799 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
CHAPTER III.
FUEL.
IN the rapid progress of improvement and development, the civilized world has met many great changes in the ways and means for the promotion of comfort and the prosecution of industries. Togo back to the rude conditions of man's outset, and follow his progress through the manifold stages of the advance to the present attainment, would involve too much space for the purposes of the present writing.
The element of human progress now most important is fuel. More than ever before, is this true as to domestic life ; but far more true, as to the great departments of manufactures, trade and commerce. This fact has been for many years slowly forcing itself to the front, and with such success, that to-day, above all other means to wealth and power, it challenges recognition. While water-falls and air-currents, in their various modes of application, furnished the only available force for moving machinery, the uses of fuel were pretty much confined to the needs of domestic life. During the past half century, however, these conditions have been radically changed. Mechanical industries, for ages centering about water-falls and other available forces of nature, have now almost wholly abandoned such dependence, for the more ready resources of the great agency of steam, the product of fuel. This change has been specially active during the past 30 years. Its progress is indicated by the tables of the United States census for 1870 and 1880. By these, it is shown that during the period last stated, while water wheels had increased in number 8.60 per cent., and horse-power 8.40 per cent in the United States, steam-power increased 91.08 per cent. In 1870, water-power and steam were nearly equal, being, respectively, 48.18 and 51.82 per cent.; whereas, in 1880, water had fallen to 35.93, while steam had risen to 64.07 per cent a loss of over 25 per cent by the former. These figures are highly significant. They indicate that, with no intervention to check this race of forces, the next census will probably give them the relations of 20 and 80.
As water-power for ages was the only motor for machinery, and by its location compelled industries to come to it; so, of recent years, has coal, recognized as best of steam-producing fuel, held like control over mechanical industries. Advantage in the cost of coal, has made many Cities-notably Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Accepting such condition as permanent, other Cities have sought, so far as was practicable, to secure the same great agency in progress. Among these, was Toledo. The success in such effort has been notable, as shown by the rapid increase in the coal supply gained, which has placed that City abreast the most favored on the chain of Lakes. Such advantage has been supposed to be permanent with localities thus favored, since fuel better or cheaper than coal has not been regarded as possible. This assumption, however, must be taken with some allowance. While the use of coal for heating and for steam must, to greater or less extent, continue, the supremacy of the article, manifestly, must be surrendered-at least in large districts of this country. Gas is now challenging combat in that field-partly from the reservoir of Nature, now being drawn upon with such signal success, and partly from the various processes of manufacture employed by human skill. These various sources combined will soon largely subject coal, as fuel, to a subordinate position.
Not only is gas supplanting coal as fuel, but it is at the same time taking the place of steam as power. Few persons yet have a just appreciation of the great revolution in progress, which, in its attendant benefits and ultimate results, is to reach every department and interest of civilization. Gas for heat and gas for power-gas in the cooking and the heating stove, and gas in the engine-is soon to be the welcome successor of wood and coal in the one case, and of steam in the other. The extent of revolution in human industry involved in such change cannot, at this birthday of the new agent, be safely conjectured. But sufficient is known to indicate something of coming results. In no other department of human progress has been wrought a change more radical or more important than is that promised in this case, as a comparatively short period of time seems certain to show.
In the consideration of this matter, most persons regard it as an affair chiefly, if not wholly, concerning parties employing large amounts of power, as in the great manufacturing establishments of the land. This is a serious mistake. As the use of both water-power and steam tended to concentrate industries at favorable points and in the hands of capitalists, the substitution of gas will operate to diffuse industries and bring them within the reach of limited capital, and even into households with moderate means. It is difficult to conceive of the uses for power-whether by the manufac-
800 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
tory, the railway or the steamship, or in propelling the sewing machine and other simple agencies of home industry-in which gas is not to be a common agent.
