DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS

BY

GEORGE I. ADAMS, ERASMUS HAWORTH, AND W. R. CRANE

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1904

ERRATA.

[Bull. U. S. Gteol. Survey No. 238.]

The work of Mr. F. C. Schrader in the adjacent Independence and 

Parsons quadrangles during- the season of 1904 shows that certain miscorrelations were made in the survey of the lola quadrangle. The 

necessary corrections have been made on the maps (Pis. I and II), and 

the data for correcting- the text and Pis. Ill and IV are given below:

PL III,-for Drum read Dennis.

for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

for Dennis read Mound Valley. 

for Galesburg read Laclore. 

PL IV, for Drum read Dennis.

for Dennis read Mound Valley. 

Page 3, line 20, for Galesburg read Ladore.

line 21, for Dennis read Mound Valley, 

line 22, for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

line 23, for Drum read Dennis. 

Page 18, paragraph 1, line 10, for Galesburg read Ladore.

line 11, for Dennis read Mound Valley. 

for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

for Drum read Dennis.

paragraph 4, line 1, for Galesburg read Ladore. 

paragraph 5, line 1, for Dennis read Mound Valley, 

paragraph 6, line 1, for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

Page 19, paragraph 1, line 1,/or Drum read Dennis, 

line 7, for Drum read Dennis, 

paragraph 2, line 3, for Drum read Dennis.

line 4, for Dennis read Mound Valley, 

line 5, for Galesburg read Ladore.

for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

paragraph 3, line 2, for Drum read Dennis. 

 Page 21,-paragraph 5, line 5, 'for Galesburg read Ladore.

.for Dennis read Mound Valley. 

for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

for Drum read Dennis. 

Page 22, line 17, for Drum read Dennis.

line 18, for Cherryvale read Galesburg. 

line 19, for Dennis read Mound Valley, 

line 20, for Galesburg read Laclore. 

Page 75, paragraph 2, line 3, for Shaw read Dennis. 

Page 79, line 14 from bottom, for Dennis read Mound Valley.

for Drum read Dennis.

CONTENTS.

 PllgO.

Letter of transmittal...................................................... 9

Introduction, by George I. Adams ........................................ 11

Location of area described .......--........ ...............-----...---. 11

General statement".............. .* .................................... 12 £» Geology of the lola quadrangle, by George I. Adams ....................... 14

Surface features ...................................................... 14

Description of formations..................:...............-.......... .15

Mississippian series.........\..................................... 15

Boone formation ............................................. .15

Pennsylvania!! series ......................-.-..------..---....-.. 16

Cherokee shale .............................................. 16

Fort Scott limestone.......................................... 16

Labette shale ................................................ 17

Pawnee limestone............................................ 17

Bandera shale ............................................... 17

Parsons limestone............................................. !17

Dudley shale................................................. 17

Bronson formation ........................................... .17

Hertha limestone ............................................ 18

.: Galesburg shale.............................................. 18

Dennis limestone............................................. 18

Cherry vale shale.............................................. 18

Drum limestone...........................,-................... .1.9

Chanute shale ............................................... 19

lola limestone ............................................... 19

Concrete shale ....................:......:................... 20

.Alien limestone .............................................. 20

fc Vilas shale .................................................. 20

* ' Piqua limestone.............................................. 20

Alluvium........................................................ 21

Correlation and correction of faunal lists............................... 2.1

General structure..................................................... 23

Origin of oil and gas.............................................. 24

Relations of the oil- and gas-bearing sandstones .................... 25

Mineral resources and their utilization, by Erasmus Havvorth and George I.

Adams, with sections by W. B. Crane ............................... 30

Oil and gas .......................................................... 30

Historical........................................................ 30

lola and Laharpe.............................................. 30

Humboldt................................................... 31

Chanute..................................................... 32

Erie......................................................... 34

[ Moran....................................................... 34

f Bronson, Elsrnore, Savonburg, and Stark ...................... 34

3
4 CONTENTS.

Mineral resources and their utilization, etc. Continued. Page. 

Oil and gas Continued.

Production ...................................................... 34

Oil.......................................................... 34

Gas ....;.................................................. 37

Gas-producing territory....................................... 38

Utilization of gas in zinc smelting ................................. 40

Development of the industry.................................. 40

Method of smelting .......................................... 42

Production of spelter in 1902 .................................. 43

Phenomena of gas wells, by George I. Adams ...................... 43

Static or closed pressure ...................................... 45

Dynamic or open-flow pressure.................'................ 47

Pressure and flow in pipes ............... ..................... 50 *

Minute pressure, or measurement of volume by number of condensations ..._...,.......... ..,.........---.. ............... 51

Observations and measurements of gas wells in the lola quadrangle,

by W. R. Crane............................................ -53

Measurements of static, or closed, pressure............ J........ 53

Measurements of the volume of gas wells...................... 55

Measurements of flow of gas in pipes........................... 59

Observations on methods of developing and utilizing oil and gas, by

W. R. Crane............................................... 60

Methods of drilling............................................ 60

Cost and rate of drilling ...................................... 60

Systems of oil pumping........................................ 61

Distribution and control of gas supply ......................... 61

Portland cement .............:......................................... 63

Types of silicate cements....................................r...... 63

Puzzolan cement............................................. 63

Natural cement ............................................... 63

Portland cement ............................................. 64

Chemical composition of Portland cement.......................... 64

Physical properties........................................... 66

Kaw materials used in the manufacture of Portland cement......... 66

Siliceous and pure limestones.................................. 66

Marl and clay ................................................ 66

Chalky limestone and clay .................................... 66

Caustic-soda waste and clay................................... 67

Slag and limestone............................................ 67

Pure (hard) limestone and clay or shale. .................i..... 67

Cement materials in the lola quadrangle........................... 67 X

Cement plants and processes of manufacture ....................... 67

lola Portland-cement plant.................................... 68

Kansas Portland-cement plant ................................ 69

Brick making........................................................ 69

Characteristics and properties of clays.............................. 69

Definition and composition of clays................................ 69

Classification of clays as to origin.................................. 69

Classification of clays as to uses........ ............................ 70

Clays in the lola quadrangle .......................................... 70

Condition of the brick industry ................................... 71

Brick plants atChanute....................................... 71

Brick plants at Humboldt..................................... 72
CONTENTS. 5

Mineral resources and their utilization, etc. Continued. Page. 

Brick making Continued.

Clays in the lola quadrangle Continued.

Brick plants at Tola........................... ................ 73

Brick plants at Laharpe....................................... 74

Coal, lead, and zinc.. .................................................. 74

Coal............................................................. 74

Lead and zinc.................................................... 75

Water supply .................................:..........-.-......... 75

Streams.......................................................... 75

Springs .... ^.....................................i................ 77

Wells............................................................ 77

Soils................................................................ 78

Origin of soils........................................ J........... 78

Classification of soils.............................................. 78

Soils of the lola quadrangle ....................................... 78

Index .:....................-.........,................................... 81

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page. 

PLATE I. Geologic map of the lola quadrangle, showing location of oil and gas

wells in September, 1903 ........ i............................. 14

II. Geologic map and section, showing structural relations of the oil- and

gas-bearing formations of the lola quadrangle...............'.... 16

III. General section of rocks exposed in the lola quadrangle and encountered in drilling............................................... 18

IV. A, Geologic section through Moran, Laharpe, and lola; B, Geologic

section through Erie, Shaw, and Chanute....................... 24

V. Relative positions and partial logs of wells just east of Chanute,

Kans......................................................... 28

VI. Golden Oil Company's well No. 2, near Chanute, Kans. ........... 32

VII. Knapp pumping station, storage tanks, and loading racks, Chanute, 

Kans.........................................................

VIII. A, Tola Brick Company's plant No. 1; B, Lanyon Zinc Company's 

sinelter No. 1..................................................

IX. A, Lanyon Zinc Company's smelter No. 2; B, Bank of retorts showing flames and zinc fumes escaping from the ends of the condensers ....................................................... 42

X. A, Chart of static pressure in service pipe taken with Bristol's recording pressure gage; B, Chart of static flowage pressure in service 

pipe taken with Bristol's recording pressure gage................ 60

XI. A,. Limestone quarry at lola Portland Cement Company's plant; B,

lola Portland Cement Company's plant......................... 68

Fro. 1. Sketch map showing location of lola quadrangle (PI. I) and area

shown in PI. II................................................ 11

2. Sketch illustrating disappearance of sandstone beds................. 26

3. Relative positions and partial logs of certain wells of the Kansas Crude

Oil and Oread Oi I and Gas companies............................. 27

4. Spring gage attached for measuring static pressure.................. 45

5. U-shaped gage with flexible hose for attachment in measuring gas

pressures...................................................... 45

6. Types of oil and gas reservoirs .................................... 46

7. Diagram of artesian well.......................................... 47

8. Simple form of Pitot tube......................................... 48

9. Pitot tube and spring gage attached for measuring velocity of gas

issuing from a well............................................. 49

10. Pitot tube and spring gage attached for measuring velocity of flow of

gas in a pipe................................................... 50

11. Spring gage attached for measuring internal pressure of gas flowing in

a pipe......................................................... 51

12. Eobinson instrument for measuring velocity and pressure of gas flowing in pipes.................................................... 51

13. Map of lola quadrangle showing approximately zones of variation of

static pressure of gas wells...................................... 56

7

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

Washington, D. <?., May 17, 1,904.

SIR: 1 have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of a 

report on the economic geology of the lola quadrangle, Kansas, by 

George I. Adams, Erasmus Haworth, and W. R. Crane, and respectfully recommend that it be published as a bulletin.

The report contains detailed information concerning the geology of 

a rapidly developing oil and gas field, and is intended to furnish information, chiefly of an economic character, in advance of the publication 

of the lola folio.

Very respectfully, C. W. HATES,

Geologist in Charge of Geology. 

Hon. CHARLES D. WALCOTT,

Director United States Geological Survey.

. . ' . , 9

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF THE IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS.

By GEORGE I. ADAMS, ERASMUS HA WORTH, and W. R. CRANE.

INTRODUCTION.

By GEORGE I. ADAMS.

OF AREA DESCRIBED.

The lola quadrangle is a rectangular area situated in southeastern 

Kansas (see fig. 1), its eastern and southern limits lying respectively 

20 and 35 miles from the borders of the State. It is bounded by 

meridians 95° and 95° 30' west longitude, and 37° 30' and 38° north 

latitude. It has an area of about 944 square miles and includes nearly 

all of Alien County, the north half of Neosho County, the west border 

of Bourbon County, and the northwest corner of Crawford County. 

The larger towns in the quadrangle are lola and Chanute, the growth 

of which has recently been stimulated by the finding of oil and gas. 

Huniboldt, which is situated between Chanute and lola, and Laharpe 

and Gas, which lie to the east of lola and are connected with it by an 

electric line, are also in the more productive belt of the oil and gas 

territory. The towns of Erie, Shaw, Savonburg, Elsmore, Bronson, 

and Moran are at approximately the.eastern limit of the field.

Although the lola quadrangle is one of the arbitrary units employed 

for the purpose of mapping, its limits are fortunately situated with 

respect to the northern portion of the oil and gas field. It is purposed 

to continue the study of the oil and gas resources in this region, and 

for that reason the Independence quadrangle, which corners the lola 

on the southwest, has already been surveyed topographically, and its 

geology is being studied. Those who are interested in oil and gas 

areas that do not fall within the Tola quadrangle may perhaps still be 

aided by this bulletin to a better understanding of the field in general, 

since the structure and general relations of the oil and gas are very 

similar in all parts of the Kansas-Indian Territory field as at present 

developed.

11
12 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL. 238.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

The field work upon which this report is based was done in August 

and early September, in 1903, the general supervision of the work 

being in charge of the writer. It was divided into three portions: 

Prof. Erasmus Haworth. of Kansas University, collected and collated the information for the portion relating to the economic development; Prof. W. K. Crane, of Kansas University, made observations 

upon the pressure and flow of gas, his conclusions in regard to the

La^n

\ O ) Greeni

^ 0}

oo miles

FIG. 1. Sketch map showing location of lola quadrangle (PI. I) and area shown in PL II.

cause of the flow and the volume and approximate life of the wells in 

the field being presented in a separate chapter by him; and the writer, 

assisted by Mr. Millard K. Shaler, mapped the geologic formations and 

studied their structure and underground relations.

The Kansas oil and gas field has already been made the subject of 

several reports. The geology of this part of the State has been discussed bjr the university geological survey in volumes prepared under
.ADAMS.] HSTTKODUCTION. 13

the direction of Professor Haworth, who has also written articles 

from time to time setting forth the available information pertaining 

to the economic development of the oil and gas resources of the State. 

In Bulletin 184" of the United States Geological Survey the writer 

gave an account of the general .geologic relations and economic 

development of the Kansas-Indian Territory field up to the summer 

of 1901. Although the rapid progress made in exploiting oil and gas 

has changed the area and importance of the producing localities, the 

data obtained through the. drilling of numerous wells have verified 

the general statements and conclusions of that report, so that it is 

still of interest as a general discussion of the field as a whole. That 

being the case, this bulletin will be confined to the consideration of the 

lola quadrangle. 

The university geological survey of Kansas, under the direction of

Professor Haworth, had a number of students in the field doing

geologic mapping during the summer of 1903. As a result of their 

work and through the courtesy of that survey there is presented in 

this report a more detailed mapping of the Fort Scott quadrangle 

(see PI. II and fig. 1), which lies directly east of the lola quadrangle, 

than would otherwise be available. This is valuable in discussing the 

underground relations of the formations, since the rocks that are 

encountered in the lower portions of the wells outcrop to the east, 

beyond the limit of the lola quadrangle.

"Adams, Geo. I., Oil and gas fields of the western interior and northern Texas coal measures and 

of the upper Cretaceous and Tertiary of the western Gulf coast: Bull. U. S. Geofc Survey No. 184,1901.
GEOLOGY OF THE IOLA QUADRANGLE.

By GEOKGE I. ADAMS. 

SURFACE FEATURES.

The lola quadrangle is situated in the prairie plains region, of which 

the eastern third of Kansas forms a portion. It has a moderate 

elevation, the lowest contour in the valley of Neosho River being 860 

feet and in that of Marmaton River 880 feet above sea level, while the 

altitude of the higher points ranges from 1,000 to 1,080 feet. The surface features have been developed by erosion, and inasmuch as 

folding and faulting of the rocks are nowhere apparent, the topography 

is closety related to the strike and dip of the strata. The distinguishing features of this portion of the prairie plains are the low terraces 

and the occasional isolated hills or mounds.

The rock formations are interstratified shales, sandstones, and limestones, which have a northeast-southwest strike. As a result of erosion 

the harder and more resistant beds produce escarpments which follow, 

with many deviations, the strike of the rocks. Inasmuch as the limestones are relatively more resistant in this area, they are found outcropping at the top of the escarpments and on the dip slopes. The 

dip of the rocks is to the northwest and varies usually from 10 to 25 

feet per mile. In traveling northwest, where the country is not much 

dissected by streams, and in ascending the moderate terraces, one

passes over the surface outcrop of successively higher beds. In going 

beyond the line of a particular escarpment one may travel several 

miles upon the surface of the same formation if stream valleys do not 

interrupt it; may do so, in fact, until he approaches the foot of the 

succeeding terrace. Where the drainage has dissected the country, 

particularly along the larger streams and their tributaries, the observer 

will readily note the surface features which indicate the dip-of the 

rocks, and will see that the hills and bluffs form parts of sinuous 

escarpments.

The geology of the area is simple (Pis. I and II) and the fact that 

the country is not covered with forests renders observation easy. The 

uniformity of the general features, however, makes difficult the study 

of the detailed geologic structure, since definite folds are nowhere 

found and irregularities are taken up by minor and varying dips of 

the rocks.

14
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. I

LEGEND

Hj6^^i44

L.0!:... i

Piqua limcslom

lfflfij^-.^:^^'i

'' ' . f ' /. /'' \^ '» ' f.''v

l:^fe^; '%-; .^V I^- ^ ^ ^i' -^^^Rj I i4vJ-«i.iui .- .... ., \t,4.tli%Ji£-../. -^ ;;

l^'ll > '..:.V^^

ti ^V'"^Pir ti!:|r^

I ./At^r* \ rs»\(cev /',& ;. ^ :i^r¥4-JMfeL^

"*/!!- A

n 1 ^1:S .< /- P

/|i> iJ ;-,vx ' - ' -j ;.- '* f \x. 4fcfc4_...M; ; >^g ...cb":^;- ^ :! /' ;.'' -'- >-.. ;> " ""

 ."Ix' ; " ". . ^ 

' f ' > ' r -... -.

i ; .-, ii TK'\ , ; * JT** * ^"^v^ l-~-~ *

I ' ( .' / > i1 fi : I \ -- J II : fV-^'--.^

l::v ( /;>f \ I"/ I *'V\\

~M-jr/:S"*' : * t_ . ' yV-ipip ^-^ 

Jno. H. Renshawe, Geographer m cha.r^e 

Control byJ.R.Eiiis 

Topography by Basil Duke 

Surveyed in 1902

GI^OLOGIC MAP OFTHK I OLA QUAD RAN OLE. KANSAS

SHOWING LOCATION OK OIL AND GAS WELLS IN SEl'TKMBK.1,1903

! Scale 725*000" 

! 2 o i s 3 ___4______5 miles

Geology by George 1. Adams 

assisted by M.K.Shaler 

Surveyed in 1903

u l 5 kilometers

=)

Contour interval 20 feet

llaturn is mean sea level 

190-1
ADAMS.] GEOLOGIC FOKMATIONS. 15

The rocks that outcrop in the lola quadrangle and the oil and gas 

formations that are encountered in drilling (see PI. Ill) belong to the 

Penns}7 lvariian series of the Carboniferous. This series is commonly 

spoken of as the Coal Measures, since it contains beds of workable 

coal, the important ones of which, in Kansas, are found in the lower 

portion of the section. Below the Coal Measures is the Boone limestone of the Mississippian series. In order to understand the relations 

of the strata below the surfr.ce in the lola quadrangle, it is necessary 

to describe the formations which outcrop to the east and which are 

shown on the accompanying map (PI. II).

DESCRIPTION OF FORMATIONS.

MISSISSIPPIAN SERIES.

Boone formation. The Coal Measures rest upon the Mississippian 

series, which, in this region has commonly been designated the "Mississippian limestone" by those who have described or reported it in 

drill holes. The particular limestone formation spoken of under this 

name is in reality the Boone formation, which has its type locality in 

northern Arkansas. It outcrops over a large area in northern Arkansas, northeastern Indian Territory, and southeastern Missouri, and 

consists of limestone beds carrying a large amount of chert or Hint, 

interbedded or occurring as rolls and lenses in it. In this formation are found the lead and zinc deposits around Joplin, Mo., and 

Galena, Kans. Within Kansas it outcrops in a small area between 

Spring River and the southeast corner of the State. Due east of the 

lola quadrangle it is found in St. Clair, Cedar, and Dade counties in 

Missouri (see PI. II).

The numerous wells that have been drilled in the Boone formation 

and the shafts and workings of mines, as well as the natural exposures of its outcrop, show that it is not an oil- and gas-bearing formation. In the oil and gas field this formation may be appropriately 

spoken of as the floor upon which the Coal Measures rest (see section 

accompanying PI. II). It is encountered at a considerable depth in 

drilling, and when it is reached, as shown by the cuttings, drilling 

operations are usually stopped. A few wells within the oil and gas 

field have penetrated it for a considerable distance, notably a deep well 

at JSleodesha, which probably passed entirely through it and into the 

underlying rocks. Its presence underneath the Coal Measures is 

pretty well established for the major portion of the field, arid experience shows that there is no reason for expecting oil and gas after it 

has been reached.

The dip of the Mississippian limestone is to the northwest and, considered in its broader aspects, is even and regular. At certain places, 

however, the records of wells show that its upper surface is liable to 

present undulations and irregularities.
16 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238. 

PENNSYLVANIAN SERIES.

Cherokee shale. Tue lowest formation of the Kansas section of the 

Coal Measures is known as the Cherokee shale and has a thickness of 

about 450 feet. Although the term shale is applied to it it contains 

beds of sandstone which are, in some localities, of considerable extent 

and thickness. The area of outcrop is approximately 30 miles wide, 

and extends from Missouri across the southeast corner of Kansas into 

Indian Territory. Although some oil and gas have been found in the 

higher formations the Cherokee shale contains the important reservoirs in the Kansas-Indian Territory field. Where it outcrops there 

are occasional oil seeps, or springs, and deposits of maltha, or heavy 

oil, which have resulted from th£ surface oxidation and evaporation 

of the petroleum. Oil in economic quantity is found where the 

Cherokee shales are under sufficient cover to seal in and retain their 

contents of oil and gas. The dip being northwest, the shales are carried 

underground, so that within the principal oil- and gas-producing belt 

their upper portion is encountered at a considerable depth. Within 

the lola quadrangle this depth increases from southeast to northwest, 

and is equal to the thickness of the overlying beds.

The records of numerous drill holes have been studied and from 

them it has been learned that the sandstone beds contained in these 

shales vary in character and thickness. In places they grade into more 

shaly material, so that it is impossible to identify the individual beds 

except in areas that have been closely drilled. Inasmuch as these 

sandstones are the principal oil and gas reservoirs close attention has 

been given to their character and extent. This subject will be discussed later in the report; here it is sufficient to state that no beds 

have been found which can be identified and given special designations,

as has been done in certain fields where the oil sands are numbered 

or named.

Fort Scott limestone. This limestone is the lowest persistent formation in the Kansas section of the Coal Measures. It is named from 

the town of Fort Scott, where it outcrops. It there consists of a 

lower limestone member 4£ feet thick (the rock used for making 

-hydraulic cement at Fort Scott), and an upper limestone member from 

10 to 14 feet in thickness, with usually a shaly member about 7 feet 

thick between the two. Although the Fort Scott limestone is a relatively thin formation it is easily traced in the field and has been identified from Fort Scott for a short distance northeast into Missouri and 

southwest into Indian Territory, its line of outcrop passing the towns 

of Girard, Cherokee, and Chetopa, Kans., and Chelsea, Claremore, 

and Catoosa, Ind. T. It lies just above the Cherokee shales and.in the 

Kansas oil and gas field may be" spoken of as the last Coal Measured 

limestone encountered in the wells.
U.S.GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. 11

LEGEND 

I ""] Alluvium

(.fllo\vn.oniv in western 

I_______I /""-I. of map i

< Cp j Piqua. limestone 

Cv i Vitas shale

Alien limestone

LI

Get I Conereto shale 

j Cj j loly limestone 

j Cch Clmnute shale 

1^^^^^ Dennis limestone 

j C& Galesburg shale

j . Cld [ Ladore shale

I Hertha limestone 

Cdy | Dudley shale

I Cps : Pm-.soiis limestone

I Cb ' fjandera shale

i Cpn j Pawnee limestone

I - Cl ! l.abeue shale

Cf : Fort Scott limestone

j)-S i i

g£ Cck CKerokeo shale

I o: - ^ ' '

t^! Cbn

II

51

Boonc tbwnation

GEOLOGIC MAP AND SECTION SHOWING STRUCTURAL RELATIONS OF THE OIlrAND GAS-BEARING FORMATIONS OF THE 10LA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS

Scale

19O4

Note; Geology of the lola quadrangle by

Geology of the ForrScon quadrangle by 

Erasmus Haworth of the Univ, Geol.Survey 

of Kansas
.ADAMS.] GEOLOGIC FOEMATIONS. 17

Labette shale. The Labette shale lies above the Fort .Scott limestone and varies in thickness from 30 to 60 feet. Its outcrop forms an 

irregular belt, limited by the Fort Scott limestone on the southeast 

and the Pawnee limestone on the northwest. The shale carries relatively little sandstone and there is nothing that serves to distinguish 

it especially from the other shales of the series.

Pawnee limestone. The second limestone formation is the Pawnee, 

which, on Pawnee Creek west of Fort Scott, has a thickness of 35 feet. 

According to the records of wells it varies from 20 to 50 feet in 

thickness. Its outcrop is shown on PI. II.

Bandera sl.ale. Succeeding the Pawnee limestone is a bed of shales 

approximately 100 feet thick at its outcrop on Marmaton River near 

Bandera. Its thickness varies, however, with its lateral extent. Near 

Bandera it contains considerable thin-bedded sandstone, which is quarried for flagging; southwestward near Farlington and Brazilton it is 

similar in character. Its outcrop is shown orrPls. 1 and II; it is the 

lowest formation outcropping within the lola quadrangle (PI. 1).

Parsons limestone. The third limestone formation, counting from 

the base upward, is known as the Parsons limestone. Along Marmaton River it forms a bed 8 feet thick, but thickens southward. 

Within the lola quadrangle it is found principally along Big and Little 

Walnut creeks, and on the higher ground to the southeast where it 

occupies irregular areas. Around Walnut and southward it has a 

thickness of from 10 to 15 feet and is regular in character.

Dudley shale. Succeeding the Parsons limestone is the Dudley 

shale, with a thickness on Marmaton River of about 150 feet. It 

carries some sandstone and occasionally a thin layer of limestone. 

The outcrop of this formation is shown on Pis. I and II. This shale 

outcrops principally in stream valleys and occupies an irregular belt 

along Rock and Walnut creeks. Since it consists of soft beds and is 

easily eroded its upper limit and western border are defined by an 

escarpment which is quite conspicuous and in which occurs the succeeding limestone formation.

Br.onson formation. In the northeastern part of the lola quadrangle, succeeding the Dudle}' shale, is a heavy limestone formation which 

has a thickness of from. 60 to 80 feet. Its western outcrop forms 

a conspicuous escarpment along the head of Marmaton River. It 

consists of five members (see PI. III). The lowest of these is an 

unevenly and heavily bedded limestone from 20 to 25 feet thick; succeeding this is a bed of shale, seldom more than 7 feet in thickness; 

next comes a middle member of limestone beds with some shale hiyers, 

aggregating about 20 feet where it is thickest; above this is a shaly 

member which grades into sandstones and has an average thickness of 

about 10 feet; the top member consists of limestones, the upper layer 

Bull. 238 04 2
18 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL. 238.

of which is in places a cross-bedded oolite, with an average thickness 

of 25 feet. .

The detailed section of the Bronson formation varies from place to 

place as the character of the bedding of the limestone changes and as the 

shale members thicken and thin. These are so thin and inconspicuous 

in the northern part of their outcrop that they can not be mapped; 

they thicken southward, however, and become important enough to 

merit separate designation. On the geologic map of the lola quadrangle (PI. J) it will be seen that the pattern by which the Bronson is 

indicated is blended along a line extending approximately from Elsmore through Porterville, south of which five formations are shown 

as its equivalent. There are the Hertha limestone, Galesburg shale, 

Dennis limestone, Cherryvale shale, and Drum limestone, which are 

described below.

The Bronson limestone carries a large amount of chert in certain of 

its beds, and this, weathering out on the surface, forms the so-called 

flints which are found within the area of its outcrop. The surface of 

the country occupied by this formation is stony, the rocks protruding 

through the thin soil as bowlders. This is one of the heaviest limestone formations encountered in drilling for oil and gas in the northwestern part of the quadrangle, and is sometimes spoken of by the 

drillers as the 60-foot lime, no account being taken by them of the thin 

shale members which occur in it.

Hertha limestone. This formation, which is named from the station 

of Hertha, just south of the border of the lola quadrangle, has a thickness of about 10 feet at the type localitj^, thickening to the north. 

The eastern border of its outcrop forms a prominent escarpment to 

the northwest of Walnut, where it is found on a long ridge and has a 

thickness of as much as 20 feet.

Galesburg shale. The northernmost point at which this formation is 

mapped is in the vicinity of Porterville. It increases in importance 

to the south, and has a thickness of about 40 feet along Neosho River 

and on the southern border of the quadrangle. Inasmuch as it is easily 

eroded the surface in that locality is cut down into an even plain, 

which blends with the alluvium along Neosho River. The town of 

Erie is located on it.

Dennis limestone.- This formation, which is equivalent to the middle member of the Bronson, thins somewhat to the south, having a 

thickness of only about 10 feet on the border of the quadrangle. 

