Edgar Cayce Readings, 5548-2

Time: Unknown.

TEXT

GKN: Property of W. W. Townsend Estate, located in Putnam and Marion Counties, Florida, Township 11, 12, 13, 14, Range 25 and 26.
Tell us, Mr. Cayce, if there is any oil or valuable minerals to be found on this property in paying quantities, and if so where?
EC: Yes, we have it here. We have various formations on this property here. We find some oil in paying quantities in different parts of the estate, some not in paying quantities on account of depth we have to do. Some paying in the short time it lasts. Where the formation by changing in contour which will come later, that will be to the advantage of those owning and controlling the property now.
At present the Eastern part of Section 28, Range 26, if this is developed, oil will be found in paying quantities, at from 960 to 1400 feet. Production will be sufficient to pay. This will be found along the ridges and where gas formation is such as to make the erosion in the surface. Trinity and ...[missing word(s)] is sufficient to hold oil. To South or Southern part of Range 26, township 13, is the formation where the changes are not sufficient to operate now. North and West Range 12 and #1/2 of range 25, Section 14 and 27, which come in conjunction, at 1600 to 1800 feet, will prove sufficient to pay. This will be easier to operate on account of location and less water than 26 and 12, Section 28. The oil will come at 500 barrels flush production and settle down to 300 barrels, and run a long time, 42 gravity oil. It will last some time if properly handled. It will be a sand bearing oil after flush settlement formed and this must be kept properly cleansed.
Township 12 and East part Range 25 we find some valuable phosphate, not a large deposit, but very good, running 60% to 70%. Serial analysis 3/7% phosphorus, 10.15% lime, at a depth of 6 to 8 feet overlap. In all an area of 42.1 acres, carrying a deposit 110 to 116 thousand tons, and from this also a deposit of oil dipping to the East.
There are no other minerals of paying quantities on this property. There is some fuller clay in some portions, and in the lower Western portion good Potters clay, but would not pay now. There is some gold in different parts, several places where it shows but not sufficient to pay.
The exact location of the first well is just to the Northeast of the Southern half of Se 1/4 of Section 28, Range 26 in Township 12, just between two very prominent hills where they cross the logging road. In drilling use star of standard rig. The log of well is 36 feet or sand and earth, some shale and clay, 50 to 70 feet water sand, very little water 6 to 8 feet. At 69 to 70 feet showing of gas carrying shale and water. 80 to 90 feet shale changing to black and lime 200 feet. Not hard drilling. Again showing of water, 300 to 330 feet we find artesian water, which should be cased and is warmer. 1200 to 1300 feet we have oil, 500 barrels at first, reducing to 300. Further to the east sufficient showing of oil to pay at a depth of 960 to 1001 feet. This is more accessible, better and easier to handle.
A change of contour spoken of in the beginning should come about 1929.
The extent of oil on this property is for a distance of from 12 to 14 miles, then a break. Runs from Northeast to Southwest, and then the break follows the ridge rather than the water courses North and Northeast, then West. The time to start development is when they want oil.
(Q) Give us the exact location of phosphate on this property, Mr. Cayce, and where to start excavation?
(A) Township 12, Range 25 Southeast of Southwest of Section 22, extending over part, or more in Southwest quarter, is the largest, and most of the deposit you will find in this. There is some smaller deposit in some other places, some that is further down in Township 13, Range 25, in the East of Section 3. This we have given here is the larger place, overlapping from 6 to 8 feet. The grade of this is very good.
And in Range 26 and in Township 11, between 11 and 12, lying closer to the river [word(s) missing]. This is not as high grade as we have in the Western part of this land but is sufficient to pay to operate, and large enough area to be useful if properly mined or handled. This lies in Township 11, Range 26, and is close to the river.
(Q) What section is this in, Mr. Cayce?
(A) The Section where 11 Townshipline and Range 26 crosses close to the river in lower edge of Township 11.

