This collection of information is extracted from four issues of Ritchie County newspapers dated 1927. The papers, together with issues of The Parkersburg News were found under the linoleum in the Jackson home on Gillespie Run during renovations in the late 1970s. Considering their age and prior home, the papers remain in very good condition.
The Gazette, April 22, 1927
Oil News
On Mudsock Branch of Macfarlan Run Near Mellin.
On the W. A. Ridgeway farm, well No. 4, The Continental Oil and Gas Company is drilling at 1700 feet. B. C. Deem is contractor.
On the Andrew Jordon [Jordan] farm, well No. 2, A. G. Roberts is driling at 300 feet. The well is bing drilled for the Hope Gas Company.
On the Anna M. Wilson farm, Harley Rinehart has his tools moved in. The well being drilled for the South Penn Oil Company.
On the H. S. and R. Wilson farm, well No. 5, the South Penn Oil Company is drilling at 2050 feet in the "Injun" Sand. Harley Rinehart is contractor.
The Hope Gas Company has made a location on the Bradley heirs farm, and are moving the rig from the J. M. Lewis. This is the Company's No. 5, on this farm.
On the North Fork of Hughes River near Oxbow
On the C. A. Kerns farm, well No. 2, T. A. and E. P. Mellon are drilling below the Big "Injun" Sand and is report dry.
On the South Fork of Hughes River near Oxbou [Oxbow]
On the Ben Nutter farm, well No. 1, R Hays and others are fishing at 1500 feet. W. R. is the contractor.
Drills in Well
Dave McGregor drilled in a fine well on the head of Macfarlan Run and it is reported a ninety barrel well and a good gaser. [sic]
Big Oil Well
Contractor D. G. McGregor, of Cairo, drilled in a good oil well on the McGregor heirs farm at McFarlan. The well is making one hundred and sixty barrels a day.
Macfarlan
Ed Lowther has gone to Akron, Ohio, to visit his sister, Mrs. Anna Cain.
Mrs. Lou Hardbarger and daughter, Virginia Lou, of Pittsburgh, are visting [sic] her mother, Mrs. W. E. Skidmore, who has been real sick, but is better at this time.
Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Swisher, of Parkersburg, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Swisher.
Frank Thorne, of Palestine, was a business visitor here one day the past week.
Mrs. Frank Pribble, Jr., and Mabel Lemon spent the week end with Ada Haught at Smithville.
Meraline Overon and Genevieve Farley, of Cairo, spent the week end here with their parents.
Mrs. James Lynch was visiting her mother at Walker, a few days last week.
Joshua Haught, of Smithville, was a business visitor here, one day last week.
Mabel Riggins and daughter, of Clarkburg [Clarksburg], are visiting her sister, Mrs. O. D. Pribble.
Mrs. Luther Kerns has been real sick with the mumps, but is some beter [sic].
Greely Hurst and W. R. Hall were in Harrisville last week.
Carl Swisher and family have moved back here from Parkersburg.
J. F. Burke spent the week end in Parkersburg with his mother.
Alfred Null, of Gillespie was visiting relatives here over the week end.
The dance given at the home of M. E. Swisher was enjoyed by everone present.
Oxbow News
Mr. James Deem of Clarksburg, is visiting his sister, Mrs. Blanche Nutter, here.
It seems impossible to get the tools out of the Nutter well.
Mrs. Fannie Eason and children, of Macfarlan, were visiting her mother, Mrs. L. Nutter, of this place last week.
Mr. John Nutter, who has had employment at Parkersburg, is working on Dutchman Run, now.
Mr. J. L. Nutter went to see the doctor, Tuesday. He has been on the sick list.
Miss Hazel Nutter is working for Mrs. Earl Reed, of Macfarlan.
Mr. B. F. Jenkins and son, Willard went to Parkersburg, Tuesday night, and came back Wednesday.
Notice to the Public
Owing to quarrying stone and surfacing operations, the Cairo-Cisko road from McKinney wooden bridge to Cisko in Grant District, Ritchie County, will be closed to travel on and after April 12, 1927.
Racy News
Mr. John Turner has returned to his home at Upper Gillespie, after a few days visit to Harrisville with his sister, Mrs. Russel Hatfield.
Arthur Kerns' little son, Robert, has been real sick for the past few days, but is on the mend.
