The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-03-24
NORTHERN MAN IN
THE SUNNY SOUTH
Gas Wells on the Outskirts of Mobile,
With Possibility OF oil-Unde-
veloped Opportunities.

Mobile, Ala, March 20, 1905.
James c. Deidrick, Prest. of the News
Democrat Publishing Co.. Canton.
Ohio.
Dear Sir: Since have been in the
south l have seen many interesting
things, from every standpoint. One
thing which has interested me greatly
because it seems to me that the own
ers of it appear to be losing valuable
opportunities, and thing in which If
| were a younger man, would at once
take an active interest. is the gas well,
or rather two gas wells which lie just
southwest of the city of Mobile, about
four miles from the wholesale business
districts.
These wells were brought In by an
experimental company at the same
time that the Beaumont oil excitement
was on the country. l understand that
the business people of Mobile, in or
der to determine whether or not oil
existed in their soil, organized a
company. About one hundred and
seventy-five people subscribed to the
capital stock Of the company OF $25,OOO
in sums from SO up. About one half
of the stock was subscribed originally,
and when the first well was drilled,
and oil was not found, the smaller
stock holders were unable or not will
ing to take additional stock for the
drilling of the second well. which was
also for the purpose of finding oil.
The other stockholders were un-
willing to carry the large number who
were unwilling or unable to take ad-
ditional stock. So loan was arrang-
ed, with which second we'll was
drilled, but only about to the same
depth as the first well, and with like
results. Both OF these wells have been
allowed to flow constantly for now,
more than two years, and the guam
tity of salt water which flows from
the wells, is apparently the same as
when the wells first came in. The
quantity of gas produced per day is
70, 900 cubic feet compared with the
large wells of the Indiana, Ohio and
Pennsylvania fields, of course small
but there Is every indication that these
wells like those in Stockton and Sac
ramento, California will show no dim
mutton for number of years. Be-
sides the gas, salt water at a con-
slant temperature of SO Fahrenheit
\ a a..,, - tha rata ~ ahout nna fniIlion
gallons per day from each well. When
| 1t is considered that this water can
with very small part of gas, be in
creased to any desired temperature
and that the gas can be used for heat
ing and lighting, as we'll as for cook
ing, 1t seems to me that this is mag
nificent opportunity for large sani'
tarium, a thing which is an unknown
institution here at present.
The people who own the wells have
with them fifty acre tract Of LAND
which is admirably drained, and which
is within a mile of Mobile Bay. The
street cars come to within about
mile of this property. The Louisville
and Nashville railroads main line Il
within a stones throw OF 1t, and two
other railroads pass within a mile
Dog river, from which can be obtained
the delightful drinking water, TO
which Mobile is noted, is within les
than half mile and the property 4
reached from Mobile over a delightful
shell road.
In this section hunting is good. ant
fish both salt water and fresh water
can be had In abundance, within from
three to five miles Of these wells.
In addition to the sanitarium ther
Is of course the prospect OF a com
pany being organized, which could Il
a couple of years obtain franchise +
pipe the gas into Mobile for domesti
purposes, as we'll as for street light
H.. AI&ooott.o. 49, ~, a ffar Ia n rlnc