Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-08-03
(BV J, A. Wray.i

IWeIlty -SlALH O1 July marked Cne 11fSt
mile post in the development of the
Burkburnett pool, noted as one Of the
most profitable and rapidly develop
ing oil fields in the history of the
industry.
On Sunday morning, July 26, 1918.
after majority Of the members of
the promoting company had given up
the proposition as a failure, oil burst
forth from the we'll and was soon
running down the cotton rows on the
farm of S. l.. Fowler, on which land
the well was drilled. and who is today
referred to as the discoverer of this
wonderful source of revenue
The news quickly spread but it
was several days before the full i'm
port Of the find was sufficiently
understood to start stampede and
the meantime the public looked on
in amazement. The little farm ad-
joined the townsite Of Burkburnett,
then a small country village that
depended largely upon it's farming
resources, and the population could
hardly realize the opportunity that
Law at their very doors. However,
oil men, experienced in the game,
soon began to make their appearance
and within week the place was
seething mass of humanity, so much
SO that it was impossible to provide
accommodation and Wichita Falls be-
came the mecca of the fraternity and
largely the headquarters of those en-
gagged in the industry.
1t was but a few days until
MI oF tl,n
and unimproved, had been leased up
and the visable developments began
to manifest themselves in all direct
tons. So active became the opera
tors that it was soon manifest that a
derrick would be erected on every
lot within the town, and it was here
that the older heads took matters in
charge and with the aid of the gov
eminent, confined the drilling opera
tions to two wells to a block.
Every Block Produces Oil.
Result is, there is not block in
the entire town, other than where
business conditions prevented that is
not TODAY producing oil, for there are
no "dry" holes in The townsite prop
err Dericks are more conspicuous
than are houses and panoramic
view presents a picture unusual in
its appearance.
There are many instances of quick
ly acquired wealth, stories of human
interest that would read like a fairy
tale, some more amusing than instruc-
tive, but with all an interesting part
of the history. You can read how a
clerk in a store purchased small
two room house and two lots, making
a $50 cash payment with money that
his employer had advanced, and how
after we'll was brought in on the
premises his daily income from royal
ties amounted to 1925. You will also
hear of others who were suddenly
transformed from a state bordering
on poverty to a financial condition far
beyond their power to grasp mentally
and of greater proportions that they
were capacitated to care for.
The Burkburnett field has the dis
tinction of being the one great field
of the people, the acreage being
largely in town lots and the results
being so generally distributed. Then.
too, many companies were organized
in which the public, from the CAPT
talist to the hod-carrier. acquired
stock and in a majority of instances
profited either from dividends or from
the sale of their shares at advances
of two and three and sometimes twen-
ty to one.
$3.50 From Gift Share.
In one office lady was given a
share in one of the early companies
as reward for special work and
within a short time she realized
thereon the sum of $1750. In an
other instance lady was given some
few shares in a company and today
! she is riding in fine automobile
the realization of one Of her fondest
dreams. Speaking of the automobile
reminds that the one great hobby o.
those who have acquired wealth in OF
operations has developed to hav'
fine automobiles and as resu!
dealers here have. reaped harvest
It was frequently the case that
man. lust waking to realization
that he had acquired large sizet
bank account. would walk up to
salesman and inquire the best max
of car he handled. Being told, h
would give orders to roll it out, neve
discussing the price, and giving nj
check without murmer
Diamonds have likewise been
f.vor;te with the more fortunate one
and many sales running into II,
thousands of dollars have been mad
nv local jewelers. Be it said. how
over to the credit of quite numbel
that thew have first invested liber:
share Of their gain in comfortabl
homes. ~
have profited from their Investment
for such is not the case. There IS g
\ other side to the picture and one IN
illustrates money invested and los