PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW YORK 



441 



The well was, however, recased and ret u bed and it still sup- 

 plies an insignificant amount of gas, barely enough for the de- 

 mands of the single residence with which it is connected. 



A second well was at once located about 300 feet east of the 

 original location. In this well no salt water was encountered 

 and at 980 feet, the horizon of the pocket in well no. 1, only 

 a small puff of gas was found. The drill was kept at work till 

 a depth of 1500 to 1G00 feet was reached. Small additions of 

 gas were made from day to day as the tools descended, but 

 the total yield was small, only enough, as the event proved, to 

 supply the single family of the farm on which the well was 

 drilled. This well was cased at 125 feet, but not quite low 

 enough to exclude the fresh water altogether. It was found 

 necessary to blow out the well every few months, and in wet 

 seasons, oftener. The drill was stopped in this well at a depth 

 of between 1500 and 1G00 feet and, as was learned by later ex- 

 perience, had been carried almost to the granite. 



By the drilling of these two wells, it had been demonstrated 

 that gas was to be found in the rocks underlying Pulaski, but 

 there was naturally some hesitation on the part of the company 

 in undertaking the additional expense required for the utiliza- 

 tion of its discovery. At this point one member of the company, 

 namely, Mr Charles Tollner, grew impatient with the delay and 

 determined to carry the work forward at his own expense. He 

 accordingly bought out the stock and franchises of the old com- 

 pany and proceeded forthwith to pipe the village for the use of 

 gas, even in advance of farther tests. He took drilling options 

 on a large area, (15 to 20,000 acres) surrounding the village'. 

 The limit of the option was 10 years and for every well accepted, 

 $50 a year was to be paid. 



Mr Tollner was a manufacturer who had established a large 

 and successful business in Pulaski. He had accumulated a hand- 

 some fortune for this region by his energy and sagacity and was 

 beyond question the leading business man of the community. 

 He had something of the idealistic temperament as well and 

 the idea of turning to practical service a stock of power buried 

 beneath the surface, of which he was one of the discoverers, ap- 

 pealed strongly to his imagination. 



