The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-05
Work on Well Near Meriden
VIII Commence Monday.
W.P. Brown & Co., Pioneer Gas
Men, Behind Project.
NO FAITH IN REPORTS.
Surface Gas Found Doesn't In-
dicate Permanent Supply.
Expects to Ask for a Franchise
in Topeka.

W. P. Brown & Co., who have found
gas at Coffeyville and Bonner Springs
ana are operating wells at both places,
VIII next week set up a drilling ria
about seven miles north Of Topeka. bs~
tween this city and Neriden.
W. B. Koontz. a representative OF tbs
W. P. Brown company was in the city
today with an application for a fran
chise to pipe gas into the city of To-
peka, which he Will present to tha
council at its next meeting. He in
formed Secretary Anderson OF tina
Commercial club of the intention to
commence drilling next week.
We shall not wait for the final dis
position Of the franchise matter" satd
Mr.. Koontz, ''or rather we shall no4
wait for it at all. Mr.. Brown viii In
stall a large Star rig at some point be-
tween Topeka and Meriden and at onca
commence drilling. The rig will be sent
to Topeka about Saturday, and by neke
Monday, we win commence the search
for a promising place to drill. I am go-
ing up to Meriden on Friday to see
what there is in the excitement caused
by the finding of surface gas"
What do you think of the Merideu
talk?" was asked.
L don't believe that it cuts much
figure" was the reply. Surface gas is
not much good. We have found it fire.
quently at a depth Of 25O feet. You viii
usually find good gas at not less than a
depth of 1000 to 1,50O feet. I under
stand that no depth of that nature has
ever been sounded in this neighborhood,
and therefore no real test has been
made. Mr.. Brown proposes to fnaka
one and see what is mere. We think
the chances are better and more favor
able right around Topeka to find gas
first started. The natural conditions
are more promising"
The franchise which Mr.. Brown viii
ask for, is completed and viii be filed
with the city clerk by the end of the
week. On Friday attorneys for the
concern viii be here to finally go over
the matter and see that its provisions
are satisfactory.
The particular hope upon which MI.
Brown and his company hold to obtain
a franchise, is from the fact they offer
a maximum price of 30 cents per cubic
thousand feet for domestic use. and Is
turing purposes. I'VE think we have
the other people beat right there" says
Mr.. Koontz Il don't for a minute be-
lieve that any of the others can offer
such a rate. But we can do 1t all
right.
.Where do you plan to pipe your
gas from ?" was asked.
From Bonner Springs" was the re-
ply. IF we don't find it close In to
Topeka"
DO you plan to lay pipe line OF
your own?"
1--WE certainly do" was the answer
'tAre you in any way connected with
the Kansas Natural Gas company
was asked
mot at all. Not at ALL" answered
Mr.. Koontz. Mr.. Brown was the first
man in Kansas to find gas and put L
to manufacturing use. He knows 3he
business from top to bottom and thinks
Topeka a good market. Unless we can
find gas here we will bring it from
Bonner Springs. The pipe from the lat~
ter place will be laid m any event.
The franchise, as drawn up, makes a
rate of so cents per 1000 for domestic gas
purposes and Is cents for manufacturing
The company agrees to light and heat the
citv building and the Auditorium free OF
any charge It agrees to furnish gas
for fncandescent street lights at the rate
of 50 cents per lamp. They agree to sub
Y77it to inspection of their meters at any
ana all times the cost of the inspection
TO be charged up to the company, pro-
vided that the cost shall not exceed SleA
THE franchise calls for life. of twenty
years Constrl1ctfve work Of carrying out
The provisions of the franchise must com
mence within one year from the date OF
the acceptance of the ordinance and af-
ter the expiration of two years from the
first date the company must complete
LAYING the mains and pipes and be able
to furnish gas in the principal streets OF
The franchise is now in the hands of
one of the council members OF the coun-