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Oil
Field Humor by
Fred B. McKinley
Who says that oil, wool—and sheep manure don’t mix? |  |
Most
everyone has heard of the “Lucas Gusher,” which ushered in the great Spindletop
Oil Field at Beaumont,
Texas on January 10, 1901. The original field, however, peaked in 1902; and
by 1924, annual production fell to less than 352,000 barrels.
What has
gone almost unnoticed is the fact that on November 14, 1925, a “Second Spindletop”
strike occurred — one that would completely overshadow the first. A small, relatively
unknown Yount–Lee Oil Company, led by Miles
Frank Yount, used modern deep-drilling methods, exceeding depths of 3,550
feet, to gain access to the elusive Black Gold. The enterprise, which grew to
be the largest independent in the United States in its day, rivaled industry giants
such as the Texas Company (Texaco) and Gulf Oil. After Yount’s death in November
1933, however, the heirs and stockholders in less than two years sold the company
assets to Stanolind, a division of Standard Oil, for a whopping $41 million, which
then represented the third largest financial transaction in the country’s history.
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| But during
its heyday and with its oil storage tanks filled to the limit, Yount–Lee was ever
concerned about the safety of its huge investment. The tank farm covered some
640 acres, and the presence of high grass and weeds created a fire hazard. In
order to resolve the problem, sheep were brought in; and after a fairly short
period, the herd increased to about 1,301 head. During one of Frank Yount’s inspection
tours in August 1931, he pointed out to P. R. Mitchell, tank farm superintendent,
that the corporate charter called for oil exploration—not the raising of sheep.
Yount also noted that a large lamb crop of about 600 was anticipated.
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In a joking manner, Mitchell remarked to his boss, “Well, in the first place,
they’re working for us, and in regard to the lambs, I can’t help what they [the
adults] do after working hours.” The industrious Mitchell also mentioned that
over 4,700 pounds of wool had been marketed at 9 ½ cents a pound, and that sheep
manure was bringing $30 a ton. The enterprise provided 15 to 30 tons of manure
each month.
Who says that oil, wool—and sheep manure don’t mix? |
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