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Historic EVENTS in and around Welland

MORE OIL

Another Petroleum Well Struck in Humberstone A Deep Hole in Bertie.

[Welland Telegraph, 18 December 1891]

The oil excitement in the township of Humberstone is growing, and from present indications bids fair to assume the nature of a boom. On Saturday, on the Troup farm in the 3rd concession, another good well was struck, which gives a good example of oil, so pure that it burns well in its crude state. Various estimates of the capacity of the two oil wells are made, which give the product from one to ten barrels per day. The company, which is virtually controlled by the great Standard Oil Company, has leased all the available land in the vicinity, giving the owners from a 10th to a 15th of the production, but since the last find those who have not yet leased their property are holding out for better terms. Now comes the question: What is the company going to do with the oil? And the most feasible answer is they will erect pumping stations and force the oil to the other side of the boundary line, unless legislature steps in and puts on a heavy export duty or prohibits its exportation in this manner. The great huckleberry marsh in Wainfleet is mostly under lease, and it is said this property gives good oil signs. Another well is now being drilled on the Johnson farm, and a plant is being erected on the Peter Barnhardt place, but the drillers and members of the company are very reticent in giving any information regarding their intentions or the capacity of the wells. The company is making a test of deep drilling on David Sherk’s place in Bertie, and a few weeks ago reached the Trenton rock at a depth of 2,800 feet, when the machinery gave out, not being adapted to such deep probing. Heavier machinery will be put on the work, and although the company are using every secrecy in the matter, they have not concealed the fact that the oil indications are good.

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