North of Erie its outcrop occupies a very narrow belt, and as it 

usually occurs on a slope, is somewhat disguised b.y soil and detrital 

material.

Cherryvale shale. This formation, although designated as a shale, 

carries some sandstone, especialty in its lower portion. It thickens 

southward, the shale of the upper part becoming more important;
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. Ill

eries

W

c 

<v <

«S

C

'

series

Mississippian

Piqua limestone^

Vilas shale \

Concrete shale

tola limestone \

Chanute shale

Bronson limestone

Dudley shale

Parsons limestone!

Pawnee limestone]

Labette shale 

Fort Scott limestone

coal

Cherohee shale

coal

coal

Boone limestone

^^

y5^

^^=-r .=^~.

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J. ; '. . > i '

£^=_^^_ ITLZ

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= - =^

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^ST^fTT 7f

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 ^-_-_-.=

 =^^j.

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^Ei^HS

l^z^==^:

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1 1 1

t-eet 

50

20 to 75 

25

75

30 ^X

75

^

25 en

10- to

20 80

20-J

150 +

8 to 15

100 +

20

50

30 

to 

60

14 

k

450

Feet

150

Chanute shale

(with limestone lentil)

Drum limestone

Cherryuale shale 

(Dennis limestone 

Galesburg shale

\Hertha limestone

GENERAL SECTION OF ROCKS EXPOSED IN THE IOLA QUADRANGLE AND 

ENCOUNTERED IN DRILLING.
ADAMS.] GEOLOGIC FOKMATIONS. -19

at the southern border of the quadrangle it has a thickness of about 

40 feet.

Drum limestone. This formation, which is equivalent to the highest 

member of the Bronson limestone, outcrops with its maximum thickness in a wide belt in the central part of the lola quadrangle. At 

Shaw the limestone is as much as 50 feet in thickness, thinning gradually from there southward. It is the surface formation along Big 

Creek and in the upper valley of Canville Creek; where it is weathered 

the surface is stony and bowldery. The Drum limestone carries a 

large amount of flint in its lower portion; the upper portion is an oolite 

which exhibits cross-bedding and false bedding, and attains a thickness 

in some places of as much as 15 feet.

In the northern portion of the quadrangle the 60-foot lime, spoken 

of by the well drillers, is the Bronson. In the southern portion of the 

quadrangle the Drum limestone is the one commonly referred to by

this name, the Hertha and Dennis limestones being relatively thin and 

separated by the Galesburg and Cherry vale shales.

Chanute shale. This formation, which succeeds the Bronson limestone in the northern and the Drum limestone in the southern part of 

the quadrangle, outcrops in a conspicuous belt extending from northeast to southwest. Although the rock section consists chiefly of shale, 

it carries a large amount of sandstone, and as this weathers out in 

ledges and on disintegration gives rise to sand, the country in which 

the formation occurs is generally sandy. The Chanute shale in the 

vicinity of Bayard, on the northern border of the quadrangle, is about 

75 feet thick. In the southeastern part of the quadrangle it is about 

150 feet thick and the belt occupied by it is correspondingly wide.

There are occasional outcrops of thin limestone beds in the Chanute 

shale which appear to occur in the upper part of the formation. Possibly they belong to a rather definite horizon, but the outcrops could 

not be connected in the field. Along the creek which crosses the 

Alien County-Neosho County line north of Chanute, is a bed of 

limestone which has a thickness of about 7 feet and which is mapped 

as a lens in the Chanute shale. It should be considered as of only 

local importance in the stratigraphy.

lola limestone. The thickness of this bed at lola is 30 feet. It 

occurs as a massive-bedded limestone, and is the one which is quarried 

for making Portland cement. The principal area of its outcrop 

extends from Laharpe and Mo ran southwest to Humboldt and 

Chanute. Within this area it is covered by a variable thickness of 

soil, which frequently disappears, leaving the formation exposed and 

making the surface of the country stony. Along the eastern side of 

Neosho River, at Humboldt, it forms a high bluff in which practically 

its Avhole thickness is exposed.

This formation, like all the others described, dips to the northwest.
20 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

Its southeast border forms a divide between Big Creek and the headwaters of the Marmaton drainage on the one side, and the streams 

which are tributary to the Neosho from the east, above Chanute, on the 

other. On the upper surface of the limestone a dip slope is developed, 

which is well brought out by the contours of the topographic map. 

On Rock and Coal creeks there are inliers of the Chanute shale where 

the lola limestone has been cut through. It is not unlikely that along 

some of the smaller streams and ravines erosion has also cut through 

the lola at many places, but the Chanute shale is not seen because of 

the covering of soil on it. In drilling wells in the area which is 

mapped as the lola formation, at many places only a few feet of the 

limestone are encountered, and in some cases it is found to be absent. 

This, as has just been explained, is due to erosion.

Concreto shale. Succeeding the lola limestone is a bed of shale 

having a thickness of about 75 feet. It is uniformly a clay shale, 

and according^ is suitable for the manufacture of brick, and, with 

the admixture of limestone, for Portland cement, for which it is used 

at lola and at the small manufacturing town of Concreto, north of 

the town of Gas. Within the area of its outcrop are a number of 

mounds formed of this shale and capped with the succeeding limestone 

formation. The western border of the valley of Neosho River, from 

the vicinity of lola southward to a point below Humboldt, lies on this 

shale, and the alluvium along the streams blends with the outcrop of 

the shale to the west in a somewhat indefinite way.

Alien limestone. In the vicinity of Carlyle this limestone formation 

has a thickness of about 25 feet. It thins, to the south gradually, so 

that it has a thickness of a-bout 10 to 15 feet along the western border 

of the quadrangle. Its outcrop forms a narrow belt west of Neosho 

River. It is difficult to trace at many places, but its position has been

determined by studying the records of wells. A number of irregular 

areas of this formation occur to the east of Neosho River, capping 

hills and mounds.

Vilas shale. The type locality of this formation is at Vilas, where 

the shale has a thickness of about 75. feet. This formation, which 

has previously been wrongVy correlated, is now known to lie between 

the Alien limestone and the Piqua limestone, which latter formation 

is described below. The Vilas shale thins somewhat to the north, so 

that near the northern portion of the quadrangle it is not more than 

20 feet thick.

Piqua limestone. This is the highest formation exposed within the 

lola quadrangle. It consists of heavy-bedded limestones, having a 

total thickness of about 50 feet. It occurs only in the northeast corner 

of the quadrangle, but beyond the area here described outcrops conspicuously for long distances to the northeast and southwest. It was 

traced to the vicinity of Vilas, at which place it overlies the Vilas shale.
ADAMS.I GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS. 21

ALLUVIUM.

Along the valley of Neosho River and, the larger streams which are 

tributary to it is a belt of alluvium deposited by the overflow of the 

streams during flood time. It consists of river silts derived from the 

limestones, shales, and sandstones which are crossed by the streams, 

and is rich agricultural land.

From the vicinity of Chanute southward dikes have been constructed 

to prevent the overflow of the river and thus render the land available 

for farming. The alluvium along the creeks is not of much importance. "There are, however, small fields which have an alluvial soil, 

and in some portions of the quadrangle where alluvium is not mapped 

there are small areas of it which are cultivated.

The cherts of the limestones upon disintegration give rise to gravel, 

which is found mixed with the soil near the ledges of rock from which 

it is derived and at places where the limestones have entirely wasted 

away. These gravels have also been transported by the streams and 

deposited in beds. These are not of much importance outside of certain gravel bars along Neosho River, which have been utilized for 

grading roads. The main street of Humboldt has been macadamized 

with this material.

CORRELATION AND CORRECTION OF FAUNAE LISTS.

The mapping accompanying this report is regarded as the first systematic detailed work in the region, and accordingly the formation 

names used are such as can be applied without involving correlations 

with distant localities. This has made it necessai')^ to give new names 

to some formations which have been previously described. Some 

errors in correlation, discovered in former work, have been corrected 

in this bulletin and the faunal lists of certain of the formations revised 

accordingly.

In Bulletin No. 211 a of the United States Geological Survey a section of the Carboniferous of eastern Kansas is given in detail. The 

changes in nomenclature which have arisen since that bulletin was 

issued are as follows: In the northern part of the quadrangle the 

Hertha, Galesburg, Dennis, Cheriyvale, and Drum formations are 

mapped as a single formation under the name Bronson limestone, for 

which the preoccupied name Erie had been previously used. The 

Earlton limestone has been found to be the equivalent of the lola 

limestone and the name Earlton is accordingly dropped; the shale 

previously described as the Lane shale is called the Concrete shale; 

the Stanton limestone is callei the Alien limestone. The Vilas shale 

at the type locality has been found to be above the Alien limestone;

"Adams, Girty, and White, Stratigraphy and paleontology of Upper Carboniferous rocks of Kansas 

section: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 211,1903.
22 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADBANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

this name is retained, and the position of the formation in the section 

is according!}1 corrected. The limestone which occurs above the 

Vilas shale is found to be a new limestone formation to which the 

name Piqua is given. The error in correlation of this outcrop, as well 

as the error in tracing the Earlton limestone, was due to. the fact that 

the relatively broad valley of Neosho River made the reconnaissance 

mapping difficult.. The following columnar section is the one used in 

this bulletin .

Formations exposed in lola quadrangle. 

Alluvium. 

Piqua limestone. 

Vilas shale. 

Alien limestone. 

Concrete shale, 

lola limestone. 

Chanute shale. 

Drum limestone. 

Cherry vale shale.

Dennis limestone. Bronsoii formation. 

Galesburg shale. 

Hertha limestone. 

Dudley shale. 

Parsons limestone. 

Bandera shale. 

Pawnee limestone. 

Labette shale. 

Fort Scott limestone. 

Cherokee shale.

The corrected faiinal list of the lola limestone as now known is as 

follows:

Fossils found in Tola limestone.

Eupachycrinus sp. Spirifer cameratus.

Fistulipora sp. Spiriferina kentuckyensis. 

Fenestella sp. Seminula subtilita. 

Chonetes fleming'i. Dielasma bovidens. 

Productus cora. Aviculopecten interlineatus. 

Productus punctatus. Phanerotrema grayvillense. 

Marginifera wabashensis.

The corrected faunal list of the Alien limestone as now known is as 

follows:

Fossils found in Alien limestone.

Lophophyllum westi. Orthotetes crassus.

Eupachycrinus sp. Chonetes flemingi.

Archteocidaris sp. Productus nebraskensis.

Polypora sp. Productus punctatus.

Fenestella sp. Marginifera wabashensis.

Fistulipora sp. Spirifer cameratus.

Rhipidomella pecosi. Squamularia pe'rplexa.

Enteletes hemiplicatus. Spiriferina kentuckyensis.
ADAMS.] FAU1STAL LISTS. 23

Seminula subtilita. . Platyceras nebraskense. 

Hustedia mormoni. , Bellerophon sp. 

Pugnax utah. , Phillipsia major. 

Dielasnia bovidens.

The corrected faunal list of the Piqua limestone as now known is as

follows:

Fossils found in Piqua limestone.

Triticites secalicus. Productus cf. subhorridus. 

Lophophyllum westi. ' Productus sp. 

Lophophyllum prolifemm. Marginifera wabashensis.

Ch;:etetes milleporaceus. Proboscidella sp.

Eupachycrinus sp. Spirifer cameratus.

Septopora sp. Squamularia perplexa.

Fenestella sp. Spiriferina kentuckyensis.

Polypora sp. Seminula subtilita.

Fistulipora sp. Dielasnia bovidens.

Crania sp. Myalina subquadrata.

Khipidomella pecosi. Myalina swallowi.

Enteletes heiniplicatus. Pseudornonotis equistriata. 

Orthotetes crassus. . Schizodus sp.

Meekella striaticostata. Leda? sp.

Meekella pyramidalis? Soleniscus ponderosus? 

Chonetes flemingi. Naticopsis sp.

Prodnctus sernireticnlatus. Euconospira sp.

Productus cora. . Pleurotomaria? sp.

Productus punctatns. Nautilus sp.

Productus nebraskensis. Leperditia sp.

GENERAL STRUCTURE.

The general structure of the rocks of the lola quadrangle may be 

best explained by the horizontal section accompanying PI. II. The 

dip of the rocks is to the north-northwest, and accordingly the portion of the section along the line A-B is approximately parallel with 

the dip. It will be seen by reference to the section that the wells 

at lola and Laharpe penetrate a considerable thickness of interstratified 

limestones, sandstones, and shales before reaching the Cherokee shale, 

which contains the important reservoirs of oil and gas. The wells 

in the vicinity of Elsmore encountered a somewhat smaller thickness 

of these rocks, and the drill holes at Hepler and in the vicinity of Farli ngto'n reached the Cherokee shale at a relatively small depth. The outcrop of the Cherokee shale is farther to the east and occupies a wide 

belt of countiy. Along the eastern border of the map (PI. IT.) the outcrop of the Boone formation is shown; in the section its extension 

underneath the Cherokee shale to the west and northwest is indicated. 

Its position underground has been learned from the record of deep 

wells which have been drilled through the Cherokee shale without 

encountering oil and gas, and its upper surface is known to form a 

rather even floor, on which the Coal Measures rest. In PI. IV two
24 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

sections are shown, which are constructed from the records of wells 

and the surface outcrops of the formations. The section 'through 

Moran, Laharpe, and lola extends east and west in the northern part 

of the quadrangle, and the section through Erie, Shaw, and Chanute 

extends from southeast to northwest in the southern part of the quadrangle. In these sections the limestones are indicated b}^ conventional 

patterns; the intermediate spaces are the horizons of the shales. In 

these sections, although the vertical exaggeration is very considerable, 

no anticlines or synclines appear. The degree of dip which was 

observed in the field varies from place to place in such an irregular 

manner that the local variations are not apparent in the sections. The 

amount of dip may be stated to vary from 10 to 25 feet per mile. The 

limestones are not exactly parallel with each other, this being due to 

the irregular thinning and thickening of the shale beds. Certain of 

the well sections record a greater number of limestones than there are 

limestone formations in the general section. The Bronson limestone, 

when followed south through the quadrangle (see Pis. I and II), isfound to split up into three distinct limestone formations, with intervening shale beds, which are important enough to map. This variation 

in lithology occurs along the strike. It is-altogether probable that, if 

the limestones could be studied along their dip in their extent underground to the west, some of them would be found to split up in a similar manner, at least locally, and when in drilling more limestones are 

encountered than are recorded in a general section it is probable that 

the extra ones are due to such variations in sedimentation.

It will be remembered that in describing the Chanute shale a limestone lens of sufficient importance to be shown on the geologic map 

was mentioned as occurring in its upper part. Similar lenses no 

doubt occur in this and other shale formations in their underground 

portions, and accordingly the finding of thin limestones at unusual 

horizons is not surprising.

ORIGIN OF OIL AND GAS.

The processes by which oil and gas are formed in nature are not 

fully understood; Two hypotheses, known as the organic and inorganic theories, have been advanced. In the Kansas field the facts 

support the organic theory, which is the one usually accepted by 

geologists who have studied the relations of oil and gas.

The rocks which are encountered in drilling in the Kansas field, 

especially the shales, contain large amounts of carbonaceous matter of 

animal and vegetable origin that was deposited at the time the sediments were laid down. This material is present in sufficient quantity 

to have given rise to the oil and gas through the processes of decomposition and the physical and chemical changes to which it has been subjected during geologic time. When once formed the products of
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. IV

SEA LEVE.I.

(A)

HORIZONTAU SCALE

L.E.VZL.

4- mifes

A. GEOLOGIC SECTION THROUGH MORAN, LAHARPE, AND IOLA. 

B. GEOLOGIC SECTION THROUGH ERIE, SHAW. AND CHANUTE.
ADAMS.] GENEKAL STKUCTCJBE. 25

decomposition probably migrated into the more porous rocks, especially into the sandstones, in which they are now found. No doubt, a 

large amount of the oil and gas has escaped from the formations where 

these outcrop at the surface. The economic bodies are those which 

are complete!}7 sealed in by impervious shales with which the sandstones are interbedded. There are no surface indications of oil and 

gas in the more productive portion of the field. The Cherokee shale, 

which contains most of the oil and gas sands, outcrops along the eastern border of Kansas and in Missouri, Avhere there are occasional seeps 

of gas, oil, and maltha, the latter being a heavy residual from oil. 

These seeps have attracted the attention of prospectors and some drilling has been done near them, but, inasmuch as they occur where the 

rocks outcrop, no large bodies of oil or gas have been discovered in 

their vicinity.

The question of the nwement of oil and gas is one which is not

well understood. It is generally believed, however, that where oil, 

gas, and water are found, in a given stratum, the oil and gas will 

move upward with the dip of the rocks until they enter a pocket or 

escape to the surface. In the lola quadrangle the oil and gas sands 

are of local extent and are interbedded with the shale in such a way 

that where they are deeply buried they form perfect reservoirs. The 

dip of the formations is to- the northwest. Accordingly the" oil and 

gas^may be expected in the higher or southeastern extension of the 

sandstone beds; the heavier salt water will border these deposits on 

the northwest. These conditions, though somewhat ideal, are found 

in many places, and variations from them are due probably to slight 

irregularities in the dip of the rocks and to changes in the character 

of the sediments which bring in unknown and undeterminable factors. 

The upper margin of an inclined or dipping sandstone is the simplest 

form of reservoir and no doubt i;s the common one in the Kansas 

field (see fig. 6, A, p. 46). In other fields the accumulation of oil and 

gas is determined by folds, or synclines and anticlines, as they are 

usualty called. These may occur locally in the Kansas field, but it 

has been impossible to locate definitely any anticlines or upward 

archings of the oil- and gas-bearing strata.

RELATIONS OF THE OIL- AND GAS-BEARING SANDSTONES.

Inasmuch as the oil and gas reservoirs are in the sandstones 

interbedded with the shales, the question arises as to whether these 

sandstone beds form definite horizons. Well drillers and prospectors 

who have had experience in the Pennsylvania oil and gas field, on 

coming into the Kansas oil and gas field have attempted to name or 

number the producing sands and to identify them throughout the 

field. As will be seen from the following discussion this can not be
26 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

done because of the very irregular and local character of the sandstone 

beds.

The principal reservoirs of oil and g-as are in the Cherokee shale. 

This formation has been studied along the eastern border of Kansas 

where it outcrops, and it has been found that the sandstones in it 

vary in their lateral extent and in many cases are of very limited 

occurrence. Sometimes they grade into shales when followed along 

their outcrop, so that a bed which is sandstone at one place is a shale 

at another. The same variation that is found along the strike may 

be expected along the dip, and accordingly the Cherokee shale, where 

it occurs underground and is encountered in drilling wells, shows 

such variation in lithology that no definite sandstone horizons can be 

.differentiated.

Fig. 2 is an ideal sketch of the relation of sandstones contained in 

a shale formation. In tnis figure the sandstone lettered a is lenticular in shape, it thins out and disappears entirely from the section, 

and has no equivalent. The sandstone lettered I is shown to grade 

over into a shale which is its equivalent. Sandstone a is apparently

Fie. 2. Sketch illustrating disappearance of sandstone beds; a is a lenticular sandstone which 

disappears by thinning; 6 is a sandstone which grades into shale.

the result of sedimentation at a time when only sand was being 

deposited. Sandstone I apparently represents a period of sedimentation in which both sands and muds were being laid down, according to 

the local variation in the strength of the currents which assorted the 

material. As regards these two classes of sandstones, observations 

have shown that the lens-like beds are' apt to be more persistent and 

to extend for longer distances, while the sandstones which grade into 

shales vary from place to place in an exceedingly irregular way.

The irregular area of the sands encountered in drilling may be 

shown by the following instances: In fig. 3, the relative positions of 

certain wells are sketched and a portion of the record of each cis shown 

drawn to scale. The wells are in sees. 26 and 27, T. 26 S., li. 18 E., 

about 4 miles southeast of Humboldt. The wells in sec. 26 belong to 

the Oread Oil and Gas Company and those in sec. 27 to the Kansas 

Crude Oil Company. The well called Kansas Crude No. 1 was drilled 

to a total depth of 880 feet. At 768 feet, 10 feet of sand was found 

which was practically barren of oil. At 833 feet, 5 feet of sand, was 

found which was rich in oil, and at 844 feet, 12 feet of sand was 

encountered that was productive. The base of this sand was at 856 feet.
ADAMS.] GENERAL .STRUCTURE. 27

Below this point 16 feet of shale was passed through, then 5 feet of 

sand, which produced close to 1 million feet of gas per day. The drill 

wrent 3 feet farther in light-gray shale and was then stopped.

Oread well No. 1 is situated 300 feet due east of the well just 

described. In it 8 feet of sand rich in oil was encountered at 764 

feet, corresponding fairly well with the 10 feet of sand in the Kansas 

Crude we'll. Below it 62 feet of shale was passed through and then 

14 feet of productive oil sand, corresponding very well with the 

12-foot bed of sand in the first well described. After passing 9 feet 

in shale the drill was stopped, as it was not desired to reach the gas 

which-, according to the record of the Kansas Crude well, might be 

expected belowT .

Oread well No. 2 wras located 400 feet south of Oread No. 1. At a 

depth of 798 feet 25 feet of sand wras found which produced a large

I Kansas Crude Mo I Oread No I Oread No 2 Oread NO 5 

Kansas Crude/. Oread I Oread 3

\

°\

< \

1

<u 

 £ 8

 ^ o

.§ *

0

<u n <

- I

 300' '~u 

I //

) Oread 2

lOread 4- ' I0

sSEC TION 26

"""

I O Oread 5

FIG. 3. Relative positions and partial logs of certain wells of the Kansas Crude Oil and the Oread

Oil and Gas companies.

quantity of gas. Below this 4 feet of black shale, partly saturated 

with oil, was passed through, and then 13 feet of productive oil sand, 

the bottom of which was 839 feet below the surface. It will be noted 

that in this well no sandstone was found at a depth of 770 feet where, 

according to the records of the other wells, it might have been expected, 

while a bed of gas-bearing sand 25 feet thick was encountered at 798 

feet, no'trace of which was found in either of the other two wells.

The next well drilled was Oread No. 3, which was located 300 feet 

east of Oread No. 1. In it no oil was found, but a strong flow of gas 

was obtained from a sand at a depth of about 800 feet, doubtless corresponding to the gas sand found in well No. 2.

Well No. 4 was located 400 feet south of No. 2. In it a productive 

oil sand was reached at 835 feet, corresponding to the oil sand in the 

other three wells.
28 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADBANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

Well No. 5 was located 400 feet south of-well No. 4. At 800 feet a 

small flow of gas was obtained, and at 808 feet 13 feet of productive 

oil sand was encountered, corresponding with the oil sands in the other 

wells.

Reviewing what has been stated concerning these six wells it is seen 

that there is a sandstone 10 feet in thickness in Kansas Crude No. 1, 

which disappears entirely in a distance of less than 600 feet to the east, 

and less than 500 feet to the southeast, as it is totally wanting in Oread 

Nos. 2 and 3. The 25-foot gas sand in Oread No. 2 is not represented in Oread No. 1, or in the Kansas Crude No. 1. This illustrates the rapid transition in the character of the strata.

In regard to the gas horizons it will be noted that a strong flow of 

gas was obtained from a sand tying beneath an oil sand in Kansas 

Crude No. 1, and that the stronger flow of gas was obtained from a 

sand above the oil sand in Oread No. 2, only 500 feet away. It is 

impossible to say what would have developed in Oread No. 3 had the 

drill gone deeper, but the main oil sand might have been reached. 

Likewise, it is impossible to determine whether the Oread wells, if 

they had been drilled deeper, would have reached the gas at 875 feet, 

the depth at which it was encountered in Kansas Crude No. 1.

The discussion of the records of the wells in sections 32 and 33 in 

T. 26 S., R. 18 E., in the valley of Neosho River between Humboldt 

and Chanute, furnish further illustration of the variation in the horizon and lateral "extent of the oil and gas sands. In SE. \ sec. 32, 

the Kansas and Texas Oil Company drilled a dry hole. Later they 

completely surrounded this well with others not more than 350 feet 

away, all of which were producing oil wells. Some wells not more 

than 500 feet distant had an initial production of 300 barrels per da}^. 

In SW. i sec. 33, which is adjacent, a large number of good oil wells 

were found with a gas well but a few hundred feet away.

In Neosho River Valley, east of Chanute, the oil is generally, but 

not always, above the gas. In most instances the oil sand is reached 

at from 700 to 750 feet. Usually there is a bed of shale about 40 

feet thick below the oil sand, and beneath this a heavy bed of sand 

carrying large quantities of gas. The first gas wells at Chanute went 

through the oil sands, and it was their showing of oil that induced Mr. 

Knapp to begin drilling for oil in the Chanute field. The gas wells 

there had an initial capacity of from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 cubic feet 

per day, and others recently drilled a mile or more to the east across 

the river had an even greater initial flow. From the sandstone, only 

40 feet above this large volume of gas, oil was produced having so little 

gas with it that the pressure was not sufficient to cause the wells to 

flow, thus showing conclusively that there is no communication between 

the two sands.

In the east side of the W. i SW. i sec. 22, T. 27 S'., R. 18 E., in
O. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. V

Well IO We//3 4-4-0' We// 5 tt-o' Well 7 4^0' We//9 Well 14- 350' C

_'o 

** 

c

I

. c <?( T° o7 S

Well 14- 

(

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V

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0 

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&

/

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s

D Well 3

,0

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.625 

Gas

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-757

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-

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 271

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79 f 

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 167 10 

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 6O4-

-697 

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OWell/O

RELATIVE POSITIONS AND PARTIAL LOGS OF WELLS JUST EAST OF CHANUTE, KANS.
ARAMS.] GENERAL STRUCTURE. 29

the river valley just east of Chanute, Mr. Knapp drilled five wells on 

a north-south line. The records of these wells were carefully kept, 

as were the records of two wells, one on either side of this line (see 

PI. V). The lower portions of the log's of these wells, showing the 

sandstones encountered, are presented, drawn to a scale, in PI. V. 

The relative distance between the wells is indicated on the diagram 

and in the arrangement of the well sections. The surface is almost 

level, as the wells are in Neosho Valley, where the slope is not more 

than 2 or 3 feet to the mile. A glance at PI. V will show the irregularity in the horizons at which the sands were encountered. In some 

cases the records of adjacent Avells correspond closely in regard to particular sands, but it will be noted that some of the sands which are well 

marked in certain wells are wholly absent in others.

Inasmuch as the information is presented graphically, it is not discussed here. However, it leads to the conclusion that the individual 

sands are irregular in extent and character, and that they are exceedingly variable in regard to their contents of oil and gas. When both 

oil and gas are found in the same well the gas-bearing sand may be 

above or below the oil. Gas is generally more abundant than oil and 

has been found in a larger number of places; there are also usually 

more gas sands than oil sands in individual wells.
MINERAL RESOURCES AND THEIR UTILIZATION.

By ERASMUS HA WORTH and GEORGE I. ADAMS.

OIL AND GAS.

HISTORICAL.

Tola and Laharpe. The first prospecting for oil and gas within the 

lola quadrangle was done at lola in 1873, by Colonel Acers, who had a 

well drilled with a diamond drill to a depth of 737 feet. It produced 

a small amount of gas and also salt water. The water was conveyed 

into a building used for a sanitarium, which the gas, imperfectly 

separated, was used in part to'light. Shortly after this a local company, consisting principally of the leading business men of lola, was 

formed to drill for gas. It was regularly incorporated under the laws 

of Kansas, and obtained a charter from the city of lola permitting 

it to pipe the city for the distribution of natural gas for public and 

private uses.

The first well, located in the river valley west of town, reached a 

depth of nearly 1,0,00 feet, but produced only a small amount of gas. 

The second well, which was near the main road leading west from lola 

and not far from Neosho River, found a little gas, but not enough to 

be of very much importance. A third well, drilled a short distance

southeast of where the Lanyon zinc smelter now stands, proved to be 

the best obtained up to that time, yielding a flow of 750,000 cubic 

feet of gas per day. Unfortunately it was drilled a little too deep, 

 striking a large amount of salt water which rendered it almost useless. 

After drilling a fourth well with similar ill success the company sold 

its leases and franchise to Messrs. Paullin and Pryor, who assumed all 

the contracts of the old company.

