Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 January 1891 — Page 6

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THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL. WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY U, 1891 TWELVE PAGES.

NATURAL GAS SUPPLY. Are the Indiana Fields Inexhaustible?

Full Reports From the Leading Gas Centers. A Hopeful FeelingThrough. out the "Belt." What Causes a -Failing Pressure in the Wells. Experts Interviewed by "Sentinel" Correspondents. Less Favorable Advices From the "Piped" Cities. Precautions That Should He Taken to Prevent "Waste of das. A iew days b'uu-o Thk Skxtisel addressed the following circular to it correspondents in the Indiana gas belt, and in the rao important towns and cities in the state to which pis is piped: Deau Sik: We axe anxious to gather immediately all the available matter in regard to the natural pis supply and expectations of roar locality. Will you please ascertain from the best aathorities: 1. Is the pressure defining, and if so, to what oxteut? I3 gas supplied tor other than domestic purposes, and ii so, is t'ere any pros-pe-1 that such supply will bo discontinued? .1 Interview brieily leading g;is men for their views as to the future of the natural gas ii:terists of Indiana. Send any facts or figures that you may be able to obtain throwing light oa the natural gas situation. The replies to this circular, as given below, embody a great deal f valuable information iipon the all-important subject of the present condition and future prospects of the natural gas supply in Indiana. AT ANDERSON. The Loon! WelN Ksceptionally Strong Prospects ll.(fhly Lncoara(in. Anpkbsov, Jan. 11. Special. There is' perhaps a stronger belief among the people of Anderson than elsewhere in the gas-belt that it will be many years, if ever, before natural gas will become exhausted. This feeling is due to the fact that the gas wells of this locality aro exceptionally strong, and e ven now, after a lapse cf almo.-t four year.- si nee the first gas well wa3 'drilled in,' there appears to bo no perceptible diminution of the SUptdv. It is true that Bome fear exists that the gas supply may soon become exhausted. This fear is not caused by any indications of failure in tbe local field, but rather to the reports of ga failure that come from other localities where gas is found. The consumption of gas at this point is perhaps greater than at any other town in the Indiana gas belt it is estimated that no fewer than o,X0 residences and business rooms an- heated and lighted by gis, and in addition to this, eighteen large iron and glass-working factories, to eay nothing of other smaller factories, depend solely on natural gas for fuel. To supply fuel and light for the purpose named, thirty wells have been drilled, and are now attached to gas mains within a radius of one and a half miles, from the tourt house square. It must not be inferred from this that thirty wells are nsces.-ary to the supply, for such is not the fact. The Citizens' and Doxey gas companies, which supply a large majority of the private consumers, have, the former but three, and the latter two wells one at each end of the system. Other gas companies that supply the outlying additions have from one to two wells each. Eaeh factory controls its own g:ts supply, and has a well adjacent from which it alone obtains gas. Until recently natural gas was used to light the (streets. Parties nolding stock in the Citizen' company, which guaranteed them gai for fuel and light, construed their privilege most liberally and erected yard lights or flambeaux' along the f-treet and in many instances they w ere burned night and day causing a useless consumption of hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of pas per day. The hoard of directors, desiring to check this criminal waste, issued an order for the detachment f. all liambeaux, and the result is that now no gas is UM-d in Anderson have for a legitimate and .sensible purpose. This statement is made to show that the people of Anderson are alive to the possibilities of a g.s failure, and if it does come are resoived to take all precautionary measures possible to postpone the calamity. In cutting ofr the yard lights a great saving was made as the following will ehow i While the yard lights were burning, tho regulator and gauge of the Citizens' company showed that a satisfactory service could le secure 1 with a fourteen-ouuee pressure, and it w as kept at that point. After thtj order was made to detach the yard lights. loS were removed in one day and the regulator waa left unchanged. During the day, while yard lights were being taken down, the gauge showed a raising pressure, and by night it regis tered forty-eight ounces, showing that out of a to til of forty-eight ounces of gas pressure, thirty-four ounces of it was due to the burning of yard-lights; or, in other words, almost three-quarters of the gas consumed br the Citizens' company was through the burning of yard lights. It is htated by those who have made actual testa of the pressure of gas in the wells, by proper instruments, that the pressure is considerably lets- than that registered by the first and second wells drilled here, This does not appear to alarm anyone, a 1 ? t since me toss- in pressure ia t-xpianieu ny the. fact that so many rents have been made in the g:is territory within such a miall radius. Jt i believed that if all the wells in tbe locality of Anderson were closed for a short period, and but one well opened and the gauge applied, that it would ehow a pressure equal to, if not greater, than that which existed before ga-wells were eo numerous. Una, how everr has not been proved by actual ex periujeiit. There is perhaps no man in the ctate l etter posted upon the gas siti'vion than .Mai. C. T. Joxev of this c'nr. He has had a great deal of experience in the busi DcR. and has now hundreds of thousands of dt.liara invested in natural gas plants, and it might be paid right heie that he bus no desire to sell a dollar's worth of

