Oliver Winfield Killam
Encyclopedia
Oliver Winfield Killam, also known as O.W. Killam (April 27, 1874 – January 1, 1959), was a Texas oilman, a member of both houses of the Oklahoma State Legislature, a prominent civic figure, and a presidential elector in 1956 for the reelection of Dwight D. Eisenhower
.
in Lincoln County
, Missouri. At the insistence of their mother, all of his siblings graduated from college, Killam in 1898 from the University of Missouri
Law School at Columbia
.
During his lifetime, Killam resided in three principal locations, Joplin
in Jasper County
, Grove
in Delaware County
, Oklahoma, and, finally, Laredo
, the seat of Webb County
, Texas.
In 1902, Killam married the former Harriet "Hattie" Smith (September 9, 1876–January 19, 1949). Killam was a delegate to the 1896 Democratic National Convention
in Chicago, Illinois, which nominated William Jennings Bryan
to challenge then Governor William McKinley
. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from 1911 to 1914, his tenure having begun only four years after statehood. He was elected as a Democrat
to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1914 and served from 1915 to 1918. At the time, Oklahoma was a heavily Democratic state in orientation.
(1910–2007), who was married to the former Sue Spivey, a native of Bonham
, Texas.
Killam anticipated the post-World War I financial panic of 1919 and sold his business and property and sacrificed a potentially promising political career. Prior to election to the legislature, Killam had been a staunch advocate of Oklahoma statehood. At the age of forty-five and with three children, he had achieved considerable financial success in Oklahoma. But he was determined to discover oil in a section of Texas where no strike had yet been made, the area from San Antonio
south to the Rio Grande
. He had no previous experience with petroleum, but as a quick learner annd risk taker, he moved in 1920 to Laredo to prospect for petroleum and natural gas on mineral leases that he had acquired while in business in Oklahoma.
The third oil well drilled by Killam brought about an oil boom in Mirando City
in eastern Webb County nearly a decade before the better known East Texas Oil Boom
centered about Kilgore
and Longview
. Killam also secured an oil lease on the Hinnant Ranch in neighboring Zapata County. His first two wells failed, but his third drill brough success on April 17, 1921. Drilled to 1461 feet (445.3 m), the well pumped about twenty barrels a day. It was the first commercial oil well south of San Antonio. That same year, Killam and Colon Schott of Cincinnati
, Ohio, developed the Schott oilfield south of Mirando City. The largest and most successful gusher, Schott No. 2, produced 300 to 400 bbl (47.7 to 63.6 m3) of oil daily, plus several million cubic feet of natural gas. The South Texas Oil Boom, based at Mirando City, was hence underway through the persistence of the wildcatter Oliver Winfield Killam.
After the development of the Schott field, many cattle
ranch
ers in South Texas began to lease large tracts of land to explore for oil. Thereafter, Killam established the Texpapa Pipe Line Company to transport the oil to tank farms or railroad tank cars. In 1923, he established the Misko Refineries at Mirando City.
. On July 4, 1937, he was named "King Petrol" at the Oilmen's Jubilee in Laredo. In 1947, Killam purchased the 80,000-acre (320 km2) Ortiz Ranch, which Radcliffe Killam continued to develop, having established the Mil Ojos Hunting Club on the property. Since that time, the Killam Ranch and Cattle Company has purchased the 100000 acres (404.7 km²) Duval County Ranch. That ranch was expanded to 125000 acres (505.9 km²). The family owns other ranch lands in West Texas
, Oregon
, and Mexico
.
In an interview for Pioneers in Texas Oil on May 5, 1956, Killam explained his success:
"When I came here [Webb and Zapata counties in 1920], all the geologists said there couldn't be any oil in this part of the country; the formations were too young, and it was just impossible for oil to accumulate. Well, they said that I was here about four million years too soon. Well, I didn't know anything about that so I went ahead anyway...the country where they said there couldn't be any oil, has produced more than a hundred million barrels.
