The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-07
he IS AFTER GAS.
I'll. s. Montgomery Begins to
Drill a Well.
An Expert Says There's Both
Oil and Gas.
NOT HARD TO FIND.
Thinks Deposits Will BE Found
Within 200 Feet.
Site of New Prospect in High
land Park.

| Another attempt to locate oil or gas
in the vicinity of Topeka is to be made
| by H. s. Montgomery who bored two
| holes on the George Flanders property
three miles south of the city last sum-
| mer and the work has been commenced.
Andrew Moore, who is an experienced
| Gil and gas driller has his apparatus on
| the ground and is prepared to go down
| until oil or gas is found or until he is
| satisfied that farther work will be use
| less.
| Mr.. Moore has worked nearly all over
the southern fields in Kansas besides
having spent several years in the same
work in Pennsylvania and is satisfied
| that oil and gas exist in veins and
pockets near the city and is not dis
mayed at the attempts made in the
past. Though unsuccessful in his at
| tempts made last summer Mr.. Mont
gomery has not given up the idea of
striking oil or gas in paying quantities
near Topeka.
New impetus was given the PROPOSE
| ton, though about the middle of last
month when H. s. Kennedy, an expert
oil and gas man of Ponca City, stopped
off in the city and began investigations
on his own account and after number
of days spent in prospecting announced
that both oil and gas exist in paying
and unlimited quantities in the vicinity
of the city.
He does not claim that immense
lakes of these underlie the city and
adjacent to the city, but by a system which
he has kept a secret he claims that he
can locate oil and gas. He is not ask
ing a bonus of stock in a company to
be formed and has nothing to sell, but
wants to see a hole sunk where he
says that gas IS to be found and of
fers to donate 500 if he is mistaken.
He has letters from the ex-mayor OF
Ponce City, James Hutchins, who is
now president of the Chamber of Com
merce as we'll as the secretary of that
body, r. Sewers, and numerous other
citizens of that city stating that it was
he who located the first oil and gas
wells in that district
These are reinforced by letters from
Bale Waggener, James Orr and other
prominent citizens of the state attest
ing to his standing, honor and integrity.
Mr.. Montgomery was much impressed
by the story told by Mr.. Kennedy and
numerous excursions into the country
has resulted in the third attempt which
will be made by Mr.. Montgomery to
locate oil and gas.
Calls This Promising Field.
Mr.. Kennedy visited the site of the
former borings made by Mr.. Mont
zonery without knowing that wells had
ever been sunk in that locality and by
his method claims that he has located
a vein of gas almost directly In line
and between the two points where the
drilling was done last summer. He
claims that one of the holes missed
striking the vein of gas by As feet and
the well on which work has been COM
menced will be on the exact site Sc
lecteds by Mr.. Kennedy.
IT have prospected in numerous
fields" said Mr.. Kennedy, land have
yet to find a field as promising as the
one in and about Topeka. The city is
located directly over millions of Feet |
of gas and millions of barrels of oil |
and all that there is to do is to go |
down after it
This will not necessitate deep |
wells at all and gas will be found in |
hundred feet down and would be |
willing to stake my life on it. If had |
the money 1 would make the expert |
ment myself, for there is oil and gas
in this locality in paying quantities |
though it will be found in veins and |
pockets
The Commercial club has made an
offer of $4,000 to the person who will |
locate the first oil or gas we'll in the
vicinity of Topeka and Mr.. Mont
gomery has promised that this prize
shall go to Mr.. Kennedy in case that
his selection of a site proves to be
success.
Among the letters carried by Mr..
Kennedy is one from c. H. Ruby,
president of the Ponca City Oil, Gas
and Mineral, substantiating his claims
as to having located the first wells in
this field. While many look upon the
Of locating oil and gas as unreliable
and belonging to the age of witch
craft, Mr.. Kennedy has attracted
great deal of attention by the method
which he uses and his SanguineneSS of
success.
Mr. Kennedy has fixed the exact To-
cation where he is sure that gas will
De found and will leave for Moline
his afternoon to be with daughter
who is seriously III. He will return
within a few days and watch the pro-
yress of the work which will be the
greatest boon Topeka has ever ex-
or mark Mr.. Kennedy in
his case at least as failure.
Mr.. Montgomery Is reticent about
lis plan and refuses to discuss it at
ength. He said: Yes, 1 have man :
IN the ground who will commence '
lrilling at once for I am sure that
here is oil well as gas in the vicin-
ty of the city,
"Are you depending on Mr.. Ken
ledy locating the site?" was asked
"Well, yes, while am not believ- d
II in 'witching' and such I am very
much impressed with Mr.. Kennedy t
nd his sincerity and he has some of e
he best letters that I have ever
cen. Q
at am going out this afternoon with t
Tr. Kennedy and wherever he sticks t
stick down and says that there is r
as, there will 1 drill. l am going to
i've him thorough trial though I do
lot like to discuss the matter at this
ime for there will be plenty of time
n the event that the experiment
,roves to be successful. Another well
will be drilled though and there is no
mistake about il for have closed the
ontract and the man with his ma
hinery is on the ground. The new
lole will be but short distance from
ne of the old ones but I believe, as
oes Mr.. Kennedy, that gas in this To-
atty will be found in veins and oil in