gas stock. . In sneaking of the durability of natural ga, nnd oilier matters pertaining to it, he said : . I can only apeak from personal experience upon the gas Question. Almost four year ego 1 put io tne firt two wells at Anderson and piped the town. The same wells supply my ras plant and we still bare plenty of gas. There appears to be no roaraied decrease in the Tolume of the wells. We hare plenty, 'but I don't know when I shall haTe to drill more wells. For more than three and a half years theae two wells bare not only supplied one of the most extensive pas plants ia the country, but they hare furnished gaa to factories, waterworks, brickyards, etc, without apparent diminution. Since other wells Lave been drilled all around these wells and the immediate territory surrounding them has been drawn upon heavily, yet my patrons do not complain of the lack of gas. 41 y experience elsewhere In the Indiana gas field has been practically the same as at Anderson. During the past four years I bate drilled altogether about fifty wells in different localities, and every one is now doing good service. My impression is that the solution of the problem of the durability of natural e&s can be reached by considering closely the situation at Anderson. We have been drawing our supply for four years from an area of less than lire square miles without any indication of shortage. There are 4."0 square miles of gas land in Madison cunty, and of that amount 440 miles are untouched. The theory is and it ha become a law by experience that where a gas well has become exhausted in a given territory another well in another neighborhood will open up a fresh reservoir. This being true, it will be seen that figuring upon an area of five square miles supplying Anderson for four years, it would be one hundred years before the gas supply of Madison county became exhausted. This time should be extended, for the reason that there is no indication of a shortage of gas at Anderson although the field has been opened for four years, and it is reasonable to suppose that the supply in this five mile area will hold out at lea.it four years longer. This kind of reasoning will apply to the entire gas belt of Indiana. It is tbe largest known gns field in tbe world and comprises at least 2,000 square miles exclusive of the Greenfield and Carthage districts. Of this vast area there is but an area of 100 square miles that is actually being drawn upon for the gas sap ply of the state. The following table will show the estimated area that is supplying the various cities ia the state: &uare miles. Anderson 5 Muncie 5 Marion 5 Kokomo 5 Indianapolis 0 Itichmond 5 Fort Wayue 8 Logansport 5 Lafayette.. 8 Ltbanon 4

From this it will be seen that the proportion of miles in actual use to -the total area would eoab.e the wells to be duplicated twenty times and figuring the life of a well at four years, it would be eighty years before the gas belt of Indiana is exhausted, if at all. We know that the hie of a gas well is longer than that, tor we have used them that long and they are ap parently as strong as ever. In my judgement, tbe people are becoming unnecessarily alarmed about this gas business. The press outside of the gas belt, and especially in those towns which nave lost valuable factories, which have moved to the gas belt are continually prating about gas failure, in order to deter other manufacturers from following in the wake of others, who are after free fuel. This is done purely from selfish motive and the statements made about gas failure are without foundation, especially as to the Indiana field. What has furnished the press with a pretext for proclaiming that the gas is failing is the fact that tbe gas supply of factories baa been shut oil in certain localities. The reason that the factories are shot off is, that tbe pipes in use are too small, and not on account of the failure of the gas supply. The order cutting ort the factories from the pipe lines is invariably made in the winter, when the greatest quantity of gas is consumed. We