In 1907, brochures promoting the Pecos Valley highlighted its orchards, farming, and plentiful water from artesian wells. Martin Yates, Jr., a journalism graduate of Westminster College of Fulton, Missouri, came to Artesia on the recommendation of his cousin, Emma Yates Gilbert, seeking a career. The numerous noncommercial shows of oil in local water wells inspired him to begin searching for oil, and his curiosity, tenacity, and willingness to take risks sustained that effort through repeated disappointments. From the start, he invested in the area with a public spirit, seeing it as a growing community rather than a boomtown, and his optimism remained strong even after years of unsuccessful attempts by himself and other wildcatters. He persuaded Mr. Van Welch to keep his drilling rig in New Mexico and drill three more wells, the Illinois #1, #2 and #3. Over time, the family oil exploration efforts he began developed into Yates Petroleum Corporation, HEYCO, MYCO, Yates Drilling Company, and Abo Petroleum Corporation, all active New Mexico independent producers.