Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 7: Economic Forces, 1912 (part 2 of 2)

The third effort of the company was on the Rowles farm, about the same distance southwest of Bremen. Fourteen months were consumed in drilling this well, which was less encouraging than either of the preceding ones. At about this stage the company went into a receiver's hands, and the double liability law was enforced that debts might be paid. In this way the Rush Creek Oil & Gas Company went out of existence.

Late in 1896, Purvis, with two practical oil men, formed a partnership and drilled a well a mile and a quarter northeast of Bremen on the Nixon farm. The Clinton sand showed oil, but not enough, it was thought, to warrant

Within the next ten years Purvis took up leases two or three times, but could not raise the money necessary for drilling. In the spring of 1907 oil was gotten in a well drilled for gas about seven miles northwest of Bremen. The coveted fuel had now been disclosed on three sides of the village, and naturally this strengthened the conviction of Purvis that oil in commercial quantities existed in the vicinity of Bremen and made possible the organization of the Bremen Gas & Oil Company in 1907.

Bremen Pool. - On May 17, 1907, the company just named, and which was to play so important a part, was organized. The capital stock was fixed at $50,000, in shares of $25.00; about four hundred and twenty-eight shares were sold and eighty additional ones were given in exchange for about 10,000 acres of land that had been leased by Purvis & Ruff, in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, and Jackson Township, Perry County. The board of directors chosen consisted of J. E. Purvis, A. F. Turner, L. Olive, L. H. Kennedy, Lewis E. Ruff, Charles Bloom and W. S. Turner, all of Bremen, Ohio. The board organized by electing A. F. Turner, President, and L. E. Huddle, Secretary.

The first place selected for testing was the farm of F. M. Kittle, on the northeast quarter of Section 11 of Rush Creek Township. No special reason existed for this location ; it was simply one of the leases held by the company and was neither more nor less promising than other tracts. Drilling began June 12, 1907, and the tools penetrated the Clinton sand late in July. Some oil was found and the sand was shot with 60 quarts of nitroglycerine that was hauled in a wagon from near Marietta. In drilling, the casing extended simplj^ to the base of the Berea, but when oil was found a string of 2,574 feet was set on the top of the Clinton, thus insuring a dry hole so far as water was concerned. After shooting, the well flowed several times, but the water proved too strong. When the casing had been inserted and the well cleaned, a pump was attached and the production started at 10 barrels per day. It is now (June, 19 10), pumping about half that quantity. While this well was not much of a success it was encouraging, and in August, a second one was begun. Stockholders urged that leases nearer Bremen be tested, and to satisfy them a location was made on the farm of G. W. Baldwin, just north of the village. The Clinton sand was found, but it was hard and without oil or gas. A shot of 80 quarts of nitroglycerine did not improve matters.

These two wells, one a complete failure and the other a small producer, emptied the treasury of the company, but the stockholders with few exceptions doubled their shares and the drill was started again. The location was near their first well and on the farm of J. W. Huston, southeast quarter of Section 2. The Clinton sand was penetrated about October i, 1907, and began flowing oil at the approximate rate of 140 barrels per day. Thus after nearly twenty years of effort Purvis began reaping his reward. The well was very profitable and in July, 1910, was pumping about 20 barrels each day. Naturally the company did not go far for its next location whicii was on the Householder farm, adjoining the Huston on the east. The Clinton sand was reached in February, 1908, and the well began flowing at the rate of 250 barrels per day; in July following, it was producing at the rate of 100 barrels, and two years later 10 barrels daily. Of course this well attracted wide attention and the rush to the new field began. Leases were sought after far and near, and rentals as high as $12.50 an acre per year were paid. The Purvis farm joins the Householder on the east and a well completed on it July 10, 1908, began producing 300 barrels per day; by September I, 1910, this rate had decreased to 8 barrels.

Other wells were sunk by this company as fast as the drill could be forced down and with marked success, obtaining a daily production of 1,000 barrels in 1909 and maintaining this for the following 12 months or thereabouts. Stock rose rapidly in value and in May, 1909, sold as high as $625 a share. By January i, 1910, twelve 50 per cent dividends had been paid. The oil commands the Pennsylvania price and sold for $1.78 per barrel during approximately the first two years of the company's history. It then began dropping and reached $1.30, at which it is now selling. By the close of 1909 the company had drilled 90 wells and 70 of these were producers.

From the first producing territory, about three miles northeast of Bremen, the drill moved in all directions, but with little success to the north and west. Southward the results were more favorable, and by 1908 wells were being secured in the valley of Rush Creek. In the spring of 1909 the drill was at work near Bremen, and late in the year on town lots. Much money has been wasted in this enterprise - not only have wells been drilled on adjacent lots, but in at least one case two have been put down on the same lot. Sometimes the derricks were so close together that there was scarcely room for the tools.

fast as the tools could be forced down, but since that time are responsible for the deby the close of 1908 the limits of the field crease. The indications are that the output paid dividends, namely: The Bremen Oil The Bremen Oil Field in its present ac- ^nd Gas Company, The Avelon Oil and Gas tivity had its beginning in the winter of Company, The David Rodafer Oil and 1907, when Mr. J. E. Purvis with a few Gas Company, The Kerr Oil and Gas Cornassociates gathered up a block of leases pany, The Great Expectation Oil and Gas and organized "The Bremen Oil and Gas Company, and the Diamond Oil and Gas Company." This was the start for the pres- Company.

The development has meant an increase in population to Bremen of over 100 per cent, which probably would have been still higher had there not been such a lack of houses. To the land owners alone the oil field has meant $500,000 in rentals and royalties.

As to the future of this field we can but speculate, but with the steady advance of crude oil, which bids fair to go from $1.30 to $2.00 per barrel, it is safe to predict that drilling will continue in this field for 15 years to come. For there is much land which looks good for paying wells that remain yet to be developed.