USA > Kansas > Illustrated directory of Kansas oil men, 1918 > Part 6
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That their efforts have been fruitful is evidenced by the three-quarter section tank farm in Butler County-reproduced on this page. The dollar and cents value of this hold- ing makes a government mint look like a child's bank. Our fecble efforts to bring it down to a focus consisted of this train of logic. If each tank contains 55,000 barrels of oil 50,000 in round numbers-and each barrel was worth only two dollars, it would mean that every ten tanks represents a million dollars at a most conservative estimate.
PAGE EIGHTY . EIGHT
The Modus-Operandi of The Marshall-Harmon Royalties
When reaping the profits from oil royalties becomes as sure and impersonal as clipping coupons from Liberty Bonds, the most conservative investor's objections to the former have been removed. And this is just what has been accomplished by the system for handling the Harmon proposition. The method was original with the promoters of this venture but if "imitation is the sincerest flattery," its instigators will be wearing extra- size millinery this fall. Herewith is a brief outline of procedure.
In December 1917, one-half the Royalty was bought from Mr. Deering J. Marshall and immediately sold for $97,222.00. Its title at once placed with The National Bank of Commerce as Trustee erased all individuality and placed the smallest and latest share- holders on a par with the pioneer and heaviest investors. It's hard to believe but perfectly true that there are no officers to vote on your holdings, no meetings to decide en masse what to do with your property, and no taxes to be paid unless you are fortunate enough to own sufficient amount of this gilt-edge stock that it figures in your income tax. All your dealings are directly with the bank are something after this fashion :
You receive an interest certificate which is yours separately and individually as much as your own home and can be transferred in much the same manner. All remit- tances from the pipe line company are made direct to the bank and by the bank pro rated upon the first of the month to each owner. The books are closed to transfers the last busi- ness day of the month in order that the bank may prepare statements which are issued to each stockholder the first of the month.
The second half of the royalty was purchased in the middle of February, 1918 for $200,000.00 and is handled in the same manner. Their first well was brought in on Decem- ber 8, 1917 and the first dividends were: on No. 1 (April 1, 1918) 1.15% per month and on No. 2, 1.75% per month. Probably this explains why Marshall Dividend Checks are scattered from Ontario to Texas and from Philadelphia to San Francisco.
PAGE EIGHTY - NINE
THE EUREKA PETROLEUM COMPANY
Not all the oil wealth in Kansas is in Butler County by any means and the sooner we realize this the more famous will the oil industry of the state become. Occasionally, a pioneer has the courage of his convictions and dares to vary from the beaten path and prospect in acreage that has just as many scientific reasons for being productive as the fields that have been punctured from all directions. When his wells come in, he is immed- iately placed upon the honor roll and everybody wonders why "some folks have all the luck." We predict that this is what will happen when the report of The Eureka Petroleum Company's drilling comes in. They are now spudding in on their property west of the city of Eureka and, in their own words, "should this test meet with our expectations, it will put the Eureka field in the limelight."
They operate under a Kansas charter with these officers: F. E. Ross, President; C. W. Buskirk, Vice-President; C. A. Doud, Secretary, and Gordon A. Badger, Treasurer. It is not too much to say that, with the holdings the company controls, and with these men to develop them to the utmost, the Eureka field "will be in the limelight." There are plenty who are willing to back that assertion with real money, that is, if the company needed their assistance.
WILLIAMSON & JOHNSON
The partnership of Mr. Ralph Williamson and Mr. C. F. Johnson is based upon a long friendship altho the former is a native of this state and the latter was born in Wiscon- sin.
Two years ago they amalgamated their mutual interests in Leases, Royalties and Production in the oil fields of Towanda, El Dorado, and Butler Counties as well as their val- uable holdings in the Hull Pool in Western Greenwood County. This meant the curtailing of a prosperous real estate business of many years standing but Mr. Williamson express- ed satisfaction at the results of their activities in the latter venture and admitted that their trade territory already covers Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. Mr. Johnson for 40 years in Butler County knows all land owners. Their office in 412 Hoyt Building has been the scene of many a thrilling oil deal culmination both for their brokerage department and their own personal buying and selling.