By the 1950s, Killam had turned Republican
and was invited by Texas GOP
leaders to serve as an Eisenhower/Nixon elector. He hence cast his vote with the Texas delegation in Austin
in December 1956.
In 1956, Killam was named "Outstanding Citizen of South Texas" by members of the Washington's Birthday Celebration
Association of Laredo, which holds a lengthy festival each February in honor of George Washington
.
Killam died on New Years Day 1959, and is interred at Laredo City Cemetery beside his wife and daughtter, Patricia Louise Killam Hurd (July 10, 1915–January 2, 1955). The Winfield Subdivision across from the J.B. Alexander High School off Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo is named in his honor. David W. Killam (born January 7, 1952), the grandson of O.W. Killam, operates the remaining Killam business and philanthropic enterprises.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
.
Early years
Killam was one of eight children born to David T. Killam and the former Catherine Magruder. He was reared near ElsberryElsberry, Missouri
Elsberry is a city in Lincoln County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,047 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elsberry is located at ....
in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, Missouri
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,944 people, 13,851 households, and 10,554 families residing in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile . There were 15,511 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, Missouri. At the insistence of their mother, all of his siblings graduated from college, Killam in 1898 from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Law School at Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
.
During his lifetime, Killam resided in three principal locations, Joplin
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
in Jasper County
Jasper County, Missouri
Jasper County is a county located in the US state of Missouri. It is included in the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2010 total population of Jasper County was 117,404. It is the ninth most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Carthage, making it one of the few...
, Grove
Grove, Oklahoma
Grove is a city in Delaware County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 5,131 at the 2000 census, but the 2009 estimate was 6,377.-Geography:Grove is located at ....
in Delaware County
Delaware County, Oklahoma
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 37,077 and the newest population estimate is 45,000. Its county seat is Jay. The county was named for the Delaware Indians resettled in what was then Indian Territory in the 1830s. .Delaware County...
, Oklahoma, and, finally, Laredo
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
, the seat of Webb County
Webb County, Texas
Webb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The official 2010 population for the county is 250,304. In 2000, its population was 193,117, and in 2006 its population had been estimated to have reached to 231,470. Its county seat is Laredo...
, Texas.
In 1902, Killam married the former Harriet "Hattie" Smith (September 9, 1876–January 19, 1949). Killam was a delegate to the 1896 Democratic National Convention
1896 Democratic National Convention
The 1896 Democratic National Convention, held at the Chicago Coliseum from July 7 to July 11, was the scene of William Jennings Bryan's nomination as Democratic presidential candidate for the 1896 U.S. presidential election....
in Chicago, Illinois, which nominated William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
to challenge then Governor William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
from 1911 to 1914, his tenure having begun only four years after statehood. He was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1914 and served from 1915 to 1918. At the time, Oklahoma was a heavily Democratic state in orientation.
Moving to Texas
Originally a merchant in Oklahoma, Killam became an early success in the petroleum industry in south Texas, where he branched into numerous enterprises with his son, Radcliffe KillamRadcliffe Killam
Radcliffe Killam , was a wealthy oilman, rancher, businessman, and philanthropist in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas. He was a particular benefactor of various educational and medical institutions. In 1997, Worth cited the Killam family as one of the largest landowners in the United...
(1910–2007), who was married to the former Sue Spivey, a native of Bonham
Bonham, Texas
Bonham is a city in Fannin County, Texas, United States. The population was 10,127 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Fannin County. James Bonham sought the aid of James Fannin at the Battle of the Alamo....
, Texas.
Killam anticipated the post-World War I financial panic of 1919 and sold his business and property and sacrificed a potentially promising political career. Prior to election to the legislature, Killam had been a staunch advocate of Oklahoma statehood. At the age of forty-five and with three children, he had achieved considerable financial success in Oklahoma. But he was determined to discover oil in a section of Texas where no strike had yet been made, the area from San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
south to the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
. He had no previous experience with petroleum, but as a quick learner annd risk taker, he moved in 1920 to Laredo to prospect for petroleum and natural gas on mineral leases that he had acquired while in business in Oklahoma.
