Natural gas history

Located a bit south of Francesville on US 421, across the highway from the Vulcan Materials quarry, is Pulaski County's only historical marker:

The text reads:

First Indiana Natural Gas Well
One mile southwest of this marker gas was discovered in 1867 by G. Bates while drilling for oil at a depth of 500 feet. Gas wells were drilled in 1887-1888; gas piped into Francesville lasted only four years.

Some natural gas was also found in Jasper County after a local Jed Clamppet struck oil. Maybe I can get that story ready later this week.