STATE. GEOLOGIST. — Al 
from Wood county were Bairdstown and Bloomdale. To such propor- 
tions have the great Hancock-Wood county gas fields shrunk! 
Among villages in adjacent counties that still have an adequate sup- 
ply, in whole or in part, may be mentioned Oak Harbor and Genoa in 
Ottawa county ; Gibsonburg and Burgoon in Sandusky county; Kansas in 
Seneca county. Doubtless this list might be enlarged, but the quantity of 
- fuel consumed in this manner is small. | 
THE ST. MARYS NATURAL GAS FIELD. 
On July 26, 1886, a well was completed at St. Marys, Auglaize coun- 
ty, the result being a small flow of both oil and gas. The well was tor- 
pedoed later and the production increased, but the most that can be said 
for this test was that it demonstrated the presence of the desired fuel. The 
second well was a total failure, but the third one produced sufficient oil to 
watrant rigging for this material.t Early in 1887 valuable gas wells began 
to be found, the first of which located on the Axe farm was completed 
March 23, and three weeks later had an open flow exceeding 2,000,000 
cubic feet per day. Other wells were completed with similar results. The 
rock pressure of the field was about 350 pounds per square inch. St. 
Marys township contained the best territory, but small areas in the ad- 
joining townships of. Washington and German also yielded gas. 
From Auglaize county the belt extended southwest into Mercer, in- 
cluding parts of Franklin, Marion and Granville townships. The first 
named township contained the best wells, the largest of which had an 
initial open flow of 10,000,000 cubic feet in 24 hours. It is doubtful if 
this figure was exceeded anywhere in what is here called the St. Marys 
field. It appears, in fact, from data obtained at this late day that wells 
exceeding one-half the figure just given were rare. This field extended 
northeast and southwest, its length being nearly 20 miles. Work in Mer- 
cer county began in 1886, the first well having been drilled at Celina. This 
made merely a show of oil and gas, and a second well completed a few 
weeks later gave still less encouragement. In November, 1886, a well was 
completed near St. Henry, Granville township. and when measured about 
four months later was flowing over 2,600,000 cubic feet per day. Early 
in 1887 a well was completed on the Doenzes farm in Franklin township 
with still more favorable results, the production exceeding 4,600,000 
cubic feet in 24 hours.?, With such results work progressed rapidly, and 
the quantity of fuel secured was such as to warrant laying lines to adjacent 
cities and towns. 
The history of the field from this point was similar to that around 
Findlay. However, the wells were smaller, and consequently there was 
less opportunity for the excitement and speculation that prevailed farther 
~ -1Geol. Sur. of Ohio, Vol. VI, p. 254-8. 
2Tbid, p. 258-62. 