From the view here taken. it will appear that the beneficial results to be derived from the introduction of gas, as both fuel and power, are to be more general than has been supposed. The departments of industries requiring large supplies of both these agencies, will be greatly benefited, as a matter of course; and thereby manufacturing will be accordingly promoted, especially at points, like Toledo, possessing superior advantages for the distribution of' products. Not less, certainly, in its good conferred, will gas help many of the industrial classes to employments both satisfactory and more remunerative than those now possessed,
Something will be seen of what has already been accomplished in the production of artificial gas, from the following statement of results
1. Water Gas. It has been shown that 50,000 to 100,000 cubic feet of this article can be produced with the use of one ton of coal, according to the effectiveness of the apparatus. Coal at current rates, with a fair allowance for plant and other expenses, would make the cost of this gas not more than 10 cents per 1,000 cubic feet at Toledo. Of this article, the report of the judges at the Novelties Exhibition, of 1885, at Philadelphia, says: " Water gas, made by the interaction of steam and carbon it a high temperature and composed essentially of hydrogen and carbonic oxide, has been known and employed for many years. It is only, however, of late years, that the difficulties in the way of its successful commercial introduction have been practically removed." The report further states, that as the result of recent improvements in production, " the problem of introducing it as a fuel for domestic and industrial purposes, can be no longer considered as unsolved." For use as fuel, the water gas is said to be at least the equal of natural gas, but is not useful for illuminating purposes.
2 Combined Hydrogen and Carbonic-Oxide Gas. This article has heretofore been known as Fuel Water-Gas, from which it differs in few respects, chiefly as to the proportions of elements. The extent of its real value has not as yet been fully determined ; but it is counted among the important kinds of fuel gas. It has been ascertained that 5,000 cable feet of it may be produced with 100 pounds of anthracite coal, or 100,000 cubic feet of it to the net ton of coal. At this rate, it should be manufactured in Toledo for eight cents per 1,000 cubic feet. Anthracite Gas. This article may be produced from either coal or the waste of coal (known as "calm "). At the mine, the cost of producing it, is placed at 1.80 cents per 1,000 feet. The items of expense there are : One ton of waste. 50 cents ; handling same, 30 cents; expenses of plait, $1.00; total for 100,000 feet, $1.80 ; or 1.80 cents per 1,000. The difference between this cost and that of the same article at Toledo, would be the amount of freight charges on the material to that City, which would be about $2.00 per ton. This would make the cost of the gas produced there, $3.80 per 100,000 cubic feet, or 3.8 cents per 1,000 feet. The process in making this gas, consists in pulverizing the coal to an extreme degree of fineness, and blowing it into the combustion chamber, where it is ignited and burned while floating in the air.
4. Petroleum Gas. Accepting the theory, that natural gas is produced by the passage of air through bodies of petroleum, and is found in reservoirs above such oil deposits an Ohio inventor, J. J. Johnston, of Columbiana, Ohio, in 1886, patented a process based upon such theory. His plan consists in forcing air through crude petroleum contained in six iron cylinders. This is clone with an air-pump. After passing the cylinders, the air (now converted into gas and ready for use) is conducted into a gasometer. The inventor claims, that by his process. gas can be made at from one to two cents per 1,000 feet. For either illuminating or heating purposes, it is said to be superior to natural gas. The apparatus for its manufacture occupies little room, and can be set up wherever desired. The patentee also states that, from a single barrel of crude oil, e has produced 450,000 cubic feet of gas of the quality stated ; and that the material left was worth, for purposes of lubrication as much as the original cost of the oil. Should thorough test of this invention at all justify these extraordinary claims, the importance of 'Mr. Johnston's invention could now hardly be estimated.
As indicating something of the comparative values of fuel in mass and in the form of gas, the following table, showing the results of careful scientific tests, is given here:
Gas from
One lb. Coal. One lb. Coal.
In Crucible Furnaces.
Per cent of heat utilized 3 ½ 90
Available heat (units) 455 7246
In large Blast Furnace.
Per cent. of heat utilized 36 90
Available heat (units) 4680 7246
In Domestic Use.
Per cent. of heat utilized 10 90
Available heat (units) 1300 7246
These figures will be a surprise to all readers who have never given the subject special examination. The fact that to this time 90 per cent. of fuel has been wasted in use. seems almost incredible ; and yet, such is the declaration of science. It is further claimed, upon like authority, that the waste of' power in the steam engine, is nearly as great as above shown in the matter of heat, which will mostly be saved by the gas engine. It is further stated, as the result of experience, that such are the advantages of gas over coal, that if' the consumer pay an average of 40 cents per 1,000 cubic feet for gas, the cost to him will be no more than coal at average prices.
