50 Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. 1, Ko. 4 



DiscovEKY. — Probably the first deep well drilled in the Sunday 

 Creek Valley was near Burr Oak, about 4 miles south of Corning. 

 Its date is not now known, but it must have been 40 or more years 

 ago. Its depth is likewise unknown, but it is reported to have pen- 

 etrated the salt sand. To this day it flows salt water, and with it 

 sufficient gas to be ignited. This well, however, seems not to have 

 aroused suspicion that there might be valuable liquids other than 

 salt water buried in the rocks. 



The discovery of oil in the Corning field was a matter of accident, 

 and resulted directly from a scarcity of water for the Toledo and 

 Ohio Central railroad. To remedy this a deep well was drilled in 

 August, 1891, at the round house, about three-fourths of a mile south 

 of Corning. The only water found was in the salt sand which is 

 reported as having been struck at a depth of 630 feet. The supply 

 was copious, but the salinity prevented its being used in locomotives. 

 This brine was shut out of the well by casing and the drill forced 

 down to a depth of 1507 feet. Finding no water at that depth tlie 

 work ceased, but a few days later oil was thrown to the top of the 

 derrick, and there were smaller eruptions later. However further 

 disturbances of this sort were prevented by the company closing 

 the well. 



Development.— The disclosure made by this well attracted tbe 

 attention of oil men wlio immediately entered the field and began 

 leasing territory. The citizens of Corning feared the territory was 

 falling into the hands of the Standard Oil Company, and that it 

 might not under such conditions be developed for years. According- 

 ly a home company styled "The Sunday Creek Oil & Gas Company," 

 was organized in February, 1892, to make certain the development of 

 the territory. The capital stock was placed at $10,000 in shares of 

 150, and $8900 of the stock was sold. Much of this was raised by 

 citizens of tlie town subscribing for single shares. 



The new Company was successful. By January 1st. 1898, 255% in 

 dividends had actually been paid the stock holders. In September, 

 1898, a power for pumping the wells; and costing over $7000, was 

 erected, the contractor taking the product of the wells until it paid 

 for the plant. In November, 1899, the property together with $1250— 

 the amount received in excess of the cost of the plant— was turned 

 over to the original holders. The power is now (July 1, 1900,) pump- 

 ing 20 wells, which have a daily production of 40 barrels. 



The first well drilled by this Company was on the William Fisher 

 farm in northwest quarter section 14, Monroe township, Perry county. 

 The Berea was struck at 1012 feet, but the indications were so unfav- 

 orable for a paying well that it was not considered advisable to shoot 

 it. However, on June 2d, 1892, after waiting nearly a month, the 

 well was shot with 80 quarts of nitro-glycerine, which had been 

 hauled from Sistersville, W. Va. The cost of the shot was $200. The 



