anaheim-gazette 1923-09-13

VOLUME LII WANTS TO DRILL ON LINCOLN AVENUE FLATTERING OFFER MADE TO J. C. CORDES FOR PERMISSION TO SINK WELL Driller to Pay All Expenses and Go 50-50 With Mr. Cordes, Who is Considering the Proposition—Would Open Field at City's Gate Should Oil Be Found—Experts Convinced There is Oil in That Section—Development Would Mean Much for the City. John C. Cordes, well known west side orange grower and real estate operator, has received a proposition from an oil well driller to put down a well on his 10 acre tract of land facing Lincoln avenue. At present Mr. Cordes has not made known the name of the driller, but he is considering his proposal and should he accept it, a definite statement will be given the public. The proposition as made to Mr. Cordes is that he is to bear no expense whatever in drilling the well, the driller furnishing every home, to drill for oil on his place. This company are extensive oil operators, and are leasing other tracts besides Mr. Borchert's. One clause of their leases, which is a very good one, guarantees the lessor 100 per cent development of his land. The Marland company, while operating in the Oklahoma district on a large scale, are desirous of securing oil here, which is heavy in asphaltum content, thereby enabling them to compete with other companies, in disposing of their output on the Atlantic coast and inland territory contiguous thereto. They want as much of this heavier grade of oil as they can get, and that is the main reason for entering the local field. The Oklahoma product is of the paraffin base, which is of a lighter grade. Several months ago Mr. Borchert was desirous of leasing his land to one of the big operating companies in this valley, but he was told at that time that they were not ready to enter this field. But since then it is said this same company is out for all the lease-holds it can secure. Mr. Borchert feels confident that a new field will be opened up in his section. John J. Dwyer, Mrs. Sarah Fay, and other large land owners in that vicinity are interested in oil development there and in all probability they will lease their land also. MRS. PAUL HESTER BURIED SATURDAY AFTERNOON side orange grower and real estate operator, has received a proposition from an oil well driller to put down a well on his 10 acre tract of land facing Lincoln avenue. At present Mr. Cordes has not made the name of the driller, but he is considering his proposal and should accept it, a definite statement will be given the public. The proposition as made to Mr. Cordes is that he is to bear no expense whatever in drilling the well, the driller furnishing everything. But should oil be struck the output is to be divided between the two on a 50-60 basis. It is further proposed that in case no oil is found that Mr. Cordes assume all damage by reason of loss of trees and cutting up of the property, whatever that may be. Mr. Cordes estimates that the prospective damage to his property by reason of the derrick, building of a road to the site, and loss of orange trees, would be about $16,000, more or less. He has under consideration a plan of laying this before his neighbors, contiguous to his place, owning approximately 500 acres of land. If they would rate this sum, and reimburse Mr. Cordes for this loss, should no well be brought in, he would at once have an agreement drawn up ordered the well drilled. Many acres of land west and east of this city is being leased by the big oil companies, and the way this area now converges, it forms a horse shoe shape around Anaheim, encircling the east, south and west sections lying adjacent to this city. Mr. Cordes says he saw a map in Los Angeles recently in the possession of an oil company, which showed the section in which his land is located, as being designated as oil territory. Fourteen years ago an oil driller of Fullerton made the statement that oil existed on the site then known as the Fleischman tract, near the Cordes place, and preparations were under way then to start drilling. The man who was to finance the venture died and the deal was called off. A rancher in that section years ago made known the fact that water in his well was so impregnated with oil that he could not use it for domestic purposes, but his neighbors were skeptical and looked upon the incident as being imaginary. Later developments in that locality has served to recall this farmer's convictions regarding the oil in the water and people are MRS. PAUL HESTER BURied SATURDAY AFTERNOON Wife of Plain Dealer Editor Laid to Rest at Loma Vista Funeral services over the remains of Mrs. Elizabeth Hester, wife of Paul V. Hester, editor of the Plain Dealer, were held at the Backs, Terry & Campbell chapel Saturday afternoon. The room was crowded to its full capacity with friends, gathered to pay their last sad respects to one who had been so universally esteemed in her circle of acquaintances. Mrs. Hester died at the sanitarium at 5:30 o'clock Thursday evening as the result of an operation performed a week previously. An autopsy revealed that death was due to inflammation of the vital organs, which, in her weakened condition, she was unable to overcome. She is survived by husband and five children, three girls and two boys, th eoldest a boy of nine and the youngest a girl of four months; also, by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. C. C. Edwards, Franklin, Ind., and brothers, Dr. Loren M. Edwards, pastor of Trinity Methodist church, Denver, Dr. Paul E. Edwards, pastor of Jones Memorial Methodist church, Brooklyn; Dr. John Edwards, pastor