shut oft tbe factories at Richmond simply because one pipe line was not large enough. Tbe wells attached to the Richmond plant furnished enough gas to supply three such towns if our pipe lines were larger. That's tho reason that factories are cut oil' from pipe lines. As to the pressure in the gas wells, I do not believe there has been any material decline except in localities where there is a large number of wells. To illustrate: When tbe first well was put down there was no "vent hole" not another well in the county. The gauge applied showed a three-hundred-pound prensure. .Now a gauire applied shows a decrease of some twenty or thirty pounds. I believe that if all the wells in this locality were closed the pressure in every one of the wells would rise to the original staudard 300 pounds. Gas failure may come in the Indiana gas Pelt, but I do not believe that this or even the next generation will witness it. AT MARION. Wells Choke I'p Hut the Supply Shows no Signs of IXtntnlshlnif. Maiuon-, Jan. 10. Special. I have taken special pains to make inquiry regarding natural gas in this particular vicinity jis per instructions. The pressure of our wells is not diminishing perceptibly. We lind that the quantity flowing from three of them is less in any given time than when it was first struck. The pressure in even these wells attains the same height if the gas is confined long enough. The theory is, therefore, that the means of access into the wells becomes somewhat obstructed, and if these obstructions were removed, there would be no perceptible diminution in the supply. Gas is supplied for all purposes requiring fuel, and there is no probability of its use being curtailed in any way. I have interviewed several of our best informed citizens upon the subject of the natural gas supply. Chief among them, and perhaps the best informed, was Mr. James V. Gabby, superintendent of the Missinnewa mining company. Mr. Gabby said: "If you ask, 'is the supply of gas in this vicinity lessening?' 1 answer, nx Wo have practically as nearly an inexhaustible 6upply as ever. There are soii.e reasons why the man who only knows what is in the reach of all to know, may think it is lessening; for instance, our stove-works' well seems to be almost exhausted, and yet tho rock pressure is as great as ever. . That well has oil in it and also some salt water; these it had from the start. From these substances there is the formation of cryBtalized salt and perit'ene in the pores of the rock. This eventually so nearly closes them up that the gas can not enter freely into the well. We know the pressure is the same, because when we close the well up.it soon attains a pressure as great as it hd at the start. It w ill be observed that those wells upon which the draughts heaviest seem to choke np soonest; this is caused by tntirelv relieving the bead or back pressure in the well, the oil and water finding their way into the well more readily. 'Shooting' will not always make a good well of it, as the accumulation of crystal and ierifene fill out too far through the fi-sures. A well sunk w ithin a few feet of the one thus apparently exhausted will be as good as the former one was original ly. The well wedrilled in theother day for the stove-works w equal to anv one .we have struck in that part of tho field. "If you ask me when the field will be practicall7 exhausted, ' I will answer when there is no more room on the furface to put down welle. If drawn upon at its full How, a well will choke in about three years; ft gwd back pressure ottlvell, it will take many years to exhauM. or 'choke it rather, 11 ever. "Our mains through the city are fourinch. This wiw KUfhcient to carry the supply to consumers when lhey were laid, but the population lias so increased that the mains are too small to carry a sutlu ient supply. We sha 1 have to take m our mains and put down eight-inch." Mr. dabby understood that he was lo go ou record before the public in this matter, and, being a scientific gentleman and very jealous of bis reputation, and a

