Edgar Cayce Readings, 5628-6

Time and Place: 11:40 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. San Saba County, ..., Texas.

TEXT

GC: You will have before you the well being drilled on Rocky Pasture, in San Saba County, Texas. You will give us the condition of the hole at the present time and tell us if same is straight; if not, how it may be straightened. You will tell us also at what depth they will go out of the Ellenberger lime, and at what depth they may expect production. You will give as any other information that would be beneficial towards making a success of these operations.
EC: We have the operations here. While there are some unsatisfactory conditions surrounding the operation - especially as to the condition of the hole - should this be kept in the same ratio as the leaning hole is at present, there would not any trouble be encountered when it was time to run casing. Should this become curved BACK to almost STRAIGHT again there would be trouble in lowering casing. To straighten would be to fasten a length of casing above the tools on drill line. However, we do not find this would be necessary if the same ratio is kept as exists at the present time.
The depth at the present is approximately fifteen twenty-two (1522). The depth to the end of the lime as is now being encountered is less than a hundred and eighty-three (183) feet. Then there will be found in the lower portion some water, where casing again may be necessary.
In the twenty-six hundred (2600) foot level will production be encountered, the oil, bearing sands being more than a hundred feet in thickness in this location, making a very, very, very, large production, and long, long lasting.
The conditions as respecting water will be troublesome in part, but in the latter portion of the present month there will be abundance of water in this vicinity.
Keep up the same optimistic tendencies towards these operations, for through same these will be made the successful operations for the ones drilling same.
We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

See 5628-5 with Reports.