of First Methodist church, Newcastle, Ind., and Prof. Joseph C. Edwards, of Shortridge high school, Indianapolis. Mrs. Hester was born in Indianapolis, December 15, 1889. On June 11, 1913 she was married to Paul V. Hester at Princeton, Indiana, their marriage being the culmination of a romance begun at college, when she was 16 and Mr. Hester 17. She was a musician of unusual talent, and served as pipe organist at the White Temple church. Her death was a shock to the entire community as it was unexpected, the operation to which she submitted being considered of slight importance. One of the saddest features of her untimely death is the fact that she left five small children, the oldest being only nine years of age. Mr. Borchert feels confident that a new field will be opened up in his section. John J. Dwyer, Mrs. Sarah Fay, and other large land owners in that vicinity are interested in oil development there and in all probability they will lease their land also. Mrs. Paul Hester made a rapid advance from the reality fish Fisher that it was accepted. The C. O. of approximately deal. As the chamber lease on a suitable show on the bouncy end of the city, not needed for a good income property yielded 1200 boxes year. Messrs. Eygabro to sub-divide it market. They exist restricted residence ideally situated for The directors are meeting decided on the Armistice day on November 11. a historical page float will represent zone. It will be at a special mark of directors Tuggy thirty applicationser's ojb as secret were considered. Good timber to move from and die at the beginning they finally agree Reid, secretary ober of commerce ballot he was united. Mr. Reid was a resident of schools Kansas. For three as secretary of t and was director in festival. Because management o lieved he will be with the orange o f the duties these same. The directed ed the qualification dates, and are o Reid is capable o duties in a satisfactory "I shall strive for the same service making Delano o A rancher in that section years ago made known the fact that water in his well was so impregnated with oil that he could not use it for domestic purposes, but his neighbors were skeptical and looked upon the incident as being imaginary. Later developments in that locality has served to recall this farmer's convictions regarding the oil in the water and people are now inclined to believe it. The prospect of finding oil here grips the minds of many people and judging from the manner in which new wells are being brought in almost daily in surrounding territory, the consensus of opinion among cool-headed and conservative men is that there is no good reason to doubt that oil cannot be discovered right here. Of course, there is always the possibility of failure, but in Mr. Cordes' case he says he has been advised by some of his most intimate business associates and friends who are high up in oil development circles, to prepare to wear that plug hat and assume the airs of a oil magnate. Mr. Cordes remarks that the proposition of wearing the plug hat will have to be submitted to his wife for final approval. OKLAHOMA COMPANY INVADING THIS FIELD Seeking Leases From Berchert and Others on Garden Grove Road Ernest Berchert, who owns 60 acres of land on the Garden Grove road just west of Anheim, informed a representative of the Gazette that he expected soon to sign an agreement with the Marland company, of Okla- DRINK MORE MILK The American Child Health association is continuing its publicity work for "Drink More Milk" all the year round. Among the leading arguments for this campaign presented by the association is the improved physical condition of 3000 school pupils in one Chicago junior high school where the milk consumption increased ten-fold and where the weight of the pupils showed a remarkable gain. One objection we have to the milk campaign is that it is carrried on largely in the cities. We believe the parents of youngsters on the farm need information as to the necessity of milk in the diet of children as well as do the people in cities. Of course, we mean "some" of the people on farms as well as "some" of the people in the cities. "There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it's a pail of milk." ANAHEIM GAZETE Anaheim, California, Thursday, September 13, 1923 ANAHEIM C.OF C. SELLS SHOW GROUND RANCH PURCHASED AS PERMANENT SITE FOR ORANGE, SHOW, DISPOSED OF. Eygabroad & Fisher, New Owners, Will Sub-Divide and Make It a Residence District—Chamber of Commerce Gets a Profit of $5000 on the Deal—Board Holds Ten Year Lease on Site in North End of Town—Will Have Float in Armistice Day Parade. When the directors of the chamber of commerce purchased the 15-acre orange grove in the northwest corner of the city a year ago, with the expectation of eventually making it the permanent site for the annual California Valencia orange show, they made a wise investment. Like all other real estate in Anaheim and vicinity it made a rapid advance in value, and last week the board received such an advantageous offer for the property from the realty firm of Eygabroad & Fisher that it was unanimously ac- PUBLIC WARNED AGAINST FAKE SOLICITORS Men Claiming to Be Ex-Soldiers Gulling the People A warning to the people of Orange county to beware of fake solicitors passing as American Legion men, has been issued by Clyde Whitney, adjutant of Santa Ana post, and his attitude has the endorsement of every post in the county. "We have been informed," Whitney said, "that certain men from other cities have decided to make Santa Ana the base of their operations in peddling