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A Year in the Life-Oil Speculation in Adair County, 1904-1905, or Oil Fever... Mike Watson: Magnum Opus of the local oilfields: The most comprehensive documents about the oil industry in Adair & Metcalfe Counties, Kentucky, in any periodical to date; the story of the founding of the Big Trend News in Edmonton and numerous items about the activities of the Big Trend Oil Company. By Mike Watson, Adair County Historian The oil business has always been of particular interest to the citizens of Adair County. The success of Backyard Oil has caused a new swell of enthusiasm in the industry. Oil is not a new thing for us, the first well of note here was brought in more than a century and a half ago, but who wanted oil then--water and salt were more important, and valuable. See how we waxed and waned through the eyes of The Adair County News in 1904 and 1905. The Adair County News of 26 October 1904 carried the following: Will Bore for Oil--The indications are that the oil interest in Adair County will be at fever heat in a very few days. A company has been organized with Stearn & Yates at its head, who say they expect to expend $2,000,000 in Adair and adjoining counties in sinking oil wells. The company will begin operations on Wooten and Pulliam's land, lying on Harrodsfork, in about ten days. The timber for putting up derricks is now being sawed at Wooten Bros' mill. The places for putting down wells on Harrodsfork have been selected, and not less than six holes will be bored on this creek. There is every indication of oil in this locality. Last Sunday gas was lighted on the stream and it burned for several hours. The people of Harrodsfork believe they are in the Eldorado, and excitement is high. Three weeks later: Mr. John Wesley Thompson, Sparksville, was in the News office last Friday and reported that active preparations were in progress on Harrodsfork and that the drilling for oil would commence in a few days. Persons who have examined the site where the wells will be put down say that if oil is not found, there is nothing in signs, as it is seeping out the ground in many places. There are fifteen or twenty men now at work. There are other places in Adair County where it is believed oil can be found... The last day of November bore the following items: Mr. Geo. Wooten, of Sparksville, was in to see us Saturday and stated that drilling for oil in his section would begin at an early date. Dr. J.D. Russell, of New Haven, Conn., one of the firm of the Adair Oil Company, located at Jamestown, New York, reached Columbia last Friday and is ready to contract with drillers. The company will begin operations on Harrodsfork and will put down six wells. It is the general opinion of oil men that this section will prove a profitable field. Dr. Russell says that his company is backed by an abundance of money and that it is willing to invest... The Big Trend Oil and Pipeline Co., with headquarters in Edmonton, Metcalfe County, received their rig irons and drilling machinery in Columbia last Saturday morning. This was taken to the Sparksville section where the first well will be drilled within the next few weeks. The company has purchased the Burksville Herald plant, removed it to Edmonton and will issue under the name, "The Big Trend News," devoting much time and space to the oil interests of Southern Kentucky. Mr. E.E. Strange, of Burksville, will be editor. December 7th: It is said that the Big Trend Oil Company will begin boring on Harrodsfork in a few weeks. This company proposes to sink four wells or more. Dr. J.D. Russell, who is representing The Adair Oil Company, located at Jamestown, New York, visited the McCaffree well, near Gradyville, last week. He secured a sample of the oil, pronouncing it the very finest. The Doctor thinks there are plenty of oil in Adair County, and says the reason it has not heretofore been found in paying quantities, the drillers did not go deep enough. His company will put down twelve holes. Dr. J.D. Russell, manager of the Adair Oil Co., Jamestown, N.Y., in company with Gov. J.R. Hindman, T.R. Stults and Rollin Browning, of Columbia, made a visit here (Gradyville) last Wednesday investigating oil fields. Your correspondent had a talk with the Doctor and we formed the opinion that he was favorably impressed with the outlook. We think we understand our people in regard to this question and we take it that there will be no trouble in securing a block of leases on this creek, if suitable arrangements can be made with the company. We believe we are in the midst of a great oil field, and from what we can learn they will begin operation soon. All we want, Doctor, is for you to put your first well down right in the midst of the best place in Adair County, Gradyville. --Gradyville news letter. Two weeks pass, the last issue before Christmas, December 21st, reported: More evidence that there is oil in Adair County. Mr. Jonas Roach, who lives near Sparksville, last Spring, put down a well for water, but failing to get it as quickly as he desired, he abandoned the well. Last Week he concluded to go deeper and at depth of 23 feet he struck a stream of oil. THis find is about 2 miles from Harrodsfork Oil Field. Dr. J.D. Russell, who is a member of the Adair Oil Company, located at Jamestown, New York, left for his home last week. He will return to Columbia the first week in January, as he informed the News, and immediately thereafter he will start a crew to putting up derricks, preparatory to sinking wells. The first well bored will be on Harrodsfork, ten miles from Columbia, the second on Pettit's Fork, one and a half miles from town. At this writing the drill has not been put to work in this county, but preparations for it by two or more companies are progressing