man of honor and integrity, his statements are entitled to a great deal of weight, AT MUNCIE.

Plenty of Gas to Lnit for At Least Two Generations. Ml'nxie, Jan. 11. Special. All houses used as residences and every factory in Muncie are using natural gas for fuel. Further than this, it is used as an illuminant in 93 per cent, of the houses. There has not been the slightest decrease in pressure for three years. On the contrary, several wells have doubled their pressure, and the last well drilled, which was anchored Jan. 2, is one of the best, if not the very best, in Indiana. Its capacity ia estimated at 15,000,000 cubic feet of gas every twenty-four hours. It was drilled to supfly the Tort glass company with heat and ight, and was not begun until the works were well up. das is found every time a hole iasunk about eight hundred and fifty feet, no matter where the site. It costs about ? 1,800 to own a gas-well on your lot. James hoyce had one drilled in about fifty feet from Ids residence, in the heart of the city, and obtained a fairly strong flow of eas. A drill is pounding a hole in the back-yard of James Sprankle, the banker, and gas will be found in about ten days. The whole of Delaware county, nortti, south, east and west, is a perfect gas-tield, and gas can be obtained every whero in it. Tho bottom of the wells ia from twenty-five to a hundred feet above the sea level and as a consequence the gas obtained is perfectly dry, and there is not Ihe slightest danger ihat salt water will ever block up the wells. A well which furnishes fuel for the nail works has yielded several barrels of petroleum but with this exception (which is not a disadvantage) the wells yield nothing but pure, dry natural gas in unfailing amounts. The leading natural gas men while silent aa to any special or personal information they may possess, unite ia declaring that Muncie' has more gas than can be used up for any purpose, domestic or manufacturing, in at least two generations. IN JAY COUNTY. Gas Failing at Portland A Forty Tears' Supply In the Iunktrk Field. Fortland, Jan. 11. Special.jThc natural gas supply of this city is failing perceptibly. There is no gas worth the trouble and expense of drilling for, within eight or nine miles of this city. Two natural gas companies supply the city with gas, the consumption being almost exclusively for domestic purposes, two grist mills and one small machine shop being the only concerns it is supplied to other than dwelling houses, stores and of fices. The two companies have formed a trust and have agreed that the price shall be kept up to the highest notch, and also that neither company shall supply gas to customers of the other company who have become dissatisfied with their service. The Citizen' gas company pipa its gas from tho edge of the lied key fields, a distance of about nine and a half miles. The gas of this company does not afford nearlv eo bright a light as it once did. The Portland cas company pipes its gas from Lamden, a distance ot twelve mi.es. It is verv evident that the Cam den and Kedkev gas fields are failing both in quantity and quality. The supply of the Dunkirk gas fields is still as btrong as ever, it being more nearly the center of tho belt. Kedkev and Camden are near tbe edge of the field or belt, as has been demonstrated by drilling. The Citizens' gas company of this place owns a won about nan a mile norm ot the citj'j which had an output of about three million cubic feet when first drilled, but it has failed until, with two ether wells near by. it did not furnish sufficient gas to run a five-pot glass factory, nor even enough to make a melt, so that the glass factory had to shutdown. Indications are strong that Dunkirk will be the city of the county in two or three years. It now has a population of 1,(100, nearly half as Ljany as Portland. It has but one railroad, but the initiatory steps have been taken to build a road from there to Camden, a distance of about nine piiles. This road will more than quadruple the population of Dunkirk, because of the fact that Dunkirk has as much, if not more, gas than any other city in the state, and Camden has an abundance of fine glaps-snnd. Keal estate in Dunkirk is bringin good prices, and is changing hands rapidly. When "old hill Sutton" of Dunkirk gave up the office of county auditor, and moved back to his farm near Dunkirk, then, in ISO'.), a place of about fifty inhabitants, he replied io a taunting remark about his going back to Dunkirk, that he would have the county seat at Dunkirk yet before he died, and it now begins to look a little as if his prophecy would come true, as William is still in Jhe land of the living, platting lots by the eighty acres, and giving them away to manufacturing institutions, and to the people who w ill build on them. Mr. C P. Cole, the proprietor of the Dunkirk window glass company, who came from the gas fields of Pennsylvania, and is thoroughly acquainted with' the history of natural gaa, said to your correspondent that he firmly believed that the natural gas supply in tho Dunkirk field or belt would not be exhausted in forty years, and that it would be aa strong ia twenty years as it is now. Joseph Zehnor, the superintendent of the Dunkirk gas company, says that after the most careful test it is evident that the gaa supply there is as strong now as when the first well was drilled. IN HAMILTON COUNTY. The Outlook 'ot Kncouraglng When the Indiana Supply Will Fall. Xoblesville, Ind., Jan. 10. Special. From the most reliable information obtainable by The Sentinel's correspondent, the natural gas situation in Hamilton county is assuming a very discouraging aspect. From the most experienced men now employed by gas companies in this city, comes the cry, "the gas supply is de clining. .This fuel is now employed in generating steam by all the factories and mills. that are accessible, and no thought is entertained of shutting off this supply, for the reason that Hamilton county is situated directly over a rich gas field, and so long as gas is utilized for domestic pur poses it will also be used for manufactur ing. It is a fact undisputed by every man interviewed that tho supply is slowly diminishing, and to substantiate this statement, Frank Stebbins. a man of fourteen years' experience in the oil and gas fields of Ohio and Pennsylvania as a driller, informs us that we. Is drilled by the Noblesville gas and improvement company two and a half years ago, w hose pressure at the time of their development waa pounds to the square inch, have diminished since then to 270 pounds, a decrease ot ho pounds in thirty months tut, notwithstanding this slow decrease in pressure, the sunnlv promises to be adequate for towns which aro fortunate enough to be located iu the belt; for years to come, and at a date when large pipe lines, through which the volatile substance is now fugaciously wending its way to larger towns, will be spoken of as enterprises of the past. Mr. Stebbins also tsays