REPORTS

10/12/27 EC's letter:
My dear Mr. [4906]:-
I certainly was glad to have yours of the 3rd, and to have a report on how things are working. I had some very important meetings on so didn't have the opportunity to write you at the time we sent you the information as was gotten. I certainly hope that the information will be worth while and will encourage you at least enough to go on and find out what's near that twenty-six hundred foot level. From the report of the reading, and from what you say, you ought to be somewhere near going through that Ellenberger. I remember very well that just before we went out of this the last hundred to hundred and fifty feet was certainly as hard as any lime I ever saw. Then there came a very soft strata, and one could smell the oil and gas a great distance from the rig. I remember it was just at that time that I had one of the Government oil men there from New York - a man who was raised in the oil field of Pennsylvania, and has been messing with oil all his life.
I hope the little slant that you must have in it will not prove troublesome, yet - as I remember - this may be straightened up if you think it best to do so.
Well, I am somewhat surprised to have your report from Mr. McConnell [[4905] series] as to what the conditions were when Wyrick stopped the operations in Bosque County. They were nearer six thousand feet than five - but were certainly in a very fine oil sand, and were getting oil when they attempted to shoot same they had a premature shot, and it destroyed the possibilities of their ever getting oil in the hole - but the shot went off nearly two thousand feet above the bottom of the hole, yet it made oil and gas for several days - that is, if the report I had from Wyrick and the men on the field was correct. Mr. McConnell may be absolutely right in what he says. I can only give you the information as we got and as the report came to us from the well itself - but I have copies of the wires sent from the well to Wyrick in Chicago. I also have Wyrick's letters, but from Chicago and after he went to the well, when the reading gave them that they had had the premature blast and there was no use trying to drill through the obstruction as made.
Now, as regarding the acreage, I don't know just what I could do in this respect, Mr. [4906]. Nothing I'm sure here, but I expect to - in the next thirty or sixty days - make a little trip, possibly to Birmingham, Alabama, to Chicago and to New York, and if you haven't succeeded in placing sufficient of the acreage to keep on with your operations, you let me know and I'll take the matter up while I'm on this trip and see if it is possible to do anything with it. I will have some people here to see me from the Louisiana field next week, and if you would like for me to do anything in this line while they are here, you might let me know by return mail. I don't know as I can do anything, but they're coming here on an oil proposition in Louisiana. [[4203] series?]
I certainly am in hopes that you will be able to make it through alright without too much sacrifice of your acreage or of your own good self, for a man works at a great disadvantage when he has to be separated from his loved ones - and believe me I know what it means in that country.
We are moving along slowly with our proposition here. The readings have always told me that I'd never separate oil from my proposition - but I could never work them to-gether, but that it would furnish me means to go ahead with my institution. I'm just at the place where a few thousand dollars now would assure me of the success of the institution, and bring the reality of the dream I have dreamed for these many years. I think I sent you some of the data about the institution, about the incorporating of the Association, perfecting of the organization and the actual work. We have purchased property here and it is practically paid for. It has been gotten in shape ready to build. We've had plans and specifications drawn. We have put it out for bids - bids were opened Monday, and that was of the meeting that I had with some men from Chicago and New York that were here for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Now we need a few thousand dollars to push it over. It certainly would be a wonderful thing if you could make a strike there now that would push it over for us - and I'm counting on you doing it, for I believe you will. I believe it as sincerely as I ever believed anything in my life. So you may know I am as much on the anxious seat as any man you ever saw or knew of in your life. So whether it is good or bad, or just indifferent, let me hear from you the more often, and know if it is at all possible for me to be of help in any way I'll do my level best. I think we are doing a wonderful work. I know we are getting some marvelous results if what people tell me are facts. Possibly it may be some of it like Mr. Mc has told you about the Bosque well - I am being misled - but you let me hear from you - and with kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce
10/17/27 Mr. [4906]'s letter to EC:
San Saba
Dear Cayce,
I received your nice letter and was glad to hear from you. Cayce I noted what you said in regard to the men coming from Louisiana to see you about an oil adventure. Cayce why can not you show them the copy of my readings and explain to them what the outlooks here are. I should think they would rather take the small investment with me rather than make an entirely new test. I will sell them acreage close up to well for 10.00 per acre. I am sending you a map and you can show them just where it lies - get them to come by here and see me.
I noted you said the readings say you would never separate oil from your proposition yet it would be the means of your success. Now Cayce you never had any such an agreement with any oiler well, as you have with me, and you know you believe that I will be and do all you ever expected of any man. It does seem to me that you would know that you can not be successful in all of them (of these different tests). I believe if there is anything at all to your power in regard to oil, it was here in rock pasture, and not over the whole world. And if it's true this has to be a man at the head of it - that's straight and honest, and that's why I had you take that reading and ask if I could be trusted. Something I'll bet no oiler man has done, now lay the cards on the table. Tell those men the bare truth and send them here for your test in Louisiana will be dry, [[4203] series?] and if you keep fooling with Oil with every body this well will be dry too. This is my honest conviction, Cayce. Please don't be offended at my frankness for that's the way I feel. The efforts I am using to drill this well is for the poor and homeless and afflicted, and all that I could possibly do with the income of the well would be a small atonement for the many sins I have committed. It [is] with a heart like that I am drilling this well. If I can do something for some one else, I care not for myself. Cayce, probably Wyrick himself would like to buy some acreage next to the well, it seems to me he would. I am sending a map. The red acreage is what I have left. The yellow acreage is what I want to sell. The yellow acreage with red inset is what has been sold.
The blue acreage sold to Oil Co's for over $32,000.
I own all acreage in side of red lines.
I can make a deal with these men if you will send them to me.
You will please send the map back as soon as you are through with it. I wanted you to see just how I am handling the deal. I believe that is the largest solid block in Texas to contain 65 different land owners - it has taken lots of work, midnight oil and worry. Let me hear real soon from you,
Yours truly - [4906]
HURRIEDLY
10/21/27 EC's P.S. to HLC at W & L in Lexington, Va.:
P.S. I had a letter from [4906] yesterday. I wish I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss it with you. As you no doubt remember, Mr. [4906]'s contact with the work was rather unusual - and it has made a great deal of change in the man's life. He was right smart of a boozer and a typical wild Texan - though he was born in Kentucky and the son of a minister. He seems to get this idea, from the reading having said that I would never be able to separate my work from oil until I had a well, nor would I ever be able to combine the two. That inasmuch as I had said that the Rocky Pasture was the place where I could get the money to build the institution, and inasmuch as he had cast his whole lot into that undertaking, and was willing to give half of everything that came from it toward that purpose, he didn't think I was doing myself right, nor those I was trying to serve through the institution, to try and even given other information respecting oil anywhere else until that project was through. And he may be right at that! Said he felt that possibly I might defeat my own purpose, and there was no doubt but what I would bring disappointment to many others by trying to furnish information to them respecting oil, before that project was through. Do you get his line of reasoning? What do you think of it?
GD's note: There is no record of HLC's answer to the above letter. Perhaps he came home for a week-end and discussed the matter with EC rather than writing.
10/27/27 EC's letter to [4906]:-
My dear Mr. [4906]:-
Yours of the 17th came to me in due time, and I appreciate same more than you will possibly ever know. It has been my wholehearted desire, at all times, to use myself only in the way that would bring the most good to the greater number of people - but I think that you have shown me, Mr. [4906], that one even in their zeal may be so over anxious as to do the wrong thing when it is not meant in that way at all. I certainly take your letter in the way I FEEL it was meant - with all love, confidence and the desire to see that I keep in the straight and narrow way, even in the use and application of services toward those who are physically or mentally unable to help themselves. I think this is the way you meant it - at least that's the way I take it.
At the last minute the people from Louisiana failed to show up, though they had wired me for an appointment. I am writing them in this mail, laying the situation before them as best I know how, and when they do come I will do my best to interest them in the proper way as near as I know how in your undertaking there - for, as I see it, this should be the first, the foremost, and the ONLY consideration until this has been properly carried out in the way and manner as has been suggested for the best for all. I haven't as yet made any of the trips that I have had in mind. When I do, though, I will take the matter up with any that I feel may be interested and see what I can do towards it - towards helping the work along down that way. I certainly thank you for sending the map, and I possibly may - if I can get some of them really interested - have to ask you to send it to me again, wherever I am at that time. I certainly am in hopes that things are going along alright for you, and that you do not find it too great a hardship in carrying out the purpose in the way and manner you desire to do it - for I feel you are wholehearted in this proposition, and I feel too that you are going to succeed, even in a greater way than you have ever anticipated, and hoping that you will let me hear from you again - and with kindest personal regards from all, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD
Map enclosed
12/03/27 Mr. [4906]'s letter: "Well, the last time I wrote you I was 1522 feet deep and you said I would have less than 183 feet more of the Ellenburger... I guess you are right, for I have made the 183 feet lacking 13 feet. At 1673 I went out of the lime; that is, I believe I did. I had gotten more water at 1648 and the whole had filled up and was caving badly, yet it was hard to 1673 and then it let loose and would go 2 or 3 feet all at once, and I have drilled on with the hole full of water to a depth of 1692, and am in a sandy lime that looks very different from the Ellenburger proper. Don't forget I am carrying my hole 257 feet ahead. Everyone here is tickled to death that I have gone through the Ellenburger and have bought acreage from me like wildfire. I made a deal with Tom Murray, Jim McConnell, Will Henyard & Clarence Doffenmeyer to buy me 2100 feet 6 5/8 casing and 2700 feet of 5 3/16 inch which will cost right at $4,000 for 4-20 acre tracts 3/4 miles from the well, and 4-40 acre tracts 1-1/2 miles from the well. This all told makes only 240 acres for the 2 strings of pipe. Besides I have sold 60-40 acre tracts here in San Saba, besides 28,000 in the oil field. I bought 1/2 interest in Mrs. Julia A. Moore's royalty for $15,000; that is, if I get a well, and if I do not get a well I am to return the royalty to her. So she would not be affected in selling her land. She says she will sell if I should fail, but will hold on until I finish. She is real poorly, but doing as well as a person her age could be expected... I was out there today and she said, 'I do hope and pray you will get a well, Mr. [4906]. You have stuck and fought it through that lime when everyone to your back said you could never do it. I have been thinking I would write Mr. Cayce and get him to give me a reading but I thought you would not like it.' I told her I would be glad if she would do so. I know she wants it but she won't ask for she thinks she might be butting in on my business. So, old man, if it is alright I wish you would take a reading for her and send it to her. It would lighten the old lady's heart and strengthen her to hold on until I can finish the well. Ask these questions for her: (1) Will I get an oil well on my land where Mr. [4906] is drilling? (2) At what depth will I get it? and what size well will it be? (3) Have I leased my land to a man who will do good for poor people and help the sick and afflicted?
"Do this, Cayce, it will mean so much to her. I have been uneasy she might pass away before I can finish.
"Cayce, you said it would rain in the last portion of the month of October, and it did on the 30th and 31st, giving us water just as you said. It put some in the hole at the boiler, then up the creek; it filled it. So we have used it up now in the 2 holes except 3 days running, but up the creek about 125 yards farther is another hole that probably will last 3 weeks - then we are out again.
"Find out when we will get rain. Find out if my 6" pipe will go to bottom alright in this hole and shut off the water tight. Find out if I am running my 6-5/8 at the right depth, and if not what depth should I set it in order that I can carry the 6-5/8 hole to top of sand. Find out at what depth I should run my 5-3/16 inch pipe in order to do a perfect job in equipping the well. Find out if I should move the boiler back from where it is when I drill in, to prevent catching fire. Find out in what month I will be able to finish my well here.
"These are a lot of questions but, Cayce, they are the things I want to know. Let me have these, please, right back, for it will take 10 days or more to get the pipe, then if I should go a little farther, then I can do it while I am waiting on the pipe to come. I would hate to run it and then get a hole full of water right under it. I would have to undnean [?] and that is dangerous and expensive, as I would have to pull the pipe and straight ream; that is expensive, too. So rush the reading to me... I am carrying my well at total depth of 1949 as far as San Saba people are concerned. Cayce, I am not doing this to defraud anyone but in order to get people who promised me their leases and then laid down on me after $20,000 had been spent. I believe I can get them to come in on going deeper after 2750, my contract depth, is reached. You see, so far as their knowledge is concerned, I'll be 2750 before I am 2600 feet. But on doing this I would not ask for a single lease that had not been promised me squarely and honestly in the first place, and when I started depending on their promises... I am looking forward to the well coming in and then to your visit here, at which time I tell the world, but today no one ever connects me with you at all. Old man Barrows doesn't know what to think. He knows that there is no granite in Rocky Pasture at 1610. He calls you the dreamer and the faker. I do hope we get a well, I want to make a monkey out of him. I get so mad, yet it isn't my time to talk yet. Ralph Owens told me he knew who put the granite in the hole and saw them do it. It will be a happy day for me when I can tell the whole world and especially San Saba people that all the geology I had was Edgar Cayce, and a prayer that if I could pay my honest debts I would give all my fortune to help others, save a moderate living for my family and myself."
12/23/27 See 5628-7.