The new owners drilled their first well just south of the Northrup 

lumber yard, on the south side of Madison street near the Saute Fe 

right of way. This was followed by three other wells in the southwest part of the city. The last one, finished in December, 1893, 

obtained a strong flow of gas, and is the only well of the first eight 

drilled at lola which produced gas enough to pay for the drilling. A 

period of twenty years was covered by this prospecting and many 

thousands of dollars were spent, but success was finally attained. 

30
HAWORTH 

ADAMS, AND ] OIL AND GAS. " 31

One of the most interesting points in connection with the development of oil and gas in Kansas, not only in the lola quadrangle, but 

elsewhere as well, is the very remarkable fact that in almost every 

instance the first prospecting was practically a failure and extended 

along through a number of years, to be followed by the work of new 

companies whose efforts were more successful. Messrs. Paullin and 

Pryor, however, were successful before they sold out. They drilled 

another well in 1895. obtaining a large flow of gas which at once gave 

lola prestige as a gas-supplied city.

About this time a new company, known as the lola Cooperative Gas 

Company, drilled a well southeast of the city, which developed into 

one of the strongest wells in the entire lola field. The company piped 

its gas into the city and placed it upon the market. Litigation at once 

sprang up between it and Paullin and Pryor, who claimed to have an 

exclusive franchise. The final outcome was that Messrs. Paullin and 

Pryor sold out to the new company in 1898, and the two properties 

were consolidated under the name of the lola Gas Company. This 

is the only company that has retailed gas in lola since that date.

In 1894 the Palmer Oil Company of Ohio obtained leases in the 

vicinity of lola and began prospecting. The first well was drilled to 

the southeast of the city, and yielded over 7,000,000 cubic feet of gas 

daily. Other wells were drilled to the east and northeast, until within 

a few }^ears the Palmer Oil Company owned a great number of strong 

gas wells, some of Avhich had a capacity of more than 10,000,000 cubic 

feet per day. In March, 1899, they sold their entire interests to the 

Lanyon Zinc Company, a new corporation which bought the smelters 

and leases from Robert Lauyon's Sons and from W. & J. Lanyon. 

Encouraged by the successful wells to the southeast, certain citizens of 

lola formed a compan}^ known as the City Improvement Company, 

which had for its objects the bringing of desirable manufacturing 

enterprises to lola. In furthering this undertaking they offered free 

gas to any and all reliable manufacturers for a period of twenty years, 

provided the gas supply continued. Attracted by this liberal offer, 

brick plants, smelters, flouring mills, and planing mills were soon built, 

with the result that lola, Gas, and Laharpe to-day contain more large 

factories and industries consuming gas than any other locality in the 

State.

Prospecting for gas was carried eastward until it was learned that 

good gas could be found throughout a strip 8 to 10 miles long from 

east to west, and 4 to 5 miles wide; the north and south limits of the 

area have not yet been fully outlined.

Ilamboldt. Guffey and Gailey were the first' prospectors to drill 

wells in the vicinit}^ of Humboldt. In 1894-95 they drilled a number 

of wells in this territory, not one of which proved very successful. 

One was in sec. 8, T. 26 S., K. 18 E., about 1£ miles southeast of Hum-
32 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL 238.

boldt. A few others were drilled to the north of the town. These 

wells either were dry or produced a small amount of heavy oil; so that 

the}7 were not considered worth holding and the leases were abandoned 

later. In 1901 Mr. George Z. Work drilled a well on his land about 

100 yards west of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway station at 

Humboldt. This well produced about 25 barrels per day of a rather 

heavy oil, having a specific gravity of abojut 30° Baume. Some years 

earlier, under the direction of the city school board, a well was put 

down in the corner of the schoolhouse grounds in the southern part 

of the town. It passed through an oil sand of undetermined capacity 

and reached a supply of gas, which was used for lighting and heating 

the school building. A few other wells were drilled, but no important 

development work was done until the recent development at Chanute, 

when prospectors again began drilling in the vicinit}7 of Humboldt, 

and have continued with ever-increasing activity up to the present 

time. Drilling was first confined to the river valle}7 west and south 

of town, but later it was extended to the uplands, particularly to the 

east, and soon reached the entire upland area to the east and southeast of Humboldt, particularly in T. 26 S., R. 18 E., and in the western 

part of R. 19 E. From here, during the season of 1903, development 

was carried southward on the uplands to opposite Chanute, making 

the upland development in the two areas progress along parallel lines.

During the spring and summer of 1895 the Prairie Oil and Gas 

Company drilled a number .of wells west of Humboldt, which produced 

enough gas to have considerable commercial value. In August, 1897, 

the gas was piped into the city for general domestic use. The supply 

was not very large, however, until the rapid drilling for oil began, as 

above explained. About this time large quantities of gas were 

obtained, practically in all directions from town, so that at present 

Humboldt is well supplied.

Chanute. The history of oil and gas development in the vicinity of 

Chanute is an interesting and checkered one. In 1894, Guft'ey and 

Gailey put down one or two prospecting wells, but, finding nothing, 

the territory was abandoned and a large acreage of leases given up. 

Later, the Prairie Oil and Gas Company obtained a strong gas well 

about 16 miles to the west and laid pipes into Chanute to supply the 

city with gas. This, in connection with discoveries made elsewhere 

in the State, stimulated the people of Chanute to continue their investigations. The city took up the matter and drilled a few wells in 

Neosho Valley to the east of the town. They met with fair success, 

each well passing through an oil sand at about 730 feet. After passing through 40 feet of shale, the drill reached a gas sand which yielded 

from 1 to 4 million cubic feet of gas per day. Drilling was continued 

by the city until a satisfactory supply of gas was obtained for lighting 

and heating. It is interesting to note that this is the only city in the
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ULLETIN NO. 238 PL. VI

GOLDEN OIL COMPANY'S WELL NO. 2, NEAR CHANUTE, KANS.
H'A WORTH AND 

ADAMS. ] OIL AND GAS. 33

entire oil and gas fields of the State that owns its gas supply. It has 

made very low rates, as shown later, and yet derives sufficient income 

to make many municipal improvements.

While investigating the Kansas oil fields in 1899 Mr. 1. N. Knapp 

had his attention called to the oil in these city gas wells. Considering 

the showing sufficiently favorable to warrant him in prospecting for 

oil, he obtained leases over quite a wide area and began prospecting 

both east) and west of the city of Chanute. It was but a short time 

until he had a number of fair oil wells in the valley east of the town, 

and in June, 1900, he began shipping oil to Omaha and Kansas City gas 

companies, with Avhich he made contracts. This was really the beginning of the oil development in the vicinity of Chanute.

Mr. Knapp was followed by a company composed principally of 

local business men and citizens of Tola, who organized the Neosho Valley Development Company, obtained leases, and began drilling. . They 

had fair success from the start and soon had a number of producing 

wells. They were soon followed by a company composed principally 

of Kansas City business men, who organized the Southwestern Development Company, which likewise secured leases in the river valley 

and met with fair success in obtaining oil. From this time on the 

development was rapid. At the end of a year there were derricks and 

pipe lines all along the river valley to the east and north of Chanute and 

halfway to Humboldt. In the midsummer of 1902 the Prairie Oil and 

Gas Company built a large storage tank at Chanute with a capacity of 

almost 40,000 barrels. This was followed by a -pipe line between 

Thayer and Chanute which, joined to the Neodesha-Thayer pipe line, 

gave Chanute a direct pipe line connection with the Standard refinery 

at Neodesha. A pump was established and the first oil turned into the 

line about the middle of December, 1902.- The Prairie Oil and Gas 

Company at this time began extending its lines to oil tanks here and 

there all through the field. By July, 1903, these had reached as far 

north as Hurnboldt and had been carried eastward to the upland 

developments to the east of Humboldt and northeast of Chanute. 

During the calendar year 1902 the Chauute territory produced over 

165,000 barrels of oil, and could have marketed much more if there 

had been pipe-line connections. In the first half of 1903 the production was raised from 50,000 to 75,000 barrels per month, with the 

number of wells constantly increasing.

Development was gradually extended south ward down the river, with 

only moderate success, in the vicinity of Austin. A few fair oil wells 

wese obtained in the vicinity of Shaw. Still farther south a few good 

wells had been obtained near Urbana and Earlton and in the territory 

lying to the northeast of Thayer, in the extreme southwest corner 

of the lola quadrangle. Gas development likewise extended rapidly 

Bull. 238 04 3
34 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL. 238.

in different directions, but particularly to the east and west, making 

Chanute a great center for gas as well as for oil.

Erie. Prospecting began in the vicinity of Erie about 1900, but 

was carried on in a somewhat desultory way until 1902. About this 

time a company was organized under the name of the Erie Gas and 

Mineral Company. In August, 1903, it reported that it had drilled

35 wells, 14 of which were gas wells. 7 oil wells, and 14 dry. The gas 

was piped into the city and supplied practically the entire population. 

During the summer of 1903 some prospecting was done in the river 

valley between Shaw and Erie, and, in some cases, gave very satisfactory results, but up to the date above mentioned, nowhere to the 

southeast of Chanute had oil or gas been found in quantity or volume 

at all comparable with that in the Chanute and Humboldt fields.

Moran. The Moran Gas and Crude Oil Company began prospecting in ^the vicinity of Moran and soon found oil in paying quantities. 

The territory drilled to the close of the season of 1903 consisted almost 

entirely of a strip of land about 1 mile wide and 2 miles long lying 

immediately west of the town. Of the first 19 wells drilled, 12 produced oil, 4 produced gas, and 3 were dry.

Bronson, Elsmore, Savonburg, and Stark. Prospecting in an irregular manner has been prosecuted to a limited extent in the eastern 

portion of the lola quadrangle, particularly atBronson, Elsmore, Savonburg, arid Stark. In a few instances encouraging results were obtained, 

but thus far not sufficiently so to attract many prospectors away from 

the other areas.

PRODUCTION.

Oil. The rapid rate of oil development in Kansas may be illustrated 

by the number of wells drilled. There were 725 producing oil wells 

at the end of June, 1903, not counting a number of unreported wells 

in some districts, and at the close of the year there were 1,596 producing wells, showing that a larger number of wells were drilled 

during the last half of 1903 than during all previous time. The subjoined table for the last half of the year covers the entire territory. It 

will be noticed that Chanute has the largest number,'549, and that 

Humboldt is second, with 339. In the territory around these two towns 

there is a total of 888, or considerably more than half of all reported.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

 -' - * .>- " -'.'J*t«4- -'.' - KNAPP PUMPING STATION, STORAGE TANKS, AND LOADING R
HAWORTH 

ADAMS AND] ' OIL AND GAS.

Wells drilled in Kansas, July to December, 1908.

35

District.

Chanute ........

Humboldt ......

Neodesha .......

Independence . . .

Cherry vRl6

Bartelsville a ....

Tfprl Fnrlr

Total .....

tuo

e

o

KP. a

£

306

133

161

 33'

7

18

34

QQ

1

725

July.

 d

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109.

73 0)

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August.

 d 

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Pi

16

35

35

30

36

10

8

170

13 0> 

(3 O d

d

03

fi<!

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1

1

59

September.

13 0)

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25

65

'18

32

8

13

161

13 CD

O O

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si

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5

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3

44

October.

-d

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<u "ft

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25

68

29

25

32

5

184

 o 

o>

a 

o

13

a

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9

4

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November

T3

£

aS

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O

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81

44

39

30

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18

12

3

276

13 

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a

0

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December.

13

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6

206

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549

339

280

157

111

49

77

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6

1,596

a Indian Territory.

The first oil produced in the lola quadrangle was marketed in 1900, 

the oil being shipped in tank cars by Mr. Knapp. He continued shipments by rail throughout 1900, 1901, and 1902, and well into 1903, 

since which time his production is included in the pipe-line runs given 

in 'the monthly reports by the Prairie Oil and Gas Company. Figures 

for the total production of oil during 1900 or 1901, are not obtainable. 

It is probable, however, that the two years' combined production would 

be about 80,000 barrels. During 1902 the production was much greater, 

and rapidly increased throughout 1903. In 1902 the total production 

at Chanute was 165,336 barrels, about two-thirds of it being produced 

by Mr. Knapp. By the close of 1903, however, a number of other 

companies were regular producers. The subjoined table, showing the 

monthly production of Chanute and Humbolclt, includes only pipe-line 

runs, to which should be added the oil shipped by rail and a small 

amount delivered to the wagon trade at Humboldt and sold to brick 

plants and other manufacturers.

Humboldt produced no oil in 1902, except from one well belonging 

to Mr. G. Z. Work. It is estimated that he sold at least 500 barrels 

to the wagon trade. In 1903 this same kind of trade was continued; by 

June shipments by rail began; and in the late summer the pipe lines 

were extended to the Humboldt field and the delivery of oil increased 

very rapidly, as shown by the table. At the close of 1903 probably 

fully one-third of all the wells in the Chanute-Humboldt district were 

still standing idle because pipe lines had not yet reached them. The
36 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

pipe-line runs, therefore, are only an indication of what the total production would have been had market facilities been at hand.

Shipping oil by rail was begun at Moran late in 1903, but on account 

of poor shipping facilities only a small amount was marketed.

Other centers of smaller production, such as Erie, Shaw, Urbana, 

etc., either marketed no jail or had their production included with the 

pipe-line runs from Chanute. Nothing was marketed from any of 

these points until late in the year, and since then but little, because 

developments were scarcely beyond the prospecting stage.

. Oil production of lola quadrangle in 1903. 

[Barrels.]

February .......

March ..........

May ............

June ...........

Chanute.

25, 811. 40

26, 291. 60

12, 812. 41

9, 965. 90

46, 033. 57

34, 494. 05

Humboldt.

431.' 00

144. 43

July ...........

September .....

November .....

December......

Chanute.

34, 481. 65

67, 822. 28

82, 850. 23

75, 141. 57

74, 175. 44

74, 182. 64

Humboldt.

578. 00

1, 743. 50

6 079 70

6, 743. 22

6; 868. 22

By way of comparison, figures for the production of the entire State 

and adjoining points in the Indian Territory may be of interest.

Oil production of Kansas and adjoining Indian Territory in 1903, 

[Barrels.]

January....

May........

July........

August.....

September .

October ....

November .

December..

Chanute.

25,811.40

26, 291. 60

12,812,41

9,965.90

46, 033. 57

34,494.05

34,481.65

67, 822. 28

82,850.23

75, 141. 57

74, 175. 44

74, 182. 64

Humboldt.

431. 00

144. 43

578.00

1,743.50

6, 079. 70

6, 743. 22

6, 868. 22

Neodesha.

7, 440. 38

6,328.29

7,586.06

6, 706. 38

9, 305. 74

6,836.69

(\ QQft ^ft

10, 838. 35

9, 900. 52

12, 528. 69

19,821.00

28,986.48

Peru.

2, 975. 06

2, 845. 79

3, 773. 14

3, 036. 34

2, 634. 15

2, 133. 98

2, 133. 64

3, 272. 90

4,930.83

2, 952. 19

11, 987. 89

21, 898. 78

Independence.

5, 759. 94

15, 297. 01

34, 776. 54

50,876.54

Cherryvale.

1,154.87

965. 15

1,205.76

425.56

1,083.23

922. 94

735.21

1,353.24

705. 29

1, 683. 06

3, 634. 35

10, 843. 76

Indian 

Territory 

and Oklahoma.

7,146. 76

5, 697. 34

4,126.93

7,033.88

4, 277. 78

8, 239. 81

16, 102. 74

10, 490. 69

8,821.85

14, 315. 49

24, 613. 01

34,831.69

Total.

44, 528. 47

42, 128. 17

29, 504. 30

27,168.06

63, 765. 47

52, 771. 90

93, 777. 46

114,712.16

127, 997. 71

175, 751. 45

238, 488. 11

Kansas oil wells are not very strong if compared with the more noted 

"gushers" of America. The wells in Neosho Valley, at Chanute or 

at Humboldt, had an average initial production of about 20 barrels, 

the strongest varying from 100 to 300 barrels daily capacity and the 

weakest from 1 to 3 barrels.
HAWORTH

ADAMS.AND]

On the uplands to the east of the river, southeast of . Humboldt and 

northeast of Chanute, the general character of the wells was much the 

same, except that a few were found which were stronger than any in 

the river valley. In the autumn of 1903 Martin Brothers brought in 

a well on the Lockhart land, sec. 13, T. 26 S., 11. 18 E., which began 

flowing at about 1,000 barrels per day. A few weeks later the Minneapolis Oil and Gas Company brought in a well near by, likewise on 

the Lockhart land, which filled a 250-barrel tank in 250 minutes, a 

rate of about 1,440 barrels a day. These two had the greatest initial 

capacity of any thus far found in the-State. Their rate of flow declined 

rapidly but remained at about 200 to 300 barrels per day for some 

months. In December, 1903, a few strong wells were brought in west 

of Chanute, just across the west boundary of the Tola quadrangle. 

They were much stronger than the average wells in Neosho Valley, 

but not equal to the wells on the Lockhart land.

Elsewhere in Kansas, outside of the lola quadrangle, the oil wells 

a-re similar to those described. Southwest of Independence, in Montgomery County, near Bolton, during the summer and early autumn of 

1903, a remarkable oil field was developed. The first good well was 

brought in on the Banks land, sec. 8, T. 33 N., R. 15 E. It was but 

a short time until a large number of wells were- completed, averaging 

from 100 to 300 barrels per day, a great proportion of which were 

flowing wells. At present it seems that this is destined to be the 

greatest individual oil pool in the State. In the vicinity of Cherryvale good oil wells are becoming common, indicating that this also 

may soon be an oil center. Coffeyville also, late in 1903, became 

the. center of active drilling operations.

Gas. It is impossible to estimate with a high degree of accuracy 

the amount of gas produced in the Kansas fields. The historical sketch 

already given shows that gas was used in lola as early as 1873, but 

pipes were not laid down for its general use until twenty years later, 

1893. From that time to the present it has been used almost to the 

exclusion of other fuels for heating and lighting and for generating 

steam and producing furnace heat in the numerous manufacturing 

enterprises.

' At lola the manufacturing concerns are zinc smelters, brickkilns, 

Portland-cement factories, flouring mills, planing mills, and a number 

of small factories, such as are usually found in thriving young cities, 

including laundries, creameries, bakeries, etc. The zinc smelters of 

the entire Kansas gas field have produced 375,000 tons of spelter from 

gas furnaces, of which more than 300,000 tons were produced at lola, 

Laharpe, and Gas. The gas used is the equivalent of about 2,000,000 

tons of good soft coal. Kansas gas has burned about 650,000,000 brick, 

which would have required about 250,000 tons of coal. Of these 

brick about one-third were burned within the lola quadrangle. The
38 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

Portland-cement factory at lola during its operation has produced, in 

round numbers, 2,000,000 barrels of cement, consuming gas equivalent to 200,000 tons of coal.

. The consumption of gas in the lesser factories and for domestic use 

has been great, aggregating more than that used in the factories. The 

rates charged are very low. Some data have been gathered on domestic consumption, but principally in terms of the value of gas rather than 

its quantity. It is probable that the entire Kansas field has produced 

gas having a value of very nearly $5,000,000. The rates charged by 

gas companies in different cities vary widely, but with few exceptions the modes of estimating values are the same. A charge of so 

much per month is made for each light and for each of the different 

kinds of stoves used. The most common price is 25 cents for a light 

and from $1.50 to $2.50 per month for a stove. A cooking stove for 

a residence is charged more than a warming stove, because it is usually 

larger and consumes more gas. Stoves in business houses, hotels, etc., 

are generally larger in size than those in residences, and consequently 

are charged a higher rate. At Chanute the gas is owned and sold loy 

the city and prices are fixed by city ordinance. By the terms of the 

city ordinance which becomes effective February 2, 1903, gas charges 

were reduced one-half. Accordingly, the rates now charged are: Gas 

jet, 10 cents per month; heating stove, $1.50 per month; cooking,$1 to 

$1.50 per month. For all manufacturing purposes the gas is sold by 

the thousand cubic feet. A concern using 1,000 or less cubic feet 

per month is charged20 cents; 2,000,35 cents; 3,000, 50 cents; 8,000, 

$1; 10,000, $1.25; above 10,000 the rate is 5 cents for each additional 

thousand. At Erie all consumers use meter rates at 25 cents per 

thousand cubic feet burned.

The mode of burning gas is very objectionable from the standpoint 

of economy. All lights are allowed to burn continuously day and 

night excepting in extreme hot weather, when some of the lines are 

turned off in order to prevent throwing too much heat into the rooms.

If good meter rates had been established throughout the entire gas 

region it is probable that consumers might have used all the gas they 

needed for their comfort in lighting and heating without consuming 

more than from one-third to one-half of what has actually been burned.

Gas-producing territory. The strength of gas wells varies from 

wells in which so little gas is found that they have no commercial value 

up to those which have a capacity of more than 10,000,000 cubic 

feet. The best wells developed thus far are in the lola-Laharpe 

region. This territory extends about 9 miles east and west and 4 

miles north and south, and has supplied much more gas than any 

other field in the State. Other fields are known which may prove to 

be as good, but they have not been drawn from sa extensively. The 

original static pressure in the lola area was about 325 pounds per
HA WORTH

ADAMS,.AND] OIL AND GAS. 39

square inch and the best wells generally had a flowing capacity of from 

5,000,000 to 10,000,000 cubic feet per day. East of Laharpe and west 

of Moran is a territory not yet prospected. Moran is moderately supplied with gas, but the wells are weak compared with those at Laharpe 

and lola.

Very little prospecting has been done in the extreme north end 

of the lola quadrangle. A few wells to the north of Carlyle have 

proved of little value, and likewise to the northwest of lola. Small 

gas wells have been found in the western part of Bourbon County, 

near Bronson. About 3 miles southwest of lola, on .the Culbertaon 

land, there are two gas wells, one of which had an initial capacity of 

about 3,000,000 cubic feet per day. There is a large area betweer 

lola and Humboldt hardly touched with the drill. What little pros 

pecting has been done' has not yet yielded very encouraging results, 

although too few wells have been drilled to permit one to form a judgment on the territory.

Gas has been found in comparative abundance in the vicinity oi 

Humboldt. West of Humboldt, just beyond the limits of this quadrangle, are a number of gas wells which have a capacity of from 

1,000,000 to 5,000,000 cubic feet per twenty-four hours. East and 

southeast of Humboldt a number of other wells of similar capacity 

have been found, but no gas territory distinct from the oil territory 

has yet been developed. This field joins the gas territory in the 

vicinity of Chanute, with no sharp boundary line between them.

In the vicinity of Chanute gas is abundant. The first gas wells were 

found in Neosho River Valley, east of the town, and on the low hills in 

the southeastern part of the town. In fact, so many wells were found 

in this latter place that the name Gas Ridge was applied to it some 

years ago. The territory here seems to be spotted, an occasional dry 

hole being sometimes found with producers on either side of it. The 

upland lying west of the town was abandoned at one time, as the few 

wells drilled proved to be failures. But later other wells were drilled 

a little farther west and also a mile or two to the south, which proved 

to be good producers. During 1902 and 1903 a number of good wells 

were drilled in the hills on the east side of the river from 2£ to 3£ 

miles east of Chanute. One particularly, which was completed in July, 

1903, is almost as good a well as any in the State.

The territory lying to the south of Chanute in the southeast corner 

of the lola quadrangle produced but little up to the close of 1903. A 

few light wells have been found, particularly near Urbana and south 

of the quadrangle toward Thayer and Galesburg, but the prospecting 

is not extensive enough to show the character of this part of the field.

In the vicinity of Erie small gas wells, with a daily flowage capacity 

of from 100,000 to 500,000 cubic feet, are found in comparative abundance. The first 35 holes drilled by the Erie Gas and Mineral Company
40 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

obtained 14 gas wells, 7 oilers, and 14 failures. The gas is used satisfactorily to light and heat the town.

Outside of the places mentioned but little gas has yet been found. 

Considerable prospecting has been done at St. Paul, but with negative 

results. The first well at Walnut was drilled during the autumn of 

1903, and was practically a failure, showing only a very small amount 

of gas. Other wells are to be drilled there, but what success the}r will 

have can not be foretold. Stark, Savonburg, Elsmore, and Bayard 

are similarly situated. A few wells have been drilled which produce 

small amounts of gas, but none sufficient to be of any considerable 

commercial importance. Possibly future prospecting will find larger 

quantities of gas.

UTILIZATION OF GAS IN ZINC SMELTING.

Attracted by the cheap fuel supplied from the numerous and strong 

gas wells, zinc-smelting companies years ago began erecting large 

smelters in the Kansas gas fields. To-day more than one-half of all 

the spelter produced in the United States is smelted by Kansas gas, 

and considerably more than half of this is produced by smelters located 

within the lola quadrangle.

Development of the industry. The first smelter erected was located 

at lola and built by the Robert Lanyon's Sons Company. The company 

began producing spelter in December, 1896, but the plant was not 

brought into successful operation until the spring of 1897. A large 

stone .building erected originally for a carriage manufactoiy was used 

for furnace rooms (PI. VIII, B].

As this was the first plant to use natural gas for fuel, it was largely 

in the nature of an experiment, and its success was watched with 

great interest. It was recognized from the start that the difficulty in 

the use of gas, should any arise, would be in the proper distribution 

of heat through the furnaces. It was soon found that this could be 

accomplished readily by providing intakes of gas, arranged in different 

places, as experience showed desirable. The gas was mixed with the 

'proper amount of air by specially contrived mixers, built on the general principles of the Bunsen-burner mixer, or those so widely employed 

in domestic consumption of gas. The success of the company led to 

the enlargement of the plant from time to time, until now it has 3,200 

retorts. After about a year's trial the company built another large 

smelter at Laharpe, which has been enlarged from time to time until 

it has a capacity at present of 3,440 retorts.

The success achieved by.the Robert Lanyon's Sons Compaiw soon 

attracted the attention of others. During the su.mmer of. 1897, W. & J. 

Lanyon, who were operating zinc smelters in the coal fields at Pittsburg, Kans., erected a trial smelter of 1,800 retorts at lola, and began 

the production of spelter late ih December of the same year. Their
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. VIII

A. IOLA BRICK COMPANY'S PLANT NO.

B. LANYON ZINC COMPANY'S SMELTER NO. 1.
HAWOBTH AND 

ADAMS. ] OIL AND GAS. 41

plant was a success from the first and was gradually enlarged until at 

the present time it has 3,200 retorts.

These different plants were operated separately until March, 1899. 

Previous to this time the Palmer Oil Company of Ohio had obtained 

leases on a large acreage in the vicinity of lola and Laharpe, and had 

obtained a number of strong gas wells, ranging in capacity from 

5,000,000 to 10,000,000 cubic feet per day. A new company was formed 

which bought the gas property of the Palmer Oil Company and the 

zinc smelters of both the firms above named, receiving the property in 

March, 1899, since which time all of these smelters have been operated 

by one management, under the firm name of the Lanyon Zinc Company. 

Late in 1903 they had a total of 9,840 retorts in commission.

In 1902 the Lanyon Zinc Company erected rolling mills at Laharpe, 

which began operations on May 3, of that year. These mills were successful in their operation and were enlarged during the summer of 

1903. At the present time they have a daily capacity of from 40,000 

to 50,000 pounds of finished sheet zinc.

In 1899 the Prime Western Spelter Company erected a plant of 

1,240 retorts and built a little town named Gas, situated 2 or 3 miles 

east of lola. The plant was owned and controlled by Mr. L. T. McRea, 

Mr. J. A. Daly, and Dr. L. H. Callaway. About the same time the 

Cherokee-Lanyon Spelter Company, of Pittsburg, erected a plant at the 

same place, with a capacity of 1,240 retorts. These two plants were 

operated successfully from the start, but later were sold. Also, in 

1898, Mr. George E. Nicholson, a zinc smelter from Nevada, Mo., 

built a plant of 1,200 retorts capacity about 1 mile east of lola, which 

was operated successfully until bought out late in 1902, having been 

previously enlarged to a capacity of 1,640 retorts.