Ruby Turner is staying with V. M. Turner for a few weeks.
There are quite a few cars running around here now, but the roads are pretty bad yet.
There was a box supper given at the Jackson School, Monday, April 11, in honor of the pupils of the school.
Mr. J. H. Hill is suffering quite a bit from the fall he got in the barn, when riding on a horse.
The Hope Gas Company is doing a lot of teaming around here. They sure make the roads fine and dusty.
The casers run the 6 inch casing at the Ridgeway well, Saturday.
Miss Zara Lowther, of Cairo, was visiting her friends on Racy, from Friday until Sunday.
We are glad it did not rain Easter Sunday for it would have rained seven Sundays, but if the sun still shines the roads will be dry enough to run cars in a few days.
Petroleum, Route 1
Mr. J. D. Stanley was very ill, Sunday.
Quite a crowd was out to see the big well on the McGregor heirs' property, Sunday, also a crowd from Macfarland [Macfarlan].
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Pribble and children of near Rutherford, spend Saturday night and Sunday with Mr. Pribble's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rolandus Pribble.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Maze was shopping at Macfarland [Macfarlan] last Thursday, the 14th.
Mrs. A. R. Mason expects to return to Parkersburg, sometime this week, where she will spend an indefinite period with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goodwin.
James Mason is tearing down and rebuliding some of the outbuildings on his property between Racy and Rusk; where Charlie Pribble moved from. He is going to move Mr. Charlie Fouty [Foutty?] and family into his house.
Miss Opal Vincent, teacher of the Tarklin School, spent the week end in Cairo with friends.
It was quite a shock to some of the people of this place to hear of the death of Charlie Burk's son. They live at Oil Spring near Petroleum.
Everone is wondering when the road men are going to fix the roads around here as they are drying up real fast and the people begin to think they are not going to get to car ride any if they are not fixed soon.
A good many of the people have colds in this neighborhood. DUe to so many changes in the weather we think.
Rusk News
Beulah and Juna Hardesty, of Buffalo Run, attended the Grant District Day at Cairo on Wednesday of this week.
Mr. R. R. Pribble and granddaughter, Mary, was in the Petroleum on business, one day last week.
Mrs. A. E. Dulaney was visiting her nephew, Frank Dulaney and wife, one day last week.
Mr. G. W. Dulaney was up on Gillispie [Gillespie] on business, one day last week.
M. M. Hardesty has been plowing for John Sims this week.
C. A. Beckner and son, George, has been quite busy working the Jackson Ridge road for the past few days.
Mrs. W. B. Leggett purchased a fine victrola. Forest Pribble delivered it from Petroleum for her one day this week.
Mr. John Sims, who has employment in Logan county, is visiting home folks at Petroleum, this week.
Mr. Richard Sims and wife, of Parkersburg, are spending Easter with the latter's parents, John Sims and family.
Mr. J. L. Dulaney, of Rusk, was in Petroleum on business one day last week.
B. R. Twyman was in Cairo one day last week going there to attend the Grant District School Day at the high school.
Mrs. Ada Sims was calling on friends at Petroleum, one day last week.
M. M. Hardesty, of Rice Run, is quite poorly with a severe cold at this writing.
Mr. G. B. Rasson, of Gillispie [Gillespie], is spending a few days in Parkersburg, this week.
Mr. Elmer Cain, of Parkersburg, is here on business for a few days.
Mr. George Waller, who has been working in Parkersburg, has returned to his home at Petroleum, and found empliyment [sic] on the state road at Rusk.
Miss Ethel Mason, who has been working at the home of B. F. Dulaney, has returned to her home at Gillispie [Gillespie].
Mr. George Beckner, of Jackson Ridge, was shopping in Petroleum, one day last week.
Macfarlan News
Miss Agnes Lowther, who has had employment at Akron, Ohio, for some time, is at her home now.
Mrs. James Lynch, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Varner, at Walker, returned home.
Mrs. Mabel Riggens and daughter, of Clarksburg, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Ad Pribble.
Misses Merline Overton and Genevieve Farley, sudents [sic] of Cario [Cairo] High, were at home for the week end.
Dennis Farley spent the week end in Cairo.
Margaret Goldin is spending Easter in Parkesburg.
