ALL - I have just completed reading a book, "Pattillo Higgins, and the Search for Texas Oil" about the great Spindletop Oil Discovery near Beaumont, Texas in 1901. The book refers to a M. B. Looney from Dallas, Texas who was the first to drill for oil (unsuccessfully) at Spindletop in 1893. I have looked to no avail as to who this M. B. Looney could be and was wondering if anyone in the "bin" might know. Looney was putting in sewer line for the city of Dallas before he went to Beaumont in 1893. I would estimate he would have been born 1840 - 1865, but could have been born even outside these dates. After his unsuccessful attempt to find oil, there is no more mention of him in the book. Thanks for your comments/thoughts! Anthony Looney Allen, Texas