Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1911 — Expert Oil Man Says There Is Plenty of Oil at Thayer. [ARTICLE]

Expert Oil Man Says There Is Plenty of Oil at Thayer.

- An expert oil man visited Rensselaer a few days ago. He has been engaged for years in the oil aifd gas business in central Indiana and helped to develop the business there, where he made a fortune. He was called to Thayer last year when the oil well was completed at that place and states that he never saw a finer or purer quality of gas than there was in that well. He also says that the Trenton rock through which the well was drilled was of the very best gas and oil quality and he knows that he cannot be fooled about either the quality or the quantity of oil and gas there. He stated that in putting in the casing of the well, the hands, who were inexperienced, drove the casing down and tore it badly with the jagged e'dges of rock. This let the water come in and cover up the oil and gas. He said that he gave the most thorough investigation there and found the gas clear and clean, leaving no stain where it burned and he had no doubt that it existed in abundant quantities. For the best oil results he says that the well should have been sunk deeper, probably 200 or 300 feet. The Republican’s informant suggested that there was something a little peculiar about no being made to utilize either the gas or oil, and indicated that the extensive leases secured there and the sudden cessation of operations might mean influence from outside.

The editor of The Republican made a trip to Thayer some months ago purposely to interview Mr. Ball, who is at the head of the oil prospecting there and Mr. Ball was very anxious that nothing should be published about the oil business there. He saul that when the right time came he would let the newspapers and the public know just what was found and just what could be expected in the way of future operations. Mr. Ball has never come across with this information, but here is an outside oil man who claims to know the business thoroughly who suggests that the oil well there has been plugged up ‘‘for a reason” and that there won’t by anymore operations there until the Standard Oil Co. approves it. Of course, our informant may not know what he is taking about, but he says that the “smothering” of a field is common practice and thinks that means have been employed there.