The California Oil Crooks
Directed by George MelfordGeorge Cresswell has bravely endeavored to strike oil, but with no success, and he is therefore greatly surprised when Todd, a promoter, arrives on the scene and offers to buy his land. Naturally Cresswell believes the promoter is endeavoring to perpetrate a joke at his expense, little knowing that Todd and a confederate have made a careful inspection of the land and formed a daring plot to tap a neighboring pipe. Cresswell's protests are subdued when Todd declares that he is willing to take a chance and the sale is effected. The plot is then placed in execution. Todd and his assistants tap the pipeline under the cover of darkness, and cleverly extend a line to the worthless property, where it is connected with an abandoned derrick. A few days later the community is astonished by the news that the old Cresswell land has become a fertile oil field, and an inspection verifies the report. Todd organizes a company and offers stock for sale. He is able to command large figures, but in his plans he makes one mistake. He engages Cresswell's sweetheart, Nelly Brown, as stenographer, and the girl discovers evidence of her employer's criminal practices. She promptly warns Cresswell, and together they proceed to the derrick. The promoter, finding his operations have been discovered, destroys the derrick by an explosion of dynamite and Cresswell and Nelly are imprisoned by the flames. Their rescue is effected and the California oil crooks are brought to justice.