In 1902 the United Zinc and Chemical Company built a zinc smelter 

at lola and a sulphuric-acid factory in connection with it.. The plant 

was completed and began operations in March, 1903. The roasting 

furnace is so arranged that fumes from the burning gas do not come 

in contact with the ore, the heat entering the roasting chamber proper 

by being transmitted through a fire-clay floor on which-the ore rests. 

Air is slowly, drawn over the heated sulphide ore and oxidizes it, producing a sulphur dioxide (SO2 ). By regulating the draft properly 

and by excluding the products of combustion from the gas, a greater 

concentration of sulphur-dioxide vapor can be obtained than from the 

ordinary calcining furnace. It can thus be passed directly into the 

leaden acid-generating chamber.

Late in 1902 a new company was organized as the New Jersey Zinc 

Compan}'. It bought the plants of George E. Nicholson and the 

Prime Western Spelter Company, and has since operated them as one 

plant. During the last summer (1903) it has been enlarging its plant 

to almost double its original capacity. Also, in 1903, a Mr. Braun
42 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

began building a small smelter at Laharpe, which is expected to go 

into commission near the end of the year. - -

On account of small values of gold and silver being found in zinc 

ores shipped from Colorado to Kansas furnaces, it was thought desirable to put up a trial furnace for the purpose of extracting such from 

the residue obtained from the retorts. In 1902 the Cherokee-Lanyon 

Company put up such a trial smelter. They shipped ores from Colorado and from Canada known to have small gold and silver values and 

extracted the precious metals from the retort residues. After a trial 

of about a year they abandoned the enterprise and permanently closed 

down their gold and silver smelter, finding that the expense was greater 

than the profit.

At the present time, summarizing the above data, there are in operation in the lola quadrangle zinc smelters belonging to four different 

companies, with an aggregate capacit}^ of about. 17,000 retorts, not 

including the ones at Laharpe, which are not yet completed.

Method of smelting. Zinc smelting with gas for fuel is conducted 

very similarly to zinc smelting with coal. Kansas smelters use almost 

exclusively ore from the Joplin-Galena mining district, which supplies 

zinc blende or zinc sulphide. Such ores, after being properly pulverized, are passed through the roasting or calcining furnace. Here the 

gas flame, mixed with an excess of air, comes in direct contact with the 

ore. The sulphur is gradually expelled as sulphur dioxide (S02 ), 

leaving the zinc in the form of zinc oxide (ZnO). From the calcining 

furnace the zinc oxide is taken to the retort or sublimation furnace, 

mixed with the proper amount of carbon, and placed in external ty 

heated fire-clay retorts. These retorts, which are circular in cross 

section, 4 feet long and about 10 inches internal diameter, are arranged 

in the furnace so that they form a series of rows one upon the other, 

each retort being almost horizontal. The back or inner edge is closed

in the making, but the outer end, which projects slightly through the 

wall of the-furnace, is left open. After the charge is put into the 

retort a conical, hollow, fire-clay condenser is put into the open end of 

the retort. This gathers the vapor of metallic zinc volatilized by the 

heat of the furnace and holds it until enough has condensed to be 

drawn off. As this condenser is entirely outside the furnace its temperature is below the point of volatilization and above that of solidification and consequently serves the purpose well. The bulk of the 

carbon, which is mixed with the zinc oxide before .it is put into the 

retorts, is in the form of coke made principally from slack coal 

obtained from the coal mines in Cherokee and Crawford counties. 

With this coke a small or varying amount of pulverized anthracite is 

used, to which is added a small proportion of pulverized bituminous 

coal, the whole charge being thoroughly mixed together. The retort is 

completely filled, after which an iron rod about 1 inch in diameter is
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. IX

A. LANYON ZINC COMPANY'S SMELTER NO. 1.

B. BANK OF RETORTS SHOWING FLAMES AND ZINC FUMES ESCAPING FROM 

THE ENDS OF CONDENSERS.
ADAMS.] ^ GAS WELLS. 43

forced into the top part of the charge through the entire length of the 

retort to make a little opening, along which the first volatile material 

ma}r pass.when the smelting has begun. The conical condenser is 

then inserted and the heat of the furnace soon causes chemical action 

to begin. The bituminous coal is added in order to produce a little 

volatilization early in the process. As the gas thus formed passes out 

of the retort it sets up to some extent an outward cuigrent. When the 

hot carbon reduces zinc oxide to metallic zinc the latter is immediately 

volatilized and driven over into the condenser. The carbon unites 

with the oxygen of zinc, producing a small amount of carbon dioxide 

(CO2), but principally .carbon monoxide (CO), a combustible gas that 

is set on fire at the outer end of the condenser. The small flame thus 

produced is colored slightly by traces of zinc vapor and other materials 

which may be in the ore, particularly cadmium, should any be present. 

The operator judges the temperature of the fur-naee and the rate of 

progress largely by the color of the flame, which varies from time to 

time with varying conditions of temperature and progress of reduction.

Production of spelter in 1902. A retort, such as has been described 

above, produces from 23 to 25 pounds of metallic zinc for each charge, 

the amount vaiying slightly with the grade of the ore, but rarely exceeding these limits. It takes twenty-four hours to dispose of one charge, 

so the capacity of a furnace is obtained by allowing abou,t 24 pounds of 

spelter per day for each retort. There are 17,000 retorts in the 

smelters in the lola quadrangle at the present time. If no allowances 

were made for shut downs for repairs and other necessary stoppages, 

they would be able to produce nearly 75,000 tons of spelter per annum, 

an amount almost as great as the total State production for 1902. The 

difference between the figures obtained in this way and the actual 

amount of production is due to a number of causes, the principal one 

being that no furnace can be operated continuously year after year 

without repairs. It is quite unusual to find a large smelting plant 

with all of its furnaces in commission. Almost always one or more 

of them will be closed for repairs, or for some other temporary cause.

In 1902 the furnaces above described produced about 66,000 tons of 

spelter which, at the New York quotations, had a value of $6,201,600.

PHENOMENA OF GAS WELLS.

By GEORGE I. ADAMS.

When, in the operation of drilling, a reservoir of gas is encountered, 

its presence is immediately known by the fact that it flows from the 

well. As the drill goes deeper the volume of gas increases until it 

reaches the maximum production. In many instances the force of the 

gas assists in opening the reservoir by blowing out fragments of rock, 

and the well is said to " drill itself in." If the gas is under high pressure the force may be great enough to lift the drilling tools out of
44 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADBANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

the well. The task of confining the gas is by no means an easy one. 

Sometimes the pressure causes the casing to rise out of the ground 

and it is necessary to secure it by means of anchors. If there are 

defects in the casing or valves they may break as a result of the pressure when an attempt is made to close the well. The sound made by 

the issuing gas is often deafening, and if the gas is ignited the flame 

causes a roar which may be heard for miles. To those who are at work 

around the well the effect is sometimes nauseating and otherwise 

disagreeable, and it is necessary to protect one's ears or permanent 

deafness may result.

The phenomena connected with the occurrence of natural gas, 

although now fairly well understood, are in a way mysterious and 

elusive. The first exploitation of gas began in the early seventies in 

Pennsylvania. Although but a short time has elapsed sirice then, the 

laws governing the utilization of gas are well understood by many 

operators. For the information of those who are interested in the 

occurrence of gas or who may wish to engage in prospecting, it is proposed here to review certain of the phenomena of gas wells.

For a proper understanding of the laws which govern the flow and 

pressure of gas it may be well first to explain the nature of a gaseous 

body. In a gas the molecules are separated beyond the limits of 

cohesive attraction so that they are free of all restriction upon one 

another. It is not known, if there is a limit to the rarefaction of 

gases when they are unconfined; that is, at what distance the attraction 

of the molecules for each other would just balance the mutual repulsion. Gas may be said to fill a reservoir no matter how small the 

amount may be.

Natural gas, as it is commonly called, is a mixture of several gases, 

of which marsh gas (CH4) is found in the Kansas product to constitute 

from 92 to 98 per cent. The following table a shows the composition 

of gas found at various localities in the Kansas field:

Composition of natural gas found in the Kansas field. 

Carbon monoxide . . . 

Marsh gas...........

Total .........

Paola.

0.33

.11

.45

.57 

95.20

2.34

.00

100. 00

Osawatomie.

0.22

.22

Tr.

1.33 

97.63

.60

.00

100. 00

lola.

0.90

.00

.45

1.23 

89.56

7.76

.00

100. 00

Cherryvale.'

0.22

.00

.22

1.16 

92.46

5.94

.00.

100. 00

Coffevville.

0.00

.35

.12

.91 

96.41

2.21

.00

100. 00

Independence.

0.44

.67

Tr.

.33

95.28

2.28

.00

100. 00

Neodosha.

1.00

.22

.65

.50 

90.56

7.07

.00

100. 00

a Bailey, E. H. S., Kansas Univ. Quart., vol. 4, No. 1, July, 1895, p. 10.
ADAMS.] GAS WELLS. 45

Gas diffuses readily and when it issues from the well immediately 

becomes mixed with air. When it is used as fuel the necessary oxygen 

from the air is added to it by means of a mixer, which allows the diffusion of the air and gas to take place before it is burned. Gas is 

absorbed by water and oil, the amount absorbed depending upon the 

pressure and temperature. 

As an aid to the understanding of the relations of gas 

absorbed in a liquid ordinary 

carbonated water may be 

cited. When gases are once 

formed they are very stable 

and retain their condition 

excepting under very high

pressure and low temperature. The degree of compression or density of gas is 

dependent upon the heat and 

pressure to which it is subjected. Gas expands against 

any constant pressure by 

one four hundred and ninetyfirst part of its volume 

for every degree Fahrenheit 

by which its 

temperature is 

raised. At a 

fixed temperature the volume of a body 

of gas decreases or increases

at exactly the same rate that the pressure increases or 

decreases. The expansive force of gas is exerted in all 

directions and the pressure on confined bodies is transmitted undiminished.

Static or closed pressure. A body of gas confined 

within the earth, if not subjected to geologic changes, 

remains in a quiescent state until reached by the drill. 

A well forms an artificial extension of the body of gas and 

affords an opportunity to measure its degree of condensation. When the pressure in a closed well is moderately high it may 

be measured by connecting a spring gage with the casing (fig. 4). 

The gage records the pressure in the same way as does a steam gage 

on a boiler. If the pressure is small a U-shaped tube (fig. 5), containFIG. 4. Spring gage attached for measuring static 

pressure.

FIG. 5. U-shaped 

gage with flexible hose for attachment in 

measuring gas 

pressures.
46 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BOLL.238.

ing mercury, water, or other liquid, may be connected with the casing 

and the pressure registered by the height to which the column of liquid 

rises. The U-shaped gage, because of the nature of the instrument, 

can be used only for low pressures.

While a measurement so taken is commonly stated to be the pressure 

of the gas in the well, the fact should not be lost sight of that it is the 

measure of the pressure exerted by the gas on all parts of the reservoir of which the well is an artificial prolongation. The static pressure 

recorded when a well is first brought in is commonly spoken of as its 

initial pressure. Any variations which are recorded in subsequent 

measurements are found to be lower. For example, if, after a well is 

measured, it is allowed to blow off and is then suddenly closed the 

pressure on the gage will be lower than it was before the valve was 

opened, the reduction being caused by the friction encountered in flowing. However, the index on the dial of the gage will gradually change 

its position, indicating a higher pressure and in the course of a short 

period will record the same pressure as was just previously note '.

FIG. 6. Types of oil and gas reservoirs.

A, inclined bed of sandstone (a) sealed in by shales (b), but somewhere in communication with 

water under hydrostatic pressure.

B, sandstone bed (a) interstratifled with impervious beds (6) and forming an arch or anticline, and 

somewhere in connection with water under hydrostatic pressure.

In the Kansas field a pressure of 325 pounds to the square inch is 

not unusual. Many wells show a lower pressure, and some are reported 

to reach 600 pounds. The force of the gas issuing from a well as 

computed in horsepower reaches a surprising figure, being so great 

that the gas may be turned directly into the cylinder of a steam engine 

and its expansion utilized as a source of power. High pressures in 

the field are desirable since they enable the gas to be conveyed long 

distances through ramifying pipe lines, where the friction which must 

be overcome is a serious element.

After a well has produced for a considerable period of time the 

pressure will be found to have fallen off. This is the history of 

the wells in all fields. The fact may be taken as an indication that 

the exhausting of the gas changes the relations in the reservoir. The 

gas confined within the earth occupies the interstitial spaces in sandstones and porous rocks. A gas reservoir accordingly is a complex 

series of openings. Its limits are the impervious rocks which inclose
ADAMS.] GAS WELLS. 47

its upper surface and the water or oil which lies below it. The two 

types of reservoir considered from the standpoint of the structure of 

the rocks are shown in the accompan}dng figure (fig. 6).

The degree of density of gas under h3rdrostatic conditions in a 

reservoir depends upon the pressure exerted upon it by the oil and the 

water. The amount of this pressure is due to the hydrostatic head. 

If the place of intake of the water is known and it is assumed that the 

water-bearing stratum is completely saturated, the pressure of the gas 

can be computed by measuring the height of the column of water 

acting on it. The observed pressure in closed wells is found to check 

closely with the results obtained where these factors are known. A 

simple example illustrating the hydrostatic head is shown in the 

accompanying diagram of an artesian well (fig. 7).

The fact that a well shows a high pressure is evidence of the relative density of the body of gas, but it does not indicate the capacity 

of the reservoir. If the hydrostatic conditions are perfect the pressure of the gas will be very nearly maintained throughout the life of 

the well whether the reservoir is large or small, the difference in pressure being due simply to change in the level of the water.

IMG. 7. Diagram of an artesian well: a, point of intake; b-c, height of column of water exerting

hydrostatic pressure at b.

As the gas in the reservoir is reduced in quantity by flowing out of 

the well the water or oil limiting its lower surface rises. The amount 

of decrease in pressure may be measured by subtracting the weight 

of a column of water or oil having a height equal to the difference in 

its original and subsequent levels. Inasmuch as the movement of 

water in the earth's crust is 'much retarded by friction, and in some 

cases may be modified by changes in porosity of the strata owing to 

cementation of the rocks after the gas has accumulated, the observations on wells show variations from ideal conditions.

Dynamic or open-flow pressure. In flowing through a well casing 

gas encounters the resistance of friction, which is relatively large in 

small pipes. The dynamic or open-flow pressure at the mouth of the 

well is equal to the static or closed pressure minus the friction. As 

will appear later in this discussion, the velocity of the flow bears a 

fixed relation to this pressure.

In all measurements under ordinary conditions atmospheric pressure 

is a factor. It may, however, be neglected, since the apparatus used
48 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

is so constructed that atmospheric pressure on the gas is balanced by 

atmospheric pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm in spring 

gages or of the column of liquid in U-shaped tube gages. The measurements recorded are accordingly for gas under pressure of one 

atmosphere. The weight of a column of air at sea level.is about 14.7 

pounds per square inch.- Corrections for altitude may be made by 

reference to barometric readings, but in ordinary work are usually 

neglected. In accurate measurements of volume corrections for 

temperature are made. The volume of flowing gas is computed at 

40° F., and for gas in a reservoir a temperature of 50° F. is taken as 

the standard. The specific gravity of natural gas is about six-tenths, 

air being considered as one. Corrections for exact specific gravity of 

gas may also be made if desirable. 

The volume of gas flowing from a well or through a pipe is expressed

PIG. 8. Simple form of Pitot tube.

in cubic feet. When a measurement is made, the size of the inside 

diameter of the pipe should be stated. This is because the carrying 

capacity of pipes varies as a square root of the fifth power (that is, as 

a 2.5 power) of the diameter, and although there is an increase in the 

velocity of flow with a decrease in size of the pipe, this does not entirely 

compensate for the increased friction. The tables commonly used 

in computing volumes are apt to be misleading if this fact is not 

borne in mind, for in measuring the volume, the well tubing is usually 

reduced to a 2-inch nipple. If it is desirable to determine the full 

capacity of a well, measurements should be made in the tubing.

As a result of friction currents the velocity of flow is not uniform 

over all parts of the area of a well opening. Experiments have shown 

that the points of mean velocity are about midway between the center 

and the circumference of the casing. In measuring the volume of 

gas issuing, it is necessary to determine its velocity and compute the
ADAMS.] GAS WELLS. 49

amount for the size of the pipe. For measuring the velocity, the Pitot 

tube is employ ed. a

The simplest form of this instrument is shown in fig. 8, in which 

the velocity of flowing water is shown to cause a rise of head in the 

tube. In accordance with the laws of physics (and as may be found by 

experiments) the height of the 

column is doubled when the 

velocity is squared.

The velocity of gas flowing 

from a well may also be determined by means of a spring 

gage in accordance with the 

following facts: The pressure required to drive a unit 

amount of gas through an 

opening must be increased 

fourfold for twice the amount 

of gas, since double the amount 

must pass in a given time and 

the unit amount must move 

with double the speed. Inasmuch as the density of the gas 

at the level of the casing is 

constant, being that produced 

by atmospheric pressure, the 

relative velocity ma}^ be determined by measuring the pressure, andis found to be doubled 

when the pressure is four times 

as great. The method of using 

a spring gage is illustrated in 

fig. 9.

Actual measurements may 

be made Ity means of volumetric meters. Such will furnish 

the basis for computing volumes bj7" means of velocity and pressure, and will show that they check 

very closely with the volumes computed from observations made with 

gages. A table, known as the Robinson table, in common use for computing the discharge of gas wells, is inserted here for reference.

«This instrument takes its name from the inventor, Pit6t, who made it known to the French 

Academy of Sciences in 1732. Its adaptability for measuring the flow of gas was demonstrated by 

Prof. S. W. Robinson of the Ohio State University, who, by careful experimental tests, proved that 

the results obtained by it agree with the theoretical ones, while the instrument may be either fine 

or rude Jn construction. See Van Nostrand's Engineering Magazine, vol. 18; Geol. Survey Ohio, 

vol, 6,1883; and First Ann, Kept. Geol. Survey, Ohio, 1890.

Bull, 238 04 4

FIG. 9. Pitot tube and spring gage attached for measuring velocity of gas issuing from a well.
50 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL. 238.

Pressure and flow in pipes. The volume of gas flowing through a 

pipe at any point may be measured by determining the velocity and 

internal pressure of the gas. The Pitot tube is adapted to this use, 

and can be inserted.into the flowing gas at the point of average veloc-. 

ity by drilling a hole in the pipe and making tight connection (fig. 10). 

The reading on the gage will be the pressure due to velocity plus the 

internal pressure. The internal pressure, which must be substracted

Direction of flow

FIG. 10. Pitot tube and spring gage, attached-for measuring velocity of flow of gas in a pipe.

in order to determine the pressure due to velocity, can be measured 

by connecting a spring gage or U -shaped tube in a similar manner, but 

so arranged that it records only the pressure transmitted laterally 

(see fig. 11). If the apparatus is arranged as in fig. 12, the reading 

on the gage will be the difference of the two, or the pressure due to 

velocity of flow. This form of instrument is known as the Robinson 

instrument. It may be used with spring gages, or, by detaching the
TABLE I. Cubic feet of gas discharged by gas well per day.

[Cubic feet of gas reckoned at 32° F.. discharged by well per day of 24 hours of continuous uniform flow, by Pitot-meter measurement, the specific gravity a of the gas being here takei' at 0.6 (air=l), and the temperature of the flowing gas at well 

mouth being taken at 32° F. Cubic feet per day, reckoned at 32° F., given by this table, may be regarde'd as a quantity of gas in a gas holder at air pressure, and at the temperature o:!32° F., for the " temperature of storage." For 50° temperature 

of storage, and for other temperatures of flowing gas, correct the cubic feet of gas obtained from this table by aid of note at bottom of table.] >

Observed pressure by mercury gage.

Inches.

0.05

. - 07 

.11

.15 

.22 

.29

.37 

.52 

.74 

1.02 

1.52

2.03 

3.05 

4.07 

 5. 08 

6.10

7. 12 

8.13 

8.15 

10.17 

11.18

12.20 

13.21 

14.23 

15.25 

16.26

18.30 

20.33 

24.39 

28.46 

32.53

36.60 

40.66 

50.81 

61.00 

71.16

Observed pressure by water 

gage.

Inches. 

0.10 

.20 

.30 

.50 

.70

1.00 

1.50 

2.00 

3.00 

4.00

5.00 

7.00 

10.00 

13.75 

20.62

27. 50 

41.25 

55.00 

68.75 

82.50

96.25 

110. 00

- - - -\- -------

Observed pressure by pressure gage.

Lbs. per sq. in. 

0. 0036 

.0073 

.0109 

.0182 

.0254

.0364 

.0545 

. 0727 

.1090 

. 1450

.1820 

.2540 

.3636 

.5000 

' . 7500

1. 0000 

1. 5000 

2. 0000 

2. 5000 

3. 0000

3. 5000 

4. 0000 

4.5000 

5. 0000 

. 5. 5000

6. 0000 

6. 5000 

7. 0000 

7. 5000 

8. 0000

9. 0000 

10. 0000 

12. 0000 

14. 0000 

16. 0000

18. 0000 

20. 0000 

25. 0000 

30. 0000 

35. 0000

40. 0000 

45.0000 . 

50. 0000 

55. 0000 

60. 0000

Cubic feet of gas discharged.

1 in. diameter.

12, 390 

17, 560 

21, 480 

27, 720 

32, 820

39, 210 

48, 030 

55, 340 

67, 910 

78, 410

87, 670 

103, 500 

123, 000 

146, 220 

175, 350

201, 800 

247, 840 

285, 130 

316, .500 

344, 350

370, 000 

393, 000 

415, 270 

436, 200 

456, 200

473, 750 

489, 840 

505, 920 

522, 010 

538, 500

565, 970 

589, 270 

633, 340 

675, 000 

713, 550

748, 650 

779, 350 

845,150 

902, 180 

954, 820 '

998, 680 

1, 036, 700 

1, 072, 000 

1, 106, 880 

1, 137, 600

Is in. diameter.

27, 880 

39, 510 

48, 330 

62, 370 

73,840

88, 230 

108, 070 

124, 520 

152, 800 

176, 420

197, 260 

232,880 

276, 750 

328, 990 

394, 540

454, 010 

557,650 . 

641,540 

712,130 

774, 780

832, 500 

884,250 

934,350 

981,450 

1, 026, 500

1,065/900 

1, 102, 100 

1, 138, 300 

1, 174, 500 

1, 211, 600

1, 273, 200 

1, 325, 900 

1,425,000 

1,508,800 

1, 605, 500

1,684,500 

1, 753, 500 . 

1, 901, 600 

2, 029, 900 

2, 148, 300

2, 247, 000 

2, 332, 600 

2, 412, 000 

2, 495, 000 

2, 559, 600

2 in. diameter.

49, 556 

70, 260 

85, 940 

110, 880 

131, 260

156, 830 

192, 120 

221,,360 

271, 630 

313, 660

350, 670 

414, 000 

492, 000 

584, 880 

701, 400

807, 200 

991, 370 

.1,140,500 

1, 266, 000 

1, 377, 400

1, 480, 000 

1, 572, 000 

1, 661, 100 

1, 744, 800 

1, 824, 800

1, 895, 000 

1,959,400 

2, 023, 700 

2, 088, 000 ' 

2, 154, 000

2, 263, 000 

2, 357, 100 

2, 533, 300 

2, 700, 000 

2, 854, 200

2, 994, 600 

3, 117, 400 

3, 381, 000 

3, 609, 000 

3, 819, 000

3, 995, 000 

4, 147, 000 

4, 288, 000 

4, 428, 000 

4, 550, 000

2i in. diameter.

77, 440 

109, 750 

134, 250 

173, 250 

205, 100

245, 100 

300, 200 

345, 900 

424, 500 

490, 100

548, 400 

646, 900 

768, 800 

913, 880 

1,096,000

1, 261, 200 

1, 549, 000 

1, 782, 000 

1, 978, 000 

2, 152, 000

2, 313, 000 

2, 456, 000 

2, 595, 000 

2, 726, 000 . 

2,851,300

2, 961, 000 

3, 062, 000 

3, 162, 000 

3, 263, 000 

3, 366, 000

3, 537, 000 

3, 683, 000 

3, 958, 000 

4, 219, 000 

4, 459, 700

4, 679, 000 

4, 871, 000 

5, 282, 000 

5, 639, 000 

5, 968, 000

6,242,000 

6, 479, 000 

6, 700, 000 ' 

6, 918, 000 

7, 110, 000

3 in. diameter.

111,510 

158, 040 

193, 320 

249, 480 

295, 380

352, 890 

432, 270 

498, 060 

611,190 

705, 690

789, 030 

931,500 

1, 107, 000 

1, 316, 000 

1, 578, 150

1, 816, 050 

2, 231, 000 

2, 566, 200 

2, 848, 500 

3, 099, 100

3, 330, 000 

3, 537, 000 

3, 737, 400 

3, 925, 800 

4, 105, 900

4, 264, 000 

4, 409, 000 

4, 553, 300 

4, 698, 000 

4, 846, 000

5, 093, 000 

5, 303, 000 

5, 700, 000 

6, 075, 000 

6, 422, 000

6, 738, 000 

7, 014, 000 

7, 606, 000 

8, 120, 000 

8, 593, 000

8,988,000 

9, 330, 000 

9, 648, 000 

9, 962, 000 

10, 238, 000

3i in. diameter!

151, 780 

215, 110 

263, 130 

339, 570 

402, 000

480, 400 

588, 400 

677, 960 

832, 020 

960, 600

1, 074, 860 

1 , 267, 900 

1, 506, 700 

1, 791, 200 

2, 148, 160

2, 471, 900 

3, 036, 000 

3, 493, 000 

3, 877, 000 

4, 218, 000

4, 532, 500 

4, 814, 200 

5, 087, 000 

5, 343, 000 

5, 589, 000

5, 803, 000 

6, 001, 000 

6,198,000 

6, 395, 000 

6, 597, 000

6, 932, 000 

7,219,000 

7, 758, 000 

8, 269, 000 

8, 741, 000

9, 151, 000 

9, 546, 000 

10, 353, 000 

11, 054, 000 

11, 697, 000

12, 234, 000 

12, 700, 000 

13, 132, 000 

13, 539, 000 

13, 935, 000

4 in. diameter.

198, 220 

281, 040 

343, 760 

443, 520 

525, 050

627, 310 

768, 480 

885, 440 

1, 086, 510 

1, 254, 620

1, 402, 670 

1, 656, 000 

1, 968, 000 

2, 339, 500 

2, 805, 600

3, 228, 500 

3, 965, 000 

4, 562, 000 

5, 064, 000 

5, 510, 000

5, 920, 000 

6, 288, 000 

6, 644, 000 

6, 979, 000 

7, 299, 000

7, 580, 000 

7, 837, 000 

8, 095, 000 

8, 353, 000 

8, 616, 000

9, 054, 000 

9, 428, 000 

10, 133, 000 

10, 800, 000 

11, 415, 000

11, 978, 000 

12, 470, 000 

13, 522, 000 

14, 435, 000 

15, 277, 000

15, 979, 000 

16, 587, OCO 

17, 152, 000 

17,710,000 

IS, 101, 000

4£ in. diameter.

250, 890 

355, 590 

434, 970 

561, 330 

664, 610

794, 030 

972, 600 

1, 12Q, 600 

1, 375^ 200 

1, 587, 800

1, 775, 310 

2, 095, 900 

2, 496, 800 

2, 766, 900' 

3, 550, 900

4, 086, 100 

5, 019, 000 

5, 774, 000 

6, 409, 000 

6, 973, 000

7, 493, 000 

7, 958, 000 

8, 409, 000 

8, 833, 000 

9, 238, 000

9, 593, 000 

9, 919, 000 

10, 245, 000 

10, 571, 000 

10, 905, 000

11, 459, 000 

11, 933, 000 

12, 825, 000 

13, 669, 000 

14,449,000

15,160,000 

15, 782, 000 

17, 114, 000 

18, 269, 000 

19. 335, 000

20, 223, 000 

20, 993, 000 

21, 708, 000 

22, 454, 000 

23, 036, 000

5 in. diameter.