in a satisfactory manner. The Big Trend Oil Company will penetrate the earth near Sparksville, 10 miles south of Columbia, within a few more weeks, and from surface indications and the leaks of oils in that section, it is believed that oil in paying quantities will be found. The report of oil in several wells in that section is also an incentive to start the drill. Dr. J.D. Russell, of New York State, representing the Adair Oil Company, has been in this county for several weeks, with headquarters in Columbia, states that he is favorably impressed with this section, and that his company will begin their first well within two or three weeks. Mr. Russell has been over a good portion of Adair and is willing to test different parts of the county if leases can be secured. It need not be surprising to the readers of the News to see the announcement that a great gusher was struck at a certain place. No one knows what a tale the drill will tell, but the results will be correctly reported in the News. With 1905 came more news, from January 11th: The Big Trend Oil Company will begin drilling to-morrow at Sparksville. The bad weather and bad roads have delayed operations there for several days. The drill will soon tell the tale. We predict a gusher. Dr. J.D. Russell, of New York State, who has been securing territory in this county for the Adair Oil Co., of Jamestown, New York, of which he is a big stock holder, is expected within a few days. Mr. Russell has already shipped a rig and will begin drilling, one and a half miles from Columbia, on Mr. Reubin Conover's farm, at an early day. Mr. Russell is highly pleased with the surface indications and will drill nine holes regardless of results. Waiting for action, January 18th: Dr. J.D. Russell, a member of the Jamestown, New York, Oil Company, writes Mr. T.R. Stults, of this place, that he received a fall a few days ago, spraining one of his ankles, but that he will be in Adair County as soon as possible, and that the company had decided to put down twelve wells on Harrodsfork and Pettit's Fork. The Big Trend Oil Company has started one well on Harrodsfork, this county. This company and the Jamestown, New York, Company are going to give Adair County a thorough test. Oil speculators who have been over the field are well pleased with the outlook. Good news, January 25th: We learn from parties living in the Harrodsfork country, where the "Big Trend" Company is sinking a well for oil, that the operators are in high hopes of making a successful strike. The company has reached a depth of about 200 feet, and in going that distance there have been some very favorable indications. This field will be thoroughly tested, and as above stated, those who are interested believe they will be rewarded. Dr. J.D. Russell, a member of the Adair Oil Company...writes that the machinery for drilling in this county has been shipped and that he will arrive in Columbia in a few days. Bad news as of February 8th: The Big Trend Oil Company, putting down its first well, at Sparksville, this county, has suspended work until a new rope can be received which will be in 6 or 8 days. It has reached a depth of 800 feet, passing through three or four oil seeps and the driller is expecting a good strike lower down. At the farthest, a few more days work will tell the tale for that locality. Mr. F.M. Yost, of the Big Trend Oil Company, stated to a News man, last week, that he was a strong believer in making a good strike in the section of country in which his company proposes to operates; that he has never seen better surface indications, and while the drilling at Sparksville had only reached a depth of 600 feet at that time, he was satisfied with the indications and stated that he hoped to make a good strike at 1000 or 1100 feet... The bad weather has seriously crippled work here... The second well to be drilled by this company will be in the Glenville or Joppa section. A historic oil link appeared February 22nd: Mr. W.L. Walker, one of the leading merchants in this part of the state, and the Big Cheap Cash merchant of Columbia, is also one of our leading farmers. Four years ago Mr. Walker bought a farm of 345 acres, on Pettit's Fork, 1 miles west of town and immediately after acquiring possession lead out on progressive farming methods... In 1863 this land was sold to the Rock Oil Company, of Louisville, and held by it till 1901, when Mr. Walker purchased it. That company never tested the property for oil though good indications of oil existed. The Adair Oil Company, of New York, will drill a well in the early Spring or Summer, which will reveal its hidden wealth or set aside the theories of the past... County Clerk Stults makes report, March 8th: Mr. T.R. Stults, County Court Clerk, informs us that he received a letter from J.D. Russell, of Jamestown, New York, a few days ago, and that he stated that he would leave for Columbia in a very short time. He expects to commence drilling for oil as soon as the derricks can be erected after his arrival. The doctor has full faith in finding oil in abundance in Adair County. Some progress reported March 15th: The Big Trend Oil Company reached a depth of 1,000 feet last week in their drilling at Sparksville, and hung. Still a no-show, May 3rd: Having read a letter from Dr. J.D. Russell...we feel certain in making the statement that the gentleman will arrive in Columbia this (Wednesday) morning... Creelsboro news from May 10th: Dr. J.D. Russell, representing the Adair Oil Company, will commence drilling at Creelsboro in two or three weeks. May 17th brings good news, finally: Will Drill For Oil--The Adair Oil Co. Will Sink its First Well on R.R. Conover Farm--Contract for Drilling Closed --Dr. J.D. Russell, who is the manager of the Adair Oil Company...has contracted for the drilling of the first well in this county. The site is on the farm of Mr. Reuben Conover, one and one-half miles from Columbia. Mr. Everett Tiller, who has been operating in the Knox County field, has the contract for sinking the well. Mr. Tiller was in this place last Thursday night and Friday morning, the contract was closed. He left immediately to arrange for the shipping of his machinery. Dr. Russell, who has been in the oil business for forty years, went over the Conover farm last Thursday, and in talking to a News man, he said: "I feel very confident that there is oil on this farm, but of course I cannot tell whether the quantity is large or small. The only way to get oil is to dig for it, and I propose to dig."