FROM DAYS GONE BY May 1, 1920

May 1, 1920.

An unmistakeable evidence of crude oil beneath the earth in Johnson County has been discovered on the lands of Mr. Ed R. Spell just 5 miles west of Wrightsville, and 150 yards off the Mason's bridge to Dublin, just beyond the home of Mr. W. H. Raley. For two months the seepage in two places have been closely watched and examined. Tests have been made, oil men have come from Texas, Louisiana and other oil sections of the country and each of them have declared the presence of petroleum and other crude oils there in abundant quantity. It can be seen, tasted and smelled. It has creeped out and ran off with the small streams and stopped on the naked earth where its plainly visable.
Oil is there somewhere and it would appear in large quantities. Neither is the discovery a late one. Twenty or more years before a well on top of the hill nearby had to be filled up because the bread and biscuits made from this well water could not be eaten on account of the presence of the oil in the water. It tasted and smelled much as do gas and kerosene. Another well was sunk on the same hill with the same result and was filled from the same cause.
A month ago when the adjoining field just across the road from the first seepage was being plowed for the first time and a fence furrow opened up, the odor from the oil was distinctly observed for a long distance up and down the lane. The hole in the side of the ditch shows more plainly than does the one across the hill in the branch, although the latter place has three seepages in a fifteen foot space. In the first hole it boils up, the oil being prominently detected, and then where it runs down with the escaping water, deposits are noticed on the side and in the nooks and corners of the small stream oil is there.
Mr. Spell says he has noticed the evidence for some time, even a year or more, but only recently did he conclude to make any search, which have disclosed these revelations, which are considered marvelous, in that it is claimed now under some positive proof that these seepages are the best evidence of petroleum discovered anywhere in Georgia. A large quantity has been sent to chmists in Atlanta with favorable results.
It is speculated that Johnson County is to be a rich county and some of her people vastly so. Actual development is being planned for wells to be installed once full knowledge of the existence is confirmed.
Judge Kent suspended court on account of farmers being so far behind with crops. Dr. Gordon Brantley goes to Chicago for another medical course. C. C. Blankenship is taking a course in optometry. L. E. Parker opened a store in the building vacated by the Farmers Bank.
A mass meeting is being called for all colored people to attend a meeting of Republicans at the court house. Mr. George Maddox lost his nine year old invalid son on April 22nd. A little son arrived on April 24th to Mr. & Mrs. J. F. Renfroe. Mr. & Mrs. C. D. Thompson lost their infant baby last Saturday night.
The price of gasoline continues to move upward and riding on rubber costs more than ever. With gas at 50 cents, which is being predicted, riding will be done mostly as a necessity. Buster Brown and Tige are coming to Wrightsville on May 13th. They will bring joy to all the children.