OIL THOUGHTS: Bradford’s experience with the oil industry is
proof that, no matter how much things change, the more they stay
the same.

With that in mind we pass along a poem we received from Char
Shannon of Bradford.

She notes, “This was written years ago by the father of Cora
Mosher who recently died. It was written for my grandfather Arthur
(nickname “Pete”) Eidson and his brother Gilbert Eidson who lived
in Totten Hollow out Sawyer way. That was the early 1900s.”

Its called, “The Eidson Well,” written by Alva E. King (East
Bradford):

“The market price of crude today,

Has reached two fifty-one.

And the drilling for the oil so deep,

In Sawyer has begun.

“I write and dedicate these lines,

To those who are to follow

And reap the benefits derived,

From the well in Totten Hollow, Eidson Hollow

“Though tools of ancient Rome are used,

And the bull rope is a sight,

We hope that she’ll produce the crude,

From morning until night.

“We hope the tank will overflow,

And they’ll be rich like Aster.

We hope the gas pressure will grow,

And make the oil flow faster.

“We hope to see an automobile,

With Pete’s hand at the throttle

Some day come climbing up with Gil

To the house in Totten Hollow.

“The well is down ten hundred feet,

And soon it will be finished.

They’ve coal enough to drill her deep

And the water does not diminish.

“I hope the well when finally drilled

Will be a new creation,

And oil will run right down the hill

Like a man from his relation.”

THIS, TOO: In the same missive was a quote that is too pertinent
to pass up. “A public debt is a kind of anchor in the storm, but if
the anchor be too heavy for the vessel, she will be sunk by that
very weight which was intended for her preservation,” says Colton.
Our fears, indeed.

LEEK QUESTION: Carl Miskovish of Eldred phoned recently to get a
copy of our leek recipes, but also had a query for our readers. He
wanted to know if there is a way to keep leeks “good and fresh for
the long haul.” We know you can freeze-dry them or can them but
know for certain that they get mushy if frozen. Can anyone help
Carl?