A Gasser, a Picnic, and a Promise: Kennewick Bets on Oil and Gas

Believing they are now within striking distance of a gas flow and because of the present showing of gas indications, the Yakima Natural Gas & Oil company has suspended drilling operations in their well on the Knudson ranch in the Rattlesnake district until the water can be cased off. There is now nearly 400 feet of water in the well and were the gas strata penetrated now the flow would be greatly retarded and the efficiency of the well materially lessened. Work of casing the water off will be rushed and it is the belief of the officials of the company that the well can be completed with a strong flow of gas by May 20.

Last Sunday was ladies' day at the gasser and a party of 85 Kennewick and Pasco people made the trip in automobiles. The party was equipped with lunch baskets and hot coffee was served, a gas burner being attached to the well.

The 'oil' mass meeting in the Commercial club rooms Monday evening was well attended and promises of the prospective field were set forth by men who are interested in its development. Herbert G. Harris, of the Walla Walla Gas & Oil Pipe Line company, C. A. Day, of the Yakima company and W. B. Linn, of Illinois, who has leased several sections of land near the gasser, were among the speakers.

Mr. Harris illustrated his talk by means of charts which showed the geological formation and the strata encountered in drilling the original well. All three men expressed the firm belief that not only would a much stronger flow of gas be found at greater depths, but also oil in paying quantities.

Mr. Linn gave many interesting facts regarding the development of the Illinois oil fields where he was raised. It was known that both gas and oil existed in his neighborhood for 40 years before development started. The man who drilled the first well sold his interests to the Standard Oil company for $290,000 and he would have sold cheap had the price been $26,000,000.

H. J. Snively of North Yakima, who with other associates have raised $80,000 for development of the Rattlesnake field, was unable to be present. In a letter read at the meeting, Mr. Snively said: 'The existence of gas and oil in the Columbia Basin is no dream. For more than two years myself and others who are interested have been making a careful study of the phenomena presented by the existence of the recent gas well and I am sending you a report of M. J. Bond, a petroleum engineer, and also a report of E. H. Talcott, a petroleum engineer, for you to read at your meeting.

'Prof. Lander has not yet completed his report, but is working on it now; suffice it to say that his report is of the most favorable character, and owing to his high standing as the State Geologist and professor of geology at the State University and that he is one of the foremost authorities in the Northwest, his report naturally will carry much weight.

'I hope to be able to send a franchise to the city council of Kennewick for the distribution of natural gas in the near future. Prospects are indeed flattering at the present time for Kennewick. With gas and oil in its proximity and the stock yards established, Kennewick will soon be able to realize its fondest dreams. At some future time when our plans are more fully developed I hope to be able to tell you something that is in the air for the further betterment of Kennewick, that I cannot now even hint at.'