American Association for the Advancement of Science Visits Muncie, Indiana

NATURAL GAS!

The Indiana Field the

Greatest in Extent!

MUNCIE,

The Centre, Visited To-Day

by Members of the

American Association for the

Advancement of Science.

Learned Professors, Profound

Reasoners, Thoughtful and

Scientific Men and Women

Studying the Origin of Nature's

Greatest Gift to a Prosperous

People,

NATURAL GAS!

In Wonder and Amazement They Hear

The Shrill Shriek of the Hidden

Treasure as it Bursts forth from

Trenton Rock and sends its

Forked Flames an Hundred

Feet High.

General Conclusion that Nature's

Storehouse is Never Exhausted.

Gentlemen, and members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Muncie welcomes you cordially. Your preferment comes from conquests in fields that virtue seeks, and

"Whoe'er excels in what we prize,

Appears a hero in our eyes."

We have assured that those who have fathomed ocean's depths and explored the mysteries of the Heavens, will discover the key that unlocks the mysterious vault where nature with unsparing energy prepares the subtle "fluid" and forges the frightful power that sends it from the depths to vast reservoirs within the reach of man, whose servant it becomes. Thrice welcome, gentlemen, for it is to scientific research that we must look at last for the solution of the deeply hidden mysteries of nature. And as "one science only will one genius fit" may it prove in your company you bear the genius to whom is delegated the high honor of solving the mystery of Natural Gas — that science may be vindicated and all mankind benefited. Again, we welcome you to Magic Muncie, the heart of the great Indiana gas field.

The society known as the American Association for the Advancement of Science is composed of leading literary and scientific people of the United States. The subject of Natural Gas is one that has occupied the thoughtful consideration of the geologist, the scientist, and the journalist for ages, but the question has occupied the minds of the thoughtful scientific people more during the past ten years — since its practical use in the United States — than ever before, and the citizens of Indiana have been especially interested since the Indiana field, embracing a territory of 26,000 square miles is conceded to be the most extensive as well as the most productive natural gas territory in the world. The citizens of Muncie are especially interested, as Muncie and Delaware county are very near the center of this territory, and Muncie has the honor and pride of being the largest city within the territory.

The scientist has given his opinion, the orator has portrayed the beauties and benefits, the journalist has written, and the poet has sung of the advantages of natural gas and none of them have overdrawn the picture. So much has been said that we may well ask the question, "what shall we say more?" And to-day we ask our distinguished and learned visitors who are in a better position to give a more intelligent answer than any of us, What is natural gas? What produces it? When did the production begin, and how long will it last? Aside from the general knowledge that natural gas was discovered in China more than a century ago, and that it had been discovered and put to practical use in the United States, very little was known about it until November 11th, 1886, when the word was quickly taken up and passed from mouth to mouth in every house, workshop, and factory, "We have struck gas." The enterprising prospectors had been rewarded, and the gushing gas well was soon sending up its forked flames to the wonder and admiration of the citizens, not only of this place but of the State as well, for it was believed if this was gas territory, already the most rich and prosperous in the State for agricultural pursuits, that a new era of prosperity would soon dawn upon this garden spot of Indiana, and that in addition to our agricultural wealth, the riches that come from the hammer and forge, would come to our prosperous and happy people.

The fondest and brightest expectations of enterprising citizens have been realized. The "gusher" of November 11th, 1886, still continues to gush in all its brightness and strength. Scores of other well have come to mingle their rays of light with the first well's bright light, and in NO INSTANCE — not one — has there been a failure to find gas in paying quantities anywhere within the borders of this county, and ever township has been explored. A well is sunk with as much confidence as in former years the pick was struck into the earth to obtain the water necessary for man and beast. The gas has been put to practical use, homes are heated and lighted with it, factories have been built, and where the number of employees were but hundreds, now they are counted by the thousands. The beautiful little town of 5,000 inhabitants at that date now numbers 12,266, and the skilled mechanics and laboring men are counted now by the thousands. For three years this is a great transformation scene, but it exists in the living reality as you can see for yourselves.

Delaware county is the pioneer county in the discovery of natural gas, the first well having been developed at Eaton, a small town twelve miles northeast of Muncie. That well is still showing the strength it did when first developed, furnishing gas for the residences, stores, and offices of all the citizens of the town of nine hundred inhabitants, besides supplying fuel to run several manufacturing establishments.

It is the common saying, "if you want to hear the news, go away from home." In nothing is this more true than regards natural gas. Get away from the gas fields and gas experts are found on every hand. Hence, all the absurd, silly and nonsensical stories imaginable are set afloat. We presume these stories have their effect, especially on the credulous for whom they are manufactured.

Since the boundaries of the gas field are so well defined, not withstanding its immense area, it is very small compared with the outside that have not the remotest possibility of ever deriving any benefit from this most wonderful force of nature. It is not at all strange that many can see nothing but evil and calamity by its introduction.

