Edgar Cayce Readings, 5741-1

Time: Unknown.

TEXT

GKN: Tell us if there is any oil to be found in paying quantities.
EC: Yes, there is oil to be found here in paying quantities in different parts of this plat as we have it here. Will be found oil at different depths; we also get the lay of acres in the formation. This formation extends across this plat, towards sec. 34, coming across lower edge in horse shoe formation. Now we find this is not same formation as found in some places we have had¹ - runs from N.E. to S.W. then in loops as it is in formation - crosses here in sec. 35 and 53, 52 comes over both up and down you see. Depth from eastern edge to N. side will be shallower depth than western and southern; large production first from 1620 to 1900 see - see in depths that is feet, some 77,000 barley corns deep.
(Q) What volume production?
(A) Running in production, 10,000 to 40,000 Bbl per day necessitate casing and pile driving in beginning. Hard and cretatious formation through depths 8 to 9 hundred feet - caving formations shallow depth - harder formations shale or lime, western side of this would be some phosphorous formations carrying hevy (heavy) percent at deeper depth.
(Q) Do you mean ten thousand to forty thousand per day?
(A) Yes sir, that is per day. Gas or oil showing 1400 to 1620, then reaching to deeper depths. This will be a fair gravity oil and would be in some portions extra grade; if separated from water, the separation of these would make extra good.
The troubles encountered in drilling will be to separate between the salt base and the tidal effect on base showing water and oil. It is here in vast quantities, oil found only on the reef - west not so good as east.
(Q) What will be the cost to get to this oil.
(A) Many propositions to be considered. First, the cost of location regarding the ability to handle teams, and to move rig, etc., onto same first drilling standard, second rotary, until formation is understood. Will cost 30 to 40 thousand dollars with additional ten to 15 thousand for preparation and location - total 55 to 60 thousand for first well.
(Q) What will be the duration of these wells?
(A) Depends on location and care of wells. Will be from three weeks to three years, all floating oil and against the reef.
(Q) Any other details?
(A) No, we have oil here. All we have to do is get it.
(Q) Any plan to get oil out?
(A) Many plans, co'organized. Many individuals already interested in this part of the country, most of them in the north rather than for organizing. To develop, you can interest people in this district by geological reports of the Government, by what can be obtained from these, when shown to those who are able financially. Heaps of money will be poured in to it here. Get reports both local and government, then interest Capital interested in the development of their own country. Watch out for large corporations operating in this country, for they will get the oil and you will get the experience.
Formations here same as lower Cal. - much of same formation as Bull Buyou - same strata, much richer than those. Some of these wells, from 70 to 80 thousand per day. These will be 10 to 70 thousand. Follow this and you will get it.

¹ [No copy of earlier Reading(s) on file?]

BACKGROUND

All of sec. 19, Township 52 south, Range 35 east SW 1/4 sec. 20, Township 52 south, Range 35 east All of sec. 25 to 36 inclusive in Township 52 south, Range 35 east All of sec. 1 to 15 inclusive in Township 53 south, Range 35 east All of sec. 17 to 36 inclusive in Township 53 south, Range 35 east Containing in the aggregate 30,880 acres more or less.

REPORTS

5/16/21 J. F. Jaudon's letter to Miss Pratt:
Miss Pratt., 814 So. Orleans Ave., Tampa, Fla.
OFFICE OF J. F. JAUDON OFFICE ADDRESS: REPUBLIC BUILDING HOME ADDRESS: "BOUGAINVILLEA" 815 AVENUE I MIAMI, FLORIDA
My dear Miss Pratt:
Your father [of Miss W. S. Pratt] 'phoned the office and requested me to forward you the description of the land purchased by us and conveyed to the Miami Farms Co. Beg to comply with your request.
All of Section 19, Township 52 South, Range 35 E. SW 1/4 of Section 20, Township 52 South, Range 35 East. All of Sections 25 to 36 inclusive in Township 52 South, Range 35 East. All of Sections 1 to 15 inclusive, in Township 53 South, Range 35 East. All of Sections 17 to 36 inclusive, in Township 53 South, Range 35 East. Containing in the aggregate 30,880 acres, more or less.
I have secured the services of Mr. Zearing, and also have employed Jack Tigertail, the Seminole Indian to "pack" for us and with Mr. Goucher we will start Wednesday morning to make an examination and report on the land. I have an active buyer for about half of the tract and if this report appears satisfactory I think we can make a quick turn and a profit on a portion of the acreage.
I sincerely trust that you will have an enjoyable trip and with kindest personal regards, I am,
Yours very truly, JFJ:H
1/13/23 Miss Pratt's letter to EC:
Miami, Fla.
My dear Mr. Cayce,
I am now in a position to offer you a new and better proposition than the one made with the Miami Farms Co., June, 1920.
Am also in position to give further inducements on the other 5000 acres I wrote you of last. The Oil business here is moving quietly and yet [word unreadable?] and reports from various Everglade & Florida points are very encouraging.
Am also MOST glad to report Adelaide Thomas' improvement as VERY marked. [GD's note: No copy of reading on file if she had one.]
Please let me hear from you - wish you were here to take some of our lovely drives now. The weather is like June and one of the best seasons now on. A good time for you to come here if possible.
With best wishes, for you and yours from,
Yours very sincerely [signed] [Miss] W. S. Pratt
Address Mail P.O. Box 1294 Residence, 2323 NE 2nd Ave.
1/24/23 EC's letter to Miss Pratt:
Ansley Hotel Atlanta, Ga.
Miss W. S. Pratt, Box 1294, Miami, Fla.
Dear Miss Pratt:-
Have yours of the 13th instant, and was certainly very glad to hear from you. As you will see, I am gradually working my way down toward Miami, and may be able to get there most any time now. It is very interesting what you have to say regarding the propositions there, and within the next few weeks I believe I am going to be able to handle some of them for you. I will be glad if you will get any data that is possible regarding the developments in the Everglades relative to the oil situation. I know there was to have been a Company begin a well in Lee County, I believe it is, last April. Did they do anything with it? Or, have there been any further developments in the territory where they found the shallow oil? Have they completed the railroad? How about the Tamami Trail? Would there be a possibility of getting machinery into any of the lands there?
I am certainly glad to have your report on Miss Thomas. Do they live here at present? Would you let them know that I am here, as of course, I would be very glad to see them all again.
I thank you very much for letting me hear from you, and with this cold blizzard we have here at present I am sure I would enjoy very much the weather you must be having there.
Trusting that I may be able to hear from you again soon, and in the very near future be able to see you and go over these matters, I beg to remain,
Yours most sincerely, [EC]
6/24/24 EC's letter to Miss Pratt:
Miss W. S. Pratt, Box 1294, Miami, Fla.
My dear Miss Pratt:-
It been quite some time since I had any word from you. In fact, I don't believe I've heard from you since I saw you in New York. I would like very much to know how conditions are there, if you still feel there is any chance for development of the properties along the lines that we have talked, and conditions in general.
Hoping this finds you quite well and that I may have an early reply, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:gd
7/16/26 See 5741-2 in re Dade Co., Florida.
See Source File Key #5741 for Map of a section of Florida taken from Encyclopaedia Britannica WORLD ATLAS, C. S. Hammond & Co., N.Y.C., 1942 re 5741-1.