The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1912-12-27
FIRST SHOT
IN THE ALLEGAN
OIL FIELDS
Three Thousand People
- Witness Unusual Sight
at Allegan Oil Well
100 OTIS. OF NITR0GLYCERINE
Regular Oil Pumping Outfit Will Be
Installed and Oil in Paving Guam
tity is Assured.

= Allegan is all excitement over the dis
covery of oil 10 her vicinity. The ind-
cations have long been apparent but the
first real shot was made two weeks ago
by the Independent Torpedo Co, of
Findlay, ONO, for the Northern Oil and
Gas COZ About 1000 people were at
tractedFto the place and the proceedings
were very interesting For the benefit
of those who are not familiar with the
method of shooting well we take the
following from the Alegan Times:
Friday the explosive, which was
brought from Portland, Ind., by automo-
bile, was taken to the we'll and warmed
up ny escaping steam. The l20 quarts
used was placed in six shells, each shell
holding % quarts These shells we're let
down in the well by windass, bale be-
ing attached to each shell like that used
on a bucket. At the end of the cabls
was a hook aud when bottom was reached
the hook usually drops out OF the bale of
its own accord, but three times during
Friday afternoon trouble was experienced
and it took several minutes to disengage
it. rhe last shell lowered was the one
that was exploded first and this explos-
ION caused the others TO be set Oft. To
the top of the last shell disc was at
tached and to this disc a steel rod was
fastened. At the end of the rod two
large waterproof caps we're attached.
When the weight, or 'godevii" as the ex-
perts cali il, was let fall it struck this
disc and drove it downward and the caps
struck 40 iron or steel piece fastened
near the top Of the can, exploding the
caps aud they in turn exploding the
Ditrog lycerine
"NitrogIycerine will not explode unless
confined 1t may be thrown against
building without harm but we would not
advise anyone to try it. The empty cans
were taken several hundred feet away
and exploded by fuses being attached
to them. This was necessary TO comply
with the law.
"Ihe we'll is 1910 feet deep. Two
veiLs OF oil il-bearipg sand were struck.
The first was found at depth OF 1856
feet and this vein was estimated to be
luItt iect III luiChucoSs uo scCouu Soih
was found at depth OF 1916 feet and
is estimated at about eight feet through
it, being Of more than the average thick
ness. To "shoot" both veins at oLce it
was necessary to attach long tin tube
to the bottom Of the last shell reaching
! from the bottom OF the lower vein to the
one above it.
"There was 900 feet Of oil and water
in the well Friday morning. A portion
of this was baled out before the shoot
ing.
"The Ditroglycerine was brought to
Allegan by auto from Portland, Ind.,
and arrived here Friday morning. The
auto. when two miles north OF Sturgis,
became stuck in the sand, and not a
farmer for money, marbles or chalk
would pull it out when they learned
what the load consisted OF. The driver
had to walk into town, leading the load
unguarded, and secured help,
AFTER pumping for number OF hours
! it was found that the well is certainly
fine one, they ure certain the yield
will be from IL to 20 barrels OF oil per
day. Pumping was stopped Monday
morning and a regular oil pumping out
fit was sent for and as soon as it arrives,
oil in Allegan ia big and paying quantities
and OF high quality is assured. Hurrah
for Allegan and oil"