The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-08-06
CARTER COUNTY'S INAUGURATION
AS GREAT OIL PRODUCING AREA
BY III. L. Nichols.

discovery of the Healdton WELD would
engulf the pages of the Ardmoreite
into a lengthy and useless discussion.
There is glory enough for all, and some
TO spare for those even remotely re-
sponsible Therefore, | shall only set
out the facts as are known to me per.
sonally.
During the spring and summer of
1912 while drilling in the Loco gas
field, | had ample opportunity 10 care
fully study the country, in and around
Loco. On one of these pilgrmages,
landed on the high open hill in section
E, 4s-Sw. | visited this vicinity at
every opportunity, and finally came to
the conclusion | would attempt to in.
terest some one with me and drill a
well in about the center of the southeast
quarter of section >, 4s-3w. / finally
centered on Col Cal Payne Of Titus
vile, Pa. Mr. Payne agreed to back
me in the drilling Of a well in the
vicinity of Lawton, but declared he
was not interested in any well so close
TO the Oil City pool; as in his opinion,
no refinable oil would be found in this
vicinity. tried several other friends
and acquaintance. among whom was
Dave Beatty of Houston. but none OF
them could be induced TO spend money
in southern oklahoma Finally gave up
hope Of getting in ON the deal person.
ally, but concluded to bury my knowl.
edge Of the country for Il more oppor.
tune time
In the spring Of 1913, Mr.. p. c. Dings
asked that | 20 with him 10 look over
The country in and around Healdton.
While ! have always prided myself on
being able to suppress my emotions,
had Mr. Dings been poker player in.
stead OF a banker, he would have easily
observed very worried look in the
face of his audience. Mr. Dings got in
touch with Writ Franklin and the
three OF us started for Healdton.
recall very viyidly that We worked IN
through the Billy Newton place in sec.
ton 90 4s3w. As roads were not then
opened alonG section lines, many gates
had TO be opened. The most of the
country we looked over on that day was
not IN my opinion favorable TO oil. bur
was careful not to say very much
about the Franklin farm in the north.
east quarter Of section &. 4s-3w. as
had repeatedly looked over this farm on
my former visits Nothing came our
OF our trip, except a suggestion to Mr..
Dlngs that he try to interest the Red
River Oil Company.
AT this time, ! was doing consider.
able drilling for the Red River Oil Com.
lany (Watchorn, Critchlow, et an ana
shortly after this, | completed a wen
on the Washington ranch. southwest
VI Marietta for the company. DR.. |
Ciltchlow came to Marietta TO settle |
with me for the drilling of this well. |
AFTER the conclusion of the settlement
III Crltchlow made the remark thar
ne was through with southern Oklahu.
ma His work had been profitable IN
me and of course was anxious IN co.
'''"' ana MS company succeed | ac |
NhoWledged that he and his company |
had been very unfortunate with ts
wildcat wells. but in my opinion he
Had been poorly advised in making loca. |
lions but | knew Of place about three !
miles west Of the old Healdton wher. (
NE geological conditions We're first class
ana was worth we'll He remarked
only that morning that Mr.. Dines had
introduced him to Mr.. Wnt Franklin
ana they had discussed acreage in
the vicinity of Healdton. and that he
nad declined TO drill the well. but il
would see 10 the moving OF pipe. rig. |
''c' he would call Franklin by phone |
ana close the deal. II was about
p In when Critchlow talked TO Frank. |
I'm and closed the trade for acreage
Dr. Critchlow authorized me TO make |
The location and drill the well and not |
10 fret him with any OF the details IN. |
III completed, wet or dry.
DR. Critchlow was to have sent about |
SVOV feet Of 2-inch pipe down fromN'
their lease AT Taneha, for water line
ana during The time / was making daily |
inquiry at depot for this pipe. he ad. .
Vlsed that an error had been made and 1
that they had used the pipe elsewhere. |
ana TO do the best l could with what
had OF my own Had determined 10 |
locate he initial well along the south
line OF the southeast quarter Of section |
b. but not getting this water line and |
having only a few spare Joints OF my |
own, went as far north OF the water
supply as had pipe 10 reach and this
put the location in about the center OF
me northeast quarter Of section N
4s.3w.
While driving the stake for location. a