Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1898 — A Sure Enough Oil Well [ARTICLE]

A Sure Enough Oil Well

The biggest strike of petroleum ever made in Rensselaer, where many considerable pockets of the oil have been struck heretofore, took place Friday afternoon. It was at the residence of Burgess Dillon, in the northeast part of town, Wm. Warren and Bruce White were drilling a well for Mr. Dillon and at a depth of 38 feet, the oil was encountered, It was so thick in composition and rose so fast in the well that it was soon impossible to drill through it any further. It rose in the well quite rapidly until within about ten feet of the surface, and does not rise any higher. It is a very heavy black oil, and no doubt is excellent lubricating oil, for large bearings, just as it is. The hole was entirely free from water, and the rock unusually hard and -compact all the way down. We judge that this oil would be quite valuable, from its quality as lubricating oil, if its quantity is sufficient, but the chances are that it is only a “pocket” and would soon be exhausted by pumping. There is now water below the oil; but it is not known how much.