Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1976)
Page 3. THE GAZETTE-TIMES. Heppner. OR. Thursday. April J. A. MARBKE AND TOE OIL GAS WELLS DRILLED NEAR THE CARTY RESERVOIR SITE A few weeki ago Invited guests only witnessed the dedication of the Carty Reservoir Site near the Oregon Trail stopping place known as Wells Springs. This 5,000 acre, man-made reservoir Is a significant beginning to the development of nuclear power, and its Irrigation and cooling water may contribute a great deal to the future potential of Morrow County. . . . How many can recall the big excitement of Just 45 years ago this spring when the Wells Springs Gas & Oil Company was drilling In that area and was selling company stock to interested investors? Any person who still has a stock certificate in that company is asked to contact Mrs. Harnett at the Morrow County Museum. She has gathered the information herewith presented about this 45-year-old energy boom from old newspapers. In its March 19, 1931 issue, the Gaiette-Times reports that John A. Harbkeand L. H. Estes, officers of the Wells Springs Gas and Oil Company, visited in Heppner. Other company officers included Wilbur Henderson, the company's attorney, Mrs. Leding and J.L. Richardson of Portland. 'Fred Nichoson, a local man, is drilling the test hole on the Wells Springs Ranch is now down 225 feet. He has an outfit for drilling to a depth of 1200 to 2500 feet. The company plans to go to 4000 or 5000 feet if necessary, although deeper drilling will necessitate Installing different equipment. "The amount of gas coming from the well is Increasing and a trace of oil shows. This is encouraging to Mr. Harbke who farmed in the desert land north of lone for many years and for more than 25 years has been convinced that oil underlies the sand and sagebrush. The Wells Springs Gas and Oil Company, under a state permit, is selling stock in the company." The April 2, 1931 issue adds more facts. "The Wells Springs Oil and Gas Company has leased 30,000 acres of land surrounding the eight-inch hole drilled into the historic Wells Springs out of which flows artesian water filled with gas bubbles. The first hole is to be abandoned and drilling operation swill be moved to the top of an adjacent hill several hundred feet higher. A geologist says It Is more proper to drill as the substrata there is convex Instead of concave as in the canyon where the present hole is located. Many examples have been cited which substantiate the geologist's theory, notably the famed Tea Pot Dome. "Company President Harbke did not make a glowing promise of quick wealth in an interview Monday. He displayed leas forms being given farmers of the district and a Mock of lithographed share certificates for stock that are being offered at 110 each. The company is now incorporated for $100,000. He spoke of the cooperation the company is getting and told of their arrangement with Fred Nichoson, driller, and Louis Padberg. farmer whose farm is but a short distance from the well. Both men are taking stock in exchange for their services and supplies. Louis Padberg has deeded 2.520 acres of land to the corporation. The April 16 report says. "At 320 feet the drill In the springs hole brought forth twice the amount of gas bubbles that before filled the artesian flow, giving company officers more hope and increasing public Interest. Sunday saw In largest number of visitors yet at the test hole and Mrs. Louis Padberg was busy most all day keeping the coffee percolating on the flame at the gas Jet to serve spectators By Mav 28 the paper had a long story about veteran oil and gas driller Sam Foster who drilling experience has reached all the way from South America to Canada. He talked with officers giving instructions In procedures to separate the gas from the water. Foster Mid "I am satisfied (hat gas in paying quantity has already been struck, and that a ready market exists for all the gas that may be found-advising that gas would be more profitable than oil and would require less attention." Foster declared the remoteness of the field from markets was no deterrant to the saleability of the gas. and he described gas lines that are now being laid over long distances. He said a network of lines is planned to touch every center ol population in the country and that there is a virgin market for natural gas everywhere. In the last report given in the Gazette-Times on June 11. 