The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1922-06-29
Blaze of Unknown Origin Results In Total
Loss of Finest Oil Rig in State of
Kansas Wednesday Morning
21OO FOOT HOLE MAY BE A LOSS ALSO
Tools Are at the Bottom and Casing May Have
COrkscrewed, But This Is of Course,
Uncertain as Yet

"A 1ho VI uHhHOWH origin ueSCrOyeu
the rig of the Defender Petroleum
Gas Company on the Bunting farm,
southwest of Liberal, about o'clock
Wednesday morning.
The drillers were working in the
rig when the blaze was discovered, but
the oily condition of the building made
1t impossible to check the flames.
How it started they are at a loss to
explain.
F. r. McQuigg and H. M. McQuigg
were in town when the fire started,
and telephone message from John
Boles and Mrs. l.. l.. Bunting gave
them their first information. They
started for the rig Immediately, but
the top had fallen before they arrived.
The blaze attracted the attention of
the people of the city and dozens of
cars sped to the scene. The express
sions of regret were genuine. Folks
have been expecting great things of
this test and now that it is to be de-
layed or spoiled is keenly regretted
by all.
The McQuigg boys took their loss
stoicly. They managed to smile as
their property went up in smoke and
spoke of the occurrence as Zone of the
things we have to contend with"
They expressed great pleasure that
the blaze did not extend to the wheat
fields and cause loss to the farmers.
"No blame can be attached to any,
,ones said II. NJ. McQuigg to Demo-
crat reporter. "The rig is gone and
we will be- delayed in the work, but
we can not determine the condition of
the hole until we do some work"
Their chief worry now is whether
or not the hole is in good condition.
A fire very often ruins the hole and
until derrick is erected this cannot
be determined. 1t is known that the
the tools are at the bottom of the
hole and there is possibility that
string of casing which was in the
spider also dropped into the hole.
When the ruins cool sufficiently to
allow an Investigation this can be
settled.
The derrick was erected more than
year ago for the big rotary outfit,
and was pronounced by oil men one
of the best in the Mid Continent field.
This spring the rotary was removed
and new stadard tools installed. Work
was progressing nicely and there was
an air of expectancy among the peo-
pie of the southwest.
The loss is estimated at between
$40,OO0,0O and $5O,O0O0O, with no in
surance. The log of the we'll was also
burned.
One thing is certain; the loss Of the
rig will not mean a cessation of work
in the west field. Even should the
hole be ruined, another will be start
ed as soon as possible, and if the hole
is in good shape another derrick will
be erected speedily and drilling re-
sumed.
One can hear all kinds of rumors
but these are not verified by the Nc
Quiggs. One is that pocket of gas
was struck, which caught fire causing
the loss of the derrick. Lots of folks
believe this theory, while others are
of the opinion that the well was a
gasser and "got away" from the drill
ers There is another rumor to the
effect that man working in a field
a mile away, heard terrific roar
just before the derrick burst into
flames.
Drilling was suspended on the well
while some work was done on the
Boles well, and this has led to all
kinds Of speculation.
Driller w. G. MacKay lost $75.00I
in currency, valuable watch, a gift
from sister and highly priced, also
all his clothing in the fire.