that the wells of . the Indiana gas field will stop yielding sooner than those of the Ohio field, and assigns these reasons: Underlying the porous Trenton rock in the eastern fields is a largo body of sand, averaging in thickness perhaps twenty feet, which affords an excellent reservoir for gaa and oil ; while nothing of the kind lies beneath the rock in Indiana in which the supply can bw retained, hence the slow decrease. Furthermore, he says that within the next year, or eighteen months at the longest, although the denizens of the locality in which gas is found may have an abundance, there will be scarcely enough passing through the large pipe lines that are now attached to this field to produce even a small dividend to the stockholders of the concerns. Many other prominent gas men of this city were interviewed by your correspondent, and with one exception they declared that ultimately the gas would cease to flow. One good authority, however, expressed the opinion that the supply would last indefinitely, for the reason that no wells have yet totally failed unless the flow was shut off by water, and then new wells have been successfully developed in the immediate vicinity. IN SHELBY COUNTY.

A Diminishing Pressure, Rut No Certain. Indications of Kxhaustlon. Shelbyvillk, Ind., Jan. 10. Special. Your coriespoudent, in compliance with instructions, has interviewed many of the gas men of this city touching the source, pressuro and probable duration of gas in quantities sufficient for domestic uses. The cause of the decreasing pressure of the gas where used from mains, if rightly understood, is not surprising, nor is it a sign that the valuable fluid is destined to fail. In the first place the plan of boring, tamping and piping gas for domestic and illuminary purposes has been the most reckless and unphilosophical of all the adventures of modern times. Capitalists and gas men have regarded the gas as mere matter of prehistoric existence and have imagined that it has stored itself away in such compressed condition as to have an inexhaustive expansibility, sufficient not only in volume but also in pressure to insure its constant use for an indeterminable period of time. Pressure is the result of resistance and resistance i3 the destruction of gas wells. That gas wel s lose their pressure Irom consumption, all gas people now admit, though few have admitted that artificial reservoirs must finally be adopted if we expect to continue the use of natural gas for fuel and lllutuinary purposes. Under the present system of utilizing gas, 75 per cent, of the gas isjlost by leakage from the mains and by being forced into the porous strata of sand, shale and clay from the fissures caused by shooting wells. Take, for instance, the gas line from (ireenfield.to Shelbyville, a distance of 20 miles ; say the pressure at the wells is 210 pounds to the square inch. The loss of pressuro in forcing it through an 8 inch main is 7 pounds to the mile, w hich makes a loss of 140 pounds of pressure, leaving but 70 pounds pressure when it gets to the city limits. Again, a governor is attached and more resistance made which reduces the pressure to the consumers. Finally the pressure is reduced to less than one pound to tbe square inch, usually to about 7 ounces. Practically, then, the entiro 210 pounds pressure is turned upon the weak points ot the well, which is full of flaws and leaks. In the first place, the crest or roof of the gas pocket has been shattered and riven by explosions and the well tamped at some point, usually about two hundred feet above the bottom of the wells, and when the resistance is made necessary to give the gas pressure, it is forced into the fissures and through the porous strata of the earth into pockets of drift, and many times to the very surface of the earth. The gas mains are also subject to great expansion and contraction, and where the resistance is applied the mains leak from one end to the other. Under the present system too much is required of Nature's forces. Noresistanceshouldbcmade to the gas. and its exit from the bowels of the earth should bo made easy. The pressure should be made on top the earth by means of reservoirs. It would be folly to assume that artificial gas could be supplied for use with sufficient pressure derived from the point of generation, and why should we expect that spontaneous generation of gas should be strong enough to furnish pressure? I had a talk with Mr. Katap, superintendent of the Southern Indiana gas com pany, and he is ot the opinion that much pressure is lost in transmission, and that the pressurn continues to decrease by the consumption of gas. He says that when the company turned the gas on last year there was a flow of something over 22,000,000 feet of gas per day, and although sev eral wells have been added there is a flow of less than lli.000,000 feet per day. He thinks that much could be saved by using smaller pipe at the wells and larger as you proceed from them to the place ot con sumption, thus forming miniature reser voirs for the gas. Ii. S. Sutton, president of the Shelby yille gas, water and oil company, is of the same opinion. C. 1 Lrdhoune, an old gas man, is of the opinion that many we Is are destroyed by the use of explo sives, causing the great volume of gas to escape into the sub-strata ot tne earth This theory is substantiated by the fact that in all gas holds which have been tapped tho gas escapes even into the soil. and frequently causes the water in wells to taste of gas. Especially has it beeu demonstrated in Shelby county. In Van IHiren township, near lountaintown, where two wells have been anchored, the well of a farmer became infected w ith gas, and, upon investigation, he found a ttroug fiowr of it. He anchored the water well and piped the gas into his house, and has been using it as fuel ever since. Last August, at a point three miles from the wells at Waldron and St. Paul, on Flat Hock creek, the surlace gas collected in a reservoir hltv feet below the surface, and a match being lighted at a point where it was escaping, an explosion occurred by which ton acres of earth were torn to pieces with every appearance of a vol cano. Four ' miles farther west on William . Patterson's . farm. a tenant was digging a well last Septem ber, and when about fourteen feet deep, having pierced the hard pan, the sand and gravel began going out the top of the well and the smelt of gas was detected, lie got out as quickly as possible and the well was abandoned. From the foregoing facts and the natural order of things it is not a rash con clusion that billions of feet of gas escape from the wells already bored, every hour m the day. lho pressure ot natural gas is evidently diminishing hourly, and while it is looked upon as a calamity, it is probably the salvation of the gaa belt. AT LOGANSPORT. An Adequate Supply If Proper Safeguards Are ProTldeil. LciANsmRT,'Jan. 10. Special. There is not a man lu. Indiana, or the United States, for that matter, that has taken more interest in natural cus than the Hon. . P. Shecrin of this city. Mr. Sheerin is the principal stock-holder in the Logansport company, which is con sidered one of the best plants in the state. "There ia a good deal being said all over the country at this time as to the amount and permanence of t he gas supply ; what do you think about it?" said a Sextineii representative to Mr. fcheenn. A good many companies, all of those in

Ohio, I believe, and quite a number in Indiana, have been obliged to cut off their manufacturers. This is more especially true of the pipe line companies."