... It was the intention of the company to begin drilling first at Creelsboro, in Russell County, but the indications being so favorable here, the plans were changed to meet the statement above... The Mountain Oil Company formed, reported May 24th: A company known as The Mountain Oil Company was organized here last Monday for the purpose of developing Adair County lands for oil. It will start business withing a short time and the amount of capital to back the drill, that seems in sight, makes the outlook for practical and thorough development a matter of short time. Dr. J.D. Russell, of New York, is the President and a practical oil man. The other officers and board of directors are selected from our wealthiest business men of Columbia, men who are able to manage any business in which they engage. Further notice will be given later. Drilling for oil was commenced on R.R. Conover's farm, near Pettits fork, last Monday. The manager thinks the operator will go one thousand feet this week. Difficulties reported, May 31st: The operator, who has contracted to bore for oil on the Conover farm, has met with some difficulty in getting his machinery to work, but all difficulties will be removed in a day or two and the drill will go straight to the bottom. Rock was struck at the depth of six feet. Oil discovered, June 7th: Oil Found--At the depth of two-hundred and twenty-five feet a small vein of oil was struck Monday on the Conover farm. The operators firmly believe that a paying strike will be made and the drill continues to go down. Oil Prospects--The indications are that a good vein of oil will be found on the Conover farm where the Adair Oil Company is now drilling. Last Friday a strong flow of gas was struck and Dr. Russell, who is the manager, states to us that one-hundred feet below the gas he expects to find oil in paying quantities. The gas was set on fire soon after it was struck and it burned for some time. The drillers are now down to about two-hundred and fifty feet. Confident of success, June 14th: After Oil--Dr. J.D. Russell, of New York, who has undertaken to develop this section for oil is still strong in the faith that his first effort will be crowned with success. As heretofore announced in the News, work is progressing on the R.R. Conover farm about one miles from town on Pettit's Fork and at this writing the drill is doing its work more than five hundred feet below the surface and going down at a satisfactory rate. Gas was struck last week before a depth of 200 feet had been reached and the flow continues strong and increasing. Mr. Earls, the driller in charge, an experienced man from Massachusetts, is confident of reaching an oil sand from six to eight hundred feet... Already some interest in manifested on the part of the most enterprising citizens of Gradyville and also on Green River, and it would not be surprising to hear of active operations at an early date... Dr. Russell, of the Adair Oil Company, was here Saturday and located an oil vein and at an early date will drill several wells. --Gradyville newsletter. Delays at Conover well, June 21st: There has been some delay in the progress of the drilling for oil on R.R. Conover's farm. Last Wednesday the drill became fastened at a depth of nearly six hundred feet, and it could not be loosed with the tools at hand, hence a messenger was sent to Wayne County for "fishing" tools. The operators are now "fishing" and in a few days the drill be descending at its usual gait. More interst in oil, July 5th: The Jamestown Oil Co., of Pennsylvania, in company with T.R. Stults, of Columbia, were at this place last Wednesday taking in the situation. We trust that in the near future there will be several wells drilled in this section. It is hard to tell what is under the ground near Gradyville. --Gradyville letter. The Mountain Oil Company is arranging to begin work in the near future and when it does start after oil, there will be not let up until the fluid is found or every dollar of its money spent. Mr. H.L. Sturm, of Burkesville, has contracted to drill two wells for the Mountain Oil Company. It is highly probable that the first well will be drilled in the vicinity of Gradyville. Operations will begin at an early day, just as soon as the drilling machinery can be removed from Cumberland County. The Adair Oil Company is still in the grasp of bad luck, so to speak, but it will not be many days before the machinery will be adjusted and the drill started again. Every indication is favorable so says Dr. Russell, its manager. Just where the breakdown occurred, the drill was making headway in a sand, from which Mr. Russell expected a strike a few feet deeper. Signs of progress and failure, July 12th: Dr. J.D. Russell, the well known oil man of this county, in company with Prof. P.C. McCaffree, located the very spot where the first well be drilled for oil, near this town, last Saturday. The machinery will be removed here next week. We are expecting great developments in this section in the near future in the way of oil. The Conover Well--The Jamestown, New York, Company, who