309, 750 

439, 000 

537, 000 

693, 000 

820, 400

980,400 

1, 200, 800 

1, 383, 600 

1,698,000 

1, 960, 400

2, 193, 600 

2, 587, 600 

3, 075, 000 

. 3, 655, 500 

4, 384, 000

5, 044, 600 

6, 196, 000 

7,128,000 

7, 913, 000 

8,609,000

9, 250, 000 

9, 825, 000 

10,382,000 

10, 905, 000 

11, 405, 000

11, 844, 000 

12, 246, 000 

12, 648, 000 

13, 050, 000 

13, 462, 000

14, 147, 000 

14, 372, 000 

15,833,000 

16, 875, 000 

17,839,000

18, 716, 000 

19, 484, 000 

21, 129, 000 

22, 555, 000 

23, 870, 000

24, 967, 000 ' 

25, 918, 000 

26, 800, 000 

27, 672, 000 

28, 440, 000

5| in. diameter.

392, 000 

555, 910 

679, 630 

877, 080 

1, 038, 500

1, 240, 700 

1, 517, 900 

1,751,000 

2, 148, 800 

2, 480, 900

2, 733, 900 

3, 274, 800 

3, 890, 900 

4, 626, 500 

5, 548, 200

6, 384, 600 

7, 842, 000 

8, 921, 000 

10, 014, 000 

10, 895, 000

11, 707, 000 

12, 435, 000 

13, 139, 000 

13, 802, 000 

14, 435, 000

14, 990, 000 

15, 499, 000 

16, 008, 000 

16, 517, 000 

17, 038, 000

17, 905, 000 

18, 645, 000 

20,040,000 

21, 357, 000 

22, 577, 000

23, 977, 000 

24, 659, 000 

26, 741, 000 

28,894,000 

30, 211, 000

31, 599, 000 

32, 802, 000 

33, 919, 000 

35, 023, 000 

36,000,000

6 in. diameter.

446, 040 

632, 160 

773, 280 

997,920 

1, 181, 520

1, 411, 600 

1, 729, 100 

1, 992, 200 

2, 444, 800 

2, 822, 800

3, 156, 100 

3, 726, 000 

4, 428, 000 

5, 864, 000 

6, 312, 600

7, 264, 200 

8, 922, 000 

10, 265, 000 

11, 394, 000 

12, 397, GOO13, 320, 000 

14, 148, 000 

14, 950, 000 

15, 703, 000 

16, 423, 000

17, 055, 000 

17, 634, 000 

18, 213, 000 

18, 792, 000 

19, 386, 000

20, 371, 000 

21, 214, 000 

22, 800, 000 

24, 300, 000 

25, 688, 000

26, 951, 000 

28, 057, 000 

30, 425, 000 

32, 478, 000 

34, 373, 000

35, 952, 000 

37, 321, 000 

38, 592, 000 

39, 848, 000 

40, 953, 000

0.6 

a To change results by this table to those for any other specific gravity of gas than 0.6, multiply by A/ gp gr gas

NOTE. For temperature of flowing gas where observed of 30°, 40°, 50°, 60° F., add 4, 3, 2,1 per cent., respectively.

Should 98 per cent alcohol be used in gage, multiply the readings by 0.8 to reduce to water value.

Should 0.75 specific gravity kerosene be used in gage, multiply the readings by 0.75 to reduce to water value.

Bull. 238 04. (To face page 50.) No. 1.
TABLE II (FOR USE WITH PITOT METER). Cubic feet of gas, per hour of uniform flow, discharged through a 1-inch pipe line, the measured volume being as at air pressure and ivith specific gravity of 0.6 a; the temperature of storage being 50° F-, and of flowing gas 40° F

Pilot meter manometer.

Mercury 

reading.

Inches.

'

0.10 

.12 

.1.3

.15 

.18

.22 

.29 

.37 

.44 

.59

.74 

.88 

1.10 

1.47 

1.84

2.21 

2.94 

3.68 

1 4.42 

5.15

. 5. 89 

6.62 

7.36 

8.10

Water 

reading.

Inches. 

0.02 

.04 

.06 

.08 

.10

.15 

.20 

.25 

.30 

.40

.50 

.60 

.80 

1.00 

1.20

1.40 

1.60 

1.80 

2.00 

' 2.50

3.00 

4.00 

5.00 

6.00 

8.00

10.00 

12.00 

15.00 

20.00 

25.00

30.00 

40.00 

50.00 

60.00 

70.00

80.00 

90.00 

' 100.00 

110. 00

Alcohol 

reading.

Inches. 

0.025 

.050 

.075 

.100 

.125

.187 

.250 

.312 

.375 

.500

.625 

.750 

1. 000 

1.250 

1.500

1.750 

2.000 

2.250 

2.500 

3.120

3.750 

5.000 

6.250 

7. 500 

10. 000

12. 500 

15.000 

18. 750 

25. 000 

31. 250

37. 500 

50. 000 

62. 500 

75. 500 

87. 500

100. 000 

112. 500 

125. 000 

137. 500

0 

0

0 

. 0

239 

323 

415 

479 

535

655 

757 

846 

927 

1,070

1,196 

1,311 

1,513 

1,692 

1,853

2,002 

- 2, 140 

2,270 

2,393 

2,675

2,931 

3,384 

3,784 

4,145

4,786

5,357 

5,861 

6,553 

7.567 

8,461

9,268 

10, 701 

11, 965 

13, 106 

14, 160

15, 130 

16, 050 

16, 920 

17, 750

0.63 

8.60

.50 

.31

242 

342 

419 

484 

541

662 

765 

855 

936 

1,081

1,209 

1, 323 

1,530 

1,709

1,871

2,025 

2,168 

2,291 

2,409 

2,702

2,958 

3,419 

3,822 

4,185 

4,838

5,407 

5,917 

6,634 

7,616 

8,544

9,354 

10, 815 

12, 090 

13, 233 

14, 300

15, 300 

16, 220 

17, 100 

17, 920

1.26 

17.20

10.00 

.625

244 

345 

423 

488 

546

669 

772 

863 

946 

1,092

1,223 

1,338 

1,546 

1,727 

1,875

2,123 

2,196 

2,324 

2,456 

2,740

3,000 

3, 459 

3, 867 

4,237 

4,886

5,461. 

5, 980 

6,714 

7,753 

8,661

9,488 

10, 940 

12, 230 

13, 400 

14, 480

15, 450 

16, 405 

17, 270 

18, 111

1.91 

26.00

15.00 

.94

247 

349 

428 

493 

552

676 

780 

872 

955 

1,103

1,233 

1,351 

1,560 

1,744 

1, 911

2,064 

2,206 

2,340 

2,466

2,758

3,021 

3,487 

3,900 

4, 272 

4,933

5,520 

6,042 

6,755 

7,799 

8,721

9,558 

11, 030 

12, 330 

13, 510 

14, 590

15, 600 

16, 545 

17,440 

18, 290

2.57 

35.00

20.00 

1.25

249

353 

432 

498 

557

690 

. 787 

880 

965 

1,114

1,242 

1,364 

1,575 

1,761 

1,929

2,084 

2,228 

2,363 

2,490 

2,784

3,050 

3,522 

3,938 

4,313 

4,918

5,569 

6,100 

6,900

7, 878 

8,802

9,645 

11, 142 

12, 450 

13,640 

14, 730

15, 750 

16, 705 

17, 610 

18, 470

3.82 

52.00

30.00 

1.875

254

359 

440 

508 

568

695 

802 

897 

983 

1,135

1,269 

1,390 

1,605 

1,795 

1,966

2, 123 

2, 270 

2,408 

2,538 

2,837

3,108 

3,589 

4,031 

4, 396 

5, 076

5, 677 

6,216 

6. 950 

8,025 

8,972

9,829 

11,350 

12, 690 

13, 900 

15, 010

16, 050 

17, 020 

17, 940 

18, 820

5.07 

69.00

40.00 

2.50

259 

366

448 

517 

578

708 

818 

914 

1,001 

1,156

1,292 

1,461 

1,635 

1,828 

2,002

2,162 

2,312 

2,454 

2,585 

2,890

3,166 

3, 655

4,087 

4,477 

5,169

"5,780 

6,331 

7,079 

8,174 

9,138

10/010 

11, 560 

12,950 

14, 160 

15, 290

16, 350 

17, 340 

18, 280 

19, 170

7.65 

104.00

60.00 

3.75

268

379 

464 

535 

598

733 

. 846 

946 

1,036 

1,201

1,338 

1,468 

1,692 

1,892 

2,076

2,240 

2,393 

2,538 

2,676 

2,975

3,277 

3,798 

4,230 

4,643 

5,351

5,980 

6,565 

7,327 

8,461 

9,460

10, 365 

12, 010 

13, 380 

14, 680 

15, 863

16, 920 

17, 980 

18, 920 

19, 860

10.11 

138.00

80.00 

5.00

276 

391 

479 

553 

618

757 

874 

977 

1,070 

1,235

1,381 

I, 513 

1,747 

1,954 

2,140

2,312 

2,471 

2,621 

2,763 

3,089

3,384 

3,907 

4,369 

4,786 

5,526

6,178 

6,768 

7,567 

8,737 

9,768

10, 700 

12, 355 

13, 814 

15, 130 

16, 350

17,474 

18, 535 

19, 537 

20, 490

20.22 

275.00

160.00 

. 10.00

309 

437 

535 

618 

691

846 

977 

1, 093 " 

1,197 

1, 382

1,545 

1,692 

1,954 

2,185 

2, 393

2,585 

2,763 

2,931 

3,089 

3, 455 .

3,784 

4,369 

4,885 

5,351 

6,179

6,908 

7,567 

8,461 

9,770 

10, 925

11, 965 

13, 820 

15, 450 

16, 920 

18, 280

19, 540 

20, 725 

21, 845 

22, 910

30.37 

413.00

240.00 

15.00

339

479 

586 

677

757

927 

1,070 

1,197 

1,310 

1,513

1,692 

1,854 

2,140 

2,393 

2,621

2,831 

3, 027 

3,210 

3, 384 

3,785

4,144 

4,786 

5,351 

5,861 

6, 796

7,567 

8,289 

9,268 

10, 700 

11,970

13, 105 

15, 130 

16, 920 

18, 535 

20, 020

21,405 

22, 700 

23, 930 

25, 100

40.44 

550.00

320.00 

20.00

366 

517 

633 

731 

818

1,001 

1,156 

1,292 

1,461 

1,635

1,828 

2,002 

2,312 

2,585 

2, 831

3,058 

3,269 

3,420 

3,656 

4,087

4,477 

5,169 

5,779 

6,331 

7, 310

8,173 

8,953 

10,010 

11, 560 

12, 920

14,160 

16, 350 

18, 280 

20, 020 

21, 625

23, 120 

24, 520 

25, 850 

27, 110

50.55 

688.00

400.00 

25.00

392 

552 

680

782 

874

1,070 

1,236 

1,382 

1,514

1,748

1,954 

2,140 

2,471 

2,763 

3, 027

3,269 

3,495 

3,707 

3,908 

4,368

4,784 

5,524 

6,176 

6,768 

7, 816

8,736 

9,571 

10, 674 

12, 359 

13, 815

15, 135 

17, 477 

19, 537 

21, 403 

23, 116

24, 711 

26, 111 

27, 629 

28, 979

60.63 = 

825.00 =

480.00 

30.00

415

586 

718 

829 

927

1,135 

1,311 

1, 465 

1,605 

1,854

2,072 

2,270 

2,621 

2,931 

3,210

3,468 

3,707 

3,932 

4,144 

4,636

5,184 

5,860 

6,552 

7,180 

8,288

9,268 

10, 153 

11,567 

13, 107 

14, 651

16, 053 

18, 534 

20, 720 

22, 700 

24, 516

26, 211 

27, 807 

29, 308 

30, 635

Static pressure of gas flowing in the pipe line, in inches .of column of mercury gage. 

Static pressure of gas flowing in the pipe line, in inches of column of water gage.

560 

35

437 

618

757 

874 

977

1,196 

1,381 

1,544 

1,692 

1,954

2,184 

2,393 

2,763 

3,089 

3,384

3,699 

3,908 

4,144 

4,368 

4,884

5,352 

6,176 

6,908 

7, 568 

8, 736

9,768 

10, 701 

11,963 

13,813 

15, 445

16, 921 

19, 537 

21, 511 

23, 928 

25,845.

27, 630 

29, 305 

30, 890 

32; 402

640 

40

458 

648 

794 

916 

1,025

1, 255 

1,449 

1,620 

1,775 

2,049

2,291 

2,510 

 2, 898 

3,240 

3,549

~3, 834 

'4,100 

4,348 

' 4, 584 ' 

5,118

5,612 

6,480 

7, 244 

 7, 936 

9,164

10, 248 

11, 226 

12, 580 

14, 490 

16, 200

17, 750 

20, 492 

22, 910 

25, 098 

27, 109

28, 980 

30, 735 

32, 402 

33, 980

800 

50

498 

704 

863 

996 

1,114

1,364 

1,576 

1,761 

1,929

2,228

2,490 

2,728 

3,150 

3, 522

3,858

4,168 

4,456 

4,724 

4,980 

5, 568

6, ioa

7,044 

7,876 

8,628 

9,964

11, 136 

12, 201 

13, 643 

15, 751 

17, 611

19, 292 

22, 275 

24. 905 

27, 285 

29, 468

31, 502 

33, 413 

35, 221 

36, 940

960 

60

535 

756 

927 

1,070 

1,196

1,466 

1,692 

1,892 

2,072 

2,393

2,675 

2,930 

3,384 

'3, 782 

4,144

4,476 

4,784 

5,076 

5,352 

5,980

6,552 

7,568 

8,460 

9,268 

10, 700

11, 964 

13, 108 

14, 652 

16, 920 

18, 919

20, 721 

23, 930 

26,753 

29, 305 

31, 653 .

33,840 

35, 891 

37, 871 

39, 670

1,120 

70

569 

806 

987 

1,139

l,t?4

1,560 

1,802 

2,013 

2,206 

2,548

2,848 

3,120 

3,602 

4,028 

4,412

4,768 

5,096 

5,404 

5,696 

6,368

6,976 

8,056 

9,008 

9,868 

11, 392

12, 740 

13, 953 

14, 970 

18, 015 

20, 140

22, 061 

25, 475 

28, 483 

31, 201 

33, 700

36, 029 

38, 211 

40, 280 

42, 248

1,280 

80

602 

852 

1,063 

1,204 

1, 347

1,649 

1,904 

.2, 129 

2,332 

2,693

3,011 

3,298 

3, SOS 

4,256 

4,664

5,036 

5,384 

5,700 

6,020 

6,732

7,376 

8,516 

9,520 

10, 428 

12, 044

13, 468 

14, 750 

16, 490 

19, 042 

21,290

23, 320 

26, 930 

30, 110 

32, 980 

35, 623

38, 082 

40, 390 

42, 580 

44, 670

1,600 = ( 

100

663 

937 

1,148 

1,325 

1,482

1,814 

2,096 

2,343 

2,566 

2,963

3,313 

3,630 

4,191 

4,686 

5,133

5,544 

5,926 

6,286 

6, 626 

7,408

8,115 

9,370 

10, 474 

11,477 

13, 252

14,816 

16, 230 

18, 145 

20, 950 

23, 427

25, 660 

29,630 

33, 130 

36, 300 

39, 200

41, 910 

44, 450 

46, 860 

, 49, 140

Ounces of gage pressure of gas flowing in pipe line.

120

.717 

1,014 

1,242 

1,434 

1,603

1,963 

2,267 

2,535

2,777 

3,028

3,585 

3,928 

4,535 

5,070 

5,554

5,999 

6,413 

6,802 

7,170 

8,016

8,781 

10, 143 

11, 340 

12, 420 

14, 340

16, 030 

17, 560 

19, 635 

22, 670 

25, 350

27, 770 

30, 278 

35, 850 

39, 280 

42, 420

45, 350 

48,100 

50, 700 

53, 170

140

768 

1,088 

1,338 

1,539 

1,717

2,104 

2,430 

2,718 

2,975 

3,436

3,844 

4,208 

4,860 

5,433 

5,951

6,428 

6,879 

7,289 

7,683 

8,595

9,409 

10, 865 

12, 155 

13, 304 

15, 367

17,180 

18, 820 

21, 040 

24, 295 

27, 183

29, 755 

34, 360 

38, 440 

42, 080 

45, 453

48, 598 

51, 560 

54, 327 

57, 070

160

816 

1,154 

1,414 

1,633 

1,825

2, 236 

2,582 

2,886 

3,162 

3,651

4,082 

4,472 

5, 163 

5, 773 

6,323

6,830 

7,302

7,744 

8, 164 

9,127

9, 998 

11, 544 

12, 908 

14, 140 

16, 326

18,255 

19, 996 

22, 357 

25, 816 

28,864

31, 618 

36, 513 

40, 820 

44, 720 

48, 300

51, 630 . 

54, 760 

57, 730 

60, 544

180

861 

1,219 

1,492 

1,724 

1,927

2,360 

2,725 

3, 047 

3, 337 ' 

3,854

4,309 

4,720 

5,450 

6,094 

6,675

7,210 

7,708 

8,175 

8,618 

9,634

10, 554 

12, 188 

13, 515 

' 14, 925 

17, 240

19, 270 

21, 108 

23, 600 

27, 250 

30, 470

33, 370 

38, 540 

43, 090 

47, 200 

50, 980

54, 500 

57,810 

60, 940 

63, 910

200

905 

1,280 

1,567 

1,809 

2,024

2,478 

2,861 

3,199 

3,505 

4,047

4,524 

4,956 

5,723 

6,398 

7,009

7,570 

8,093 

8,584 

9,049 

10, 120

11, 084 

12, 797 

14, 314 

15, 674 

18, 097

20, 240 

22, 167 

24, 780 

28, 610 

31, 990

35, 050 

40, 470 

45, 240 

49, 560 

53, 530

57, 230 

60, 690 

63, 980 

67, 110

220

946 

1,338 

1,638 

1,892 

2,115

2,590 

2,991 

3,344 

3,664 

4,230

4,730 

5,181 

5,983 

6,689 

7,328

7,915 

8,462 

8,974 

9,460 

10, 580

11, 587 

13, 380 

14, 964 

16, 380 

18, 920

21, 150 

23, 174 

25, 900 

29, 915 

33, 460

36, 640 

42, 300 

47, 320 

51, 810 

55, 970

59, 830 

63, 460 

66, 890 

70, 150

240

985 

1,394 

1,707 

1,971 

2,204

2,699 

3,116 

3, 484 

3,816 

4,407

4,927 

5,398 

6,232 

6,968 

7,633

8,245 

8,814 

9,348 

9,854 

11, 016

12, 070 

13, 935 

15, 580 

17, 070 

19, 710

22, 035 

24, 138 

26, 990 

31, 160 

34,840

38, 160 

44, 070 

49, 270 

53, 980 

58, 300

62, 320 

66, 103 

69, 680 

73, 080

260 pounds.

1,024 

1,447 

1,773 

2,047 

2,288

2, 803 

3, 236 

3, 618 

3,963 

4,577

5,117 

5,605 

6,473 

7,236 

7,927

8,562 

9,154 

9,709 

10, 236 

11,444

12, 532 

14, 470 

16, 180 

17, 730 

20, 470

22, 880 

25,066 

28, 037 

32, 360 

36, 180

39, 630 

45, 770 

51, 170 

56, 050 

59, 712

64, 730 

68,650 

72, 360 

75, 892

For any pipe larger than one inch, multiply value given by above table by the value under actual diameter as below.

Diameter, inches.. ....

Multiplier ............

1

1.0

H

1.562

U

01

2

4

01

f*i 6£

q

q

01

19^

4

i n

4£

9(U

c

occ

5£

90i

rs°f

31.64

6

36

- 6i

A Oi 4^f 4Q KA

10

100

12

144

16

256

18 324' 20

400

«To change the result by this table to that for any other specific gravity than 0.6 

(air = 1), multiply by y gpT^gal

Take weight of a cubic foot of air at 0.078 pound.

Bull. 238 04. (To face page 50.) No. 2.
ADAMS.] GAS WELLS. 51

Direction of flow

FIG. 11. Spring gage attached for measuring internal pressure 

of gas flowing in a pipe.

spring gage and filling the U-shaped tube in the 

center of the instrument, may be used as a 

mercury or water gage. Separate readings of 

static and flow pressure may be made by closing 

the valves at the top of the instrument. Tables 

for avoiding the necessity of computation have 

been prepared by Professor Robinson for 

various sized pipes. Corrections may be made 

in these for difference in specific gravity and 

temperature.

Minute pressure, or measurement of volume l)y number of condensations. If gas is allpwed to flow into a reservoir of known capacity the

FIG. 12. Robinson instrument for measuring velocity and pressure of gas 

flowing in pipes.
52 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

amount which enters may be Computed from the increase in internal 

pressure which accompanies increased density. The casing of a well 

affords opportunity for similar measurements. If a well is allowed to 

blow off and is then suddenly closed and the reading of the pressure 

gage is taken, the density of the gas in the casing at .that instant may 

be determined. If the gage is watched the indicator will show a gradually higher pressure. If this is recorded at the end of a minute the 

amount of gas which has entered the well casing during that time may 

be computed by means of the difference in density, the volume of the 

casing .being a readily determinate factor.

In measuring the volume of a well by this method a short piece of 

tube is attached to the well casing in the same manner as if the static 

pressure were to be taken, but is so arranged that the well can be 

blown off. To this tubing a spring or U gage is attached. After 

the well has been blown off and the index of the gage is stationary the 

pressure is read and recorded. The control valve is then immediately 

closed and the time noted. At the end of a minute the pressure on 

the gage is read and recorded. It will be found to be higher as the 

result of the compression of the gas in the casing. The difference 

in pressure is multiplied by the volume of the well tubing in cubic 

feet and by 0.07 (the constant employed in calculating the number 

of compressions), and this product is the volume in cubic feet per 

minute. This quantity multiplied by 60 and 24 gives the volume 

of production for a day.

This method of measuring the volume of a gas well is the most 

convenient one }7 et devised, but although valuable as indicating the 

relative production which is possible from wells, it should not be considered as accurate.

For computing the volume of a well casing the following table will 

be found convenient:

Table of diameters in inches, and of contents in cubic feet, for 1 foot of length of well casing.

Diameter in 

inches.

1

 2

3

4

5

Cubic feet for 

1-foot length.

0. 0055

0. 0219

0. 0491

0. 0873

0. 1364

Diameter in 

inches.

6

8

10

12

Cubic feet for 

1-foot length.

0. 1963

0. 3491

0.5454 *

0. 7854.
CRANE.] GAS WELLS. 53

OBSERVATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS OF GAS WELLS.

By W. R. CRANK.

Measurements of static, or closed, pressure. The usual method of 

taking the closed or static pressure of a well when it is free from connecting tubes is to reduce the 2- or 3-inch valve opening by bushings 

and plugs to a size that will permit the attachment of a pressure gage 

(see fig. 4). Connection is usually made by a short section of quarterinch pipe, either straight or formed into a loop such as is commonly 

known as a steam siphon. If there is a T in the casing below the control valve a lateral pipe valve and elbow will afford a convenient attachment for the gage. Sometimes a hole is drilled into the well tubing a 

few inches below the control valve, and is threaded, and a short piece 

of pipe with a valve and a gage connection screwed in. The last two 

forms of connection are especially convenient where measurements

are taken frequentty, since they may be left ready for the attachment 

of the gage. When a gage is attached to a well the joints should be 

tight. The valve leading to the gage should be opened slowly to prevent too sudden pressure being thrown on the gage. The pressure 

of the gas will cause the indicator to move until it records a maximum 

at which it will remain stationary. If the well has not been blown off 

this pressure will be reached as soon as the valves are fully opened. 

In case it has been blown off some time will be required for the gas to 

build up to maximum pressure. Before attempting to remove the 

gage the valves should be carefully closed. Since there is a wide 

range of pressures in gas wells, the observer is usually provided with 

several gages from which he selects one capable of recording the pressure found.

The record of the static pressure in a well is sometimes incorrectly 

interpreted as indicating the volume of a well. The relation between 

pressure and volume of flow is variable, and accordingly measurements 

of flow should be made when the capacity is to be estimated. The 

observations of static pressure which were taken in the lola quadrangle were largety for the purpose of determining the hydrostatic conditions in the field and have been of great value in determining the 

structural relations of the gas-bearing strata.

In studying the hydrostatic conditions of afield it is desirable to 

learn the initial pressures of wells since they furnish data for estimating the head of water which is pressing- upon the gas in a reservoir. 

When a well is drilled into a sand which has already been tapped by 

other wells the pressure which it shows is apt to be below that of the 

first well, since the using of the gas changes the relations in the reservoir. The initial pressures for different parts of the field were 

obtained from parties who had made observations at the beginning of
54 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

developments. Some of the pressures have been recorded in published 

reports or are on record in notes of men w.ho work in the field. The 

writer measured the pressure in wells in new parts'of the field; some 

of his figures may be regarded as those of initial pressures, since the 

gas pools had not been drawn upon.

The pressure in the lola quadrangle varies with the depth of the 

wells; in round numbers it is 330, 290, 270, and 230 pounds for wells 

varying in depth between 900-950, 800-900, 700-800, and 600-700 feet, 

respectively. These figures agree remarkably well with the range of 

pressures taken throughout the entire field.

As a means of checking the pressure due to hydrostatic head in gas 

wells, some measurements were made from wells which produce oil. 

In these cases the pressure recorded was due to the compression of air 

and gas on top of the oil column when the well was closed. To the 

pressure shown by the gage was added the weight of a column of oil 

1 square inch in section and equal in height to the depth of the oil in 

the well. An average of a number of measurements made on a group 

of oil wells showed a pressure of 7.3 pounds on the gage. In estimating the weight of the oil in the well the weight of a column 1 square 

inch in section and 1 foot high was taken at 0.348 pounds. The total 

column of oil in the wells in question was 799 feet, equal to 278.4 

pounds. The observed pressure of 7.37 pounds added to this gives a 

total of 285.77 pounds as the hydrostatic pressure in the well. The 

hydrostatic pressure in gas wells close by which have the same depth 

was found to be 286.7 pounds. This shows a close correspondence, 

the difference being about 1 pound. Similar results have been obtained 

by other observers.

In parts of the field which have been drawn upon very largely the 

static pressure of wells is generally known to have fallen off. Data

obtained during the progress of field work, compared with records 

made by the writer the previous summer and with the records of other 

observers, show the decrease to be gradual. Where the wells have 

been in use for a long time the pressure has been diminished until the 

consequent production is small, and in some cases the wells have been 

abandoned. Any notable decrease of static pressure is occasion for 

alarm as to the continuance of production from a given reservoir. 

The accompanying table, extending over a considerable period of time, 

has been prepared from observations on certain wells in the lola 

quadrangle.
CRANE.]. GAS WELLS. 55

Table showing decrease of static pressure in certain wells in apart of tlVe Tola field where 

the consumption is very great.

No. of well.

1 .......

2 .......

3 .......

4 .......

5 .......

1900.

Sept.

Pounds. 

280 

249 

233

 Dec.

Pounds. 

235 

222' 

180 

154 

151

1901.

Apr.

Pounds. 

190 

185 

187 

150 

Off.

Aug.

Pounds. 

200 

170 

177 

135 

120

Dec.

Pounds. 

150 

165 

130 

110 

110

1902.

Apr.

Pounds. 

85 

130 

145 

122 

86

Aug.

Pounds. 

95 

150 

127 

110 

45

Dec.

Pounds. 

130

75 100-

40 

40

1903.

Apr.

Pounds. 

100 

65 

85 

2.5 

Off.

Aug.

Pounds. 

55 

60 

70 

1.5

Dec.

Pounds.

The initial static pressures, as well as those judged to be somewhat 

below the initial, obtained from the gas wells in the Tola quadrangle, 

were platted upon a map, whence it appeared that the low pressures 

are in the eastern portion of the field and the high pressures in the 

western. Moreover, zones of equal or of given variation in pressure 

can be outlined. In the map (fig. 13) zones in which the pressure 

varies from 140 to 200 pounds, from 200 to 300, and 300 to 330 pounds, 

are shown. From a consideration of the structure of the field and 

these zones of pressure the following deductions may be drawn:

1. The trend of the zone is approximately parallel with the strike of 

the rocks.