magazines and other literature. Many of these men are imposters. It was only the other day that we investigated one of these fellows and found he was imposing upon the public. He was ordered to leave town. "I do not mean that the American Legion is set against any deserving men who served his country during the war. The point is, legion throughout the country is prepared to take care of worthy cases. Furthermore, adequate provision is made for disabled men." "The first thing our residents should do, when approached by mah claiming to be a former soldier, is to ask him if he has the necessary permission from the police department or the endorsement of the American Legion. "Unless the solicitor can produce evidence that him down an agreement with him." RANCHERS WANT INFORMATION ON HARBOR THE COUNTY FARM BUREAU APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE QUESTION Must Be Convinced That Benefit Will Be Derived From Spending Million Dollars at Newport—Bureau Also Wants to Know Why Farmers Are Paid So Little and Consumers Pay So Much for Products of the Ranch. That the ranchers of Orange county are not going to blindly support a million dollar bond issue for the development of Newport harbor unless convinced that some benefit is to accrue to them was indicated by the action of the county farm bureau in appointing a committee to make a thorough investigation of the proposal and report to that body. They want to be informed on all phases of the question and how the rancher is to be benefitted by the expenditure of a million dollars at Newport bay. The ranchers are also peeved over that a six-sec Fay, that development by they of commerce purchased the is-acre orange grove in the northwest corner of the city a year ago, with the expectation of eventually making it the permanent site for the annual California Valencia orange show, they made a wise investment. Like all other real estate in Anaheim and vicinity it made a rapid advance in value, and last week the board received such an advantageous offer for the property from the realty firm of Eygabroad & Fisher that it was unanimously accepted. The C. of C. makes a profit of approximately $5000 out of the deal. As the chamber holds a ten-year lease on a suitable site for the orange show on the boulevard in the north end of the city, this property was not needed for a show ground. It is good income property, however, as it yielded 1200 boxes of oranges this year. Messrs. Eygabroad & Fisher expect to sub-divide it and put it on the market. They expect to make it a restricted residence district, as it is ideally situated for homes. The directors at Thursday night's meeting decided to enter a float in the Armistice day parade at Orange on November 11. The parade is to be a historical pageant, and Anaheim's float will represent the Panama canal zone. It will be an artistic creation. At a special meeting of the board of directors Tuesday evening the thirty applications for Malcolm Fresner's ojb as secretary of the chamber were considered. There was much good timber to make the selection from and the directors were divided at the beginning of the balloting, but they finally agreed upon George W. Reid, secretary of the Dehano chamber of commerce, and on the twelfth ballot he was unanimously elected. Mr. Reid was formerly superintendent of schools at For Smith, Arkansas. For three years he has served as secretary of the Delano chamber, and was director of the Fresno raisin festival. Because of his successful management of that affair it is believed he will be valuable in assisting with the orange show, which is one of the duties the secretary must assume. The directors carefully weighed the qualifications of all the candidates, and are convinced that Mr. Reid is capable of performing all the duties in a satisfactory manner. "I shall strive to give to Anaheim the same service that has assisted in making Delano one of the leading RECOMMENDS COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE HARBOR Chairman Talbert Thinks People Should Know All the Facts T. B. Talbert, chairman of the board of supervisors, states that he favors appointment of a committee composed of members from every supervisor district for the purpose of a million dollar bond issue for the development of Newport harbor unless convinced that some benefit is to accrue to them was indicated by the action of the county farm bureau in appointing a committee to make a thorough investigation of the proposal and report to that body. They want to be informed on all phases of the question and how the rancher is to be benefited by the expenditure of a million dollars at Newport bay. The ranchers are also peeved over the fact that they are paid so little for their products, while the ultimate consumer pays so much, and this question also is to be thoroughly investigated. Two committees were appointed at the meeting of the direntors of the farm bureau Thursday afternoon for the purpose of investigating the proposed million dollar bond issue for the purpose of developing the Newport harbor. The instructions were to find out the benefits from and the disadvantages connected with the bond issue and the development of the harbor, and report back to the directors at their next meeting. The reason for the investigation, according to the directors, is purely an economical one, which will be made from the farmer's standpoint. The other committee, which was appointed for the purpose of further investigating the problem of marketing certain truck garden products, will begin work immediately after the fair is