The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-11-07
GAINESVILLE FINDS OIL
There Is Great Excitement Over the
Report that the DrilIers Have
at Last Struck Oil.

The town of GAINESVILLE is greatly ex-
cited over the reported striking of oil
and gas at that place by the drillers
who have been at work there for sew
eral months. AS soon as indications of
Oil were struck the drillers stopped
work and the men behind the enter
prise have been endeavoring to secure
additional land leases.
One of the eastern parties behind the
enterprise passed through Leon last
Saturday and while at the depot said if
they could secure leases on ten thous-
and acres of land adjoining Leon they
would drill here and pay all their own
expenses, being confident that both oil
and coal can be found here.
The last issue of the GAINESVILLE News
says:
Work at the prospect hole came to a
sudden stop early last Saturday morn
ing when the drillers struck what is
thought to be mistakable evidences of
oil. messenger was hurried up town
to the hotel to awaken Mr.. Strause,
manager Of the drillers, and Messrs
Morck and Brann who represent the
Company having the drilling done.
They went to the we'll rs soon as con-
venient and after a consultation among
themselves, it was decided to stop
drilling at least for the present.. and a
drill was left in the well and fastened
good and tight. The reason given out
for quitting work was that the derrick
was out of order and needed repairs.
or course our people were much ex-
cited about the supposed find and many
visited the we'll during the day, but
there was nothing to see except the
derrick and silent machinery.
Why the work was stopped SO sud-
denly, and when it will be resumed, are
questions The News cannot answer. The
derrick appears to be in it's usual con-
dition and even if it needed repairs
there are plenty of carpenters in Gains
vile, who can repair it, or if need be,
make one.
The general opinion of our people, is
that the drillers have struck certain
indications that oil in paying quantities
is here, and that the work is stopped to
give the Company more time to get
leases to more thoroughly protect their
territory. This seems reasonable from
the fact that the Companys represen-
tatives are very active in their efforts
to secure leases in contiguous territory
and we understand are fairly success
full.
In regard to the coal proposition, we
understand that the Company has not
been successful in getting the land
blocked up to suit them. twill be re-
membered that the Company proposes
to thoroughly test this country for coal
provided they can get enough land in a
block to justify them in raaking the
test and in sinking a shaft in case pay
ing coal is found. This is an oppor-
tunity our people should not lose, be-
cause coal mines would do more to de-
velop the country and furnish employ
ment than perhaps any other industry
that could be induced to locate here.
The royalty would be more than the
the crops, and often the coal rights on
a farm are sold for much more than the
land is worth, and the farmer still owns
the surface as before.
The News hopes to see the work go
on soon, the we'll brought in, coal mines
opened, a gas plant established, other
business enterprises located here, and
the country developed to the point
where it should be, the foremost coal
mining and manufacturing city, of
northwest Missouri.