2. The pressure increases westward with the dip of the rocks and 

the static pressure in the wells varies directly with the distance from 

the outcrop of the gas-bearing formation.

3. The variation of pressure is greatest in pools farthest from the 

outcrop.

Measurement of the volume of gas wells. An approximate estimate 

of the capacity of a gas well can be formed from the sound which the 

gas makes when it flows into the air. An experienced observer can 

come within 10,000 to 15,000 cubic feet of the total capacity, but is 

liable to make a wider error, especially if there are irregularities in 

the tubing or in the valve which affect the sound. Inasmuch as wells 

are sold on their purported capacities great care should be exercised 

in order to guard against misrepresentations. The most accurate 

method of measuring a well is by means of the Pitot tube (fig. 9). 

The essential part of this instrument is a U-shaped tube either in a 

continuous piece or formed by joining straight pieces of pipe by means 

of elbows. When a tube is made of straight pieces it can be taken 

apart and cleaned. This is a decided advantage, especially where wells 

are.throwing shale or mud which may clog up the tube. The instrument is attached to a block or saddle which in turn is fastened by 

means of chains at the top of the well casing. It should be placed at
56 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF 10LA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

a distance from the control valve. The tube must be free to rotate in 

the saddle and should be so arranged that it can be adjusted to various 

sized pipes and brought to any required position over the mouth of the 

well. When a measurement is made the tube is clamped in the desired 

position by means of a set screw.

Various devices are employed for attaching the instrument. When 

a wooden block is used as a saddle it is hollowed at one end to fit the

FIG. 13. Map of lola quadrangle, showing approximate zones of variation of static pressure of gas 

wells. The area of outcrop of the Chanute shale is indicated in order to show that the zones are 

approximately parallel with the strike of the geologic formations.

pipe and slotted longitudinally to allow the adjustment of the tube to 

the right position in the column of escaping gas. At the end of the 

block opposite the casing is attached a tightening arrangement operated by a screw. The chains which reach around the well casing are 

hooked into slots in the ends of a plate. After they have been drawn 

as tightly as possible about the casing, a few turns of the set screw sep-
CRANE.] GAS WELLS. ' .'57

a rate this plate from the block and make the instrument rigid on the 

well casing. At the end of the U-shaped tube, which is on the outside 

of the well casing, a pressure gage is attached by means of a flexible 

hose connection. For strong wells a spring gage is ordinarily used, 

and for wells having small capacity a gage containing mercury or 

other liquid is preferable. In adjusting a Pitot tube the mouth- should 

be placed at about the middle of the radius of the casing, at which 

point the gas flows with a mean velocity. A slight variation in position at this point makes little or no difference, and with a small Pitot 

tube there is little chance of error.

When a measurement is to be taken the instrument should be 

attached to the mouth of the well and the tube swung to one side. 

The well is then allowed to blow off for a period, which varies somewhat with the capacity of the well, but seldom exceeds 4 to 6 minutes.

When the accumulated head of gas has been spent the sound made by

the gas issuing is uniform and the measurement may be taken. Often 

the well in blowing off must clear itself of water, mud, and pieces 

of shale. In such cases the observer must frequently wait 15 to 30 

minutes. In rare instances there is no perceptible diminution of 

ejected material, and measurements are made with difficulty and are 

liable to be inaccurate, since the mud and shale and water interfere 

with the flow of the gas and are apt to clog the Pitot tube. When the 

flow of gas becomes uniform the Pitot tube is rotated over the mouth 

of the well and clamped in position at the level of the casing. If there 

is any doubt as to whether the well has blown off a sufficient length of 

time, the observer should note the register on the gage to see whether 

it varies, and in case it is found to do so he should wait until it is 

steady before taking the reading.

The capacity of a well for 24 hours is computed by means of tables 

which are in common use (see facing p. 50). In stating this capacity 

the size of the well casing or tubing should always be given, since the 

capacity varies with the size of the orifice.

The observations taken on wells in the lola quadrangle show that 

the flow of gas at different places varies from a few thousand feet up 

to 10,000,000 feet per day, an average good well flowing about 4,500,000 

feet per day. In general the stronger the static pressure of the well 

the greater the volume of production. Accordingly the best wells are 

situated in the western part of the area.

The maximum production of a gas well is reached as soon as it has 

been properly cased and has had an opportunity to clear itself of 

loose material. From then on it will show a gradual decrease in flow. 

A good gas well is free from water; the invasion of salt water lessens 

the value of the well and may entirely stop the issuance of the gas 

or render it so small as to be worthless. When many wells are drawing upon a reservoir of gas the volume falls off more rapidly, and
58 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL. 238.

as the flow decreases it is found necessary to connect more wells with 

the pipe line in order to obtain the desired amount.

The question which is of vital importance to the industries depending upon gas for fuel is that of the probable life of the field. Since 

there are undoubtedly a number of gas reservoirs, the question resolves 

itself into the probable life of the individual reservoirs. Inasmuch as 

it is impossible to know the vertical and lateral extent of the gas sands, 

no computation for an individual field can be made on this basis. 

However, a case may be assumed which will give an idea of the probable life of a gas field. Supposing that a gas sand having a thickness 

of 40 feet has an areal extent of a square mile, and that the static 

pressure of the gas is 300 pounds, we may measure the total amount 

of contained gas. Assuming that the gas occupies a pore or interstitial space in the sand equal to 38 per cent of the total volume (which 

is a very liberal estimate), 2.6 cubic feet of the sand would contain 1 

cubic foot of gas at a pressure of 300 pounds, or 12.36 cubic feet of 

sand would contain 100 cubic feet of gas at atmospheric pressure. 

An area of sand 1 foot in thickness and having an extent equal to 1 

acre would contain 43,560 square feet of gas at atmospheric pressure. 

If the sand is 40 feet thick and has the same extent, it contains 

14,097,080 cubic feet, and in a square mile of 640 acres there would 

be 9,022,131,200 cubic feet of gas. To render this calculation more 

convenient for reference in computing for sands of various thickness 

and extent, the following table is presented:

Contents of gas under a pressure of 800 pounds per square inch in sands hamng SS percent pore space.

Thickness 

of sands 

in feet.

1

10

20

30

40

Cubic feet per 

acre.

352, 427

3, 524, 270

7, 048, 540

10, 572, 810

14, 097, 080

Cubic feet per square 

mile.

225, 553, 280

2, 255, 532, 800

4, 511, 065, 600

6, 766/598, 400

9,022,131,200

Assuming that the average daily output of a well is 4,500,000 

cubic feet in 24 hours, the theoretical life of a well drawing upon a 

40-foot sand bed under the conditions above outlined would be 2,004 

days, or 5.5 years. However, variations in conditions of pressure 

during the life of the well change the time limit at which the sand 

will be exhausted. The life of the well, however, would not be much 

over 5 years. This calculation is based upon the open flow of the 

well that is, the flow of gas into the air. A well, however, would 

not maintain a steady, uniform flow for a number of years, and when
CRANE.] GAS WELLS. 59

connected with a pipe line will exhaust itself much less quickly, since 

the total volume is seldom utilized.

Considering the problem of the life of a well from the standpoint of 

decrease in pressure, it is found that the above figures are largely 

corroborated. A decrease in static pressure of 4 pounds per month 

(a range of from 3 to 5.5 pounds has been observed) is about the average for the field. Some observers claim a decrease of 5 pounds per 

month. Few wells are considered to be of much importance after the 

pressure has fallen below 50 pounds. If the initial pressure is 300 

pounds and the rate of decrease is 4 pounds per month, the life of the 

well, provided other conditions remain the same, would be 5.2 years, 

which corresponds closely with the time limit of 5.5 years given above. 

It should be remembered that the invasion of water or oil is liable to 

change the conditions of production at any time. If a decrease of 5 

pounds per month is noted, the life of the well would be 4.1 years. 

The results in either case agree approximately With the experience of 

gas consumers in this field.

Measurements of flow of gas in pipes. As already described on page 

49, the Pi tot tube may be used in measuring the volume of gas flowing 

through a pipe. If the Robinson instrument is used, a hole is drilled 

into the pipe and threaded, and the Pitot tube is screwed in, making a 

tight connection. The lower end of the tube, which must be turned 

parallel with the axis of the pipe, should be so inserted that it may be 

in the neutral zone or at the point of average velocity. With the Robinson instrument the pressure due to the velocity of flow may be 

measured, and from this the volume of gas passing through the pipe 

may be computed.

The forms of instrument shown in figs. 10 and 11 may be attached 

to the service pipe by drilling a hole and reaming it, the connection 

being made tight by the pressure of the steel point when the set screws 

on the saddle are turned. With these instruments the static pressure 

and the combined static and flowage pressure are measured and the 

pressure due to the velocity is found by subtracting. After the measurements are made the hole in the service pipe can be closed by driving in a portion of a large wire nail which has been tapered.

It is frequently desirable to know the amount of gas which is supplied throughout the day by a service pipe. In such a .case the instruments may be connected with a recording pressure gage, such as a 

Bristol gage, which furnishes a chart of the pressures throughout 24 

hours. Two charts are usually secured one showing the static pressure and the other the static plus the flowage pressure. By deducting the former from the latter the flowage pressure is obtained. This 

method of taking flowage pressure has several advantages over the 

use of water or mercury gages or occasional readings with spring 

gages, since it is mechanical, and therefore positive, and the charts can
60 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

be studied at leisure. PI. X shows the records taken from a service 

pipe during 24 hours; the irregularities in the record line correspond 

with the increased or decreased amount of gas used by the plant; the 

jogs at 5 a. in. and 6 p. in. correspond with the closing and opening 

of certain of the burners for the changing from night work to day 

work, and vice versa.

OBSERVATIONS ON METHODS OF DEVELOPING AND UTILIZING

OIL AND GAS.

By W. R. CKANE.

Methods of drilling. Prospecting and drilling for both oil and gas 

is done, b}^ the American cable tool, or oil-well, system, for which 

there are three different forms of drilling devices the standard or 

carpenter's rig, the rig and reel, and several styles of self-contained 

rigs. The order in which the drilling rigs are mentioned is in accordance with their adaptability to heavy work and deep drilling. The 

wells in the lola quadrangle range from 500 to 1,500 feet in depth. 

The formations, as a rule, are easy to drill through, being composed 

principally of shales, sandstones, and some limestones. The shales 

predominate through probably seven-eighths of the thickness of the 

rocks encountered. In drilling through limestone the operation is 

commonly called "spudding" (a term applied to drilling through hard 

rock), this being the most difficult part of drilling. When a well 

starts in limestone no conductor is employed; in other portions of the 

field about 20 feet of conductor is required, for which purpose an iron 

casing, or a tube made up of eight wooden staves, is used. The 

shales, especially when charged w.ith water, are moderately soft, and 

the holes must be promptly cased in order to prevent caving. The 

casing is usually carried to within 20 or 30 feet above the cutting bit 

and driven as the hole is deepened. It can be readily forced through 

the soft shales, but where hard sandstones and limestones are encountered it is necessary to ream the hole.

The usual height of derricks in the field is from 50 to 65 feet, varying with the length of the string of tools. Even with such comparatively low derricks considerable damage is done by windstorms, which 

occasionally wreck them. Accordingly many operators stay the derricks with guy ropes. After the wells are completed the upper portion of the derrick is lowered to a height sufficient for handling the 

casing in subsequent work on the wells.

Cost and rate of drilling. Oil and gas wells are usually drilled by 

contract at a charge of 80 cents to $1 a linear foot, not including the 

cost of fuel and water. The speed of drilling ranges from 50 to 125 

feet a day, a fair average being about 100 feet, a rate, however, 

which can not be attained in the harder rocks. The fuel used is either 

coal or natural gas. Coal is more expensive and more inconvenient to
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 238 PL. X

A. CHART OF STATIC PRESSURE IN SERVICE PIPE TAKEN WITH BRISTOL'S 

RECORDING PRESSURE GAGE.

B. CHART OF STATIC FLOWAPE PRESSURE IN SERVICE PIPE TAKEN WITH 

BRISTOL'S RECORDING PRESSURE GAGE.
CKANK] HANDLING GAS AND OIL. 61

handle, costing about $40 for a hole 1,200 feet in depth. Where 

natural gas is employed it is customary to pay $50 per hole for the 

privilege of drawing a supply from the neighboring well; occasionally, 

however, the gas is sold at a fixed price for each foot drilled, a common charge being 5 cents per foot. The cost of a drilling rig varies 

according to the stjde used, but is somewhere about $2,500 or $3,000, 

including all tools. The labor item is by far the most expensive, 

ranging from 18 to 22 cents per foot. If the drilling results in a producing well the contractor finishes the well; that is, cases, tubes, and 

packs it, charging the owner with the actual cost of the materials used.

Systems of oil pumping. There are several systems used in pumping oil from still or quiet wells, designated " shacklerods " and " compressed air." In the latter method air is forced into the tubing and the 

oil driven out through a smaller pipe. In other cases 2-inch and 1-inch 

pipes are inserted side by side, the smaller pipe making connection 

with the larger at a point a few inches above the end of the same; at 

the lower end of the larger pipe is attached a ball valve through which 

the oil enters, when the air entering the larger pipe from the smaller 

produces a suction; this constitutes what is commonly known as the 

geyser valve.

Shacklerods are used when wells are pumped. The power is communicated by a device capable of producing a reciprocating movement, 

commonly an eccentric, and is transmitted by rods, ropes, or wires. 

A single power plant may operate a large number of wells. The rods, 

ropes, and wires which run to the pumps are guided by supports which 

are placed short distances apart, and are known as u holders up," or 

if depressions are crossed are called "holders down." Kods are preferred on level ground, while ropes and wires are adapted to rough, 

uneven surfaces.

Distribution and control of gas supply. Gas as it comes from a well 

is under too high pressure to- be utilized, and must have its pressure 

reduced. This is accomplished by so-called reducing valves, which 

act automatically and are controlled by the pressure of the gas. For 

ordinary purposes the pressure must be reduced to 4 or 8 ounces from 

an initial pressure of. 300 pounds, more or less, necessitating reduction by stages in order to do it safely. Two regulators are usually 

employed, the first reducing to 60 pounds and the second from 60 

pounds down to the desired number of ounces. The gas enters the 

automatic reducer exerting its pressure on a relatively small surface 

and passes out through a larger chamber. The total pressure on the 

opposite sides of a diaphragm being exactly balanced, is less per square 

inch on the larger area.

Aside from the regulation of the pressures the supply is also controlled by receivers, usually placed near the point of consumption. 

These, as commonly constructed, are made of several 100- to 150'foot
62 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

lengths of 6- or 8-inch pipe placed parallel and several feet apart, the 

ends being suitably connected with elbows and nipples. They constitute a portion of the main line and are provided with valves at both 

ends to control the flow of gas. The function of the receiver is to 

give a slight reserved capacity to the system by adding to the storage 

capacity of the main line near the point where it is drawn upon. It 

also serves to reduce pulsations in the flow of the gas.

It is considered one of the most difficult tasks in operating a gas 

line .to keep it open during all seasons of the year, especially during 

.cold weather. Formerly a crew of men were detailed to thaw out the 

pipes and regulators during freezing weather, but even with this precaution the pipes would frequently freeze and burst or become stopped 

up in whole or in part. If the wells are wet, or if even one Avet well 

is connected with the system, serious trouble is experienced', and even 

with the driest wells some moisture accumulates in the pipes. The 

best methods for controlling supply employ drips and heaters, the 

former to remove -the accumulated water and the latter to keep the gas 

at a temperature above freezing and prevent 'the condensation of water 

and the formation of ice and frost in the pipes. Drains are usually 

constructed of pipes ranging in length from 6 to 12 feet, with a diameter of from 6 to 8 inches. These are placed several feet below the 

intake pipe and are usually buried 2 or 3 feet below the surface of the 

ground. They are provided with caps at the ends, connection beingmade with the intake and discharge pipe by saddles or tees at both 

ends, the two pipes entering on the upper side. The gas enters with 

its burden of water at one end and loses it, or a large part of it, in 

passing to the point of discharge. Drains are usually placed at or 

near the points of consumption, although they are often placed along 

the pipe lines, in which case they are commonly called "bleeders." 

Heating devices are placed at intervals along the gas-pipe line and are 

usually situated on the low-pressure side of regulators at a distance 

of from 50 to 75 feet away. They are constructed by excavating a 

trench about 3 feet deep, 2 feet wide, and 25 feet long, walling it up 

and- arching it over with brick. A hole is drilled into the pipe line on 

the lower side close to the open end of the furnace and a half-inch pipe 

provided with a valve screwed in and turned by means of an elbow, so 

as to run parallel with the main line and at a distance of from 4 to 6 

inches below it. This pipe is perforated on the upper side and plugged 

at the rear end and is converted into a burner which can be used under 

the gas flowing in the main line.

Heaters are placed on the low-pressure side of regulators for the 

reason that gas loses much of its heat on expanding, and it is accordingly on this side of the regulators that freezing is more apt to occur. 

Heaters, of course, are not employed during warm weather, but drains 

are in constant use.
HAWOKTH 

ADAMS, ANJ>] ^ PORTLAND CEMENT. 63

Formerly when the static pressure was high it was the common 

practice to use small pipes for conveying gas considerable distances, 

but, nowada}^, as the pressure falls off, or the gas is taken from weak 

wells, it is necessary to use larger pipes. Accordingly, for a line 

of saj7 8 miles, instead of the 4- and 6-inch pipes once in common use, 

pipes ranging in size from 10, 8, 6, and 4 inches are now employed in 

different sections in the order mentioned. It is claimed by gas companies that an 8-inch pipe line presents a resistance which reduces the 

pressure 9 pounds a mile. While this estimate may be rather high it 

gives an idea of the difficulties encountered in maintaining service 

through supply pipes.

PORTLAND CEMENT.

The large supply of natural gas in Kansas which is available as fuel, 

together with the inexhaustible deposits of materials suitable for the 

manufacture of cement which are located in the gas field, has brought 

about the introduction of the Portland-cement industry in the State. 

The lola Portland-Cement Company's plant at lola (PI. XI, j5), completed in 1900, enjoys the distinction of being the first one to use natural 

gas for fuel. It has a capacity of 3,000 barrels per day. A second plant, 

which will have a capacity of 1,500 barrels per day, has been located 

near lola and is now nearing completion. Three or four additional 

cement plants are projected for near-by portions of the State and probably some of them will be built. Because of the importance of this 

industry and because it promises to assume greater proportions in the 

Kansas field, it is thought best to give a rather full discussion of the 

processes of manufacture.

TYPES OF SILICATE CEMENTS.«

There are three types of cement manufactured in the United States 

which may be classed as silicate cements. They agree in being 

hydraulic, though in different degrees, and in the fact that this property is due principally to the formation of tricalcium silicate.

Puzzolan cement. The least important class of silicate cements is 

puzzolan cement, produced by the mechanical mixture, without calcination, of slaked lime and silico-aluminous material, the latter being 

either a volcanic rock or blast-furnace slag. Of this class about 500,000 

barrels were manufactured in the United States in 1903.

Natural cement. Next in importance are the natural cements, which 

are produced by the calcination, at a temperature below that of clinkering, of a cla}rey limestone (which may or ma}7 not contain a notable 

percentage of magnesia) in which the quantity of lime (plus magnesia) 

is so low relative to the silica and alumina that little or no free lime 

appears in the cement. Of this kind of cement about 7,000,000 barrels

«See Eckel, Edwin C., Municipal Engineering, vol, 24, May, 1903, p. 335; also vol. 25, July, p. 1.
64 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF TOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

were manufactured in the United States in 1903. The plant at Fort 

Scott, Kans., manufactures this class of cement.

Portland cement. The most important type is Portland cement, 

which is produced by the calcination, at the temperature of semivitrifaction (clinkering), of a mixture of calcareous and clayey materials in 

the proportion of about three parts of lime carbonate to one part of 

silica and alumina combined. About 16,000,000 barrels of Portland 

cement were manufactured in the United States in 1903. The cement 

manufactured at Tola is of this type.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PORTLAND CEMENT.

A comparison of the results obtained by analyzing many of the 

best grades of cement, both domestic, and foreign, warrants the limitations in composition between certain percentages, which are set forth 

in the annexed table, which contains data already frequently published:

Chemical composition of different Portland cementx.

Silica, Si02 ............

Alumina, A12 03 . .......

Iron, Fe2 03 . ...........

Lime, CaO ............

Minimum.

Per cent. 

19

4

2

58

Maximum.

Per cent. 

26.0

10.0

5.0

67.0

Magnesia. MgO .......

Sulphuric acid, S03 . . .

Alkalies, K2OandNa20

Minimum.

Per cent. 

0

0

0

Maximum.

Per cent. 

5.0

. 2.5

2.8

As has already been stated, silicate cements owe their properties 

principally to the formation of a tricalcium-silicate molecule, 3CaO, 

Si02 . This was first suggested by Le Chatelier. a The tricalciumsilicate molecule is accompanied by varying amounts of similar molecules containing calcium and aluminum, and calcium and iron, the 

exact formulae of which are not as yet so well understood. Le Chatelier 6 gives them as 3CaO, A12 03 , and 3CaO.Fe2 03 , while Newberry c 

holds they should be 2CaO, A12 03 , and 2CaO.Fe2 03 .

According to Newberry's formula, the ratio between lime and silica 

is about 2.8 to 1; between lime and alumina, about 1.1 to 1, and 

between lime and iron oxide, about 0.7 to 1. It is evident, therefore, 

that the per cent of lime required will vary with the amount of alumina 

arid iron present. Should a cement be composed entirely of the limesilica molecule it should have about 73.7 percent of lime and 26.3 

per cent of silica to correspond with the above formula; should 

it be composed entirely of the lime-alumina molecule it would have 

but a little over 52 per cent of lime; and if composed entirely of the 

lime-iron molecule it would contain only 41 per cent of lime. It is

Annales des Mines, 1887, p. 418. (>0p. cit.,p. 418. cJour. Chem. Ind., 1897, p.:
HA7S.AND ] PORTLAND CEMENT. , 65

evident, therefore, that the higher the proportion of iron and alumina 

the lower will be the proportion of lime and silica.

At present it is a little uncertain just what effect the alumina and 

iron have on the cement. Evident!}7 the}7 lower the fusion point of 

the clinker, and therefore reduce the cost of burning, particularly of 

the iron, and a proper amount of them is therefore desirable. The 

pure lime-alumina cement, made in laboratories, sets very quickly, 

indicating that the alumina tends to reduce the time of setting. A 

pure lime-iron cement, made by Doctor Schoch, would not set under 

cold water but did so readily under hot water, making a pat of constant 

volume and great strength. It is generally believed that the combined 

alumina and iron oxide should not exceed one-half the amount of 

silica. A desirable shale, therefore, is one which has some alumina 

and iron oxide in it to render the clinker more easily fusible, and at 

the same time not enough to make the cement too quick setting nor 

to reduce the proportion of the tricalciuui-silicate molecule too greatly.

Certain objectionable elements, such as magnesia and sulphur, 

which may exist as impurities in the limestone, shale, or fuel are to 

be avoided. It is generally believed that magnesia is objectionable 

when present in quantities greater than 3 to 5 per cent. Years ago 

engineers generally held that not exceeding 2 per cent of magnesia 

should be present; later they raised this to 3 or 4 per cent, and now 

many of them admit that 5 per cent is allowable. Similarly, the 

amount of sulphur should not be very great just how great is 

variously stated by different engineers.

It is probable that the particular condition in which the sulphur 

exists is an important consideration. In the form of calcium sulphate it is less objectionable than when in the form of calcium sulphide, as in the latter case the sulphur readily unites with the iron 

present and later is oxidized to iron sulphate, which first swells up and 

cracks the cement and later dissolves out, each process tending to 

destroy the cement. In the table quoted above the sulphur trioxide 

is limited to 2.5 per cent, yet when plaster or gypsum is added to 

retard the setting this amount may be considerably exceeded, since the 

sulphuric acid thus added, being already in combination with lime, 

can not exert any considerable chemical influence* on the cement itself. 

During the last two years the price of good coal has been so high that 

many cement manufacturers have, it is reported, resorted to the use 

of cheaper coal, using some carrying so much sulphur that they would 

have rejected it previous!}7 . In this Avay, it is said, cement with the 

sulphur content considerably beyond the danger line as previously 

fixed has been forced on the market, without any bad-results following.

By way of summary, then, it may be stated that a good Portland 

cement can be made from a limestone carrying from 75 to 100 per cent 

Bull. 238 04 5 . . 
66 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BUM..238.

of calcium carbonate, by mixing it in proper proportions with clay 

or - clay shales, provided the impurities present in the limestone are 

principally silica, alumina, and iron, and provided, further, that neither 

the limestone nor the shale has sufficient magnesia or sulphur to 

exceed the limits above stated. A limestone having from 85 to 90 

per cent of calcium carbonate may be, therefore, just as desirable as 

one theoretically pure. The clay and c\&y shales may have a high 

proportion of lime present, as many of the Kansas shales do, and still 

be very desirable, for the lime in the shale will serve the same purpose as lime in the limestone. The main features to guard against are 

too large an amount of magnesia or sulphur, and an amount of alumina 

and iron oxide combined not equal to one-half the amount of the silica. 

Physical properties. Careful chemical tests are made at each step 

during the process of the manufacture of cement. Similarly, the finished product is subjected to careful tests, records of which are 

retained, showing the character of the cement going out in each shipment. All the physical properties which are desirable in cement are 

summarized below:

Gravity, 3.15 to 3.25.

Time of setting: Quick setting; initial set, 15 to 25 minutes; final set, not over 2 

hours. Ordinary setting; initial set, 45 to 60 minutes; final set, not over 8 or 10 

hours.

Fineness: 100-mesh sieve, not more than 10 per cent residue; 200-mesh sieve, not 

more than 25 per-cent residue.

Tensile strenytJi: Neat: 24 honrs, 250 pounds per square inch; 7 days, 450 to 500 

pounds; 28 days, 550 to 800 pounds. Three parts sand mortar and one part cement: 

7 days, 175 to 200 pounds; 28 days, 225 to 400 pounds.

Soundness: Should not check nor crack when tested in cold or hot water or steam, 

but should maintain a constant volume throughout,

RAW MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PORTLAND

CEMENT.

/Siliceous and pure limestones. About 67 per cent of the Portland 

cement manufactured in the United States in 1903 was made from a 

mixture of argillaceous limestone and pure limestone, the principal 

material being argillaceous limestone which approximates the ideal 

Portland-cement material, the pure limestone used being added to 

obtain the proper composition.

Marl and clay. Calcareous marls obtained from lake basins are 

extensively used. Inasmuch as they are usually quite pure lime carbonates, they require the addition of clay to bring them up to the 

proper composition for Portland cement. About 12 per cent of the 

cement produced in 1903 was of this kind.

Chalky limestone and clay. Chalky limestones vary from rather 

pure calcium carbonate, low in both magnesium and claj^ey materials, 

to an impure clayey limestone requiring little additional clay to make
HAWOKTH AND"] i->r\T>m-r A ivTT-k /-ci-m-i-nvTm A 7

ADAMS. J PORTLAND CEMENT. D<

'it fit for use in the manufacture of Portland cement.' About 5 per 

cent of the cement produced in the United States in 1903 was manufactured from such material.

Caustic-soda waste and day. Precipitated lime carbonate, which is 

a by-product in the manufacture of alkali, may be combined with clay 

material for Portland cement. However, there is not much of it used.

Slag and limestone. Slag running- high in lime, which is a byproduct of blast furnaces, ina}r be mixed with pure limestone and 

burned to form Portland cement, but cement of this class amounts to 

but a very small per cent of the annual production.

Pure (hard) limestone and day or shale. These materials are the 

ones used in the manufacture of cement at lola. The limestonfc, being 

relatively pure, requires the addition of a considerable amount of 

clayey material in order to produce the desired combination. About 

13 per cent of the Portland cement manufactured in the United States

is from such material.

CEMENT MATERIALS IN THE IOLA QUADRANGLE.