PAGE NINETY
BRIDGEPORT MACHINE COMPANY Augusta, Kansas
It is almost a presumption on our part to try to tell the actual operators of the Mid- Continent Field anything about The Bridgeport Machine Company, as their merchandise and service have already introduced them to the oil public and cemented a business friendship to which we could add but little. There may, however, among the readers of these pages, be individuals who are just spudding into the oil game and who, therefore, will appreciate a concise mention of a reliable supply house, which will supply their first rst needs as well as their last ones-and giveisfaction all the way thru.
Based upon seventeen years actual experience in the manufacturing and repairing of oil field equipment, the partnership organization of The Bridgeport Machine Company succeeds the Illinois corporation of the same title and consists of two active members, E. W. Boyd and J. A. Woods. At their machine and blacksmith shops in Augusta, they have installed the most modern apparatus and secured the most skilled labor for turning out satisfactory oil well drilling tools. That their efforts have met with success is proven by the fact that their trade territory covers all of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
KANSAS SOUTHERN OIL COMPANY Sterling, Kansas
There are those who think that The Kansas Southern Oil Co. selected Sterling as its head office because of its name. Others insist that the town was named after the company had injected its sound business policies into the community. Certain it is that there is a peculiar sense of fitness in the association of the two terms as a brief glance at their per- sonnel will show.
They were organized in 1904, for the express purpose of oil and gas production. With their valuable leases in Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas and their operations in Labette County, Kansas together with the following officers to carry out the program, it looks like they will, without doubt, attain their goal. Mr. G. J. Brown is President; Mr. O. T. Sholes, Vice-President; Mr. C. E. Johnson, Treasurer; Mr. P. P. Trueheart, Secretary; and Mr. T. L. Mathews, Assistant.
PAGE NINETY.ONE
THE RAMSEY PETROLEUM COMPANY
The few old settlers who realized their good fortune in time, have raised a few lease- crops within the last two or three years that far exceeded the California Tourist Crop. It is always a deep gratification to the world at large when the original owner of a block of valuable acreage is keen enough financier to to retain the large share in its profits.
This is just what happened in the case of The Ramsey Petroleum Company which is nearly a family firm, composed of various members of the tribe of Ramsey. "G. L." is the President; "A. C." is Vice-President; and "G. A." Secretary. Their offices in the Republi- can Building at El Dorado is the nucleus for big interests in 7000 acres in Butler County, Kansas and 12,000 in Texas, upon which, by this fall, they will have ten wells.
When, in 1882, Mr. G. L. Ramsey came to Kansas, he went in for scientific farming and, by using a definite and systematic program, obtained real results and earned every cent he got. Messrs. A. C. and G. A. Ramsey specialized in the cattle business and met with more than the average success. However, when the Big Discovery occurred, not one of these men hesitated. Their years of hard work had not obscured their sense of values and they plunged, heart and soul, into the oil game. That they knew good acreage when they saw it was proven when they grabbed the Harmon Lease and a few others of similar desirability.
THE RAMSEY OIL & GAS CO.
Under a separate heading, we introduced the Ramsey Boys to you and so we can, in this article, dwell upon the much discussed stock in The Ramsey Oil & Gas Co. On March 16, 1916 the company was incorporated for $25,000 with a par value of $50.00. In July of next year they began spudding-in on their section and a half, which, by the way, actually belongs to them, and by January 1918 every little share was worth over $3500 and, at that, there is simply none to be had. There are some investments worth more than mere money.
Beside the big holding just mentioned, this concern controls 600 acres and has eight wells pumping oil and there are more to follow. Our oil investments seem to have no noticeable affect on the market so far but we hope some day to own one share in the Ram- sey Oil & Gas Co., and then quit work. It is backed by integrity, experience and money.
PAGE NINETY-TWO
THE FREED OIL & GAS COMPANY
The Freed Oil & Gas Company could capitalize their guesses if they wanted to cre- ate a new department in the oil industry. They have a faculty for picking winners and then selling out without having to prove that they were right. For instance, there's that Magnolia Petroleum Company purchase which included all the acreage in the Freed Lease and the three 2400-foot wells then drilling. Then there is the H. J. Guest lease at almost an offset location, 320 acres of John E. Cooley's property and the Sarah McGill quarter at Pot- win with its four oilers and all of these possessions are mighty desirable and could be turned into ready moncy without one more effort at production or improvement.