The third oil well drilled by Killam brought about an oil boom in Mirando City
Mirando City, Texas
Mirando City is a census-designated place in Webb County, Texas, United States. The population was 493 at the 2000 census. The town gets its name from Nicolás Mirando, a Spanish land grantee. The population of Mirando City was highest in 1929, at an estimated 1500...
in eastern Webb County nearly a decade before the better known East Texas Oil Boom
Texas Oil Boom
The Texas Oil Boom, sometimes called the Gusher Age, was a period of dramatic change and economic growth in U.S. state of Texas during the early 20th century that began with the discovery of a large petroleum reserve near Beaumont, Texas...
centered about Kilgore
Kilgore, Texas
Kilgore is a city in Gregg and Rusk Counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the home of Kilgore College, and was also the childhood home of famous classical pianist Van Cliburn...
and Longview
Longview, Texas
Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
. Killam also secured an oil lease on the Hinnant Ranch in neighboring Zapata County. His first two wells failed, but his third drill brough success on April 17, 1921. Drilled to 1461 feet (445.3 m), the well pumped about twenty barrels a day. It was the first commercial oil well south of San Antonio. That same year, Killam and Colon Schott of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, Ohio, developed the Schott oilfield south of Mirando City. The largest and most successful gusher, Schott No. 2, produced 300 to 400 bbl (47.7 to 63.6 m3) of oil daily, plus several million cubic feet of natural gas. The South Texas Oil Boom, based at Mirando City, was hence underway through the persistence of the wildcatter Oliver Winfield Killam.
After the development of the Schott field, many cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
ers in South Texas began to lease large tracts of land to explore for oil. Thereafter, Killam established the Texpapa Pipe Line Company to transport the oil to tank farms or railroad tank cars. In 1923, he established the Misko Refineries at Mirando City.
The Killam legacy
During the 1930s, Killam was the president of both the Laredo and the South Texas Chamber of CommerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
. On July 4, 1937, he was named "King Petrol" at the Oilmen's Jubilee in Laredo. In 1947, Killam purchased the 80,000-acre (320 km2) Ortiz Ranch, which Radcliffe Killam continued to develop, having established the Mil Ojos Hunting Club on the property. Since that time, the Killam Ranch and Cattle Company has purchased the 100000 acres (404.7 km²) Duval County Ranch. That ranch was expanded to 125000 acres (505.9 km²). The family owns other ranch lands in West Texas
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
In an interview for Pioneers in Texas Oil on May 5, 1956, Killam explained his success:
"When I came here [Webb and Zapata counties in 1920], all the geologists said there couldn't be any oil in this part of the country; the formations were too young, and it was just impossible for oil to accumulate. Well, they said that I was here about four million years too soon. Well, I didn't know anything about that so I went ahead anyway...the country where they said there couldn't be any oil, has produced more than a hundred million barrels.
By the 1950s, Killam had turned Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and was invited by Texas GOP
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
leaders to serve as an Eisenhower/Nixon elector. He hence cast his vote with the Texas delegation in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in December 1956.
In 1956, Killam was named "Outstanding Citizen of South Texas" by members of the Washington's Birthday Celebration
Washington's Birthday Celebration
The Washington's Birthday Celebration is an almost month long held event in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas, that celebrates George Washington's Birthday. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States with approximately 400,000 attendees annually...
Association of Laredo, which holds a lengthy festival each February in honor of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
.
Killam died on New Years Day 1959, and is interred at Laredo City Cemetery beside his wife and daughtter, Patricia Louise Killam Hurd (July 10, 1915–January 2, 1955). The Winfield Subdivision across from the J.B. Alexander High School off Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo is named in his honor. David W. Killam (born January 7, 1952), the grandson of O.W. Killam, operates the remaining Killam business and philanthropic enterprises.