Struck Oil

[T. Sackett]

     STRUCK OIL


     Oil was struck in well No. 2 at Longton, last Thursday night.  The well was shot Monday afternoon and our information by phone is that they have a good ten barrel well of good oil.  Hurrah for Longton!

DELAY at HOWARD

     Early Sunday morning the drillers of Howard well No.2 lost the bit in the well.  It was soon recovered.
     But the threads on both the drill bit and stem were so badly damaged that they had to be taken to Independence to get them fixed.  The accident occurred at a depth of 1300 feet, where it is believed oil is not far off.  Work has been resumed this afternoon so we have been told.  Every body is anxious.

     Elk County Citizen, on February 11, 1903

[W. Gray]

Five years after the "Delay at Howard," Howard Hughes, Sr, invented and received a patent on a revolutionary new superior drill bit that was not as prone to damage.

When senior died, multi million dollar royalties from that drill bit is what initially financed Howard Hughes, Jr, rise to fame as a pioneer aviator, globe trotter, playboy, and Katherine Hepburn live in.