There is practically no limit to the amount of Portland cement that 

might be manufactured from limestones and shales located within the 

lola quadrangle. There are several localities at which materials of 

suitable chemical composition and physical properties may be obtained, 

and the location of the cement plants thus far has been chiefly 

determined by the availability of gas, water, and railwa}r facilities. 

The limestone used is from the lola formation, which occurs in a 

heavy bed and is quite uniform in character, and the shale is from 

the Concreto formation which overlies the limestone. The relation of 

these two formations is particularly fortunate, and the fact that the 

shales occur in hills rising above the limestone has made possible the 

location of the plants convenient!}' near both materials.

The geologic map accompanying this report (PI. 1) shows the limits 

and extent of the limestone and the shale formations. Not all of them 

are suitable for the manufacture of cement, and in some cases it is 

impossible to find both shale and limestone at the same locality. The 

lola quadrangle, however, may be considered as capable of suppljnng 

all the material which the industry may demand, and bids fair to 

become the center of the cement industry in the State.

CEMENT PLANTS AND PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURE.

The plant of the lola Portland Cement Company, situated just south 

of the limits of lola, was the only one in operation in 1903. The 

Kansas Portland Cement Company, located about a mile northeast 

of Gas, a station 2 miles east of lola, will begin manufacturing early 

in 1904. The two plants are similarly situated. They are located at
68 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BUM..288.

the base of hills from which the shale is obtained, the limestone beingquarried at a slightly lower level near by.

lola Portland-cement plant. The first process in the manufacture of 

cement is the quarrying of the material. At the lola plant the shale is 

dug from the side of a mound and the pit accordingly requires no artificial drainage, while the limestone which is used-lies below the level of 

the ground and must have its pit pump (PL XI, A). The limestone is 

quarried by means of heavy blasting, which breaks it into large pieces, 

some of which require additional breaking in order to reduce them to 

a size that permits, eas}7 handling. Both shale and limestone are transported to the mills by means of a steam tram.

The next process is the crushing of the material. The limestone is 

put through a Gates crusher and the shale through a Williams mill. 

The material is then dried so that it will not clog in the subsequent 

process of pulverizing. It is then finely ground in Griffin mills, after 

which water is added to it, and it is agitated in pug mills.

Water is used in mixing the materials, the method being known as 

the wet slurry process. The shale and limestone are stirred together 

in a large tank from which the mixture is conveyed by means of pipes. 

It is essential at this stage that the slurry should be of the proper 

composition. An attempt has alread}r been made to govern this in a 

rough way b}' using definite amounts, by weight, of the shale and the 

limestone, and when the material has reached the slurry tanks chemical 

analyses are made and the additional amounts of limestone or shale, 

which the mixture may require, are added before it goes'to the furnaces. At this plant 21 rotary furnaces are installed, }delding 3,500 

barrels per day of 24 hours. They are made of heavy boiler steel in 

the form of a tapering cylinder, about 60 feet in length and 8 feet in 

diameter at the larger end. They are lined with lire brick, which 

reduces the internal diameter to about 6 feet at the front end and to 

between 4 and 5 feet at the rear or smokestack end. They are mounted 

on trunnion and cog gearings which give them about 2 revolutions 

per minute. The slurry is automatically fed into the smaller or 

upper end of the kiln and the gas into the opposite end; the blaze 

travels through the kiln, producing the greatest heat near the burner. 

The inclination of the kiln causes the slurry, which is prevented from 

coking by the rotation of the kiln, to travel toward the lower end, 

thus becoming heated gradually. As it passes the hottest place in the 

furnace it is fused into what is known as clinkers, in the form of little 

balls from one-half to one inch in diameter, which roll out at the lower 

end of the kiln into a conveyor. After the clinker has cooled it is 

pulverized by Griffin "mills and conveyed to storerooms, where it is 

held for shipment. Before grinding, however, a minor amount of 

crude gj^psum is added in order to retard the set. The sulphur trioxide
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IULLETIN NO. 238 PL. XI

A. LIMESTONE QUARRY AT THE IOLA PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY'S PLANT.

21. IOLA PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY'S PLANT.
. D ] ' BKICKMAKING. 69

of the gypsum combines with the lime alumina of the cement, which 

would otherwise be quick setting.

Kansas Portland-cement plant. This plant, which will begin operations early in 1904, is similar in a general w&y to the one just 

described; the materials used are the same and will be obtained by 

the same methods. The limestone will be ground by an Austin No. 8 

gyratory .crusher, which will receive the rock directly from the 

quarry. It will then be passed through a revolving screen which will 

take out about two-thirds of the material and send the remainder to a 

No. 5 crusher. The shale will be treated first with a Williams pulverizer and the raw material finally pulverized hy Griffin mills set in 

wooden frames. The plant will have 8 rotaiy kilns, giving a capacity 

of 1,500 barrels per day of 24 hours.

BBICKMAKING.

CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES OF CLAYS.

Definition and composition of clays. CUi/y may be defined from 

a ph}7 sical standpoint as a variable mixture of fine-grained mineral 

fragments possessing, when wet, the propert}r of plasticity which permits it to be molded into any desirable shape, and, when subsequently 

dry, to retain that form. The mineralogical constituents of a clay 

are hydrated aluminous silicates, free silica, iron oxide, carbonate of 

lime, and fragments of various silicate minerals in more or less decora- / o

posed condition that have survived the destructive agencies to which 

they have been~ subjected. When examined chemically the components, in addition to chemicalty combined water, are found to be silica, 

alumina, iron oxide, lime, magnesia, potash, and soda, together with 

small amounts of titanic acid, sulphuric acid, manganese oxide, phosphoric acid, and organic matter. The h}^drated silicate of alumina 

known as kaolinite is commonly spdken of as the clay base; it is 

derived from the decomposition of feldspars. The additional substances in cla}7 s are due to the varying amounts of other mineral matter which was present in the original rocks or which has subsequently 

. become mixed with the kaolinite.

When a clay is heated above a certain temperature it forms a 

hardened rock-like mass which if reground no longer shows plasticity. 

In the process of burning certain substances in the clay assume a 

glassy form. Commonly 5 in burning clays, three stages are recognized, 

namely, incipient fusion, fusion, and viscosity, according to the degree 

of completeness of the fusion. . The substances which fuse readily are 

spoken of as.fluxing materials, and the more refractory are spoken of 

as nonfluxing. However, if the temperature be sufficiently high all 

the elements in the c\&y Avill fuse.

Classification of clays as to origin. Clays may be classified as 

residual and transported clays. Residual clays are formed by the dis-
70 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADBANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

integration of rocks in place. The original sources of all clay material 

are igneous rocks, the decomposition of their mineral elements, 

especially the feldspars, giving rise to a surface laj^er of clay. Similarly, stratified rocks upon weathering produce claj^s, the percentage 

of clay varying according to the nature of the rocks. Examples of 

clays originating in this way are the disintegrated surfaces of shale 

beds and the clays which result from the solution of limestones. 

Such clays approach very closely to the condition of soils.

Transported clays are those that result from various mechanical 

agencies which have removed disintegrated rock materials from the 

place of origin. Silts which have been transported by running water, 

glacial drift which has been produced by the action of ice, loess which 

consists largety of wind-blown material, and shales which are derived 

from clay deposited in lakes and oceans, are all transported clays.

It is possible that certain clays have resulted from precipitation and 

are accordingl}7 of chemical origin.

Classification of days as to uses. Aside from the uses to which 

claj^s are adapted, either without artificial preparation or by the admixture of additional materials, they are the source of a large number of 

manufactured products. These may he classed as (1) paving brick; 

(2) common brick, front brick, washed brick, terra cotta, roofing 

tiles, decorative tiles, terra-cotta lumber, and enameled brick, used in 

building and decorative art; (3) hollow ware, including drain tiles and 

tile pipes, used for engineering and h}7 gienic purposes; (4) refractory 

products, including fire brick, glass pots, and gas retorts, used in 

manufacturing and engineering industries; (5) pottery and porcelain, 

including washing clays and slip cla}rs, used for domestic and decorative 

purposes.

CLAYS IN THE IOLA QUADRANGLE.

The formations of the Iola- quadrangle are all stratified. The 

residual clays derived from them are rather unimportant. Formerly 

the}'- were used to a- limited extent in the manufacture of common 

brick, the material utilized being more or less mixed with organic 

matter and therefore largely in the nature of a soil. Deposits of this 

nature are usually thin and variable.

There are a number of important shale beds within the area which, 

upon being ground, furnish a clay suitable for the manufacture of 

paving brick, common brick, hollow ware, and common pottery. Thus 

far the only use made of them is in the manufacture of common brick 

for buildings and sidewalks. The shales used, although coming 

from different .geologic formations, are similar in all instances. The 

bricks are burned with natural gas, and the cheapness of this fuel has 

stimulated the development of this branch of manufacture. Thus far 

no plant has been erected for the manufacture of vitrified or paving 

orick, this being due partty to the fact that the demand has been
HAWORTH 

ADAMS AND ] . BEICKMAKING. 71

principally for common brick, and partly because the paving brick 

needed has been supplied from plants outside of the quadrangle. The 

construction of down-draft kilns would probably permit the burning 

of vitrified brick; some experiments have already been undertaken 

along this line. In adjacent portions of the State some hollow ware 

and potteiy are manufactured from the same class of shales that are 

found within the lola quadrangle.

CONDITION OF THE BRICK INDUSTRY. 

Brickmaking is an important industry in the vicinity- of Chanute, 

Humboldt, lola, and Laharpe. The great bulk of the product is sold 

at home, the demand for building brick having been very large on 

account of the growth of towns where industries using oil and gas have 

been established. The capacities of the plants have outstripped the 

local demand and bricks have been shipped as far south as Galveston, 

as far west as Albuquerque, and north and east far beyond the limits 

of the State. For three or four }^ears conservative business men have 

been arguing that the demand for brick was unnatural and that the 

rapid establishment of plants would soon result in so great a production that the prices would be lowered almost to the point of cost, but 

such predictions have not yet been verified, the market for the season 

of 1903 being better than at any other time since brickmaking was 

begun in the gas belt. What the further development will be is a 

mere guess, but it seems probable that there will be no material 

decrease in the near future. During 1903 approximate!}^ 65,000,000 

brick were manufactured at the plants described below, with a value, 

at the factories, of about $325,000. .

Brick plants at Chanute. Two brick plants are located at Chanute, 

one about 2^ miles south of town, within the lola quadrangle, the 

other about 3 miles southwest of the town, one-half mile, outside 

the quadrangle. The plant south of the tow'n belongs to the Coffeeville Vitrified Brick and Tile Company. It has 7 kilns, with a 

capacity of. 300,000 brick each and an aggregate capacity of from 

60,000 to 75,000 brick each 24 hours. The kilns are of the ordinary 

kind, open at the top, except when temporarily closed with each 

charge. Gas is admitted on each side at the base. The kilns are 

stationed side by side about 20 feet apart. A large supply pipe rests 

on top of the ground midwa}^ of the alley between each two adjacent, 

kilns, with 18 side lines, laid about 3 feet apart, leading to each, giving 

36 burners to each kiln. A mixer with a 3-inch cross section is placed 

on each side pipe just outside the kiln. The temperature of the kiln 

is controlled largely by the amount of air admitted. Instead of regulating the amount of gas entering the kiln it seems to be more convenient simply to regulate the amount of air, which is easily done 

by adjusting the collar on the mixer so as to make larger or smaller air 

openings and in this way control the amount of actual combustion.
72 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

Steam power is used throughout the plant, the steam being generated in boilers by burning gas. Two boilers, with an aggregate capacity 

of 180 horsepower, furnish the necessary steam, which is used in one 

engine with a capacity of 128 estimated horsepower.

The shale is first pulverized by passing through an ordinary diy-pan 

pulverizer. From here it goes to the pug mill, where it is tempered 

by a stream of water properly controlled, and passes on to the auger 

and out onto the belt conveyer, as customary in modern brick plants. 

A rotary cutter, with 22 wires, with a maximum capacity of 125 

brick per minute, cuts the clay into brick, which are then carted 

away to a gas-heated drying room, whence they are built directly into 

the kilns. . - The mine, or shale pit, is a few rods north of the mill and is sunk 

downward from the surface, the shale being drawn up the incline in 

cars operated by a cable from the mill. As the pit now appears its 

walls present a vertical section of about 60 feet. A sandstone at the 

top is 12 feet thick at the north side of the pit, but decreases southward, owing to surface variationsj to a thin edge, where mining first 

began.. Shale underlies the sandstone, continuing to the bottom of 

the pit and probably much deeper. About 5 feet below the bottom 

of the sandstone is an 18-inch bed of limestone, as seen at the south 

end of the pit, which gradually decreases northward and entirely disappears 75' or 100 feet before the north end of the pit is reached. 

Below the limestone the shale is uniform in character, fine-grained, 

dark gray in color, and practically free from sand.

In operating the mine the material is first loosened or broken down 

by blasting. An ordinary power churn drill is operated in the sandstone, which is first blasted off and carried away, so that the breast of 

sandstone precedes the breast of shale by a few feet. All the loose 

sand and the smaller fragments produced by the shot are mixed in with 

the shale, and help to prevent shrinkage, while firing the brick. The 

shale is drilled by hand drills of the auger tj^pe, two men drilling a 

hole 5 feet deep in from 30 to 45 minutes. 

The plant southwest of Chanute, owned by the Kansas V-itrified Brick 

Company, and lying outside the limits of the lola quadrangle, obtains 

its shale from the Concrete bed, which overlies the lola limestone. 

The company manufacture the same kind of brick as those already 

.described, its plant is similar, and its shale obtained from a pit level 

with the surface of the ground. There is not enough difference in 

the general properties of the two shales to enable one to distinguish 

between them by examining hand samples. A description of one 

plant is, therefore, practically the same as a description of the other.

Brick plant at Hwnboldt. One brick plant is located about 1£ miles 

north of Humboldt and is owned by the Humboldt Brick Manufacturing Company. It began operations in the spring of 1898 and has
D ] : BEICKMAKING. . '73

a capachry of 40,000 brick a day. Its machinery consists of the regulation dry pan for crushing the shale and a pug mill and auger for 

molding the brick. This company is making a specialtj^ of sidewalk 

brick, which they re-press, producing a variety of patterns on the top 

side of the brick.

The plant is operated throughout by gas for fuel. Steam power, 

generated by burning gas, is used, and the kilns are fired \yy gas, 

being arranged practical^ the same as those of the Chanute plant. 

The shale used lies on the surface adjacent to the plant and is obtained 

by sinking a pit, the material being serviceable almost from the surface of the ground. As these shales lie almost on top of the lola 

limestone the}^ belong to the Concrete horizon, the same used b}r the 

Kansas Vitrified Brick Cornpairy for its plant southwest of Chanute. 

The quality of the shale here is practically the same as at Chanute, 

and the quality of the brick likewise, whatever differences may be 

observed being due principally to slight differences in manufacturing 

processes.

Brick plants at lola. There are 4 brick plants at Tola, 2 owned by. 

the lola Brick Company, 1 by the Star Brick Companjr, and 1 by the 

Home Brick Compan}r.

The lola Brick Companj^'s plant No. 1, with a capacity of 35,000 

brick a da}r, is situated about a mile east of the town. It was installed 

in 1896, and manufactures principally common, or building, brick and 

sidewalk brick. Plant No. 2, installed in 1899, is located south of the 

town, on the north side of the mound which supplies shale to the lola 

Portland-Cement Company's plant.

Its plant No. 1 (PI. VIII, A) is the oldest plant at lola, and was one 

of the first to employ gas for burning brick. It employs the up-draft 

or open-top kiln, with the tops temporarily closed for each charge. 

Gas is admitted to the side of the kiln as described for the Chanute 

plant. The shale is obtained near the plant by digging or mining; the 

soil covering is thin and the shale lies immediately below. The pit is 

operated to a depth of about 20 feet and is developed laterally as 

requirements demand. As the shale lies immediately on top of the 

lola limestone it belongs to the Concrete series.

Plant No. 2 was established at the foot of a little mound south of 

town, because experience showed that "shale could be mined more 

cheaply from a hillside, where no expense was necessary for draining 

the shale pit and where gravity could be used in transporting the shale 

from the pit to the plant, than on a level where the pit was worked 

downward and must be drained by pumping. The plant has a capacity 

of about 40,000 brick a day. Its general equipment, the kind of brick 

made, and methods of operations are in no essential way different from 

those at plant No. 1.
74 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BOLL.288.

In 1899 the Star Brick Company established a plant at lola, which 

has a capacity of 40,000 brick a day, and is located on the northeast 

corner of the mound which supplies the lola Portland Cement Company with shale. It produces common building brick and sidewalk 

brick. The shale used is the same as that used by the lola Brick Company in their plant No. 2.

The Home Brick Company's plant, located about H miles east of lola, 

began operations in June, 1902. The plant was built expressly to 

manufacture a high grade of pressed brick for fine buildings and has 

started out very successfully, supplying the brick for the new courthouse now in process of erection at lola and already receiving a 

satisfactory patronage from outside sources; it also makes common 

building brick. . Its total capacity is 30,000 brick for a 10-hours' 

run. It uses shale immediately at its plant, there being about 30 feet 

of the Concrete series'there. It has its own gas wells near the plant 

and will drill more when the ones now in use are exhausted.

Bride -plants at Zaharpe. Laharpe had one brick plant in operation 

and two others in process of construction during the summer of 1903. 

The plant in operation was installed in 1900 with a capacity of from 

20,000 to 25,000 brick a day. Gas is the only fuel .used, the motive 

power being steam generated by gas. The kilns are supplied with gas 

drawn through mains and fed into the kilns as at Chanute. The kilns 

used are of the ordinary up-draft variety. This plant makes common, 

or building, brick and sidewalk brick only. It obtains its shale by 

mining the Chanute shales from underneath the lola limestone, having 

run an incline through about 35 feet of limestone; the shale is now 

being worked to a depth of 25 to 30 feet below the bottom of the limestone. In obtaining the shale by this method, it is necessary to mine 

it out so as to leave large pillars standing to support the roof. A 

room-and-pillar system like that in coal mining is employed. The 

entries and rooms, however, are very wide, as the overlying limestone 

is heavy and unusualty free from vertical seams.

COAL, LEAD, A1STD ZINC.

COAL.

There are no workable beds of coal outcropping in the lola quadrangle. Some beds have been found, but their thickness does not 

exceed 6 inches. In the Dudley shale on the northwest side of the 

limestone ridge, which terminates 3 miles northwest of Walnut, a thin 

coal bed was discovered in digging a well. On Coal Creek, 2 miles 

east of Humboldt, a bed of coal about 6 inches thick occurs in the 

Chanute shale. At a place where it was under very thin cover a small 

amount Avas obtained by stripping. The outcrop of this bed, or possibly of other beds which occupy the same horizon, has been noted at
HAWORTK 

ADAMS,.AND] GOAL, LEAD, AND ZINC. 75

several places along Coal Creek, and small pieces are occasion all}'' 

washed out of the shales during- high water.

Some prospect wells have been sunk for coal, and others which have 

been bored in search of oil and gas show the occurrence of coal beds 

at a considerable depth, most of them in the Cherokee shale. No very 

reliable data in regard to their thickness are available, since they have 

usually been encountered in drilling with a churn drill. The record of 

a well sunk at St. Paul with a diamond drill shows several beds, the 

thickest of which is 2 feet; this was found at a depth of 184 feet, occupying a position immediately below the Pawnee limestone. In the 

Cherokee shale six beds of coal were reported, varying in thickness 

from 6 inches to 1£ feet. The Acers well at lola, commonly known 

as the old mineral well, was drilled with a diamond drill in search of 

coal, but no information as to the coal beds encountered is available. 

Evidently none were found which were considered thick enough to 

work.

LEAD AND ZINC.

In digging wells which pass into or through the limestone formations, small amounts of lead and of zinc have occasionally been found. 

An occurrence of this character was observed in a well in the ShaAV 

limestone just south of Savonburg. The lead and zinc, although conspicuous in the debris thrown out from the well, were not considerable 

in amount. Such occurrences of lead and zinc are very common in 

limestone formations, and ma}^ be considered sporadic and not indicating deposits of economic importance.

WATER SUPPLY.

In the lola quadrangle the portion of the rainfall that is carried 

away by streams finds its way to the Mississippi either around the 

northern border of the Ozark region by way of the Missouri or 

to the south round the southern border by way of the Arkansas. 

The watershed between these two drainages is a low narrow divide, 

which extends from the foot of the Rocky Mountains near Denver, 

Colo., into southeast Missouri. It enters the lola quadrangle west of 

Bayard and passes by the wayof Moran to Elsmore and thence in a 

southeasterly direction. The streams which head to the east of the 

divide form the headwaters of the Little Osagc and its tributary, the 

Marmaton. Practical^ all the remaining streams flow into Neosho 

River within the borders of the quadrangle.

Streams. All of the streams here under discussion carry potable 

water. Neosho River is the largest. It enters the quadrangle at the 

northwest corner and flows nearly south along the west border of the 

area to Chauute, from which point it flows southeast, passing out of 

the quadrangle at about the middle of the south side. Its source is 

about 125 miles to the northwest in Morris County. As its hydro-
76 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADKANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL. 238.

graphic basin has an area of approximately 3,670 square miles and has 

an annual precipitation of 35 to 40 inches, it carries a large amount of 

water and consequently is a stream of great economic importance. 

Its average flow, as estimated by Mr. F. H. Newell/' based upon 

measurements made by W. G. Russell at lola during 1902, is 2,492,041 

acre-feet per annum. The flood plain averages about 2 miles in width, 

although in some places where heavy limestones are cut through its 

width is less than a mile. The stream meanders through the flood 

plain, producing man}^ short oxbow curves and broad windings. In 

times of high water it overflows its banks and inundates almost all of 

the flood plain area, causing great destruction of crops and domestic 

animals and sometimes of human life. Along portions of the river 

dikes have been constructed to protect the bottom lands from overflow.

In the part of its course which lies in the lola quadrangle, the Neosho has reached a graded condition and consequently there are no falls 

or cataracts along it and few and unimportant riffles or shoals. It is 

very serviceable as a supply of water for domestic uses. lola and 

Chanute have city water plants which draw their suppty from it and 

Humboldt contemplates the early installation of a similar plant.

A number of small streams enter the Neosho from the west, the 

largest of which are Owl Creek near Humboldt, Village and- Turkey 

creeks near Chanute, and Elk Creek opposite Shaw. From the east 

it receives Elm Creek at lola, Coal Creek at Humboldt, Big and Can-, 

ville creeks near Shaw, Fourmile Creek near Erie, and .Rock Creek 

near St. Paul.

The streams in the northeast part of the lola quadrangle rise near 

the escarpment formed by the JBronson limestone. This section is 

more deeply dissected than the remaining portion of the quadrangle, 

the valley of the Marmaton, where it leaves the quadrangle, being 200 

feet below the upland.

The only stream in the area under discussion large enough to furnish water power is the Neosho. A dam built across it at lola has 

furnished power for a flouring mill and a sawmill. At Humboldt a 

dam has also been employed for running a flour mill and some small factories. Since the discovery of natural -gas the use of this water power 

has been neglected to a great extent and there is little indication that it 

will ever be restored so long as the gas is abundant. The possibilities 

of water power along the Neosho are, however, worthy of notice. 

The stream has a fall of over 100 feet within the quadrangle, which 

amounts to about 3 feet per mile. At many places there are sites 

favorable for the construction of dams which might give a fall of from 

12 to 15 feet. It is possible that some day the power which may be 

developed in this way will be used.

oNewell, F. H., Report of progress in stream measurements for the calendar year 1902; Water-Sup, 

and Irr. Paper, U. S. Geol. Survey, No. 84, 1903, p. 116. .
. D ] WATEE SUPPLY. 77

Springs. There are practically no prominent springs in the country 

under discussion. - In many places, however, the seepage of water on 

hillsides and along the minor drainage courses where there is a considerable mantle of detrital material and soil makes possible what are 

called springs, although they are in reality of the nature of Avells. 

Occasional^ seeps are found which, during wet weather, furnish a 

small flow which is usually utilized as stock water. Nowhere .are 

springs depended upon for domestic use, though the water supply is 

often denominated a spring by the inhabitants.

Wells. Shallow wells formerly supplied water for domestic use. 

They were spring wells of the nature above described. Now that the 

countiy is practically all settled and it has become necessary to obtain 

water on the uplands where there are no small drainages, many deep 

wells have been dug or drilled. Good potable water is not readity 

found, since nearly everywhere the shales encountered in drilling 

contain soluble mineral matter which gives the water a brackish taste. 

Many wells are supplied by ground water which finds its way along 

the joints and bedding planes of the.limestones, in which case it is of 

the quality spoken of as hard. In certain areas, however,- the formations carry beds of sandstone (particularly in the belt of country 

occupied by the Chanute shale), from which water that is soft may 

sometimes be obtained. A few years since, efforts to obtain water 

which would not fail during unusually dry seasons led to the drilling 

of deep wells and developed the fact that where the sandstones in the 

Chanute shales can be reached at a moderate depth, a supply of good 

water is often available. By reference to the map it will be seen that 

this belt of country extends in a diagonal line through the quadrangle 

to the west of the line of outcrop of the formation. In the vicinity 

of Moran and Bronson the importance of this water-bearing horizon 

has been quite fully determined. In prospecting for water farther 

west these sandstones lie at a greater depth and the water found in 

them is usually more or less salty. An explanation of this may be 

found by studying the dip of the formations in the field in general; 

the rocks dip west and are known to extend for a long distance in that 

direction without a change of dip, their only outcrop being that in 

which they take in the water. Accordingly they become saturated, 

and having no outlet, the soluble salts in the rocks tend to become 

concentrated into a brine. The deep wells drilled in prospecting for 

oil and gas have shown that salt water is practically everywhere 

present in the rocks which lie at a considerable depth. The portions 

of the formations near the outcrop may be said to have been leached 

of their soluble salts, and accordingly it is only in these places that 

the water is fresh.
7.8 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.238.

SOILS.

Origin of soils. Soil is a mixture of fine-grained materials which 

have resulted from the disintegration and decomposition of rocks and 

which are mingled with a varying amount of organic material and 

with chemical substances derived from solution. The fragmental 

materials are derived from igneous or sedimentary rocks and may be 

redeposited and eventually form other sedimentary rocks. In the. 

complete cycle soil represents a transitoiy stage. In the redeposition 

of rock materials, mechanical sorting gives rise to beds which are 

arenaceous (sandstones) or argillaceous (shales), according as the material that predominates is sandy or clayey. Rock materials which go 

into solution, such as salts of lime and magnesia, rna^y be deposited in 

the soil's by evaporation or precipitation, or, if these processes take 

place from bodies of water, may form sedimentary beds (limestones, 

dolomites, gypsum, etc.).

The principal classes of sedimentary rocks are (1) limestones and 

dolomites, (2) shales, and (3) sandstones. They, however, grade into 

each other, so that limestones are more or less shaly and sandy, shales 

are more or less linry and sand}^ and sandstones are more or less 

shaly and limy. Limestones and dolomites, upon weathering, are 

largely carried away in solution. The argillaceous matter which they 

contain goes to form a clay soil, while the small fragments and the 

coarser pieces which result from weathering, as well as the included 

flints, form sands and gravels. Sandstones upon disintegration become 

sands and pToduce sand}^ soils, while shales give rise to clay scils.

Classification of soils. In accordance with the foregoing discussion 

soils may be classified according to texture as gravelly, sandj^ silty, and 

clayey. These classes ma}^ be recognized without mechanical analysis. 

Inasmuch as soil particles are, however, never of uniform size, soils 

may be more appropriately described by combining the textural terms; 

for example, we may speak of sandjr clays, silty clays, sandy silts, etc.

