|
| "I think
this is one of the first, if not the discovery well on my grandfather's
farm." - John Keith |
I don't know
if this is true or not, but have heard my aunts and my grandmother
talking on many occasions. One of the stories was that when the
first oil well was being drilled out in front of the family farmhouse
they suddenly stopped drilling. The man in charge went to town to
inform the company that it was a dry well. Supposedly, my grandfather
[Joe Duke] told the crew remaining that if they would keep on drilling
and hit 'pay dirt' he would buy each of them a new pair of cowboy
boots. They started back to drilling and a few minutes later oil
started shooting up over the top of the derrick. A gusher!
That may be true, but it may also be another Texas tall tale.
What I do know for sure is that my grandfather Duke was at one time
known as Texas' youngest millionaire. A few years later he had no
money left and was a pauper at the time of his death.
- John Keith, April 24, 2007
Hello, My name
is Jordan Keith. I came across your page about Desdimonia Texas
and read the story written by John Keith about his great grandfather
Joe Duke (Texas first millionaire) and when I saw his picture of
Joe Duke I almost passes out because it looked exactly like my grandfather
Melvin Keith. I was just wondering if there was any way I could
contact John Keith to find out if we are related. Any help is greatly
appreciated.
My name is
Jordan Keith. I came across your page about Desdemona
Texas and read the story written by John Keith about his great
grandfather Joe Duke (Texas first millionaire) and when I saw his
picture of Joe Duke I almost passes out because it looked exactly
like my grandfather Melvin Keith. I was just wondering if there
was any way I could contact John Keith to find out if we are related.
Any help is greatly appreciated. - Jordan Keith, jordy2003pwc@yahoo.com
, September 11, 2013
|
 |
| This picture
was taken where Joe Duke was living (on the same farm that oil was
discovered in 1918) in the late 1950s. |
| "[My grandparents]
Joe Duke and Almeda... taken when they were married or shortly after."
- John Keith |
|
Desdemona Gas
Wells near Gorman
Photo courtesy City of Gorman
|
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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