are drilling at this point, have been having a great deal of trouble in the last few weeks. They are down six or seven hundred feet, but have made no progress for some days, their time having been put in fishing for the drill. The Company hopes to have everything running smoothly in the next few days, and there is a strong belief that oil will be found. To Begin Drilling--The Mountain Oil Company will begin business in earnest this week, and the first well it will put down will be at Gradyville. The Company closed a contract with Mr. L.H. Sturn, who has been operating in the Cumberland fields, for the first well a few days ago and he will put up his rig this week. Oil men who have gone over the Gradyville territory are firmly of the opinion that oil can be found there in paying quantities. It is not known how many wells the Mountain Oil Company will put down, but this county will be given a thorough test... Drilling at Gradyville, July 26th: The drill has been started at Gradyville and Dr. J.D. Russell, who is President of the Mountain Company, expects to bring in a well at 350 feet this week. The Mountain Company is in full confidence of making several good strikes in the near future. The manager says he is here for oil, that the oil is here, and he is determined to find it. Drilling for oil is now on at Gradyville. One drill was started last week and we learn from Dr. J.D. Russell that another rig will arrive in a few days. If there is oil in this county, the Mountain Oil Company is out to find it... Oil Sand Struck--Dr. J.D. Russell...who is putting down a well on R.R. Conover's farm, came into Columbia last Friday night very much elated, feeling confident that his labors would not be in vain; that a good flow of oil would be reached in a very short time. This opinion is based upon the fact that oil sand has been struck, a sure indication of oil... Oil or no oil?, August 9th: The drillers are down seven or eight hundred feet at Conover's and Gradyville, but there has been no tangible indication of oil up to this writing. Work, however, will progress uninterrupted, and if the present wells are given up as dusters, others will be started. If there is oil in the county, it will be found. Oil at 782 feet, August 16th: Dr. J.D. Russell informs the News that the has struck oil in the Conover well at the depth of 782 feet. He thinks that it will be a twenty-five or fifty barrel producer. He will now shoot the well, but it will be several days before this will be done, as a man from Wayne County will have to arrive to make the charge. Powell farm prospects, August 23rd: Dr. J.D. Russell, in company with Mr. Tim Bradshaw, visited the farm of the late Geo. O. Powell last Thursday, as many believe that oil can be found upon it. Dr. Russell came back very much elated and stated that he was satisfied that the predictions were correct. He will, as we understand, sink a well on the farm. The surveyors who have been at work in this county for the past year for the Standard Oil Company, will complete their engagement in a few weeks. They will then enter Adair County and will make headquarters at Columbia. --Jamestown letter. New operations, September 6th: Dr. J.D. Russell informs the News that he will put up a derrick on the Geo. O. Powell farm this week and will at once commence putting down a well for oil. There are strong indications that there is oil upon this farm. In fact, Dr. Russell things that it will be found in paying quantities. The derrick that has been at Conover's for several months will be removed to the Powell farm, and perhaps the deepest well ever sunk in the county will be put down. This farm has been watched for a number of years, many experts having visited it, all expressing confidence in the prospects of a paying well. From Gradyville, September 13th: We understand that the Adair Oil Company will begin work here again next week. Progressing, September 20th: We understand that an oil well was started on the Geo. O. Powell farm last Monday. It is being drilled by the Jamestown, New York, Company, represented by Dr. J.D. Russell. The Adair Oil Company is now at work at this place and we are made to believe that in the next few days Gradyville will be in the midst of a forty barrel per day oil well. - --Gradyville letter. Gradyville progress, October 4th: The oil people that have been operating near this place reached a depth of 1,600 feet last week and no favorable indication for oil. We trust the company will have the well drilled deeper while the machinery is here and give the location a fair test. --Gradyville letter. After a year, still troubles, but no gushers, October 25, 1905: Dr J.D. Russell, manager for the Adair Oil Company, is experiencing much trouble in his drilling on the Powell farm. He has not yet reached a depth of 100 feet due to breakage of various kinds. At any rate, Mr. Russell takes a rosy view of the situation and says he is confident of a good strike later on. At present, oil and water is flowing from the well. This was not the end of the oil fever...we still have a bit of it in 2013, right? - MIKE WATSON This story was posted on 2013-06-13 07:20:11
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Adair County Genealogical Society has new book, new postcards Sixty-nine Years Ago Today: D-Day 150th Anniversary program at Tebb's Bend, June 8, 2013 History: The Last Great Turkey Drive Picture of CWC Final Open House jogs memory Genealogists invited to Exploring KY Public records event Delilah Keltner Coomer: A remarkable Adair Co., KY mother Taylor County Civil War Bus Tour is June 29, 2013 Adair County High School Class of 1963 Old Metcalfe Jail first opening Sat., May 11, 2013 View even more articles in topic Local History |
 
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