It requires considerable breadth of view and comprehension for communities to govern themselves wholly by State or National pride when much that enters into the make-up of State or National greatness is at the sacrifice of localities containing nothing remarkable in their character.

The wonderful effects of natural gas and the uses to which it is applicable, create outside of the gas belt everywhere a restlessness in the minds of the live, pushing, go-ahead citizen, that breeds discontent, which may be followed by a change of location and unless this disposition can be curbed such localities will sooner or later lose the men that gave character and energy to commercial pursuits and enterprises. Hence it is that every imaginable story that can be conceived that tends to create a suspicion in the mind of the individual as to the safety, durability, or importance of natural gas, is magnified to the highest degree. But all these things will run their course. In the meantime natural gas, having come to stay will move on in the even tenor of its way, like all blessings of an all-wise Creator, enriching those who accept the situation and avail themselves of offered opportunities. We believe it sound theology and good common sense, that God's love, mercy and goodness run along certain lines, and man to be benefited by these must be brought into contact with these channels. If this were not true a man would be as liable to be converted in a saloon as in a church. We also think material good is obtained much in the same way.

What profit, pleasure, luxury, or enjoyment in living in an age of advanced civilization if none or the things of which we boast are to be appropriated to one's use. The experiences of the past, the indications of the present, all point to a future in the Indiana gas field more wonderful and beneficial than yet conceived of by those who know most about it.

Pittsburgh has again put up the price of natural gas to manufacturers 25 per cent. (as stated) to drive them back to the use of coal, it being more profitable for gas companies to sell gas to private individuals than for manufacturing purposes.

We invite Pittsburgh manufacturers to come to Indiana, a State that has more developed gas territory than all the world beside. Our land is so cheap and gas so plentiful that free land and free gas is offered to all.

Indiana in soil, climate, and general productiveness, has never been advertised to the world as one of the best States in the Union. Yet a greater variety of crops can be and are raised here than in any other State. Her richness in agriculture is unsurpassed. We have timber in abundance, coal and stone in quantities inexhaustible, and with our Natural Gas field, greater improvement and greater advancement is believed to be in store for the State and especially for the gas belt than ever before dreamed of.

We frequently hear of the "Muncie boom." There has been no boom; it has been a quite but rapid growth based upon what is believed to be an element that makes us as substantial and permanent as the everlasting hills.

The very limited time given to Muncie in this afternoon's call renders it impossible to show the many improvements this wonderful fuel has brought about. The hospitalities and kind attentions of the citizens of Muncie would have been freely tendered to the distinguished Association had an opportunity been given. We should have been pleased to point out the hundred factories, using natural gas for fuel, a city of over 12,000 inhabitants, that doubled its population in three years, fifteen churches, fine school houses, beautiful residences, substantial business blocks, well paved walks and streets, all a reality. Not something that will be, but a city Metropolitan in all of its appointments. We are not given this opportunity but send kindly greetings and trust that the time and occasion will carry with it pleasant memories.

THE SCIENTISTS.

Program Prepared for Their Reception

and Entertainment.

The program arranged for the reception and entertainment of the members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science during their visit to Muncie, as agreed upon by the City Council and citizens, is as follows: The train is to arrive in Muncie at about 3:20 p.m. over the L. E. & W. R. R. A committee, consisting of Mayor Frank Ellis, James Boyce, J. F. Darnall, A. L. Kerwood, Judge O. J. Lotz, Prof. W. R. Snyder, and Dr. A. J. Phinney, on part of the citizens, and Councilmen D. H. H. Shewmaker, John C. Eiler, and J. W. Little, on behalf of the Council, are to meet the excursion train at Alexandria. The first stop will be at the Fay gas well, which will be turned on to give the visitors an idea of the force with which gas leaves the earth. Here fifty or more citizens, acting as a reception committee, will join the party.

The train will then move up to the L. E. & W. station and be switched over to the "Muncie Route," where the excursionists, without leaving the train, will be taken to the Muncie pulp mill to take a look through this immense establishment, stopping long enough to partake of light refreshments in the large ware-room, where Dr. Phinney will occupy ten minutes in explaining the extent of the gas territory and other matters connected therewith, using the maps prepared by him and accepted and filed under the direction of the Geological survey at Washington City.

From the pulp mill the train will be run around the belt railroad to the Ball Bros.' glass factory at the crossing of the Muncie street railroad, where Superintendent Brownell will have cars ready to take the entire party of 600 a trip around the road, landing them at the Big Four station, where they will re-embark for Anderson.

After the above article was put in type the attention of the Times was called to a "Souvenir" of the visit of the Association to Anderson, which "Souvenir" has been placed in the hands of the members of the Association, and purports to be issued by authority of the Mayor, Board of Trade, and Committee of Citizens of Anderson. In this "Souvenir" the table of population, furnished by the census Supervisor of this, the third Indiana district, is CHANGED to give Anderson a greater population than Muncie. It is a disreputable trick, as the members of the Association can learn by consulting the tables as prepared in the Supervisor's office and published by his authority.