The next day John and George finalized some initial plans with Joseph for the new house. Michael and his family spent Christmas with the Broussard family. The Broussard home was filled with the joyful chaos of children unwrapping presents, the tantalizing aroma of a traditional Christmas feast, and the warm sounds of carols being sung around a crackling fireplace. Michael, though still carrying the weight of his dream-self's experiences, found a quiet comfort in the simple, heartfelt celebrations of the Broussard family. He observed the genuine happiness of the children, the easy laughter shared between Joseph and Mary Belle, and for a fleeting moment, allowed himself to be swept up in the festive spirit.
A few days after Christmas, Joseph, eager to share his prized possession, suggested taking John, George, and Michael for a ride in his 1897 Daimler Phoenix. It was a marvel of engineering for its time, and Joseph proudly demonstrated its features. "She's got a two-cylinder engine, you see, capable of about four horsepower," he explained to a fascinated John and George. "Can reach speeds up to twenty miles an hour on a good road! Quite something, wouldn't you say?"
John and George were indeed impressed, marveling at the craftsmanship and the novelty of the horseless carriage. Michael, however, observed the vehicle with a more critical eye. While he acknowledged its ingenuity, his dream memories of sleek, powerful automobiles from a world where technology was at least two to three decades more advanced made him somewhat less enthusiastic. Still, he admitted to himself that it was a remarkable piece of machinery for its era.
Soon, they were venturing south of Beaumont, the Daimler Phoenix chugging along the dusty roads. The open-air ride offered views of the surrounding countryside. As they passed a particular stretch of seemingly barren land, devoid of the crops that characterized the neighboring farms, Michael suddenly pointed.
"Who owns this land, Mr. Broussard?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the uncultivated fields.
Joseph followed Michael's gaze. "That belongs to a local farmer, Lucas Caldwell."
Upon hearing the Michael's question, John and George exchanged a quick, knowing look.
That night, after a hearty dinner, John and George sat down with Michael, their curiosity evident. "Michael," John began, leaning forward, "that land you pointed out today… Caldwell's place… what did you sense there? Was it oil? Iron? Gold?"
Michael looked at them, his expression calm. "It's oil, Father."
"Like in Los Angeles?" George asked, his interest piqued.
Michael nodded. "Yes, but… much larger than that."
Despite their surprise at Michael's prediction, the Kingstons didn't immediately rush to purchase the land south of Beaumont. Their experience in Los Angeles had taught them that where oil was found, more could often be discovered nearby. They decided to take a more measured approach, understanding the importance of thorough exploration.
Detailed maps of the region proved elusive, so they resolved to explore the area surrounding Beaumont in person, guided by Michael's uncanny intuition. It wasn't long before Michael indicated two other locations with promising potential: Port Arthur and Orange City.
In 1898, Beaumont was a bustling town in Jefferson County, its economy primarily driven by the lumber industry, fertile farmlands, and a steadily growing port. Joseph Broussard's pioneering Beaumont Rice Mill was already a significant contributor to the local economy, and with his recent co-founding of the Beaumont Irrigation Company that very year, rice cultivation was set to expand even further. The town had a palpable sense of progress and community.
Approximately 18 miles southeast of Beaumont lay Port Arthur, also in Jefferson County. Officially established just three years prior in 1895, Port Arthur was rapidly developing as a major deep-water port. The arrival of the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1898 had been a pivotal moment, connecting the burgeoning port to wider trade networks and fueling its growth as a crucial shipping hub, particularly for the nascent oil industry in the region.
To the east of Beaumont, around 51 miles away in neighboring Orange County, was the city of Orange. A more established settlement with roots dating back to the 1830s, Orange served as the county seat. By 1898, the town had a solid foundation in lumber and agriculture, and that year saw the construction of a new courthouse, symbolizing its importance as a center of local government.
With Michael's confident pronouncements, the Kingstons had identified a potential "Golden Triangle" of oil riches surrounding Beaumont. The barren land owned by Lucas Caldwell seemed to be just the beginning. The possibilities stretching before them in Southeast Texas appeared vast and incredibly promising.
The area surrounding Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange City held a vast expanse of land, exceeding 3,000 acres, that was considered prime for oil production. What made this opportunity even more enticing was the incredibly low land prices compared to what they had encountered in Los Angeles. Here, most of the land could be acquired for around $3 per acre, meaning even substantial purchases wouldn't break the bank.
The Kingston family extended their stay in Beaumont through January and February of the new year. During this time, they discreetly began acquiring the land Michael had identified, along with surrounding areas that held promising potential. By the time they were ready to leave Texas, they had amassed a considerable portfolio of 5,000 acres for a total investment of just $20,000.
Surprisingly, they made no immediate moves to begin drilling. While they were confident in Michael's predictions, they felt the timing wasn't quite right. Instead, John announced a bold plan: they would first construct a state-of-the-art refinery right there in Texas.
Joseph, who had become a close confidante during their stay, couldn't hide his bewilderment. "But John," he asked, a look of genuine confusion on his face, "why build a refinery now? You haven't even struck oil here yet."
He further pointed out the logistical challenges. "The Corsicana oil field, which is currently the most significant in Texas, is over 300 miles away from Beaumont. It wouldn't make much sense to build a refinery all the way down here for oil that would need to be transported such a long distance."
John simply smiled, a look of unwavering faith in his eyes. "Joseph, we have a strong feeling we'll find oil. And when we do, we want to be ready. Building the refinery now shows our commitment and will put us in a prime position."
Joseph, despite his reservations, admired John's conviction. Yet, he couldn't contain his true thoughts, blurting out in exasperation, "John, with all due respect, this whole plan… it sounds like something only crazy fools would do! A good refinery… that could cost well over a million dollars. Isn't that… well, isn't that putting the cart so far before the horse it's in another county? You could be squandering a fortune!"
George, John, Mary, and Elizabeth all erupted in laughter at Joseph's frankness. They understood Joseph's logic, but they also had a secret weapon in Michael's gift.
Only Michael remained silent, his gaze thoughtful. Unbeknownst to Joseph, the Kingstons were embarking on a venture that, if successful, would propel them into the ranks of the ultra-wealthy. While money was certainly a part of the equation, Michael understood its true function: it was a conduit to power. The experiences of his dream life had instilled in him a profound yearning not just for wealth, but for the control and influence that came with it – the power to shape his own destiny and perhaps the destiny of those around him. That was his ultimate goal.