lilfl W viz w c''i ga
farm, about three miles from the
courthouse in this city. 1t was for
merly owned by j. a. Elmer, who
died IS years ago. In his last days
Edmer said to his sons: You sink
| a wekk back of the barn and you
| will find plenty of oil" The sons
| had no confidence in the old mans
prediction. They knew that there
| were a number of worthless wells in
| the neighborhood. Six years ago
they sold the farm to DR.. o. X. Wal
dron for $500. Recently Mcbride
came along and leased it for oil pros
pecting purposes. DR.. Waldron was
| to get one-eighth of the production.
The test well would cost $1,000.
McBride's friend, Peter F. McCool of
Butler, offered to put up all the
money. Mcbride would not have It,
He did not want his friend to risk
so large an amount. 1t was finally
arranged that Finnegan & Hinch-
| berger oil men of Pittsburg, should
| invest $1700, and get half interest.
| McCool contributed the balance and
got a quarter interest Mcbride, as
| driller and prospector, was awarded
| a quarter interest. They leased 300
| acres of land around the well.
Mcbride and his partners were
there to see the well come in. At the
third sand there were signs of oil
but nothing to brag about. Mcbride
was hopeful. His partner gave up
their money as lost. They became
| frivolous They joked Mcbride about
his buster. He, having worked for
| two days and nights in his anxiety
| to see the result, couldn't see the