By By Lowell McGill
Oil news, a few “I told you so comments,” a look at current events and a glance at news and events from 1975 make up this week’s column.
Very little oil news has been released over the last two weeks, but it has been learned that each of those two wells located northeast of Fountain Prison are expected to yield approximately 500 barrels a day. Gas yields have not officially been told, but unofficial reports indicate these yields will be very prolific.
In Monroe County, Pruitt Production has unofficially brought in a new producer on Simpson Properties. In Conecuh County Venture Drilling Company said the Alford 7-10 well had been plugged and abandoned. Ventex has staked a new drilling site on Andriff-Floyd Properties in Monroe County and Skylar Exploration is waiting on a rig for a new drilling site on the Craff-Rails Properties in Conecuh County.
Speculation runs high each day as drilling companies have now turned both eyes on new drilling here. And, this is due to the success of the two recent discoveries. Soon the “wildcat” label should be removed as a new gas and oil field will be named.
My wife vividly remembers Mr. Rue Mason’s old home place, the site near the recent discovery. She, her sisters and cousins would visit their grandfather’s home during their early youth. Mr. Rue, as many of you know, lived to the age of 100. I am sure he never dreamed that an oil well would one day flow from his lands. Autrey Mason, his grandson, lives less than a mile from the old home.
Another thing I remember about Mr. Rue was that sharp looking, one seat Chevy owned by his son William, which was displayed in the show room of Staff Chevrolet for so many years. I forgot what year the car was manufactured, but I believe it was in the late 1920s. It was shiny green and light yellow and had a rear “rumble seat.” Those shopping for automobiles back then always gazed at that stylish car.
Well, I am not faced with having to “eat crow” for Christmas after Alabama’s big win over Florida.
Not boasting, but response to that column was the best I have ever had since I began writing the column almost three years ago.
Response to my comment about flying out of New Orleans on Southwest Airlines was overwhelming. Many times over the past 30 years I have made that three and one half hour drive to the Crescent City and fly to various cities where I worked flood claims. Those ticket prices, which saved me tons of money, were totally unbelievable, and they still are I am told. I remember flying several times to Houston Hobby Airport for only $39. A friend told me, after reading the column, he called Southwest and made reservations for four at remarkably “low prices.”
They say game tickets are going fast so you had better hurry and get yours if you are planning to attend the game.
Congratulations are also in order for Coach Chizik and his Auburn Tigers for gaining a berth in the prestigious Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. They will be taking on Northwestern from the Big Ten Conference. Fans will find this an enjoyable trip to get the New Year kicked off to a good start.
In some other news, how many of you remember back in the 1950s sitting in your parked cars or along the sidewalks to watch TVs in the display windows of local hardware and furniture stores? Those were days when TV stations signed on the air at 10 a.m. or at noon and closed down about 10 p.m. Then years later some of the stations began broadcasting in color. Well, the newest trend now is HD TV (High Definition). For those of you who have it I know you are thrilled to watch your favorite shows and games in a very “lifelike” manner. Even the screen size is amazing. Some screens are 72 inches or more.
But, out in California they have passed a new TV efficiency law, which may eventually prevent residents in that state from purchasing those large sets. Lawmakers out there say those big TVs use too much electricity and the state may require elimination of these big sets. Boy, you need a pretty good size room to use a 72-inch TV, huh?
And, for some of you living south of I-10 I know you are fretting right now following the announcements by two major insurance companies indicating they are dropping wind coverage on business and commercial structures.
Allstate and Alfa appear the main culprits. They are telling approximately 14,000 policy holders in these areas “we don’t want your business.” New personal and business budgets will need to be altered to include higher premium payments for those affected by this development.
Now, for those of you who carry flood policies your rates will probably not be upped, so to speak. However, I have heard unofficially that a new premium rate may be looked at by Congress for those living in the “surge area.”
Thanks for a nice email recently from Anne Bodiford Blasy. She told me she reads the column each week and fondly remembers her younger days in McCullough and Atmore. Her impressive email indicated she has really seen a lot in the world having lived and worked in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and New York. She now lives in Pensacola and makes occasional visits “home” she says.
Also, it is good to hear from a member of the Morris family who is a regular reader.
Sam Hill stays in touch and emails me with memories of his days in Atmore. Sam, as I wrote earlier, worked at WATM a few years after I did. He and I hold the same sentiments for Tom and Ernestine Miniard.
And now here are a few tidbits from 1975. Dr. William DeShazo, who practiced medicine here 1949-51, was named Director of Family Practice and Community Health Departments at the University of Alabama.
John Coker, who was active in Atmore youth leagues, was elected president of the local chapter of Woodmen of the World. Johnny retired from Monsanto a few years ago.
Peoples Chrystal Ice Company, which was founded by Mr. D.D Mims in 1920, closed the doors of that operation. Mr. and Mrs. Hurdis Daniel had operated the firm for many years prior to its closing. Many residents in a four to five county area were the recipients of blocks of ice delivered to their homes and businesses.
We will have more next week from the year 1975.
Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net