Freddie Lemon has been working at Petroleum for a few days.
Mrs. W. A. Lowther, who is on the sick list, is improving.
Mrs. Frank Pribble and Mabel Lemon were the guests of Mrs. Harry Lemon, Saturday.
Joe Tolan was in Cairo one day last week.
Ed Lowther has been visiting his sister, Mrs. Bernard Cain, at Akron, Ohio.
Blanche Deem, the small daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Deem, had the misfortune of falling off a rock and hurting her back and neck.
Dr. Moyers, of Cairo, was called to see Mrs. Clyde Freed, Saturday night at Mr. Miner Swisher's.
There was a dance, Saturday night at Miner Swishers.
Mrs. Glen Marden and daughter, Mary, went to Petroleum to see Dr. Douglas. Mrs. Marden has been sick for some time.
Mr. A. R. Kelly was in Parkersburg on business a few days ago.
Ritchie Standard, April 27, 1927
Petroleum
Charles Burk, of Petroleum, was killed at his father's lease near Volcano. The boy was caught in the engine. His two brothers, Martin and Joseph, were with him. The funeral services were held at Eaton, Saturday, April 16.
Mary Elizabeth Jackson was confined to her home with the flue [sic] last week but she is quite improved at this writing.
The diploma exams were held at the Petroleum School by E. H. Layfield. There was several that took the test. We hope they all made good grades.
They are getting ready to lay steel on the railroad.
Mr. Glen Mardin and family, of Macfarlan, are visiting former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Roberts.
Miss Virginia Douglas, who is a student in Athens University, spent the Easter vacation with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Douglas. She was accompanied by Gertrude Fouce, of Cleveland, who is also a student of the same university.
Mr. George Douglas, of Washington, D. C., also spent Easter with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Douglas.
Mr. Miles Willis and wife, of Wheeling spent Easter with the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Willis.
Miss Jessie McQuaid, who has been staying with relatives at Toledo, Ohio, is back home again.
Holmes Douglas, who is a student at the Morgantown University, spent his Easter vacation with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Douglas.
Miss Esther Finley, of New Concord, Ohio, is visiting Miss Mary Douglas, this week.
Mrs. Jennie Gordon is confined to her home with the flue.
Miss Rose Doyle is visiting her sister, Mrs. George Murphy, of Pittsburg, Pa.
Petroleum, Route 1
There is a fine Sunday School at the North Fork church. They have fine attendance. Everybody is welcome to come
Miss Mabel Kerns, of Upper Gillespie, is visiting friends in Harrisville the week end.
Mrs. John Turner was in Harrisville recently, getting some dental work done.
Mr. Russell Hatfield, of Harrisville, is going to move his house hold goods out four miles beyond Ellenboro, this coming Tuesday.
Ruby Turner has returned to her home after staying a few weeks with her uncle, W. W. Turner, on Upper Gillespie.
There are quite a lot of mud holes in the roads now, but the road machine is working the road so we hope they will be fine in a short time.
Little David, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elza Metz, of Upper Gillespie, has been very sick with his stomach. The doctor was to see him a day or two ago.
There are a number of sick people in our vicinity. They mostly have colds and sore throat.
We heard that Ruby Turner has purchased two fine pigs.
Emery Turner has been doing some car work for Mrs. J. D. Cain.
Miss Zora Lowther spent the week end at F. M. Michaels on Upper Gillespie.
Okey Null is real sick with the flue [sic]. He is not able to be out of bed.
Mrs. A. J. Null, who has just returned to her daughter at Racy is also very low with her heart and asthma. They had the doctor for her one day last week.
There are a good many schools that will close the last of this month.
Mrs. F. B. Kerns is on the sick list now.
Grandmother Fast still remains the same.
Rusk News
Mrs. A. D. Dulaney had the misfortune of getting her leg broken one day last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sims, who have been visiting at John Sims' for the past few days, have returned to their home in Parkersburg.
Miss Clara Duff, of Mellin, is working at Rusk.
Miss Grace Duff, who has been visiting John Dulaney and wife, returned to her home at Lowther's Run.
Dale Sims has quit working on the stone quarry at Buffalo.
C. A. Beckuer [Beckner], of Jackson Ridge, has found employment on the stone quarry at Rusk.
Mr. Preston Waller and wife were the week end guests of Andrew Waller and family of Petroleum.