1931 tells that Sam Foster, engineer for the company, did not recommend going to the expense necessary to shut the water off in the first hole, advising rather the drilling of another hole higher up and shutting out the water from the start H G Harris. Osage. WY. a veteran driller who was in charge of production for Standard Oil Co. for 17 years and held a like position with the Union Oil Co. for J years, visited the well Friday evening with Foster. Harris also declared Wells Springs prospects to be as good as any he had seen in the northwest." . . The published account seems to end here. People who remember a bit about the excitement say that lots of money was lost at that time. Cartv Reserv oir is named in honor of James Carty an earl partner of John Kilkenny and John Sheridan who was born in Countv Leitrim. Ireland in 1854 and emigrated to Morrow Count'v in 1890. He owned and operated a substantial sheep and callle ranch in the Tub Springs area most of his life. Shamrocks and Shepherds" states: "At the commencement of World War II. the VS. Army took over the Carty ranch including Jim's home. On the occasion of serving the initial papers and on each succeeding occasion, although then in his ieventies. he refused to move from his home and chased the members of the Air Corps from the ranch. Being in a quandary, the military sought the assistance of Federal Judge James Alger Fee. by scheduling of formal proceeding before him. At the commencement of the proceeding, the representa tives of the military outlined. In considerable detail, the difficulties thev were having and asked the court for an oroVr of possession lth a writ of assistance. After pondering he problem for few moments. Judge Fee stated: If the military of the t nited States cannot dispossess Jim Carty. I moo t even trv.' Fortunately, patriotism and the persuasion of familv friends overcame Carty s ill to resist and saved the milu'arv from complete defeat After 40 years he gave up his home, so full of memories of the singing. dncinjr and fighting Irish and moved to a new location on Willow Cm. PIBLIC.UCTIOX LAND SALE Mai.li;t.Ipm. Tfce Oregi Trspert.tli Cemmb. Ill after for sale I Mblle aHHi the folding ftnti al Una" tecated t sJlh side W High, at 3 at the .est end lal lrrlm sear the Mate Wreel Jctli. TW sale UI ke keM ttf pre mtaes at S .. a- May I. Ill Th. properly Is fartker 47X! ' Tt 1 ft H.Nir East. W.M.. Marrow Canatjr. Ore. The parte I ui la M dmrlplM applies cantatas IS H-art feH. mre less. TFRM.H OF SALE: Tie mlnlm.m price thai .III be .ctepud k IIJIS.H. payable at Mm W TJf Wat Jemve. the r1M to .crept a reject I a.y Lblrrt la special nmmtM. If my. restriction. .&. W reccd. If sale to subject!. mlrkll-t i all-b-rd. yJ h,k,.rU. t Bi Na arrets la Ike klgk.ay. and (CI sakjecl to a permit to Pacific Nartk-e.l Bell. ,.... INFORM TIOM Regnal rrerty Age!, lit K ijGraitde. . f-toM Hl-MI! V sale, trile Nt, UH rublliked April 11. II. All officers were present when a rodeo meeting was held at the Telephone building Monday evening. It was voted to improve the grounds with Powder River equipment, gates, chutes and corrals within a cost of Jl.ooo. One hundred dollars was voted for parade entry prizes. Doug Iloskcn. Spray High principal was present in the interest of the high school students again having charge of The Hut and serving ham burgers through the rodeo. . The association stales they are anticipating up to 200 participants for Spray's 10th annual half-marathon to be held in conjunction with the rodeo. Saturday. May 29. Terry Shaw, trick rider. Oregon City, has been con tacted for May 29-30. Terry is an experienced performer, having made hi ghly acclaimed appearances throughout the Northwest. Officers of the Spray Rodeo Association are: Tuck Jack son. President. Don Griffith, vice