They were incorporated under the laws of West Virginia and the charter bears the date of May 27, 1916. The following officers are in executive charge: Mr. E. E. Schock, President; Mr. J. B. Murphy, Vice-President; and Mr. John Slater, Treasurer and Secre- tary, and they have decreed that their company shall be a closed corporation. The head office is in Washington, Pennsylvania, but their big interests in Kansas warrant their kecp- ing a local office at Augusta and this branch is in charge of Mr. Culbertson. Like all pio- neers, The Freed Oil & Gas Company commands a great deal of respect and gratitude for what they have helped others to attain thru their example.
THE SUPERIOR OIL & GAS COMPANY
The Superior Oil & Gas Company. 201-203 Hoyt Building, one of the younger local companies, has really attained its majority. It was organized in 1916 and now has twenty- one producing wells. C. A. Fairbanks, its president, says that he will keep count up to one hundred and then he's going to quit. By that time he can afford to as the company has already paid dividends and expects to pay 1 per cent per month or more hereafter.
A. J. Adams, the company's secretary and treasurer, has managed the field end and says he'd rather do it than try a law suit. This popular attorney has made good in the oil business.
The Company's stockholders are scattered over Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Colo rado and other states. Every one can't live in Kansas but any one can make money here and this growing company's stockholders are doing it. If you don't believe it, go and try to buy their stock.
PAGE NINETY - THREE
MR. E. S. RIDGEWAY, Oil Producer and President of the Wichita Rotary Club
THE PIEDMONT PETROLEUM COMPANY
It would be useless to deny that, in the oil industry, as well as any other, there are organizations with aeroplanie tendencies. It is this factor that creates the skeptical and "Doubting-Thomas" attitude of Old General Public toward petroleum propositions. Therefore, when a company like The Piedmont Petroleum Company enters the field, it serves as ballast for the soaring element and brings the average down to Terra Firma. The value of such a service is inestimable.
It incorporated in 1918 for $60,000 and has 1600 acres of leases in Greenwood County that look mighty promising. The members of this organization are Mr. C. D. Brogan, Pres- ident, whose oil industries cover the entire state, is an experienced specialist in organizing companies, and already has a number of notable successes to his credit; Mr. A. Sautter is Vice-President; Mr. J. W. O'Neill, as Secretary-Treasurer, is a fitting index of the Pied- mont's policies, and a brief review of his activities speaks for itself; Wm. M. Jamieson (see special article on Otter Creek page), and Chas. Hudson are Directors. Their local office is in Suite No. 208 Bitting Building and is already a very busy and fascinating spot for the em- bryo investor.
SKELLY-BOLE-RUSSELL El Dorado, Kansas
There are no indications of "the oil field parasite" in the partnership of Skelly-Bole- Russell firm who label themselves as actual producers-with no side lines. They occupy offices at No. 308 El Dorado National Bank Building and are now developing the C. A. Draper lease. They control all the oil and gas rights in the south half of this quarter and one-half interest in the north eighty. In the former they have brought in nearly a dozen producing wells and have five oilers in the other half. So far, only one dry hole has been reported on this acreage. All of their products are sold to the Midland Refining Company and from there distributed all over the West.
The members of this partnership are unusually well-equipped to conduct a success- ful oil business since Mr. Skelly has spent his entire life in this profession, and Mr. Bole's father was the famous tool manufacturer. Beside the above mentioned holdings, Skelly and Bole have valuable production on the Sluss.
PAGE NINETY - FIVE
THE HUB
EL DORADO OIL FIELDS
AUGUSTA OIL FIELDS
PIPE LINES
WICHITA'S $3,000,000 REFINERY
Courtesy of The Wichita Eagle and Mr. B. F. Hammond.
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
+ 1000
JULY 99 and -To-Please N. MANCHESTER. INDIANA 46962
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