100 ANNUAL REPORT 
PUTNAM COUNTY. 
A small pool of oil has been discovered in the southeastern corner of 
this county. It occupies part of section 26, Riley township, and the devel- 
opment began in 1896. Drilling has been done from time to time since 
that year. 
The Trenton is reached at from 1285-95 feet, the oil lying near the 
top of the formation. About 450 feet of casing are used. The largest 
wells had an initial production of perhaps 65 barrels per day. Near the 
' margin of the pools the wells were much smaller, and the production of 
brine correspondingly larger. From the dry holes sunk it seems probable 
that the area of productive territory has been determined, and consequent- 
ly very little can be expected in the future. 
Tests were made at Ottawa and Columbus Grove in 1885, and Leipsic 
and Kalida in 1886. All were failures as far as securing oil or gas in com- 
mercial quantities was concerned. Since that time many wells have been 
drilled in the county. Nearly every township has been tested. and in sev- 
eral a number of wells have been sunk. Frequently a show of oil or gas 
was secured, but there has been practically nothing to compensate for the 
time.and money expended. It seems safe to say that no large reservoir of 
_ oil or gas can be expected in the county. It may be, however, that in years 
to come, when the price of oil is much higher than at present, that the 
rocks in Putman county will yield a profitable supply of crude oil. 
PAULDING COUNTY. 
In the summer of 1902 two small oil wells were drilled near the town 
Paulding, and four gas wells had previously been completed southwest 
of that town. These supply the place named with fuel. In all probability 
the Trenton limestone in the county under consideration will be found to 
contain quite commonly small but unprofitable quantities of oil or gas. 