over; according to Stanley. "We find a very dissatisfied feeling among the farmers here because, for just one example out of multitudes, tomatoes retail for three pounds for twenty-five cents," Stanley continued. "Many truck gardeners have tons of tomatoes spoiling in the fields, and cannot sell them to the merchants—yet the price of tomatoes stays up." That is just one of the many instances called to my attention. We are going to try to get to the bottom of this question and solve it as far as this locality is concerned, if we can possibly do it." FARMERS NOT "HELL RAISERS" Arthur Brisbane says a farm leader told him at Minneapolis that "the farmers believe Ford would kick hell out of something and that's why they are for him." The farm leader is away off. The number of farmers who are anxious to raise hell with somebody isn't great. Theer were a few months when anger seemed to control reason, but that is past. Such farm leaders are demagogues. The appeal of the demagogue is to kick hell out of something or anything in the hope he will be able to pick up some of the pieces. It's a fine thing that nobody has tried to prohibit hope. The most interested readers of vacation ads are those that won't be able to take vacations. RECOMMENDS COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE HARBOR Chairman Talbert Thinks People Should Know All the Facts T. B. Talbert, chairman of the board of supervisors, states that he favors appointment of a committee composed of members from every supervisor district, for the purpose of getting comprehensive information relative to the Newport harbor, and submitting all the facts to the people. The work of the committee, as he outlined it, would be to also investigate the work done at the harbor, the manner in which the moneys appropriated were spent, and the plans so far outlined. Then to get all the information and data pertaining to the proposed million dollar bond issue, and the manner in which the moneys thus obtained would be spent and all other important matters pertaining to the development of the Orange county harbor. "I have noticed that the Los Angeles papers have proposed that a committee of 200 be appointed from the various sections of that city with the idea of getting complete financial and engineering data in regards to making comprehensive plans for the future development of the Los Angeles harbor," said Talbert. "That idea strikes me as being a very good one. I think it would be well for our county to take similar action." Most men have gained their reputation by making their predictions after things happened. FULLERTON BLUEBEARD FOUND IN SEATTLE Wickersham's Abscounding Salesman is Overhauled Percy Douglas, said to e 40 years old and dapper, alleged husband of three women and perhaps four, wanted in New Jersey for wife and child desertion and by the Wickersheim Implement company, of Fullerton, on a charge of embezzling an automobile, is either under arrest or will be soon, officials of the Wickersheim Implement company believe... In a telegram received Friday from Chief of Police W. B. Severyns, of Seattle, the chief asked if warrants were ready here asking for the return of Douglas on an embezzlement charge and also inquired if any of the tomatoes retail for three pounds for twenty-five cents." Stanley continued. "Many truck gardeners have tons of tomatoes spoiling in the fields, and cannot sell them to the merchants—yet the price of tomatoes stays up." "That is just one of the many instances called to my attention. We are going to try to get to the bottom of this question and solve it as far as this locality is concerned, if we can possibly do it." J. A. Smiley, West Orange farmer, presided over the meeting. A report of the progress of the county fair was given and accepted as satisfactory. Indications point to the possibility of raising enough money to cover the necessary expenses of the fair before the opening date of September 25, according to the report, thus relieving the anxiety of those who guaranteed the financial success of the fair. ZETTE S WANT MATION HARBOR RM BUREAU APFEE TO INVESQUESTION That Benefit Will Spending Million Short—Bureau Also Why Farmers Are And Consumers Pay Products of the of Orange counno blindly support issue for the newport harbor unsome benefit is to indicated by the farm bureau in wittee to make a on of the proposthat body. They on all phases of now the rancher is the expenditure of Newport bay. also peeved over wives of the former Wickersheim salesman had filed charges against him. Lyle Wickersheim went to Santa at once and procured from Justice Cox a warrant for the arrest of Douglas on the embezzlement charge. One of the wives in New Jersey is said to have abandoned her attitude of forgiveness and sworn to a complaint charging the debonair salesman with desertion. Mr. Lesh-Douglas, whom Fullerton people have characterized as a former member of a well known New York chorus and dancing show, is now living with her parents in Wilmar, near Los Angeles. When Douglas left her she is claimed by the officers to have been his last wife, but in the telegram from Seattle, it was intimated, informants explained, that a woman was with Douglas there. Whether this woman is the Hollywood stenographer with whom Douglas was well acquainted in southern California could not be established nor could any information be obtained as to whether a new marriage knot had been tied. Wickersheim officials are anxiously awaiting further word from the police authorities of Seattle. NIGHT OF REVELRY RUDELY INTERRUPTED Officers Make Good Haul in Raid