Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-03-19

OH is reviving the epic glory Of
Alaska.
Soon the stark hills of the north
land will resound to the thump OF the
oil derrick where. 20 years ago. the
sOurdoughs pick rang In the quest
for gold.
Oldtimers who have waited patient
~ since the days of '9S are preparing
for the coming OF thousands OF eager
tenderfeet with dreams OF easy for
tune and for the chance-taking In
weston.
For Uncle Sam, through his land
leasing bill. passed February % last.
has finally opened up for exploitation
the known oil riches in the northern
possession.
And rich oil It Is. according TO re-
ports following an investigation by
agents Of the Department OF the In
terror. Representatives OF the old
timers, who lost not n day In ming
their claims. are already back in the
States forming companies for develop
mcnt. The samples they have brought
show that the oil has gravity test OF
-. much higher even than the gasoline
now being sold in the United States.
Rivals Romance.
Stories rIvalIng in romance and
promise those which caused the IA
nous rush to the Klondike and Nome
are slowly sweeping down from the
north
OF Is so plentiful that II flows free
~ from the ground. so abundant that
the rivers are covered with II until
boatmen throwing overheard an IN
lighted match are unsafe. These are
the tales being told by those who have
Just returned.
And for commercial purposes the
oil Is easy 10 obtain. One man who
has already filed his claim and is now
In San Francisco organizing Ills com
pany has thousands OF acres situated
on deep water. easy of access
He is making arrangements with
large oil companies to buy his out
nut. Estimates show that he can drill
his wells nj cost of $3.50 foot. as
compared with 500 TO S25 foot for
wells drilled IN the United States.
Biologists have figured that on this
claim alone 100000 barrels of oil can
he produced. selling at $3.47 barrel.
But those who go north expecting
to find unified claims are likely TO be
disappointed. for the old sourdOugh.
survivor OF the gold craze. is on the
ground.
For twenty years he has waited his
opportunity. knowing that Alaska con.
tanned oil sufficient to supply the en-
tire United States II necessary. For
twenty years he has fought of the
agents of the big oil companies who
would have robbed him of his land
working in mines and sawmils for u
grubstake.
viii Get His Price.
Now, with the passing "f the land
leasing bill, he Is safe. He has filed
his claim and settled down 10 await
the coming ~ the agents Of the cor
porations to deal with him. And he
will get his price. lie knows the val
Tie of his land and hRS waited too long
to sell II for song.
All except "Dago Ioe." who Is now
dreaming. in drunken stupor. OF the
wealth that might have been his.
"Dago Joe" had one of the richest oil
claims In the territory. Year after
year he had resisted the schemes or
corporation representatives who
sought 10 get him off his land.
one night "Dago Joe" succumbed TO
whisky. While drunk he was Induced
to sign away his rights for six quarts
of whisky Now he reels the streets
OF Katalla. drinking bootleg" with
his last dollar, while the corporation
Is preparing To take millions In oil
from his land.
Thus the newcomer who would
find rich claims must go Inland where
the going Is rough and comforts lack
ing. He must prepare TO await the
coming OF roads and of pipe lines
Tanks must be built 10 store his oil
over the cold winter.
But the oil is there for the getting.
in untold quantities and for those who
are not afraid Of hardships and hard
work unlimited wealth beckOns.-- bal.
timore Sun.