HISTORY

 It was during an office call of this kind by Mr. A.L. Brown and Mr.E.W. Eaton, neighboring drillers resident in Grand Forks, that Mr. Brown asked if they could not have some assistance in getting a few drillers of the locality together in order that they might, through better acquaintance, become better friends, cease bickering and jealous interference, and learn of one another’s problems and their solutions, and also receive instructions regarding the geological formation and the occurrence of water in them.

The value of the suggestions was greatly appreciated and after consultation with the Secretary of the Commercial Club of Grand Forks, a letter of inquiry dated April 6th 1915 was sent to a number of leading well drillers in the state, and the response was so favorable that a call letter for the first meeting was sent out on May 11^th following. This letter was sent to all drillers of North Dakota, so far as known, inviting them to a meeting. Later, through the courtesy of the Grand Forks Commercial Club, tentative programs were also sent to the complete list. The “Sludge Bucket”, a trade paper published by the Sparta Iron Works Company of Sparta, Wisconsin, gave space to complete call and program and out of all of these combined efforts the first meeting was held in the Commercial Club Rooms, Grand Forks, on June 2nd and 3rd, 1915, with thirty-five well drillers in attendance.

The North Dakota Well Driller’s Association came into existence with Mr. A.L. Brown, the one who first suggested the movement, as president, and J.R. Chalmers of Mott, the man who had come the greatest distance, over 400 miles, as secretary. The writer, in opening the meeting, spoke as follows: ” It is hoped that this may be the first of a series of annual meetings in the nature of institutes in this and other states which will bring about a better knowledge of the geologic conditions and of the occurrence of ground water, and a better understanding of the means of obtaining it for man’s use by means of the drill.. The result would be of value to the driller and of the greater value to the people because of the better and more wholesome supply of water obtained, and water is one of the most fundamental natural resources on which the prosperity of the people depends.

“Since the initial meeting, annual meetings have been held at Devil’s Lake in 1916, Minot in 1917, Bismarck in 1920, and in Grand Forks in 1921 and 1922, (Editors note: and many more since this article was written). The meetings of 1918 and 1919 were omitted owing to conditions arising out of the war. In each of these meetings the program has been planned and directed by the State Water Geologist with the Extension Division and methods which have been found
useful to them. Manufactures of established reputation have explained the latest improved tools and machinery and supplies Experts have demonstrated standard rigs and working models

Dinners, with good speeches, songs and readings, popular illustrated lectures upon radio air liquid air, and even the movies have lightened up the otherwise rather solid production of the University cooperating. Members of the University and Agricultural College facilities have lectured upon topics helpful to the work of securing the best available water supply. Drillers of long and successful experience have discussed many of the practical problems of making wells; and have given talks and demonstrations of devices, tools, grams and above all, the drillers have had such good social times in which to rub elbows with neighbor drillers and swap experiences with those from far corners of the state. Business occupies a minor portion of
the time of the Convention and never in its history has the Association attempted to fix the prices of drilling

The 1922 meeting was of special interest because of the presence of Mr. O.E.Meinzer, Chief of the Ground Water Division, of the U.S. Geological Survey, and Professor Walter C. Topelman, representing South Dakota State Geological Survey, who were present to confer with the member of the North Dakota State Geological Survey the concerning legislation needed present and regarding conservation of the artesian waters of the Dakota Basin, the most important artesian basin in America.

Concerning this meeting the News Letter of the Water Resources Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey says: “On Mr. Meinzer’s western trip, January 16th to February 1st, he spoke to the joint meeting of the North Dakota Well Driller’s Association and the Inter-State Conference on the Conservation of Artesian Water, at Grand Forks, North Dakota. He came back enthusiastic over the driller’s association. The North Dakota Well Driller’s Association is said to be the only organization