president. Myrna Ger vais. secretary-treasurer. Jo anne Griffith, rodeo secre tary: Effie Stirewalt. court chaperone and advisor. Dir ectors arc: De Wayne Sim mons. Wilbur Alford. Jim Stirewalt. Bob Troxell. Frank Robison. Ed Kendall and Joe Petit. Plans are underway by the Ladies Auxiliary for the Flea Market to be held at the Legion Hall May 9. Pie and coffee w ill be served while you browse and make selections. The Auxiliary ladies spon sored a most successful bake sale at the General Store. April 16. Hubert and Goldie Asher are combining business and vacationing while spending a week in San Jose. CA. Mr. and Mrs. Claude Britt spent Sunday in Long Creek visiting their grandson. Willie Adams and his parents. Verna and Gary. Judge Itkie and Gus Strecker ere business visi tors in lone Thursday. The Bobby Fishers. Krisli. Bobby J and Denis Dennis were in Portland Friday for shopping and medical ap pointments and on Tuesday the Fisher family were in Prinvvillc attending business. When Ihe Don Grilfiths returned from a business trip to Pendleton Tuesday they stooped enroute fr visiting and dinner at Ihe Sid Brill and X cV& Chaps eP(rss I 0 King Ropes cs J j e Rt. 1 Box 1958 J 6 Hermiston, Ore. x J Ph. 567 6730 (S Huttercreck lly. X ft BOb & Darla Taylor exllnPmncerBiu UI1I1 OFFER! ONLY $20995 . w.i. ,th rhm braka - feature that topi chain In milhsecondi lo reduce Ihthaiard bom kick back Rugged 3 3 cubic men engine npi through an B'log m aecondt Big 16" bat and cham felts tree nearly 3 feel thick Automatic plus manual odmg Jty cham 6ra younell t Pettyjohn's HI SPRAY f.Ury Al Wiley homes at Echo. Judge and Mrs. Andrew Ix-ckie spent the Easter vaca tion in Corvallis at the home of their daughter. Ihe David Goulds and daughter Jasmine. They were accompanied by Anne Coiner. Fossil. Clara Strecker and Celia Reed were in Heppner early in the week, the latter for medical treatment due to injuries sustained in a recent fall at her home. Mrs. Reed will return to Heppner Mon day for further observation. Letha Harsh is here from Dayton. WA for a two weeks visit with her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Lee Brisbois. Another visitor at the Brisbois home is Larry Brisbois II. His parents, the Larry Brisbois and his sister Marc'ie are expected for the weekend from Boardman. June Troxell was in Vale Thursday to meet her daughter-in-law and daughter Mich ele who are here from Germany and will visit her parents, the Marvin McNeils, Vale, the Don Troxells here and other relatives before her return overseas in June. Walter Brill, formerly of Spray, now of Slanfield, who bcciiiiie critically ill while vacationing- in &m Francisco, remains hospitalized in that city bill rcortcdly in some what improved condition. Marvin and Uuise Brillh. KK ina and Carolyn and Ar maud Brill visited the men's lather there through the weekend, slopping enrmile for overnight nl the home of an aiml. Mrs. Helen Boone. I kiali. CA. who accompanied them on the remainder of the Mi and Mrs. Brisbois have Im-n in Boardman Ihe past week where they were quests at the Larry Brislniis home at kepi a medical aiMiintiiiciit while away. Paul Shen. Helttvca and Margo Adams are here I mm Keiiocwirk. WA. visiting al he (M. II and Clillord Adams and U-c Bi"islis homes and with their grandmother. Ituth Vl.llUH Ikm and Bob Troxell were in Portland Friday t meet Mrs. Hotm Troxell and daughter Michelle, who arrived Iroin llcilbioin. Germany thai day Hny are visiting the Don I'roxelN here and Mrs Trox ,U parents. Colleen and M.imn McNeil at Vale They I it. , 1 1 in reiuin !o Germany ,.i K mi June. tha Drotssiional aaletv FMIM AM II DKIt M'I'Pl.Y 676-9157 NEWS Vlllluns The rodeo kick-off dance was held al Ihe High School gvm Saturday evening. April lii, with John Day's Midnight SHt ials furnishing the music. The queen's saddle, a pro duel of U'onard Osier's Sadd lerv. Baker, was on display. The Spray Rodeo Court, with their chaperone. