The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-20
The Oil Industry and its Development"
Third Chapter in Book on "Ardmore" by
eight Gradeh Pupils of Jefferson School

Herewith we publish the third
hapter in the book on The History
nd Growth of Ardmore," written by
upils OF the eighth grade of Jeffer-
on (Fourth ward) school.
This chapter is on THE Oil In.
nstry and its Development in South
rn Oklahoma" and is divided into
hree parts. the first having been
iritten by Lyman Coe, the second,
!rantley Gillian, and the third by
teorge Gilley. These young authors
pent great deal of time in secur-
sg Information for their story. and
Ell many things of interest.
Chapter Ill.
he Oil Industry and Its Development
in Southern Oklahoma
(By Lyman Coe)
In making a study of Ardmore's
tier growth and development the oil
Industry deserves first place.
The word petroleum" means crock
~ in the German language. Petro-
cum has been known by civilized
nan from the dawn of history. In
forth America it was first mentioned
Y a missionary in a letter in 1929.
1919 a well was drilled in Kentucky
Or brine. 1t yielded so much black
il that II was abandoned. II con.
inues tc yield in small quantities to
his day.
About the year 1S45 the Indians
wing along the banks OF Oil creek,
pennsylvania discovered oil floating
tretch their blankets across the creek
tretch this blankets across the creek
nd absorb the oil. They would then
ring it out. bottled It, and sell II
Or medicine.
In spite of all this Col. f. L. Drake
tas the honor Of having drilled the
irst WELL
The we'll was completed on August !
s., 1859, near Titusville, Pennsylva-
ia. It was drilled with a spring |
ole, and yielded so barrels q day. |
III then sold for $40 barrel. Later
Tells were drilled IN the surrounding
ounties.
From Pennsylvania the oil fields |
pread 10 West Virginia, Ohio, Indi-
ma and Kentucky. The fields of Ok
ahoma, Kansas, California, Texas and
louisiana have been of later devel-
pment.
The first we'll in Oklahoma was
lrilled October 1899 at Red Fork,
ghich is now a suburb of West Tul-
n. Oil was struck at 1920 feet. It
jumped so barrels day and is still
Producing.
Fields then spread to other parts
4 the state. Big fields were discov-
red at Glenpool, Cushing, Horniny
md FIealdton.
The first well at Healdton was
rilled in, Saturday, August Is, 1918.
ne top sand was reached at 9O1 feet
he well was located about the center
# section s, south and west, in
/ 400 acre tract, owned in fee by
Writ Franklin of Ardmore, and Frank
3. Wilson of Illinois. The well was
lriIled by the Red River Oil Cor
,oration Of which Rev. c. N. Critch-
pw Of Tftusvi1le, Pennsylvania was
mesident The field then spread in
III directions and Healdton became
n oil town.
Many wells We're drilled but all Of
hem in shallow sands, although sew
raj different sands were found.
dany big wells were brought in. the
argest belonging TO J. 3. Schermer-
iorn. This well is located in section
! Another oil town was then start
d. It was named Writ for Writ
Franklin. 1t is commonly known as
Rag Town" because Of the number
# tents or rag houses Of its early
lays. The Healdton field at present
g about nine miles long and three
niles wide, and Is producing about
% 900 barrels a day.
The first we'll in the Hewitt field
Fas drilled in June 5, 1919. The sand q
vas reached at 2,1O0 feet. The well
vas drilled by the Texas Company
N the Smith-Denney farm in section
Z. The news spread like wild fire
md the land was all soon leased.
Nearly everybody thought that Hewitt
rould be the oil town. but the Hum
,fe-Gypsy well to the south in Sec l.