" hat is the cause of this "Principally the extravagant and inex cusable waste of jra?. There, would be plenty for everyone and the supply would be practically inexhaustible even in the Ohio fields, which are scarcely a fifth as large as ours, if tbe gas were used as were other necessaries of life, for which we pay according to the amonint used." " hat do vou think of the permanency of the general supply in Indiana?" A think the gas is very much like the water we use. There will always be enough for all our wants, with reasonable care. There is not a water well in this city, no matter how long it may have lasted for ordinary purposes, that could not be pumped dry by one of our hre-en-gim?s in foriy minutes. The water would come back, it is true, but the fire-engine cou d empty it out just as easily again. I think the gas supply is much the same. 1 believe the gas is constantly coming in. It has been clearly demonstrated that it is possible to take it out in certain localities more rapidly than it can come in. This is simply vandalism, and should bo stopped by law. The waste in the gas field should also be prevented by law. Ttie farmers in the gas fields are criminally wa.teful. We shall prove ourselves unworthy ot this great blessing, if we do not try to i,ronerlv care for it. It is all in our own bunds. With decent treatment, the gas will last fo rever, but it can not stand against senseless wate any more than any other of Hod's blessings can. I am very decidedly in favor of the enact ment ot a law this winter that will stop the waste in the gas fields. Nothing but the strong arm of the law can do it." AT LAFAYETTE. Enough Gae to Supply Doable the Present Prmand. Lafayette, Jan. 10. Special. A rep resentative of TnE Sentinel today interviewed James Murdock, president of tbe Lafayette natural gaa company, on the condition of this fuel, its pressure, the possibility of lasting and other interesting points. Mr. Murdock is probably the best informed gentleman in the city on this question and the statements made by him to Tue Sextin tL representative were fully indorsed by John D. Ruger and Charles B. Stuart, who are also well up in natural gas matters. Mr. Murdock said: "We draw our gas from 12,000 acres of land near Kempton. "We have sixteen large wells now flowing and are sinking others. The gas is piped thirty-seven miles. We have twenty-one miles of eight-inch and sixteen miles of ten-inch pipe. The last and best well was opened on Christmas day. On the line of pipe we have 4,500 consumers and 8,000 fires. Manufacturers consume more than half the gas and pay less than other consumeia and we do not care to cater to them. If Chicago will keep out of our field ; if the consumers will use meters and only what fuel they actually require, the gas will last a lifetime. The pressure fluctuates in w inter and summer but not enough to cause any trouble or to produce a scarcity. Wc have enough gas to supply double the demand we have now. The pressure at noon today was 330 pounds, as much as at any time since the introduction of gas on July 4, 18S!. We have a splendid plant, lenty of gas and are not fearful of the uture. IN CLINTON COUNTY. A SufTWlent Supply For Local Purposes Tbe Outlook. Fkankfokt, .Ian. 11. Special. The natural gas pressure has not declined any yet at this place. Aside from domestic purposes, gas is used here for several factories, and the company has no intention at present of discontinuing its use in any factory. The company is anxious to extend its use to other factories. Leading gas men think the supply will eventually fail, but they are of the opinion that the supply will last for many years, unless too heavily drawn upon by remoter points. Tho'field from which Frankfort receives her supply is in the eastern part of the county, and its area is not very large. The city of Lafayette now has a pipe line ami draws Her supply from the same field, and it is learned that Delphi is now endeavoring to eecure territory in the same field. Lafayette, with her large population and numerous factories, makes a heavy drain upon the gas field, and the Frankfort demand will be largely increased by the location of the Clover Leaf shops here. If, in addition to these draughts upon this field, Delphi pipes gas from it, many of our best informed gas men fear the supply will be exhausted within a few years. AT BLUFFTON. The Pressure Declining, Bat Not to An Alarming- Extent. Blvtftox, Ind., Jan. 11. Special. J. J.Todd, attorney for the Blutlton light and fuel company, says that the pressure is declining, but not to an alarming extent. Gaa is supplied for other than domestic purposes, but not very largely. Mr. Todd thinks the supply will not bo cut off from factories, etc., at least not in the near future. Natural gas, be thinks, is here to stay, if it is not wasted. It is not a luxury, but has . become a necessity. Mr. L. A. Williamson, vicc-pres:dent of the company, expresses tho opinion that at nodistant day the company will be obliged todiscontinuesupplying gasforother than domestic purposes. The manager of the company says: Gas is supplied to factories as w 1! as for domestic purposes. There is no iniiue liato prospect of discontinuing supply to factories. We have no large number of factories, and have plenty of gas for them at present. As to the future of natural gas in Indiana, I think there will be plenty of gas if it is used in an economical way. There will have to be measures taken to cut oil' open streetlights, and the waste of gas in rolling-mills and glass factories if the supply is to be kept up. AT OTHER POINTS. Tho Situation and Outlook In Boone, Hush mid ltandolph Coouties. Tiiokxtown, Ind., Jan. 11. Special. I have made inquiry of a number of natural gas men and all seem to have great faith ia tho continuance of the supply, but all think the state, should enforce some measure to prevent its waste or extravagant use. At our place we do net now have gas but expect to in the coming season. A. C. Daily, president of the 11 anon National bank, w ho is largely interested ia the Lebanon company sa3's: We are unable to perceive any reduotion in our mpply of natural gas. The pressure here (fourteen miles from the wells) yesterday morning was 260 pounds. Our supply ia ample for all our domestic purposes, and for our mills, factories, electric light p ant, etc. With proper safeguards, proteoiioo, and restrictions by legislative enactment, I believe that the natural gas interests ia this state will be safe, at least for a great many years. lUsnviLLE, Ind, Jan. 11. Special. The officers of tbe Kushvillo natural gas company inform me that the pressure of gas has Seen gradually diminishing for the past year, and is not so strong as when the gas was first procured. Tho company