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stirewalt. were in attendance and included Tina Cox. Mitchell: Colleen Milton. Monument: Cindy Do ugherty. Heppner. and Zorrita Potter. Spray. due of these girls will be chosen queen at the dance. May 28 prior to the rodeo May 2!) :io and will be flown to Pendleton where she will be out rilled al Ihe Kound-l'p city's New York Store. - The court 's next appearance will be at Arlington's annual rodeo and parade May 1. Plans are nearing comple tion ror the second Spray reunion scheduled for June 19-20. The committees are extending invitations to all those people who may have attended the Spray schools or U-en a member of the local school system al any time, and all former residents to be here for the two days with triends. old and new . Registration will start Sat urday . June 19. to a.m. A lull program has been prepared, with varied day lime activities and a Western style dance ou Saturday evening. A baby silting service will lx- provided al a nominal lee. A meal w ill be served Satur day evening and a Sunday morning breaWusl. both tor a small charge. A non-denominational chur ch service will be held Sunday morning al the High School g Overnight accomoda tions must be personally arranged Tor. with excellent r no For future financial security if you're currently without If you're a wage earner or self employed and not presently covered by any other quali fied retirement plan, you can act now to establish your own First Individual Retirement Account URA). Ta Shtltered.The First IRA enables you to save 15 o of your gross wages or earned income up to SI. 500 per year, whichever is less, and deduct this sum from your taxable Federal and State of Oiegon income. , This can mean a substantial lax savings eveiy year until you retire What's more, you 11 Im3 earning a high rate of in terest 7 " annually. com led and credited quarterly which is tax deferred until retirement At that time, when you begin withdrawing Kinds, the amount withdrawn wilt bu treated as taxable income, but you will probably b in a lower tax bracket Rapid financial growth. For example, if you are 25 now end take advantage of FIRST camping facilities, camper space, etc. in the area. Please send information on your acceptance by telephone or return mail to: Margaret Ashmead. Box 255. ph. 468 2345 or Clara Jenkins. Box 64. phone 48-2i61. Spray. OR 97874. Slate Ihe number in your group, your name and add ress. Ladies will please in clude their maiden names. Pass the word along and plan to lie in Spray. June 19-20. HOW'S THE TIME . ... FOR SPRING WEED C0HTR0L You can depend on xmmw FAM.1 SERVICE CUSTOM SPREADING & SPRAYING NH , - Aqua - Dry Fertilizer AC Chemicals Seed Animal Health Products Boardman 481-2921 Borlex 989-8525 Heppner 676-9103 i n r ?; In tho business o! lifo fjgSBSsJ llr.FPM'R BR Mil NATIONAL BANK or ortgon LUBE SPECIAL $14. Due to the good response to my $14 lube special where I furnish oil, filter, and give a complete lube job, I have decided to continue it indefinitely. The only change will be $15 for 4-wheel drives. Also see me for new or used tires and recaps, exhaust system work, shocks, sport wheels, batteries, wheel packs, etc. Competitive prices. VERM'S Uillwll STATION Heppner, OR. 67fr5iw UJESTERn Ell LJLSL FORITI SERVICE mi ---n n mi j (OJIUIK the thenys a list timo for everything- Bill Wondra SALES Dick Kelly OPERATIONS KEN SMITH n n I 3 Q a retirement plan. First IRA contributing the maximum 51.500 each year, you U be eligible to receive upon retirement at age 65 up to S338.243' If both husband and wife work and neither participate in an employer plan, then both may have an IRA and receive a combined maximum tax deduction of S3. 000 per year Easy to Open. Opening your IRA is as easy as open ing a savings account Just visit your Firat National branch and apply You can start your plan with as little as S100 with additional deposits of S25 or more made as often as you want up to your maximum For more convenience, you can authorize First National to deduct IRA deposits, start ing at S25. automatically from your checking account U you're without a ftrt:r' ment plan, tee your First National branch about an IRA The tooneryou start yours today, the more hnan cuil security you'll havt tomorrow i