Mr. C. A. Marshall was away on busines [sic] part of last week.
Mr. Jake Hill was a business visitor in Petroleum, Tuesday of last week.
Mr. John Dulaney is working for Mrs. B. R. Twyman this week.
Mr. G. B. Rasson was in Parkersburg on business part of this week.
Mrs. Beatrice Moats, of Rusk spent Saturday and Sunday with her father, M. M. Hardesty, of Buffalo Run.
Mr. J. L. Dulaney was shopping in Petroleum one day last week.
Mr. Guy Thomas, who has been working in Pennslyvania [sic] at the carpenter trade, returned to his home on Buffalo Run for a visit.
Locates Well
J. F. Deem has located well number three on the Joe Tingler farm on McFarlan [Macfarlan].
Ritchie Standard, June 1, 1927
Petroleum, R. 1.
Born, May 22nd, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Border of Upper Gillespie.
Mr. George Pribble, of Macfarlan, spent last Friday with his uncle, Dick Pribble, of this place.
C. J. Stanley and R. Pribble were in Parkersburg and Williamstown over the week end.
Mr. A. J. Null is still very ill with asthma.
John Dulaney, Jr., and Dale Sims were in our vicinity one day last week.
Considering the way the roads are, there was a lage crowd attended B. Y. P. U. at Racy, Sunday last week.
We are glad that we have Mr. Elder for our president another year.
Mr. Cecil Griffith got his right arm cut badly last Thursday, with glass.
Those attending the party at Charlie Pribble's last Thursday night were: Glenn Maze, Kermit Cain, Billie Jenkins, Jr., Kester and Lester Lewis, Cecil Griffith, Leonard Lanham, Willie Pribble, R. Pribble, Delbert and Oval Kerns, Andrew Leonard and Daniel Null, Albert Tanzey, Buss Gumm, Earl Echard, Kermit, Lawrence, Everett and Pete Layfield, Harold Kerns, Jefferson Fast, Grant Marshall and Nobel Rogers. Misses Mabel, Lillie and Mary Kerns, [fragment missing] Lucy Metz, Edith [Michael?] [fragment missing] and Edna Turner, [fragment missing] Greala Michael [fragment missing], B. F. Null [remainder missing]
Ritchie Standard, [c.1927]
Oxbox News
Delayed
Mr. James Deem, who has been visiting his sister here, has returned to Clarksburg.
Miss Oklyn Nutter, of this place, is visiting Miss Lottie Kerns, at McFarlan [Macfarlan].
Mrs. Blanche Nutter and children, are visiting relatives at Clarksburg this week.
Miss Agnes Golden, who has employment at Cairo, was visiting home folks the week end.
Mr. John Nutter, Jr., is working on the gasoline plant on Dutchman, and boarding at L. R. Kerns'.
Mrs. John Border is boarding the men who are employed on the Ben Nutter well.
Pearl Swisher and Ivan Overton were dragging the road here last week.
Mrs. Viola Swisher, of McFarlan [Macfarlan], was visiting relatives here Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Pribble and Mary Adams, were shopping at McFarlan [Macfarlan], Saturday.
Macfarlan News
Miss Agnes Golden, who has employment in Cairo, was visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Golden over Sunday.
Mr. Thomas Overton and Joe Tolan were at Pennsboro, Saturday.
Mis [sic] Merlin Overton, student of Cairo High, was home this week end.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Deem are the proud parents of anew [sic] baby girl. The little one had been named Frances Virginia.
Mrs. Glenn Marden was operated on at Parkersburg, Friday. Her many friends were glad to hear she is getting along nicely.
Mr. A. R. Kelly has returned home after being at Parkersburg a few days.
Mr. Ivan Overton was in Cairo Friday and Saturday.
Mrs. Mabel Riggins and daughter, Mary Lee, returned home after a few days visit with Mrs. Riggins' sister, Mrs. Ad Prible. [sic]
Dale Pribble attended the Ritchie County Day at Harrisville, Friday.
Mr. W. R. Hays, of Parkersburg, was visiting his brother, Mr. S. D. Hays, one day last week.
Mrs. Jennie Goodwin and son, Harold, are visiting the former's daughter, Mrs. Adams Pribble.