Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1902 — Oil Boom. [ARTICLE]

Oil Boom.

Thayer-Shelby News. The work of drilling for oil and gas at Water Valley is progressing very favorably and at the time we go to press a depth of one hundred feet has been reached. The many visitors who came to the Valley are much interested in watching the force of experts who are engaged in the work. A reporter for the News was within hearing of several visitors this week, who were forming all sorts of ideas in their minds in regard to what would become of Thayer, Water Valley and Shelby if oil or gas was fonnd. One of the gentlemen had the elevated railroad located as crossing the river where the delapidated public bridge now stands. Another said he hoped oil or gas would not be found, for Che reason that Shelby and Thayer would be ao large that Che buildings wonld cover all Che marsh and then he could not go hunting, and another said it would be too bad if oneof those large oil gushers should be struck; why, the oil would flow into the river and before it was stopped it would kill all the carp. Then Dick Oox assisted the reporter over to Struble’q.