Edgar Cayce Readings, 370-2

(Body & enquiring mind, in regard to land in Clay Co., Tenn., owned by Secretary of State Cordell Hull and under lease by Frank P. Turner, about 3 miles of Celina; also in regard to lands in Cumberland Co., Ky., owned by Went Coop and others and offered to Frank P. Turner for development, lying between the old Kettle Creek pool and the Sulphur pool. A more detailed description of these lands I hold in my hand. [See 370-2, Par. B2.] You will answer the questions which he has submitted concerning these lands, as I ask them.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have these impressions and those conditions that surround the holdings or lands owned by Cordell Hull, Clay County, Tennessee; and those in adjoining county, Kentucky.
In considering these lands for the developments, some of these we have had before. It is well that there be considered the lay OF the land respecting oil and gas possibilities, as in reference to the other developed fields.
As we find, this land - as under lease - lies within (though on the eastern edge of) the slope or ridge in which production of commercial value may be found.
As will be seen in developments, the very nature or position of these lands is good, yet will prove to be rather of the spotted nature; that is, some locations will be much more productive in the beginning than others. The pressure, the overlapping structure and nature is of such a character as to produce this.
The depths in which production of a value (unless sought for in the northern portion, in Cumberland County, Kentucky; that is, of the holdings) for the deeper stratum will be between the five sixty and six seventy-five (560 and 675) area, varying according to the specific location.
In the Clay County properties, those along the eastern edge of the river or creek that flows north will be the better properties. This is the higher land from the Celina as a center or direction, see?
In the Cumberland properties, this area where the well is begun should prove to be a most satisfactory location. The period and condition in which the hole has been left, to be sure, is AGAINST making this a paying proposition, but the location is excellent.
If there is the ability to clear the present hole in such a manner as to carry ON correctly in same, WELL.
If there is the necessity of too much cleaning, then we would move over a bit and find much better progress to be made in making a new hole.
Ready for questions.
(Q) If present well is cleaned, please give depth this will have to be drilled to reach production.
(A) More than a hundred feet - hundred and seventy-five feet (100 - 175) - below the depth it WAS drilled.
(Q) Is this well worth completing?
(A) Depends upon how much troubles will be encountered in cleansing or preparing it for carrying on the operations. Not left in such a good state, see?
(Q) Describe the territory at which other locations may be made on the Kentucky side.
(A) Follow the ridge on which this is already located, going - of course - towards the South and West.
(Q) Please give best location on the Tennessee land.
(A) As outlined, in the higher ground on the edge of the creek that goes North in this particular property of Hull's, see?
(Q) What quantity of oil might be expected?
(A) Be a paying proposition, as indicated; some will be much more productive than others. Some will reach as much as three to five hundred (300 to 500). Others will reach to a thousand (1,000). Others will be very much smaller, after the first few days. This means barrels, to be sure.
(Q) Please give depth at which production may be reached?
(A) As given, five fifty-six - six seventy-five (556-675) is the right area, see? These will vary.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Mr. [370]
Copy to File

BACKGROUND

6/20/33 He submitted questions.
6/20/33 Letter - Background for 370-2, description held in GC's hand while giving the suggestion to EC for obtaining the rdg:
DESCRIPTION OF LAND OWNED BY SENATOR OR SECRETARY OF STATE CORDELL HULL OF TENNESSEE NOW UNDER LEASE BY FRANK P. TURNER
150 acres of this land lies about three miles of Celina, Clay County, Tenn. Bounded on the North by land owned by Eden Bros. " " " East " " " J. C. Overstreet & M. Holman " " " South " " " Mrs. Roberts " " " West " " " Cumberland River
THIS TRACT OF LAND IS ABOUT ONE HALF MILE WEST OF J. C. OVERSTREET'S OIL WELL.
An additional 200 acres owned by Cordell Hull lies in the hills some one mile East of this tract and about three quarters of a mile SE of J. C. Overstreet's well. The Widow Holman's land joins the land on which the Overstreet wells are located on the W and S.
We have under lease in the name of Frank P. Turner some 2900 acres of land near these tracts of Cordell Hull described above.
KENTUCKY LANDS
The Kentucky lands whose ownership is described below have been offered to Mr. Turner for development. Some three or more years ago a well was dug some 400 feet deep in this territory and which Mr. Turner desires to finish. The land on which this well is located is owned by Went Coop. A drilling machine has been standing over this well since drilling ceased, owned by Wilcox Brothers of Cleaveland, O. Peter and Floyd Stegner of Maritta, O., have a $1000.00 against this machine. This well is in Cumberland County, Ky., and between the old Kettle Creek pool and the Sulphur Pool, also between the Cumberland River and the Obey River.
Land owned by the following people lies to the North of this well:
C. R. Riley, 1200 acres J. R. Riley, 350 " B. G. Huddleston, 100 " J. R. Jennings, 200 " Jim Wells, 25 " Helen Melton, 452 " Marion Logan, 250 " Ida Caps 50 " G. A. Caps 800 " Bill Melton 1000 " Other lands to the South can be had.

REPORTS

7/10/33 EC's letter to Mr. [370]:
"The information requested in yours of the 20th was forwarded to you Saturday. I certainly hope this will prove to be of great help and value to you and your associates. As I think back over the experiences with the readings, and with the information that has come from time to time, I feel rather impelled to go over it just a bit for you.
"In 1907 for the first time individuals asked in a reading about locating oil. In fact, they did not ask to locate oil but the attempt was to locate a legendary lead mine. The reading at the time, however, told not only how to locate that ledge but where oil might be gotten at a very shallow depth. This was in Kentucky, a few miles from Scottsville, Allen County. The location was opened, and my last report was that they were able to pump about a barrel of oil a day from the opening, and had been for years, and it was only thirty feet deep - I helped to dig it myself, but when they began to drill some years later, there were numbers and numbers of wells dug around the place and not a single one ever produced a drop of oil.
"In 1919 some more attempts were made in Texas, with some very marvellous results and some very bad failures. About that time there was a reading given in which the question was asked about the information as related to oil. At the time there was the prediction that the Work would be tied up considerably with oil, and it would have more to do with Kentucky and Tennessee than any other portions. Now, there have been many attempts in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois - all over, you might say - and nothing has ever come of them. Then, for an attempt to again be made in Kentucky by an individual in whom we have the utmost faith and confidence - well, we are still just wondering.
"You know we will be rather anxious, from our past experiences of this nature, yet we are hoping that this is the time when it will work out for you and yours in a way that will be most satisfactory.
"Let us hear from you whenever you have the opportunity. We are rather anxious about the group and your attempts with Mrs. [272] to interest others. It may not be plausible to crystallize this into much of a group before September, but let me know how things progress with you. [A.R.E. Group work.]
"With all good wishes and kindest regards, I am"
Sincerely, EC:GD
7/16/33 Mr. [370]'s letter expressed appreciation: "I must say that the rdg. was unusually good and I trust I can soon report to you definite progress."
12/10/33 "We in A.R.E. Group #4 feel great joy in the opportunity of being a channel of blessing to others."
3/25/36 Mr. [370] obtained his Life Rdg., 370-3.
10/03/36 "I think again of the intensive work I did to discover oil in Ala., Ky., and Tenn. With your help I was able to conform my own convictions as to where it existed, but we were not able to raise the capital needed... With 2-3 thousand dollars the first inexpensive test could be made."