The writer is not unmindful of the fact, that the real test of the view here presented, in practical results, is for the future. To what extent such trial may justify the view taken, remains to be seen. And yet, it has been deemed proper that the fuels here given be placed on record, for comparison with those hereafter to transpire.
NATURAL GAS AND OIL
The marvelous growth of manufacturing enterprises in Northwestern Ohio in 1886, '87 and '87, was due to the discovery of high-pressure Natural Gas at Findlay in 7884. At that (late that article was being used for fuel in many
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localities in Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. Its introduction and use in Pittsburgh on a large scale for two or three years, had turned the attention of the manufacturing world to that City. The cheapness of the new fuel; the economy resulting from different factors in its use ; the improvement in quality of the manufactured products, combined to give decided advantage to centers fortunate enough to secure it, and to make competition seem almost hopeless to the localities outside of its boundaries.
The credit of the discovery of natural gas in Findlay, appears to be largely due to one man -Dr. Charles Oesterlin. Gas was known to be in the ground from the first settlement of the County. In digging wells, cisterns, or sewers ; and in springs and rock crevices, inflammable gas had been found for 50 years. This gas was absorbed by the water of wells and springs, which thereby were rendered unpleasant or unfit for use. Explosions frequently occurred in sewers and cellars from accidental ignition of accumulated gas; and its presence was looked upon as an evil to be endured, or a nuisance that could not easily be abated. In Prof. Winchell's report upon the geology of Hancock County, in 1872, mention was made of the interesting fact, that Jacob Carr had, for a number of years, lighted his house on Main Street with gas collected from wells on his premises. Dr. Oesterlin had long been interested in this gas phenomenon, and had time and again endeavored to interest his fellow-townsmen in the matter, but without success, until the introduction of gas at Pittsburgh had caused that City's wonderful growth to become familiar to the newspaper-reading public. In the early summer of 1884 he succeeded in interesting a few of his fellow-citizens in his plans, when $4,000 was raised with which to drill for gas. A site was selected about a mile East of the Town, upon land owned by Dr. Oesterlin, where he had, for many years, noticed a strong odor in the midst of 'a little grove. Ten or twelve years before he had caused a small hole to be dug there, and had inserted in this an empty barrel, with a piece of tile-pipe in the top. The gas collected in then barrel, and when lighted at the end of the hype burned freely and continuously for weeks.
In drilling the well, "pockets " of gas were encountered at 516, 618, 640, and 718 feet depth; but the main body, or reservoir, was not reached until the drill had sunk 1,096 feet, and then it was discovered in Trenton limestone, four feet below its upper surface. The gas came with force enough to run an engine when turned into it, instead of steam. When lighted from a stand-pipe, an immense flame shot up with a deafening roar and was visible 10 or 15 miles away. The flow of gas was not measured, but was estimated to be about 250,000 cubic feet daily, issuing from the stand-pipe under a pressure of 390 to 400 pounds to the square inch.
Another well was drilled early in 1885, and the history of the pioneer well was repeated in almost every particular. The gas was at once turned into the City mains. In drilling the third well, the gas-bearing rock was found a few feet lower, and the capacity was found by measurement to be 80,000 cubic feet per day. The fourth well was drilled 1,200 feet before Trenton rock was reached, and was found to yield several times as much gas as the largest already drilled. For the first time Findlay had now secured a fairly vigorous flow of gas. An anemometer measurement taken at this time showed that 1,296,000 cubit feet was escaping each day. Very soon oil began to appear with the gas, and in the course of a few months the well was producing four to five barrels of oil daily, while the flow of gas was reduced, and in two years it was valued more for its oil than for its gas.
By the first of April, 1886, there had been drilled 17 wells in and immediately around Findlay. Two of these were failures. All of the others were productive, 11 yielding dry gas, and four yielding gas and oil. Of the 11 wells yielding gas alone, one became the wonder of the country. The "Karg Well," which was completed January 20, 1886, gave a measured yield of over 12,000,000 cubic feet daily; and until the discovery of the "Simons Well," in the Bloomville field, it was the largest gas well in Ohio.
