THE NORTH FIELD

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The Texas Company #1 Jones Well also blew out of control and immediately caught fire. In moments the entire rig, derrick and all equipment were destroyed from the intensity of the inferno. Miraculously no lives were lost. The derrick man, Elbert Shores, who was high in the derrick, saved his own life by sliding down the guy wires to safety, severely burning his hands. The well caught fire on Monday morning, and by nightfall hundreds of people had gathered to watch the terrifying sight. The roaring flames were deafening, and the intensity of the heat was unbelievable. One person viewing the spectacle was heard to comment, “This must be what hell looks and sounds like.”

The well blazed for four days and nights and was finally extinguished by an oil well fighter who was internationally famous for bringing burning wells under control. His name was Ward A. (“Tex”) Thornton, owner of the Tex Thornton Torpedo Company of Amarillo, Texas.