" that Bew Peddlers and 7n Xf- is as good as "or CVX Vy Pearline is never thing inplaccof Pearline. do thehonest thins is furnishing the manufacturers with gas, but w ill cease to do so w hen the present contracts expire, two years hence. The Peoples' natural gaa company has had considerable trouble in procuring a sufficient amount of gas to furnish its customers from the same fields from which the old company gets gas ('at Carthage, Rush county), but is still sinking other wells. The opinion prevails among gas men who are weil informed, and who make it a study, that the supply of gas will decrease in the course of a few years. Hence our gas companies have begun to economize in its use, with their patrons. Winchester, Ind., Jan. 11. Special. We have drilled in all twenty-two wells and have abandoned eight as being worthless. We have five weils that are small producers. We have nine wells that are good, and will average not less than a million feet per day. Our gas is used for domestic purposes only. The rock pressure when the wells were first drilled was 3oo pounds; at present, after two years, it is 27.) pounds. The wells have some water and show some oil. We have 1,200 stoves running and 600 lights. We are supplying no street torches. We supplied the tirst-Btoves with gas in the 6tate and Muncie was next. A DISCOURAGING VIEW. What a Leading Ohio Oil Operator Report! Concerning the snpplj. Pittsburg Post II. C. Plattner, an oil operator from the Ohio field, said yesterday that the best days of natural gas seemed to be past in the Buckeye state. "In many towns in Ohio and Indiana," continued he, "the supply of gas has been cut off from tho factories and it is furnished in meagre quantities to private consumers. Too many holes have been put down to the gas horizon, and the waste and consumption combined have rapidly exhausted the supply of fuel stored away by nature. The 60,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas from a well in a single day is a thing of the past. Coal buckets for sale are now displayed from the front of almost every store, and the towns aro assuming the aspect of former years. Natural gas may be, and probably is, a grand thing w hen you have an unlimited supply, but when vou have not got that, life is hardly worth living alongside a lialf-heated stove. "At Indianapolis, Findlay, Springfield, Dayton, Columbus and Toledo, manufactories have been shut off, aud the fictions of stoppages in the pipes, necessities of repairs, etc., are no longer resorted to. The companies now frankly confess that they cannot get gas to be used in the immense quantities required by the large factories. "This is a very serious blow to many towns which have been boomed by the gas. It is a very serious matter to many manufacturing concerns which have made costly removals to the gas belts, and now must make equally costly removals out of them, with the fact before them that henceforth their fuel will be much more expensive and much less convenient. It is a verv serious matter to the many comJ panies which have put millions iu piping 10 carry lue gas iuug umaui. .iuu m many, but perhaps leser, ways the failure of the gas supply will entail great loss, and render necessary adjustments to new conditions." WHAT AILS THE FARMERS. The Marion County Hnsbandmen Discuss a Matter of Interest. The subjects discussed before the Marion county agricultural and horticultural society, at its monthly meeting Saturday, took a practical range. The condition of the winter crops at this time was commented on, and the causes of financial depression among farmers rere fully ventilated. Mr. C. A. Howland wielded the gavel and Miss Ida F. Richardson acted as secretary. Tha session was held in the afternoon at the horticultural rooms. As the speakers on the regular program were absent, President Howland announced that the meeting would be open for tbe consideration of any subject that pleased the members. By mutual consent, the topic of the present condition of crops and fruit was taken up. Mr. C. E. Butler said that the winter had not been favorable to wheat. The weather had been too mild and warm and the crop hnd made a luxuriant growth, and a hard freeze would probably do injury, as it did last March. President Howland remarked that he believed that after while Father Time would dispense entirely with w inter, and the season will be one continual spring. The condition of strawberry plants was discussed by Sylvester Johnson of Irvington. Late in the season he had covered his plants with straw, and examination showed that underneath their covering the plants remained fresh and green. C. L. Thompson of Lawrence then discussed the subject of wintering bees. Tho president then proposed the question "Why do we fail to make and save money at the present time?" Kiijah J. Howland said that one cause was that legi slat ion favored tho wealthy classes and that there w ere too many dincrent farmers organizations to accomplish anything, and a combination of alliance, grange, and all j the ditlerent societies would have to bo made. This idea met with the approval of Theodore Wilson, Peter Itaab and others, who discussed it. The attitude of the government toward bondholders was liberslly criticised. l'resident Howland and J. C. Fist believed that the principal cause of the failtire waa due to the farmers themselves Many farmers neglect business, waste time and allow machinery to rot and then blame Providence or the " government instead of thetruecause themselves. Many farmers w ill allow money to lie idle in tho bank iustead of using it to make money in their work. Col. S. P. Keiley of Lawrence declared that for the past ten years to his certain know ledge, no rnoney had been made on the far 11, although previously his farm had been a financial success. He knew of farmers who were sober, economical, ind ustrious citizens and yet t hev were losing. Ho believed that remedial legislation of Borne kind should be applied for at once. It was decided to give a grand culinary I exhibit at the next meeting, to include ! Eies, cakes and all sorts of tempting eataies and to give awards on the best exhibits. Accordingly, Mrs. Georgia Wright, Mrs. D. B. Schofield, Miss Ida F. Richardson, Mrs. W. B. Flick, Theodore Wiison and E. S. Short ridge were appointed a committee on awards and arrangement. Children Cry for.