The rock-pressure in the first wells registered 400 to 450 pounds; but in later times this was reduced to about 375 pounds. All wells reach this mark when closed-the large wells in a short time, the "Karg" for example, in 1 minutes; the smaller wells requiring, perhaps, hours. The same line of facts obtain in other Ohio gas fields. The large and the small producers meet together on a common ground, so far as pressure is concerned.
From these successes in Findlay every ambitious Town in Northwestern Ohio was incited to send down the drill and see if this wonderful product was not lying under its
802 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
fields, only awaiting the advent of the drill that it might be made known. It so happened that Bowling Green, which quickly saw the value of Findlay's discovery, was successful in finding a moderate supply of gas; while Lima, Allen County, was next heard from in finding oil. The record of the drilling at Bowling Green shows an almost exact correspondence with the records of the Findlay wells. The first vigorous well was secured about one mile South of the Town-one with capacity of 1,000,000 feet per day. Two miles farther South, at Portage, another good supply was found at about the same time.
A large addition was made to the gas field in May, 1886, by the discovery of gas at Bloomdale, Wood County, seven miles west of Fostoria, 10 miles Northeast of Findlay. Trenton rock was reached at a depth of 1,115 feet. The Bloomville field occupies the East side of Henry Township, a large part of Bloom Township, Wood County, and the Southern portion of Perry Township. It begins at North Baltimore and extends to the water-tanks, six miles West of Fostoria. In this section the largest well is the "Simons," which yielded 12,000,000 cubic feet of gas from the casing the day after the well was completed. The largest well in the Northern Ohio field is that in Van Buren, Hancock County, drilled by Conroy Johnson, which, six weeks after the flow was struck, yielded 15,000,000 cubic feet of gas every 24 hours.
It was very soon a fact, that hardly a farm in Hancock and Wood Counties had not been explored by the drill. Here a gas well was building up a. Town-there an oil well was paying a large daily revenue to its owners. A new class of men became known to the community-men to lease or secure the right of drilling on the farms. They would agree to drill a well within a certain specified time, and give one-eighth of the product to the owner; or, if they failed in this, would pay a yearly rental for the privilege of having control of the farm. Wonderful wells were discovered, only to be eclipsed by others more wonderful. Land that had been considered dear at $50 per acre for farming purposes, sold at $500 per acre, and even at $1,000, because of the discovery in the neighborhood of oil or gas. The derrick of the drill was seen on every hand, and though immense sums of money were sunk in failures, the successes were frequent, and occasionally so exceedingly profitable, that at this date the work of drilling is going on with increased vigor.
The gas field may now fairly be said to be well defined; yet, there may be equally as great surprises in store in the future as were in the past. No wells of very large capacity have been yet discovered in Lucas County. Drilling at North Toledo, Java, Sylvania, Air Line Junction, in Toledo, Monclova, and White House, have discovered only " dry holes." The Waterville field has produced wells with large capacity, but as yet not equal to the larger wells in Wood and Hancock Counties. The results in Ottawa, Sandusky and Williams Counties are similar to those in Lucas. Gas has occasionally been struck, but only in comparatively small quantities, and the wells are of but local importance.
The discoveries made in gas and oil in Northern Ohio were of intense interest to the people of Toledo. Each new well discovered seemed to be bringing these treasures of nature closer to her borders, and to offer greater hopes that the drill would soon prove that gas was within her limits. If these hopes should he realized, it meant wonderful growth for the City. What was seen of the effects of natural gas in Pittsburg, would be seen on even larger scale in Toledo. Her natural advantages were superior to those of Pittsburg in every point. She had superior Railroad connections, and was better center from which to ship her wares and was better situated for raw materials Pittsburg's great advantage, heretofore, ha been, first, her cheap coal, and then her natural gas; but Toledo, with gas beneath her might boldly enter the field and bid for manufactures, against not only Pittsburg, but agains the Union.
