The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-11-25
OUR ARTEsIAN PROBLEM.

sclcntl1c men and others VINO nav
studied it most closely to have underly
ing it a vast artesian basin. Deep Dor
ings are certain to result in bringing t.
the surface bounteous supplies of water
or else oil and gas.
The shallow borings of only a few
hundred feet thus far made cut no fig
ure in the calculation, and none of then
has penetrated far enough to pass TIT
strata of rock which form the rapids anC
falls of the Missouri here, and such /
basin must lie at a lower level than the
lowest of these. 1t is clear, therefore
that satisfactory results could not be ex
pected at IA depth of less than loo to
l,50O feet, and it might be necessary tc
go even deeper than this.
There is 10 subject of greater interest
or importance to this region. Proofs
that artesian wells would flow success
fully here would be worth millions tc
Great Falls and the surrounding
country. 1t would mean that every acre
of our rich bench lands could be cult
waited protitably IN the driest seasons,
and would enhance the value of these
lands from 80 to 100 per cent at once
while giving such an impetus to agricul.
ture as could scarcely result from any
other cause.
1t can hardly be expected that private
enterprise will make the necessary ex.
periments to prove the truth or 9th.
erwise of the artesian theories, and the
question arises, How can this work be
brought about in the near future: Mr.
j. .. Gregg has given the subject a good
deal OF thought. and as he is familiar
with the process of deep boring as prac.
ticed in his native state for oil and gas
he a supply many valuable suggestions
in this connection. Mr.. Gregg tells the
TRIBUNE that when the first bOrings
were made for gas at Einlay. Ohio. the
cost was $4,000 for l.l40 feet, at which
depth the gas was struck, but when the
existence Of the treasure was demon,
strated borings were contracted for al
SID per foot. OF a little more than one.
with respect to artesian wells here,
Mr.. Gregg says that a complete outfit
deep boring can be laid down here
for less than 5000. This would include
the drill in sections. necessary tubing
MANILA cable, and all iron tit
tings. The derrick could be made here,
lie would not despair of success until a
depth of 5000 feet had been reached
but ne confidently believes that success
would crown the enterprise before the
drill had sunk to a depth of 300 feet.
Some sort of a combination should be
formed al once for an experiment of this
kind. In the first place an application
to the government to make such an eX-
pertinent al It's expense would probably
be granted; but if that should fail there
Is scarcely IA doubt that the Great
Northern Railway company would chip
in with this county and the city of Great
Falls to make a test Of such vital i'm
portapce to all concerned. Now would
be an excellent time for it as there is a
momentary lull in affairs, and it is
strongly urged by the TRIBUNE that the
Of Trade or a committee of citi-
zcns ought TO get together without de
lay for TIE purpose of discussing this
question, and deciding upon ways and
means for making an intelligent and
thorough artesian experiment.