A Crude King

(from Times Herald, Olean NY, Supplement on Thursday, August 19, 1993 - "New York State Oil Producers Association 75th Anniversary & 50th Producers Clambake)

From Andover News, Andover NY

April 4, 1940

April 11, 1940

April 18, 1940

April 25, 1940

May 9, 1940

Photos Supplied by Georgana Cochran, daughter of Karney

"Working the oil fields then could be exciting, especially in 1940, when the company was drilling for gas on the Crandall farm, near Whitesville. Karney's job was to stay there on the hill and monitor the well before they were able to get it under control. The drilling crossed a fault line and went wild, for there was not yet any pipe in the hole. Gas spewed for days, eventually followed by sale water, before the well was brought under control enough gas was lost to supply 6800 homes for a year!"

Below is a photo of the well on the Crandall Farm in all it's blowing glory....

The photo below shows the workmen on at the Crandall Farm well trying to shut in the gas well without a lot of success.

Karney Cochran is at the far right. The other workmen are unknown.

Sam Crandall Well, mildly spewing gas, 1940