Steps taken toward testing gas deposits were very slow. Everybody wondered why someone did not put the drill in motion, but no on seemed ready to put his own money in the venture. The first to begin the test, was Horace S. Walbridge, of the Maumee Rolling Mill Company, East Toledo. He proposed, as th matter was largely one in which the whol City was interested, the Common Council pa a part of the expense of the experimental work. If gas was discovered in paying quantities, the money so advanced to be refunded t the City. This was agreed to, and in the fall of 1885 drilling was started near the Rolling Mill. At a depth of 660 feet, gas was struck i small quantities, and the well shot. The increase was so slight that drilling was continue to 1,490 feet, where small amounts of gas an oil were found, and the well was again shot with dynamite. The result was failure, and 1,500 feet the drill found salt water. A second well was drilled in the vicinity with simil result. The drill found very hard limestone to the depth of' 550 feet; then slate (hard an and soft) to 1,490 feet, the rock at that point being like flint. Matters rested here for so months, but many projects were suggested. was felt that the failure in East Toledo simply proved that the locality chosen was an u favorable one, and that the question was still open.
In the spring of 1886, a Company, consisting of C. A. King, D. R. Locke, J. F. Kumle Henry Kahlo, M. J. Enright, P. H. Dowling,
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and others, organized under the name of the Citizens' Natural Gas Company, of Toledo, for the purpose of drilling for gas and piping the City. Contracts were made for drilling a well at Air Line Junction, that appearing to be, from surface indications, a favorable point. The result of drilling was anxiously awaited, and the well was abandoned at a depth of about 1,600 feet.
After this experience there was disinclination for farther trials, and negotiations were opened by which the Company sold its charter, City ordinances and franchises to Col. Lemert, of Bucyrus, and Ex-Gov. Charles Foster. These gentlemen were successful in inducing the Standard Oil Company, of Cleveland, to become interested in the project with them, and the Northwestern Natural Gas Company, of Toledo, was organized on the charter purchased from the Citizens' Natural Gas Company. Of this Company Charles Foster was elected President; J. E. Wilkison, Secretary and Treasurer; H. S. Corwin, Superintendent; and John H. Doyle, Attorney.
In August, 1886, five Toledo citizens-James Blass, Wm. H. Maher, J. D. Cook, John Cummings, and Milton Taylor, organized the Toledo Natural Gas Company with a capital of $100,000, and secured the passage of a City ordinance permitting them to drill for gas, to pipe the Streets, and to furnish gas to consumers. The Company elected Milton Taylor, President; John Cummings, Vice President; Wm. H. Maher, Secretary; and James Blass, Treasurer. These gentlemen had no intention of drilling for gas within the limits of Toledo, but to pipe it, from the Wood County gas fields.
After the discovery of oil in these fields, the oil men of Pennsylvania had hastened to Ohio and began leasing land and drilling for oil. When, instead of oil, the drill disclosed gas, the result was serious disappointment. They had no way of utilizing this product, and so large a share of their leases was proving gasland, they began to search for an outlet for gas, by which they might realize something for their drilling and leases. Toledo was naturally the point to which they turned, when it was seen that no gas was found there. In this field, representing a syndicate of Pennsylvania Oil Refineries, were T. J. Vandegrift and F. H. Aiken, of Jamestown, New York. Communication was opened with the Toledo Natural Gas Company in January, 1887, and a basis arrived at by which the syndicate they represented would unite with the Toledo stockholders and pipe gas from Bloom Township, Wood County, to Toledo. The Company reorganized, electing L. H. Smith, of New York City, President; John Cummings, Vice President; W. F. Crane, Secretary and Treasurer; J. A. Lambing, Superintendent; and James M. Brown, Attorney.
Two Companies were thus in the field. The Northwestern had also secured franchises from the Cities of Fostoria, Fremont and Tiffin, and began piping gas from the Bairdstown district -first to Fostoria, reaching there early in the Winter of 1886-7. Fremont was the next objective point, gas being turned on there in the early Summer of 1887. Early in the year iron pipes were sent to Toledo and distributed along the streets, much to the delight of the citizens, who impatiently longed for natural gas. One morning in March this feeling of gratification was still further heightened by seeing four or five hundred men, with picks and shovels, begin to tear up Tenth Street, from Jefferson to Adams; and these followed by other gangs to lay pipes in the trenches. These were the advance guard of the Northwestern Company, and from that time onward through the Summer, men were at work piping the Streets of the City. It was noticed that the Northwestern Company began its work at Monroe Street as its Southern limit, and from there went always North. When the Toledo Company began to distribute its pipe, it was seen that it made Monroe Street its North ern boundary, and from there piped Southward; so,it was claimed, that a division of territory of the City had been made, so that there would in reality be no competition in prices.
