Delta chief., 1883-03-28
Coal oil on the Reservation.

Mr. d. Y. IoWaru, VINO aI tne present tlfne
is engaged in the peaceful pursuits of ranch
man in the Gunnison valley just north of
Delta, last spring with party of Pennsylva-
MIA oil sharps prospected the entire reserva-
ton for coal oil signs, and in conversation
with THE CHIEF gave some of the exper-
fences and conclusions arrived at by his party.
They prospected the Grand valley at where
Grand Junction now stands and found indi-
cations in abundance, but not enough to JUS
tify them in sinking. They worked their
way down the valley to Green river, finding
the same general indications. From there
they went ON the Uintah agency, but being an
Indian reservation they We're not allowed to
make any very extended Investigations. Mr..
Howard, however, having lived number of
years among the Utes, having an extensive
acquaintance and on friendly terms with
them, was shown every attention and kind
ness by the Indians, who gave him all the
information in their possession on the sub
iect and offered to show him where oil ex-
listed, and in fact did show him to some of the
places. But as his party Were enable to go
with him, the search was not as thorough
ley over the Utah line on the reservation, the
best indications Were found, in oil on the
water, in old played-out springs where the
oil had evaporated, and in living springs with
oil in abundance on the water. In places
where in times past springs have flowed, they
found a substance resembling camel coal,
black and hard, which was without doubt the
i1ua loft FROM, cd nil COVERING the
ground for acres around, and when put on a
fire would melt and run like tar wax, and
burn with slight blue blaze until it was all
consumed. He found seven running springs
that he estimated would run twenty barrels
of crude oil day. For miles around the
ground showed evidences by deposits that at
some distant day springs had been in active
operation emitting oil with the water. The
valley was not at all thoroughly looked over,
as being alone Mr. Howaed was unable to do
it. In the Willow mountains he was inform
ed by the Indians the prospects We're even
better than in Ashley valley, but he did not
90 there the Indians informing him he could
90 there and that they would guide him, but
the remainder of the party could not. The
lying OH the east of the line of the reserva-
tion and found good indications of oil, better
than around Grand Junction, on Evacuation
and Douglas creeks, Just over the range from
the headwaters of East Salt creek, and on the
divide between the two streams. About four
miles from the divide down Douglas creek a
spring was discovered bearing unmstakeable
Si,,pu of. ..n,i ni1 m thp and
distance below on the creek. To the north
west and on the north of the Roam or Book
mountains numerous signs were seen indicat-
ing the presence of oil.
The party found over the west line of the
reservation two springs in the possession of
the Mormons that had coal oil on the water.
The Mormons and Indians were in ignor
ance of the nature of the substance, and were
using it as horse medicine-rubbing it on
their sore backs, for sprains, etc.
Mr.. Howard is of the opinion that, coal oil
will not be found in paying quantities at or
near Grand Junction, but rather in the Green
river valley, and bases his belief on the fact
that to the east of Green river the slate form
alton all dips to the west, and to the west of
Green river the slate dips to the east, forming
"a basin in or near the Green river valley,
where the oil is most likely to be found in
paying quantities. The oil will not permeate
the slate but follow the course of the dip un-
til basin is reached. That basin of this
kind exists near Green river is evidenced by
the numerous indications found there. The
experts were satisfied of the existence Of oil
in the valley of the Grand, but not in snfli-
cient quantity to warrant sinking we'll
Almost the entire Uintah reservation shows
good indications, and is undoubtedly right
oyer the basin where coal oil can be found in
paying quantities. Until tits done away with
and the land opened to settlement by the
whites, the hunt for the magic wells will be
in vain.
The Un-a-Weep District.
poturps baya baen rareiyed from, he sppci.