STATE GEOLOGIST. 97 
Jennings Township.—This has the largest area of producing territory 
in the county. The Allen county fields extend into this township at three 
points; sections 4 and 9, 21, 4 and 34, but the combined areas of the three 
do not exceed one square mile. In the northeast corner of the township 
a much larger area is found, comprising parts of sections 6, 7, 8, 17 and 
18. This extends west into York township, and is known as the Vene- 
docia field. In the southwest corner of the township under consideration 
an extension of the Mercer county territory is found. This comprises 
section 7 and parts of sections 5,6 and 18. The Trenton is found usually 
at depths ranging from 1,175 to 1,200 feet. 
The development of this township began about the year 1890. Early 
wells showed much salt-water, and this discouraged driiling. However, 
oil men finding that the brine could be handled, made further tests and 
were successful. By 1896 work in the northwestern corner of the town- 
ship had ceased, but was renewed in 1900. The territory in the southwest 
corner forms part of the Menden field: This township has now been 
thoroughly tested, and no important addition needs be looked for. How- 
ever, when the day arrives so that small wells which cannot now be oper- 
ated with profit can be so operated, then considerable drilling may again 
be done. Many of the pioneer wells have been abandoned, and it appears 
that the township is now past its prime. 
York Township.—In the northeast corner of this township producing 
territory is found in sections I, 2, 3, II, 12, 13 and 14, but the area is only 
about two square miles. In the southeast corner a small extension of the 
Menden pool is found in sections 25, 35 and 36. About three miles due 
west of this a very small pool is found in section 33. The oil rock is found 
at depths varying ordinarily from 1,180 to 1,225 feet. 
Work in this township began near Venedocia, in the northeast corner 
about 1890, and has been continued irregularly ever since. Since 1900 
many wells have been drilled in that vicinity, and as late as the summer of 
1902 work was active. Many of the early wells have already been aban- 
doned. The late wells commonly have an initial production ranging from 
15 to 25 barrels per day. The territory in the southeast corner of the town- 
ship was drilled late in the history of the Menden field. 
Ridge Township.—Oil territory in this township is restricted to the 
southeast corner, where it occupies small parts of sections 33, 34, 35 and 
36. The total area is less than one square mile. It comprises the northern 
part of the Venedocia field. In sections 28, 21 and 20 several gas wells 
are found. These supply Van Wert, as has been stated elsewhere in this 
volume. The first oil well in the township was drilled in November, rgot. 
Liberty Township.—This contains several small pools, the combined 
area of which does not exceed two square miles. One of these extends 
across the township line into Willshire. In the extreme southwest corner 
of Liberty there is found a very small extension of one of the Mercer coun- 
7 = S. G, 