During the Summer both Companies employed large gangs of men, probably 1,500 in all, at good wages, and the work of laying pipes progressed rapidly. The trenches were three to four feet deep, just enough to avoid action of heat and cold in contracting and expanding the wrought iron of which the pipes were made. The, joints were made tight by iron thimbles ; and the whole work, under skilled overseers, was done rapidly.
While this was being done in the City, other gangs were laying the main pipes from the gas field to the City. The Toledo Company had chosen its route by way of Perrysburg, crossing the Maumee River on the County bridge to Maumee, and thence direct to Toledo; its main line being 36 miles long. The Northwestern Company laid its main line direct from Bloomdale, Wood County, to East Toledo, crossing under the Maumee River, and coming into the City at the foot, of Oak Street ; this main line being 34 miles long.
Great was the joy of the people of Toledo, when, in August, 1887, the City being crowded with strangers in attendance on the Republican State Convention, a standpipe, 120 feet high, erected on the corner of St. Clair and Madison Streets, was lighted, and the brilliant sheet of fire from natural gas shot toward the heavens. It was an eventful night for Toledo, and men went home congratulating each other upon the glorious dawn of prosperity that natural gas assured them,
804 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
During all these months, there were many who believed that the question of gas being under Toledo had never been fully tested. They claimed that the well at Air Line Junction proved nothing-not even that gas was not there, for the drill was taken out before salt water was reached. The Toledo Gas and Oil Development Company was organized to drill in the vicinity of Toledo until the question of gas was settled beyond doubt, and then work towards the known gas fields. Such Company was composed entirely of Toledo men; shares were $20 each; and work was begun in the Summer of 1887, by sinking a well at Manhattan. Small pockets of gas were discovered at various depths, and were the occasion of much hope to all concerned. A small amount of gas was found at a depth of 500 feet; but the drill eventually went into salt water, and the well was a failure. Another was soon begun in the same section; but again the drillers reached salt water and found no gas, except traces. It then seemed demonstrated that natural gas, in paying quantities, was not to be found under the City, and after April, 1888, further attempts in that direction had not been made. Gas was turned in the pipes by the two Companies August 10, 1887. The main pipe of the Northwestern Company is 10 inches in diameter and 34 miles long. The average rock pressure at the mouth of the wells is about 390 pounds to the square inch. By friction, &c., this is reduced to about 200 pounds at the City limits.
To produce proper combustion, the gas is largely mixed with air, and the appliance at the mouth of stove or furnace connection is so perforated that the gas takes in many times its balk of air. This appliance is called a " Mixer," and the rate of charges is based upon the size of the Mixer in use. These prices are given in detail below, but for the purpose of comparison and explanation, it may be said, that the saving in cost in an ordinary heating or cooking stove, over hard coal at $5.00 per ton, is estimated at 25 per cent. With furnaces the saving was much greater, ranging from 30 to 50 per cent.; while for public buildings and factories it was equally large. In addition to this saving on the cost of coal, factories did away with the large expense of handling fuel and cinders, and with their firemen. The task of piping buildings was such that probably not over one fourth of the City used gas in the Winter of 1887-88. The Gas Companies brought gas free to the curb, beyond that the consumer paying for piping. This was an expense ranging from $20 upwards, and deterred many from the use of the new fuel.
Below is the schedule of prices under which gas was furnished; a discount of 10 per cent. being made on these rates, if paid monthly in advance:
The No. 5 Mixer is commonly used for domestic purposes.
Rates for heating hotels, stores, halls, etc., not included in the following schedule.
Annual contracts are payable in six monthly installments, commencing with the date of connection, between November 1st and May 1st, and continuing to April 1st, and commencing again at November 1st, if necessary to complete six monthly installments. If connections under annual contracts are made after May 1st, but previous to November 1st, then such monthly payments shall begin November 1st and continue to April 1st.
Half rates on grates and open stoves where boilers or furnaces are used for heating.