The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-07-12
CORRESPONDENCE
Plain Dealing.

Wednesday, July 11.-As fore
casted in last weeks issue Of the Ban
ner, the Scovell & Gaines well No. 3
has virtually brought itself in and is
proving an eye-opener to oil men and
the curious visitor, and has been
visited and admired by thousands.
To go back to the beginning 50
that all may better understand the
condition of affairs in regard to the
company drilling the well. The
Gaines, and local public-spiritad
residents organized and put in the
first well. about $50 feet west Of the
present site, which proved failure
on account of salt water, though
there was considerable Gil in evidence.
The rig was then moved to new
site about quarter mile in distance,
where the second well was drilled,
again striking salt water. After the
second failure the company was con
siderably disheartened, some drop
ping out. Others urged that the
rig be moved back near the first
location for final test. Mr.. Curtis
Scovell and Messrs. j. E. Walker.
Frank Collins and other influential
citizens strained their credit and,
with indomitable win, went to work
to arrange for capital to complete
No. 8, which has proved such q
wonder.
Proper material could not be OBJ
tanned and the well was, Of course,
made out of what one would call mis-
fits, as the last casing put in was only
q inches in diameter.
On the night of the Sd only about
two watchmen were left in charge,
the other members of the crew being
let off to celebrate the 4th in be-
coming style, and some of the crew
becoming disheartened, left for other
points, knowing that within twenty.
four hours, unless something unfore-
seen happened, their labors would BE-
in vain. However, just before day.
light one of the watchmen discovered
a strong showing of oil, and soon hac
full crew back on the job. Agar.
salt water came near getting the
best of the drillers. but failure If
their other attempts had taught then
q thing or two, and they won out
! with the result of a well that coult
!. only be a poor one at best spout!ns
{ out at the lowest estimate some 6Ot
barrels per day. What it would O.
could do with a proper equipment il
!, something hard to guess.
The we'll is down 1915 feet ant
the workmen knew that il somethin:
did not happen soon they would hav
: to look for other employment, AM
latter the strike was made they wer
0 overjoyed, and were as hearty Il
their congratulations to the owner
of the we'll as heart could wish.
1 No doubt Mr.. George E. CLINE
(known by all his friends &
d "George") proved strong facto
for the final finishing of the well, a
he was down at the site day or tw
before it came in and, noting the d.
spondent attitude and conduct G
;, some of the owners, volunteered n
. services, if necessary, towards tn
, finishing of the we'll.
! Your correspondent is glad to stat
that the owners-the Dallas Oil Cor
= rany-have leases and own nearl
5000 acres, the most of this lyin
/ near the well.
On Saturday morning it was state
= that salt water was giving troubl
but it was soon seen this would
overcome, and then the oil men re-
resenting other companies began con
ing in, and the widest exciteme,
y ensued. Leases near by were so
= !; at $3.50 per acre easily on Saturds
- afternoon, and before night the
Q. were bringing up to $50, ore owne
O. MI. C. L. Demoss, refusing to sell
. any figure. He finally leased
g acres at 1925 per acres, a well to
!, under way within forty days. Leas
o. and lease buyers were and are st
. in evidence, and it is believed near
&c $500, 900, possibly more, has be-
paid out in cash and leases are st
- being sought.
Il New residences and hotels are
~ go up at once.
i, = The streets of Plain Dealing q
= being sprinkled with oil to allay t
oil dust.
Ia Mr.. R. E. Dickson, a promine
u; attorney of Lewisville. Ark, was he
= yesterday. He is seriously think
&C. of moving his law office here.
IN The principal stockholders in
,as local well and some prominent ca
talists Of Dallas, Texas, came up
nd the motor this morning to view
&C. surroundings and to make the n
The -