From Top to Bottom The house is best cleaned that is cleaned with Pearlinc. It is done with little labor and with great resuits ;vith ease to yourself, and with no possible injury to anything

is cleaned. To use Pearline

once is to want it always ; you will want it always because it does what 'you wane.

some unscrupulous grocers will tell you, " his "the same as Pearline." IT'S FALSE peddled, and if your rrocer sends vou vinesmd it luck. 177 JAMES PVLE. 5'ew YcrU AFTER TWENTY YEARS Alexander Ilrron, the Well Known AgrlcutnrUt, Itrtires from Office. The name of Mr. Alexander Heron bsi been associated for many years with tht department of agriculture of this state. For nineteen years he has served in the capacity of secretary of the 6tate board cf apiculture, and previous to receiving that portion w:ts a member oi the state board. representing the Sixth di?trict. His work needs no praise further than tbe true record during that long time of his connection with the department, and be retires from his oflicial position with the proud consciousness that he has never shirked a duty. A number of the board would hav supported him for re-election, but Mr. Henn declined on tho ground of failing health and growing age, and advised the board to select a younger man for the responsible duties of the place. By request of the board he will still hold the position until the new secretary, Leon T. Bagley of Huntington, is ready to assume charge, which will probably be some time in February. Mr. Heron retires with the good will of his associates 011 the board and the confidenco and esteem ot" the people all over the state. As he baa been so long a promiuent figure in all kinds ot agricultural work a short account of his personal history may not be out of place at thi9 time. Alexander Heron was born at Baltimore, Md., in 1S32. His parents were people of moderate means and decided to netter their condition by moving West. Accordingly, in 1S".'J they came to Indiana and entered a tract of land in the White Water vairey, one milc-Bouth of what is now the town of Connersville. In this fertile and beautiful region th youth of the boy was passed. He enjoyed no educational advantages beyond tho rudiments then taught in the district school, but he grew up in love with tho farm, and soon decided to make that kind of work his vocation. Upon tho death of his parents he purchased he old homestead and manag-d its varied interests from tho time he was eighteen years of age. Under his care it became the model farm of the county and was visited by tha farmers of Fayette and adjoining counties, seeking information as to the methods cf this successful farmer. Mr. Herron was identified with the fair of Fayette county from its beginning. In 1So2 he becam its superintendent, a position he held for twelve years. He was then selected to represent that district on trie state board of agriculture, where bis counsels were generally found imbued with a practical w isdom that rendered his services of great value. He was for some time the president of the state board, and in 1872 was elected its secretary, a position to which he has been annually re-elected for the past nineteen years a long and honorable ieriod of service. Mr. Heron was manied in lSeJl to Helen M. Roberts, the daughter of Dr. John Roberts, one of Franklin county'i pioneers. In 187:.' Mr. Heron removed from Fayette county to this city, where he has resided ever since. He has been a a life-long democrat, and his constant rtention in office by a board in which tha republicans have frequently had a major ity, is the strongest possible testimonial to the worth of his services. A RACING CIRCUIT. The Indiana Trotting Circuit Arranges Its hpring Dates. The adjourned meeting of the repre sentatives of the various racing a:-socia-tions, which met first in Richmond Dec. 12. was held "Wednesday afternoon at. the Crand hotel, to arrange the Indiana racing circuit. J. E. Lisle of Columbus acted as chairman and George Bronson of Cambridge City as secretary, and representatives were present from Edinburg, Columbus, Rushville, Peru, Kokomo, Fort Wayne, Cambridge City, Richmond and Lima, O., some thirty-five horsemen being in attendance. After considerable deliberation tho following circuit was arranged, which is subject to the acceptance of the various associations : Edinburg. June 9, 10, 11, 12. Columbus, June lt, 17, IS, 19. Kushville, June 2.3, 21, 25, 2i. Cambridge City, June SO, July 1, 2, 3. Peru, July 7. 8, 9. 10. Kokomo, July 14, 15, 16, 17. Fort Wayue, July 21. 22, 2-t. 21. Lima, O., July 28, 29, lUchmond, Aug. 4, 5, t, 7. J. F. Gent of Columbus was chosen permanent president and Georgo BroVison of Cambridge City permanent secretary ol the circuit, w hich is to be known as the Indiana trotting circuit. A committee of one representative: from each association was appointed tc meet at the Grand hotel Jan. lo forth purpose of arranging purses, classes, etc, Aries a. Street 1 Smith's Good Nens.J Indignant citizen "Don't you see thosa two boyB down there snoking cigarettes? Why don't you arrest them?" "Fact is, Mr. Taxpay, one of them is my eon, and the other is your fin." Citizen "l m or very pleasant eather we're having." To purify " Your blood Take Hood's Sarsaparilla. Ines Experience Count? It does, in every liue of business, and especially in compounding and preparing medicines. This is il'ustrated in the great superiority of Hood's Sarsaparilla ovei other preparations, as shown by tho remarkable cures it has accomplished. The head of the firm of C. I. Hood A Co. is a thoroughly competent and experienced pharmacist, having devoted hit whole life to the study and actual preparation of medicines. He is also a membei of the Massachusetts and Americas, pharmaceutical associations, and contin ues actively devoted to supervising tin preparation of and managing the buainest connected with Hood's Sarsaparilla. Hence the superiority and peculiar merii of Hood's arsparida is built upon tht most substantial foundation. In its preparation there is represented all the know! edge which modern research in medical science has developed, combined with long experience, brain-work and expert meot. It is only necessary to give thi medicine a fair trial to realize its grtV curative value. PItchcr'c Caotorla.