on Wintersburg Home STANDARD WELL MAKING GOOD PROGRESS WORK HELD UP TWO DAYS BY A FISHING JOB, BUT WAS RESUMED TUESDAY Many Companies Now Offering Good Prices for Leases on the East, South and West Sides of the City—Miley-Keck Company Has 360 Acres West of Town and Will Start Drilling Within Forty Days—$100 an Acre Offered for Lease on East Center Street. Drilling in the Standard's pioneer well on the Wagner lease east of town was halted for two days by a fishing job after the hole had passed the 600-foot level. The tools were recovered, however, without much difficulty, and drilling was resumed Tuesday morning. Excellent progress has been made so far, and unless some serious mishap interferes with the work, the drill will cut is way to the oil before many moons, and the owners may get a gushing oil well for a Christmas present. Oil companies, great and small, ap- NIGHT OF REVELRY RUDELY INTERRUPTED Officers Make Good Haul in Raid on Wintersburg Home A man and wife, occupants of a remote farm house west of Wintersburg, are held in the county jail, following a raid by fourteen county and Santa Ana city officers, who, swooping down upon the place late Saturday night, dispersed a gathering of twenty-one men and nine women. With the arrest of the couple, the authorities say they believe they have broken up a nest of revelry, besides uprooting a more or less flourishing liquor traffic. J. R. ("Shorty") Coates, the man under arrest, will be charged, it was stated, with possession of liquor. Clyde R. Rombold, of Torrance, a "guest" at the Coates place, posted $50 cash bail with Justice J. B. Cox for his appearance in court for trial on a charge of possessing liquor. Persons found at the farm house, but not arrested were admonished. Besides the three prisoners taken in the raid, the officers captured a case of plint flasks of liquor and about eighteen gallons in large containers, together with a home-made still in an advanced stage of filth and general insanitation. Gathered, it was believed, for a night of baccharian festivity, the thirty guests were scattered in confusion by the unlooked for advent of the raiders, according to reports brought back by the officers. Some already at the house when the officers struck, others rounded up as they arrived later, the prisoners formed a motley assemblage, the officers said. Men, married and single, women likewise, one mother accompanied by her 19-year-old daughter, other girls appearing suspiciously near school age, including one Santa Ana girl who recently occupied the attention of the authorities as a "runaway," made up the group, all looking well hardened to night life, the officers declared. SANTA ANA PREPARES What the future of avocado growing as an industry may be no one can predict with any degree of certainty, but the parents Sharpless tree near El Modena, continues to prove better than an oil well to its owner, B. H. Sharpless. It is stated that this tree, in fruit and bud-wood, has netted the owner more than $10,000 since 1915. Not shortly before the corrugation be- SANTA ANA PREPARES TO WELCOME ASSESSORS State Convention to Be Held in That City October 4 to 6. Assessors from all counties of the state will meet in the state convention to be held at Santa Ana in the St. Ann's Inn on October 4, 5 and 6, according to James Sleeper, Orange county assessor. Inn officials report that reservations are already coming in rapidly, and preparations will be made to accommodate about 100 guests. "We have many important matters to discuss at the convention," said Sleeper. "One of the most important will be in relation to automobiles. Many people who otherwise don't own assessable property, own automobiles. Under the present system of waiting until the first Monday of March before making assessments on automobiles many people escape paying taxes. We probably will attempt to have the law changed so that automobiles will be taxed on January 1, instead of the later date." Besides the regular county assessors, there will be a host of income, railroad, and other special assessors who will attend. Sleeper estimates A PROLIFIC TREE What the future of avocado growing as an industry may be no one can predict with any degree of certainty, but the parents Sharpless tree near El Modena, continues to prove better than an oil well to its owner, B. H. Sharpless. It is stated that this tree, in fruit and bud-wood, has netted the owner more than $10,000 since 1915. Yet shortly before the cornucopia began to flow, Mr. Sharlpess was on the point of chopipng the tree down. The tree was a freak from the beginning. For the first eight years it demonstrated ornamental qualities only. Mr. Sharlpess became disgusted with it, but the very year that he decided to use the ax in carrying out his threat, fruit began to appear. It came in a dark, drooping mass of large-sized avocados. The fruit was of excellent quality and at once commanded fancy prices. As high as $700 worth has since been marketed from the tree in one year, Mr. Sharlpess says. The avocados from this tree average 20 ounces each in weight, although some go as high as 29 ounces. They are sold at the rate of $10 a dozen to patrons in Los Angeles. The tree, now twenty years old, has parented thousands of other trees by means of buds, which are sold at 35 cents each. It has a height of nearly 50 feet and bears fruit in great clusters on all the branches. The setting is so heavy that the entire tree has had to be braced in a scaffold of stout tiimbers. Dollar gasoline might permit a lot of men to attend to business who are now out in their cars.