STATE GEOLOGIST. 193 
The most terrible accident ever known in the oil territory of south- 
eastern Ohio occurred in this field. In the spring of 1900 a well had 
been drilled on the Kelley farm and a charge of nitro-glycerine lowered to 
the bottom. The “go-devil”’ failed to discharge the shot; and then a 
“squib” containing about one-quarter of a pint of the same explosive, to 
which was attached a three-minute fuse, was dropped in the hole. This 
was followed by the discharge of the glycerine in the bottom of the well, 
and the spectators, thinking the action regular, ran to the derrick as soon 
as the eruption ceased. They had scarcely reached that place when there 
was another explosion, and 7 men were killed outright or so severely 
wounded that they afterwards died. Three others were wounded but 
recovered. It is not known definitely how the accident occurred. It seems 
probable, however, that the “go-devil” lodged in the well, and so did not 
reach the nitro-glycerine until after the “squib” was dropped. This re- 
leased the “‘go-devil,” which fell to the bottom and discharged the shot. 
The explosion blew the “squib” to the top of the well, but did not explode 
it. The fuse, however, continued burning, and at the end of 3 minutes 
discharged the “squib,” with the terrible results mentioned. 
About 2 miles north from Whipple 10 wells have been drilled on the 
Lauer, Babson and Blake farms. Of these 4 only were producers, and all 
were in a shallow sand. One mile northeast from Whipple 5 wells have 
been drilled on the Biehl farms, but little has been secured to repay the 
operator for his outlay. Irom this territory south to Marietta wells have 
been drilled from time to time in the valley of Duck creek, but they have 
been either dry, or so small that they can be recorded with the failures, 
MONROE COUNTY. 
This county, which lies north of Washington, is one of the largest 
producers of oil in the southern part of the state. It is also one of the 
most recent in development. The surface formations, consisting very 
largely of sandstones and shales, belong almost entirely to the Mononga- 
hela formation or Upper Productive Coal Measures, and to the Dunkard 
formation or Upper Barren Measures. The topography is very rough, 
especially in the southeastern part, where the hill-tops rise more than 
600 above the valley of the adjacent Ohio. The oil is found principally 
in the southern half of the county, where, because of the infertility of the 
soil and ruggedness of the topography, it has proved a great boon to the 
residents. In this connection it must be borne in mind that the operator 
and owner of the land do not by any means derive all the benefits resulting 
from the discovery of oil. Those who own land adjacent to the producing 
territory option their property at a rate per month varying commonly 
from 10 cents to one dollar per acre. In many cases these options are 
carried for years, making in the aggregate a handsome sum for the farmer, 
without expense or trouble on his part. Besides, drilling and operating 
23S. G. 