According to their place of origin, soils may be classed as (1) sedentary, (2) migratory, and (3) transported. Sedentaiy soils are those which 

are derived b}r disintegration and decomposition of rodks in place, the 

materials which are removed in the formation of the soil being carried o

away in solution. Migratory soils are those which are shifting from 

their place of origin and are moving with the slope of the surface, 

largely as a result of gravitative action. The area occupied by them 

is usually connected with their place of origin. Transported soils consist of materials which have been -moved by the action of water, ice, 

or wind. They may accordingly be considered under the subclasses 

of alluvial, glacial, and eolian soils:

Soils of the lola quadrangle. The area here under discussion has 

not been subjected to glacial action and there are no important accumulations of wind-blown materials. Along Neosho River and some
HAWORTH 

ADAMS AND] SOILS. 79

of the larger creeks, however, there are transported soils which are 

alluvial. Neosho River, which is the only important stream entering 

the area, traverses in its upper course a belt of country occupied b}7" 

sedimentary rocks. The materials which it transports are accordingly 

sands, clays, and gravels derived- from limestones, sandstones, and 

shale beds. Except for the assorting of these materials and the commingling with them of a larger amount of organic matter the alluvial 

deposits do not differ from those found along the creeks that lie within 

the lola quadrangle. The alluvium along Neosho River is seldom 

more than 2 miles wide, and in places its area is so constricted as a 

result of the rock walls which limit its flood plain that it is little more 

than a mile in width. Within the alluvium are occasional beds of 

gravel and sand, but its surface is principal^ covered with fine silts. 

Along Rock, Canville, Big, and Elm creeks, as well as on certain 

smaller streams, are narrow areas in which flood-plain deposits are

formed, the material being derived from the drainage basins of the 

streams.

On the uplands the soils are in part residual and in part migratoiy. 

The rocks, as will be seen by reference to the geologic map, are shales 

and sandstones alternating with limestones. The topography is of 

the indistinct terrace and escarpment type. The soils lying on the 

terraces have resulted largely from the disintegration of rocks in 

place, while at the base of the escarpments and on the more decided 

slopes the soils are migratory.

It is not possible to show in this discussion the types of soils which 

would be distinguished in a soil survey. However, the limestones, 

sandstones, and shales have each contributed to the soils, and accordingly we find clays, gravels, and sands, which in many cases may be 

traced directly to the beds that have given rise to them through disintegration. The gravels have been formed by the weathering out of 

the flints found in the limestones, especially in-the Bronson and its 

equivalents, the liertha, Dennis, arid Drum limestones, and in a minor 

degree in the Parsons, lola, Alien, and Piqua. Most of the limestones 

contain but little argillaceous and arenaceous material. The calcareous 

portion goes into solution and is redeposited by evaporation and precipitation, so that in many places the lime content of the soil is large.

The sandstone and shale formations vary in character and lateral 

extent with individual beds. The Chanute .shales are particularly 

sandy as compared with the other formations, but the soil derived 

from them shows a larger percentage of sand than the rocks themselves, since the sand is not so readily transported as the clay and 

forms surface accumulations. The soils from the remaining shale beds 

are largely clay soils.

The thickness of the soil is important as determining its agricultural 

value, and is related in large measure to the geologic formations and
80 - ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF IOLA QUADRANGLE, KANSAS. [BULL.23S.

the structure of the i;pcks. In the areas occupied by the limestones 

weathering produces dip slopes on the upper surface of the limestone 

beds, and the migration of the soils and their transportation by running water are apt to reduce the residual material to a thin mantle. 

Accordingly in dry seasons these thin soils do not produce well, since 

they do not retain sufficient moisture.

The character of the soils has a certain influence upon the distribution of the trees. The Chanute shales, which have been described as 

giving rise to sand}7' soils, support a considerable growth of black jack 

( Qiiercus nigra), a species that originally covered the larger areas which 

are otherwise prairie lands, and that still constitutes the principal timber 

growth on the uplands. The alluvial soils along Neosho Eiver and 

the larger creeks support a mixed growth of hard woods.

f 

I
INDEX.

Adams, G. -I.-, work of 

Alien limestone, equivalent of______

fossils found in _________

occurrence and character of ___

Alluvium, occurrence and character

Of ___ ____ __

Artesian well, diagram of ______

Bandera shale, occurrence and character of_____________

Bartlesville, oil wells drilled at___ 

Bolton, oil wells at, ilow of_______

Boone formation, occurrence and 

character of _______

Brick, production of______________

Brick industry, condition of_______

Brick plant, view of ____-_ __

Brick plants, description of_______

Brickmaking, discussion of_ _

Bristol recording pressure gage, plate

showing _______

Bronson limestone, equivalents of_

occurrence and character of ___

Callaway, L I-I., reference to_______

Casing, volume of, table showing_

Caustic-soda waste, use of, in cement

manufacture _____

Cement. See Portland cement; Puzzolan cement; Natural

cement ____ ___

Chanute, brick plants at_______

gas at, price of _ ___

gas near .._ _- ____

oil near, occurrence of _____ 

oil production at _________

oil wells drilled at__________

oil wells near, flow of____ 

oil and gas development near_ 

pumping station, storage tanks, 

and loading racks at_ 

section through _ _ 

well near, view of_____:_____

wells east of, plate showing relative positions and 

logs of -_ 

Chanute shale, occurrence and character of__ _ __ 

Chelsea, oil wells drilled at________

Cherokee shale, occurrence and character of ____ 10, 23, 

Cherokee-Lanyon Spelter Company, 

operations of ______

Bull. 238 04 6

12,13

21

22

20

21

47

17

35

37

15 

37

71-74 

40

71-74 

69-74

60 

21

17-18 

41

67

63 

71-72

38

39

28

35, 36

35

37

34

24

32

28

19

35

25, 26

41

Page.

Cherryvale, oil production at___ 36

oil wells drilled at_____ 35

Cherryvale shale, equivalent of 21

occurrence and character of 18

City Improvement Company, of lola,

work of__ 31

Clays, classification of ________- 69-70

definition and composition of 69

occurrence of 70-71

use of, in cement manufacture 66, 67

Closed pressure. See Pressure,

static.

Coal, occurrence and character of __ 74-75 

Coffeeville Vitrified Brick and Tile

Company, plant of_ 71-72 

Cold weather, operation of gas line

during, method of__ 62

Concrete shale, equvalent of___- 21

occurrence and character of__- 20

Crane, W. K., work of ________ 12

Daly, ,T. A., reference to______ _ 41

Dennis limestone, equivalent of___ 21

occurrence and character of__ 18

Discharge of gas wells, tables for

computing ______ 50 

Sac also Flow ; Pressure. 

Distribution of gas, methods of__ 61-63 

Drains, use of_____-._______ 62 

"Drilling, methods, cost, and rate of- 60-61 

Drum limestone, equivalent of____ 21 

occurrence and character of__ 19 

Dudley shale, occurrence and character of__________ 17 

Dynamic pressure. Sec Pressure, dynamic.

Earlton limestone, equivalent of__' 21 

Eckel, E. C., cited on silicate cements 63 

Erie, gas at, price of__________ 38 

gas near, flow of _________ 39 

oil and gas development near _ 34 

section through __________ 24 

Erie Gas and Mineral Company, operations of________ 34 

Erie formation, equivalent of ___.. 21 

Faunal lists, correlation and correction of _______ 21-23 

Flow of gas in pipes, measurement of- 59-60 

Flow and pressure of gas in pipes,

determination of___ 50--51 

See also Discharge; Pressure. 

Formation names, changes in ____ 21-22

81
82 INDEX.

Page.

Formations, description of_ 15-21 

Fort Scott limestone, occurrence and

character of____ 16

Gage, spring, figures showing ___ 45, 50, 51

Gage, U-shaped, figure showing__ 45

use of _______,-_----_----_ 45-40

Galley and Guffey, operations by 31, 32 

Galesburg shale, equivalent of 21 

occurrence and character of 18 

Gns. Sec 'Natural gas. 

Gases, properties of _ - 45 

Gold and silver, extraction of, from

zinc residues _ 42 

Golden Oil Company's well No. 2,

view of -________ 32 

Guffey and Gailey, operations by_ 31 

Haworth, Erasmus, work of ______ 12

Heaters, use of_____ _ _ '62 

Hertha limestone, equivalent of___ 21 

occurrence and character of 18 

Home Brick Company, plant of 74 

Humboldt, brick plant at_______ 72-73 

gas near, flow of _ _ , 39 

oil and gas development near 31-32 

oil production at_________ 35, 36 

oil wells drilled at________ 35 

ojl wells near, descriptions of _ 26-28 

flow of-____________ 37 

Humboldt Brick Manufacturing Company, plant of _____ 72-73 

Independence, oil production at __ 36 

oil wells drilled at________ .35 

lola, brick plants at __________ 73-74 

gas near _____ __.._ L 39 

oil and gas development near Laharpe.and_______ 31-32 

section through _________ 24 

zinc smelting at____________ 40-41

lola Brick Company, plant of _____ 73

plant of, view of_________ 40

Tola Gas Company, operations of __ 31

lola limestone, equivalent of___ 21

fossils found in ________ . 22

occurrence and character of __ 19-20 

lola Portland Cement Company, plant 

and limestone quarry 

of, description and 

views of-____ ---_ 68

Tola quadrangle, geologic maps of _ 14, 16 

geology of______*. _________ 14-29

location of _____________ 11 

map showing ________ 12

mineral resources of_______ 30-80 

rocks in, general section of __ 18 

static pressure in, map showingzones of _ _ 56 

Kansas Crude well No. 1. description

of ____________ 26 

Kansas Portland Cement Company,

plant of, description of 69 

Kansas Vitrified Brick Company,

.plant of- 72 

Knapp, I. N.( operations of_ ___ 33, 35 

Knapp pumping station, storage 

tanks,' and loadingracks, view of __ 34

Page.

Labette shale, occurrence and character of________ 17 

Laharpe, brick plants at _______ 74 

oil and gas development near

lola and _______ 31-32 

section through__________ 24 

Lane shale, equivalent of_______ 21 

Lanyon, W. and J., operations of__ 40 

Lanyon Zinc Company, operations of 41 

smelters of, views of______ 40, 42 

Lead and zinc, occurrence of-I___ 75 

Limestone, use of, in cement manufacture _________ 66, 67 

Limestone quarry, view of______ 68 

Loading racks, view of__________ 34

McRea, L. T., reference to______' 41 

Marl, use of, in cement manufacture. 66 

Martin Brothers, well of, flow of _ 37 

Measurement of gas wells, methods

of ___.________ 53-60 

Mineral resources, discussion of__ 30-80 

Minneapolis Oil and Gas Company,

well of, flow of ____ 37 

Mississippian series, occurrence and

character of ______ 15 

Moran, oil and gas development near_ 34 

section through__________ 24 

Moran Gas and Crude Oil Company,

operations of ____ 34

Natural cement, characteristics of_ .63

Natural gas, area producing_____ 38-40

composition of_________ 44

distribution and control of___ 61-63

flow of, in pipes, measurement

of _.____________ 59-60

production, use, and price of__ 37-38 

velocity of, determination of__ 49 

utilization of, in zinc smelting. 40-43 

volume of, measurement of, by

increase in density... 51-52 

Natural gas wells, discharge of, tables for computing_ 50 

phenomena of, discussion of_ 43-52 

measurements of________ 53-60

volume of, measurement of__ 55-59 

Natural gas, oil and, developing and

utilizing, methods of__ 60

movement of _____ ____ 25

origin of______________ 24-25

production of, history of____ 30-34

Natural- gas- and oil-bearing sandstones, relations of __ 25-29 

Natural- gas and oil reservoirs, type

of, figure showing 46 

Neodesha, oil production at... __ 36 

oil wells drilled at________ 35 

Neosho River, course and flow of__ 75-76 

wells in valley of________ 28 

Neosho Valley Development Company, operations of__ 33 

New Jersey Zinc Company, operations of_________ 41

Nicholson, G. E., operations of_____ 41

Nomenclature, changes in________ 21-22

Oil, production of___________ 34-37 

Oil pumping, systems of__ 61
INDEX. 83

Oil wells, flow of_____'______-___

Oil and gas, developing and utilizing,

methods of_--_ __

movement of. ______________

origin of______________ __

production of, history of_____

Oil- ;ind gas-bearing sandstones, relations of______..___

Oil and gas reservoirs, types of, figure showing 

Open-flow pressure. Sec Pressure, 

dynamic.

Oread Oil and Gas Company, wells

of, descriptions of_

wells of, position and partial log

of, figure showing____

Palmer Oil Company, operations of_

Parsons limestone, occurrence and 

character of-_______

Paullin and Pryor, prospecting by_

Pawnee limestone, occurrence and

character of ______

Pennsylvania!! series, occurrence and 

character of_________

Peru, oil production at _______

oil wells drilled at.______

Pipes, flow of gas In, measurement

of ___________

pressure and flow in___ _____

Plqua limestone, fossils found in____

occurrence and character of..___

Pitot tube, figures showing____ 48,

Portland cement, composition of___

manufacture of, materials used

in ___.___________

methods of_________

physical properties of _______

production of _____________

Portland-cement -materials, amount 

of __________________

Portland-cement plants, description 

of _______________

view of _____________ _ 

Prairie Oil and Gas Company, operations of_i____ --'.._

Pressure, charts showing-_______

discharge from, computation of,

tables showing__.-___

Pressure and flow of gas in pipes,

determination of-__.__

Pressure, dynamic, discussion of___

Pressure, static, discussion of ____

measurement of _________ 

gages for, figures showingPrime Western Spelter Company, 

operations of_________

Pryor and Paullin, prospecting by_ 

Pumping station, view of__________

I'age. 

37

24-25 

30-34

25-29

40

17

30

17

10-20 

30 

35

59-00

50-51

22

20

49, 50

04-GO

00-07

05-09 

00

3S

07-09 

08

32. 33

00

50-51 

47-49 

45-47 

53-55 

45

41

30

34

Page.

Pumping oil, systems of GL 

Puzzolan cement, characteristics of _ 03 

Red Fork, oil wells drilled at____ 35 

Robert Lanyon's Sons Company,

operations of _-. 40 

Robinson instrument, figure showing. 51 

Retorts, view of ____________ 42

Sands, gas contents of 58 

Sandstone beds, disappearance of,

figures showing__ 20 

Sandstones, oil- and gas-bearing, relations of _______ 25-29 

Sluiler, M. K., work of______ 12 

Shaw, section through ___ 24 

Silicate cements, types of____.._.. 03-04 

Silver and gold, extraction of, from

zinc residues._____ 42

Slag, use of, in cement manufacture- 07 

Smelters, views of __________ 40-42 

Smelting. See Zinc smelting. 

Spelter. #ec Zinc spelter. 

Soils, character of_______ 78-80 

origin and classification of-____ 78

Southwestern Development Company,

operations of 33 

Spring gage, figures showing ____ 45, 50, 51

use of , ..- 45 

Springs, occurrence of___..__ - 77 

Stanton limestone, equivalent of_ _ 21 

Star Brick Company, plant of_--- 74 

Static pressure. See Pressure, static. 

Storage tanks, view of ___________ 34

Streams, description of__________ 75-70

Structure, discussion of____ __ 23-29 

Surface features, discussion of____ 14-15 

United Zinc and Chemical Company,

operations of ____ 41 

Velocity of gas in wells, determination of__________ ' 49 

Vilas shale, occurrence and character

of_____________ 20 

stratigraphic position of ____ 21 

Volume of gas -wells, measurement

of ___!____^____ 55-59 

measurement of, by increase in'

density____.____ 51-52 

Water supply, discussion of_____ 75-77 

Well, artesian, diagram of______ 47

Well casing, volume of, table showing 52 

Wells, occurrence of _________ 77 

Wells, oil and gas. description of __ 2G-29 

Work, G. Z., operations of ______ 32 

Zinc and lead, occurrence of ___ 75 

Zinc smelters, production of..____ 37 

views of ______________ 40,42 

Zinc smelting, method of ___..._ 42-43 

utilization of gas in_______ 40-43 

Zinc spelter, production of-__ __ 43

o

PUBLICATIONS OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

[Bulletin No. 238.]

The serial publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 

Reports, (2) Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Mineral 

Resources, (6) Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of 

United States folios and separate sheets thereof, (8) Geologic Atlas of United 

States folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at cost of publication; thejDthers are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists may be had on 

application.

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of 

subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified 

into the following series: A, Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and 

physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water storage; K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investigations; N, Water power; 0, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. 

This bulletin is the thirty-eighth in Series A and the forty-fourth in Series B, the 

complete lists of which follow. (PP = Professional Paper; B = Bulletin.)

SERIES A, ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.

B21. Lignites of Great Sioux Reservation: Report on region between Grand and Moreau rivers,.

Dakota, by Bailey Willis. 1885. 16 pp.,.5 pis. (Out of stock.) 

B -16. Nature and origin of deposits of phosphate of lime, by R. A. F. Penrose, jr., with introduction

by N. S. Shaler. 1888. 143pp. (Out of stock.) 

B 65. Stratigraphy of the bituminous coal field of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, by I. C.

White. 1891. 212 pp., 11 pis. (Out of stock.) 

B 111. Geology of Big Stone Gap coal field of Virginia and.Kentucky, by M. R. Campbell. 1893. 106

pp., 6 pis.

B 132. The disseminated lead ores of southeastern Missouri, by Arthur Winslow. 1896. 31 pp. 

B J38. Artesian-well prospects in Atlantic Coastal Plain region, by N. H. Darton. 1896. 228 pp., 19

pis. (Out of stock.) 

B 139. Geology of Castle Mountain mining district, Montana, by W. H. Weed and L. V. Pirsson. 1896.

'164pp.; 17 pis'. ' '" 

B 143. Bibliography of clays and the ceramic arts, by J. C. Branner. 1896. 114 pp. 

B 164. Reconnaissance on the Rio Grande coal fields of Texas, by T. W. Vaughan, including a report

on igneous rocks from the San Carlos coal field, by E. C. E. Lord. 1900. 100 pp., 11 pis. 

B 178. El Paso tin deposits, by W. H. Weed. 1901. 15 pp., 1 pi.

B 180, Occurrence and distribution of corundum in United States, by J. H. Pratt. 1901. 98 pp., 14 pis. 

B 182. A report on the economic geology of the Silverton quadrangle, Colorado, by F. L. Ransome.

1901. 266 pp., 16 pis. 

B 184. Oil and gas fields of the western interior and northern Texas Coal Measures and of the Upper

Cretaceous and Tertiary of the western Gulf coast, by G. I. Adams. 1901. 64 pp., 10 pis.

(Out of stock.) 

B 193. The geological relations and distribution of platinum and associated metals, by J. F. Kemp.

1902. 95 pp., 6 pis. (Out of stock.)

B 198. The Berea grit oil sand in the Cadiz quadrangle, Ohio, by W. T. Griswolcl. 1902. 43 pp., 1 pi. 

PP1. Preliminary report on the Ketchikan mining district, Alaska, with an introductory sketch of

the geology of southeastern Alaska, by Alfred Hulse Brooks. 1902. 120 pp., 2 pis. 

B 200. Reconnaissance of the borax deposits of Death Valley and Mohave Desert, by M. R. Campbell.

1902. 23 pp., 1 pi.

B 202. Tests for gold and silver in shales from western Kansas, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1902. 21 pp. 

PP 2. Reconnaissance'of the northwestern-portion 'of Seward Peninsula, Alaska; by A. J. Collier.

1902. 70pp., ]1 pis.

I
II ADVEKTISEMETSTT.

PP 10. Reconnaissance from Fort Hamlin to Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, by way of Ball, Kanuti, Alien,

and Kowak rivers, by W. C. Mendenhall. 1902. 68pp., 10 pis.

PP 11. Clays of the United States east of the Mississippi River, by Heinrich Ries. 1903.- 298 pp., 9 pis. 

PP12. Geology of the Globe copper district, Arizona, by P. L. Ransome. 1903. 108 pp., 27 pis. 

B 212. Oil fields of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coastal Plain, by C. W. Hayes and William Kennedy.

1903. 174pp., 11 pis. 

B213. Contributions to economic geology, 1902; S. F. Emmons, C. W. Hayes, geologists in charge.

1903. 449pp. 

PP15.,The mineral resources of the Mount Wrangell district, Alaska, by W. C. Mendenhall and

F. C. Schrader. 1903. 71 pp., 10 pis.

B 218. Coal resources of the Yukon, Alaska, by A. J. Collier. 1903. 7.1 pp., 6 pis. 

B 219. The ore deposits of Tonopah, Nevada (preliminary report), by. J. E. Spurr. 1903. 31 pp., 1 pi. 

PP 20. A reconnaissance in northern Alaska, in 1901, by F. C. Schrader. 1904. 139 pp., 16 pis. 

PP 21. Geology and ore deposits of the Bisbee quadrangle, Arizona, by F. L. Ransome. 1904. 168 pp.,

29 pis.

B 223. Gypsum deposits of the United States, by G. I. Adams and others. 1904. 129 pp., 21 pis. 

PP 24. Zinc and lead deposits of northern Arkansas, by G. J. Adams. vl904. 118 pp., 27 pis. 

PP 25. Copper deposits of the Encampment-district, Wyoming-Colorado, by A. C. Spencer. 1904.

107 pp., 2 pis. ' 

B 225. Contributions to economic geology, 1903; S. F. Emmons, C. W. Hayes, geologists in charge.

1904. 527 pp., 1 pi. 

PP 26. Economic resources of the northern Black Hills, by J. D. Irving, with contributions by S. F.

Emmons and T. A. Jaggar, jr. 1904. 222pp., 20 pis.

PP 27. A geological reconnaissance across the Bitterrdqt Range and Clearwater Mountains in Montana and Idaho, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1904. 123 pp., 15 pis. 

B 229. Tin deposits of the York region, Alaska, by A. J. Collier. 1904. 61 pp., 7 pis. 

B 236. The Porcupine placer district, Alaska, by C. W. Wright: 1904. 35pp., 10 pis. 

. B 238. Economic geology of the Tola quadrangle, Kansas, by G. I. Adams, Erasmus Haworth, and 

1 W. R. Crane. 1904. 83 pp., 11 pis.

SERIES B, DESCRIPTIVE GEOLOGY.

B 23. Observations on the junction between the Eastern sandstone and the Keweenaw series on

Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior, by R. D. Irving and T. C. Chamberlin. 1885. 124 pp.,

17 pis.

B 33. Notes on geology of northern California, by J. S. Diller. 1886. 23pp. (Out of stock.) 

B 39. The upper beaches and deltas of Glacial Lake Agassiz, by Warren Upharn. 1887. 84 pp., 1 pi.

(Out of stock.) 

B 40. Changes in river courses in Washington Territory due to glaciation, by Bailey Willis. 1887.

10pp., 4 pis. (Out of stock.) 

B 45. The present condition of knowledge of the geology of Texas, by R. T. Hill. 1887. 94 pp. (Out

of stock.)

B 53. The geology of Nantucket, by N. S. Shaler. 1889. 55 pp., 10 pis. (Out of stock.) 

B 57. A geological reconnaissance in southwestern Kansas, by Robert Hay. 1890. 49 pp., 2 pis. 

B 58. The glacial boundary in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, by G. F.

 Wright, with introduction by T. C. Chamberlin. 1890. 112 pp., 8 pis. (Out of stock.)

B 07. The relations of the traps of the Newark system in the New Jersey region, by N. H. Darton.

1890. 82pp. (Out of stock.)

B 104. Glaciation of the Yellowstone Valley north of the Park, by W. H. Weed. 1893. 41 pp., 4 pis. 

B 108. A geological reconnaissance in central Washington, by I. C. Russell. 1893. 108 pp., 12 pis.

(Out of stock.)

B 119. A geological reconnaissa-nce in northwest Wyoming, by G. H. Eldridge. 1894. 72 pp., 4 pis. 

B 137. The geology of the Fort Riley Military Reservation and vicinity, Kansas, by Robert Hay.

189C. 35 pp., 8 pis. 

B 144. The moraines of the Missouri Coteau and their attendant deposits, by J. E. Todd. 1896. 71

pp., 21 pis. 

B 158. The moraines of southeastern South Dakota and their attendant deposits, by J. E. Tpdd.

1899. 171 pp., 27 pis. 

B 159. The geology of eastern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, by B. K.Emerson. 1899. 139 pp.,

9 pis. 

B 165. Contributions to the geology of Maine, by H. S. Williams and H. E. Gregory. 1900. 212 pp.,

14 pis.

WS 70. Geology and water resources of the Patrick and Goshen Hole quadrangles in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska, by G. I. Adams. 1902. 50 pp.,11 pis. 

B 199. Geology and water resources of the Snake River Plains of Idaho, by I. C. Russell. 1902. 192.

pp., 25 pis. 

PP 1. Preliminary report on the Ketchikan mining district,-Alaska, with an introductory sketch of

the geology of southeastern Alaska, by A. H. Brooks." 1902. 120 pp., 2pls.
ADVERTISEMENT. ITT

PP 2..Reconnaisance of the northwestern portion of Sewarcl Peninsula, Alaska, by A. J..Collier. 

 1902. 70pp.,llpls:

I'P 3. Geology .and petrography of Crater Lake National Park, by J. S. Diller and H. B. -Patton. 

1902. 167 pp., 19 pis.

PP 10. Reconnaissance from Fort Hamlin to Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, by way of Dall, Kanuti, Alien, 

and Kowak rivers, by W. C. Mendenhall. 1902. f>8 pp., 10 pis.

PP11. Clays.of the United States east of the Mississippi River, by Heinrich Ries. 1903. 298 pp., 9 pis.

PP 12. Geology of the Globe copper district, Arizona, by F. L. Kansome. 3903. 168 pp., 27 pis.

PP 13. Drainage modifications in southeastern Ohio and adjacent parts of West Virginia and Kentucky, by W. G. Tight. 1903. Ill pp., 17 pis.

B 20S. Descriptive geology of Nevada south of the fortieth parallel and adjacent portions of California, by J. E. Spurr. 1903. 229pp., 8 pis.

B 209. Geology of Ascutney Mountain, Vermont, by R. A. Daly. 1903. 122pp., 7pis.

WS 78. Preliminary report on artesian basins in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon, by 

I.C.Russell. 1903. 51 pp., 2 pis.

PP 15. Mineral resources of the Mount Wrangell district, Alaska, by W. C. Mendenhall and F. C. 

Schrader. 1903. 71 pp., 10 pis.

PP 17. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of Nebraska west of the one hundred 

and third meridian, by N. H. Barton. 1903. 69 pp., 43 pis.

B 217. Notes on the geology of southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon, by I. C. Russell. 1903. 

83 pp., 18 pis.

B 219. The ore deposits of Tonopah, Nevada (preliminary report), by J. E. Spurr. 1903. 31 pp., 1 pi.

PP 20. A reconnaissance in northern Alaska in 1901, by F. C. Schrader. 1904. 139 pp., 10 pis.

PP 21. The geology and ore deposits of the Bisbec quadrangle, Arizona, by F. L. Ransomc. 1904. 

168pp., 29 pis.

WS 90. Geology and water resources of part of the lower James River Valley, South Dakota, by J. E. 

Todd and C. M. Hall. 1904. 47 pp., 23 pis.

PP25. The copperdepositsof'the Encampment district, Wyoming, by A. C. Spencer. 190<1. 107pp.,2pls.

PP 26. Economic resources of northern. Black Hills, by .1. D. Irving, with chapters by S. P. Emmons 

. and T. A. Jaggar, jr. 1904. 222 pp., 20 pis.

PP 27. Geological reconnaissance across the Bitterroot Range and the ClearwaterMountains in Montana and Idaho, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1904. 322 pp., 15 pis.

PP31. Preliminary report on the geology of the Arbuckle and Wichita mountains in Indian Territory and Oklahoma, by J. A. Taff, with an appendix on reported ore deposits in the Wichita 

Mountains, by H. F. Bain. 1904. 97 pp., 8 pis.

B 235. A geological reconnaissance across the Cascade Range near the forty-ninth parallel, by G. 0. 

. Smith and F. C. Calkins. 1904. 103 pp., 4 pis.

B 230. The Porcupine placer district, Alaska, by C. W. W right. 1904. 35 pp., 10 pis.

B 237. Petrography and geology of the igneous rocks of the Highwood Mountains, Montana, by L. V. 

Pirsson. 1904. pp.,7 pis.

B 238. Ecomomic geology of the lola quadrangle, Kansas, by G. I. Adams, Erasmus Haworth, and 

W. R. Crane. 1904. 83 pp., 11 pis.

Correspondence should be addressed to

THE DIRECTOR,

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY, '

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

NOVEMBER, 1804.