BACKGROUND

See 5548-1 and 3899-1 and 3899-2.

REPORTS

6/21/21 T. J. Townsend's letter to EC:
Hilburn & Merryday - Attorneys and Counsellors at Law - Palatka, Florida
Samuel J. Hilburn - Harold E. Merryday
Mr. Edgar Cayce, Selma, Alabama
Dear Sir:
This letter is to confirm a verbal agreement between us, which briefly stated is in substance as follows:
1: The W. C. Townsend estate owns approximately 42,000 acres of land in Putnam and Marion Counties, Florida, a portion of which you have looked over, and given a reading with reference to the deposits of oil, gas and minerals.
2: I stated to you in the beginning that I was one of the four heirs of the estate of W. C. Townsend, deceased, and that I would approve and recommend that the estate give to you and your associates a lease on one-half of the lands in each section, lot, or grant in said tract contained, of the oils and gas therein contained, reserving free to said estate the usual one-eighth royalty. Said lease to be according to the 88 form.
3: You shall have two years from date of said lease in which to commence the actual drilling of the well on said land.
Very truly yours, [signed] T. J. Townsend
11/10/24 Wire:
JB 233 17 PALATKA FLO 10 32P
PROFESSOR EDGAR CAYCE - 345 DAYTON OHIO
HAVE THE TOWNSEND TRACT OF FORTY TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT THOUSAND ACRES OF MY OWN FOR SALE
S J HILBURN
11/12/24 EC's letter to Mr. Hilburn:
P.O. Box 463 Dayton, Ohio
Col. S. J. Hilburn Palatka, Fla. Dear Colonel:-
I thank you for your wire of the 10th. I presume that you were rather surprised to see such a wire from me. However, I have some acquaintances and friends here who are interested, or want to interest themselves, in some real estate in Florida. They asked me if I knew of anyone I could direct them to for large or small tracts of land that might be developed. Hence the wire.
If you desire to give me any other information relative to this, that I may show them, shall be very glad to hear from you and to pass this on. Or, should they leave for Florida before I could receive such information, I will give them a letter to you.
Again thanking you, and trusting this finds you and yours well, I am, with all good wishes.
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD
11/22/24 EC's letter to Mr. Hilburn:
Col. S. J. Hilburn, Palatka, Fla.
Dear Col. Hilburn:-
This will introduce to you a personal friend of mind, Mr. Archie Aldman. He is interested in interesting and locating some lands in Florida that he, with others, may develop. It was on his behalf that I wired and wrote you sometime ago regarding the Townsend tract, which you so kindly answered.
Any favor or courtesy that you may be able to extend to Mr. Aldman will be appreciated by me.
I would like very much to have a line from you whenever you have the opportunity.
Yours very truly, Edgar Cayce
12/03/24 Archie Aldman's letter to EC:
THE NEW HOTEL - TARPON - FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. - JOS. HULSH, Proprietor
Dear Mr. Cayce:
I am spending to-night at the above hotel which is 25 miles from my goal of "Miami".
I stopped off at Palatka interviewed Col. Hilburn and find that there is very little timber on the 42,000 acres, in fact Col. Hilburn stated that the land for timber purposes would not be a good buy, so I dropped it. Also seen McReynolds at Daytona and find that he lost the option of the 20,800 acres of land about one year ago and he did not seem to know who had it now. I only spent a little time with these parties and found them to be very nice gentlemen and wanted me to remember them to you when I would write you...
7/18/25 S. J. Hilburn's letter to EC:
Professor Edgar Cayce 322 Grafton Avenue Dayton, Ohio
Dear Mr. Cayce:
I thank you very much for your kind letter of the 14th instant.
I have this day replied to a letter from The Ohio Florida Associates Inc., assuring them of my willingness to assist them in their enterprise in Florida. [See 4566-2 and 4566-3.]
Thanking you for the recommendation and with kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely your friend, [signed] S. J. Hilburn SJH:KJ