I've been reading a lot about Spindletop and Texas wildcatters recently, thinking they were of the past. Yet, I've opened the Houston Chronicle on two occasions in the past month and found articles written about some wildcatters, who may not be out hunting for oil anymore, but they have definitely left their mark and are continuing to do so. Just thought I would share those articles here.
On June 8th, I read an article about Lester Smith, a wildcatter who has been donating millions of dollars to Houston area health institutions. A two-time cancer survivor, his latest donation of 15 million dollars to the hospital district is the largest donation they have ever received. He wanted to do something with his money that would help cancer patients at Ben Taub Hospital. His donation will go towards a new cancer clinic that will cut wait times and add new equipment. He is so devout in his battle against cancer, that he has even painted one of his wells pink. (Houston Chronicle Article)
Clayton Williams is another wildcatter featured in the Chronicle. I read an article about him in the June 14th paper. The front-page picture of Williams standing in his office, grinning from ear to ear, with animal hides and mounted kills all around him fits my ideal of a Texas Wildcatter. At 79 years old, Williams is far from slowing down, owning and operating Clayton Williams Energy. (Houston Chronicle Article)
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