The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-08

oCANCU prosperity.
The San Diego Union says that the residents
Oh Rlchland, near San Marcos, are becoming
quite excited over the surface lndlcatlons OF
oil. Some land is being leased Tor the work,
ana according to a correspondent II the IN
side Is as valuable as has been preolcteo gan
Marcos will become what. owing to her climate
and productions of soil, she deserves TO be-
come-one of the most noted and best-settled
places OF all California.
That peat land exists in Southern California
In remarkable quantities is not generally
known, but the Los Angeles Journal says that
such is the case. Last week w. +. Philips
purchased thirty acres of this land located near
Westminster, in Orange County, for $500 per
acre. AT present Mr.. Phillips will use the
land for raising vegetables, but If call be had
Tor fuel peat he will do his best to supply such
demand. There are hundreds OF acres OF peat
land in the vicinity of this property.
California is alive with opportunities from
one end to the other. only waiting for the hand
OF enterprise and industry to take advantage
oil them and convert them into money. Here
is an interesting item in illustration from the
Eel River Valley Advance: Over IN the Falmer
Creek woods, about mile from Fortuna as the
crow flies, telling industry has oeen carried
on Tor years, with steady and almost amaz-
ing output. James w. Rowley, crippled vet
eran of the War of the Rebellion and citizen
that any community might claim with prlde'
with his four brave boys, are in great meas
ure responsible Tor the splendid showing
made below. Rowley and sons commenced
saving shingles February g. 1889, and up to
May 20, 1896, had sent 100000 shingles 10
market. The timber is taken from the land OF
N Thompson, to whom stumpage Is PAID. In
1888 father and sons commenced manufactur-
ing boxes and up to date have turned out
$1,000 apple, cherry, peach, plum and to-
mato boxes, to which output fish boxes Will De
added. The quiet accom- lishments OF Mr..
Rowley and sons furnish an example worthy
of emulation by the croakers and NAL con-
tents with whom we too often come In con-
tact.
Rumors having been ahoat recently to the
effect that new railroad was to be built from
Stockton up into the mining region. and that
the work was to begin before the end OF the
coming summer. The Stockton Mail informs US
that: ut is now said that the road Will be con-
structed to Jackson, Amador County, and that
the full particulars will be disclosed before
many weeks. The line will be broad gauge
steam railway, and the road Will be built as
an adjunct to mining operations in that region.
general freight business will, of course, be
carried on, but one of the main objects aimed
1t is to be reduced at the works to be put up
for the purpose. The cheap coal which is to
be brought here from Corral Hollow is one OF
the main factors making the proposed road
possibility"
The approximate nearness of Moraga Valley
to Mount Diablo, where manufacturing coal
has been mined for years, lends interest TO the
following announcement made by the Contra
Costa (Martinez) Gazette:
George King discovered a vein OF coal on the
Ricketts, ranch, in the Moraga Valley, about
twelve miles from Oakland, while fishing last
week He on the banks of small stream
and found the vein cropping out along the hills for
about 500 feet and also found 1t cropping out
the other side of the hill Antoine Moons and
other ranches 1t is about three feet thick and of
very goo quality Some of the coal was taken to
Oakland and found TO burn well. 1t is be-
lieved that the entire country between Moraga
Valley and Corral Hollow is one vast coal field.
AS though this discovery were not sufficient
our exchange announces the following in adj
dition:
In the same locality, Gus Williams OF Oakland
discovered deposit of excellent potter's clay. A
sample was shown to the managers Of the Oakland
Pottery Works, who pronounced 1t the finest clay
in the country. They pay $40 per ton for the clay
they now use, and that if the find in Moraga is
OF sufficient quantity and the coal in the vicinity
abundant they will move their works to Contra
Costa County. These discoveries will no doubt
prove of great value TO this county.
Gradually q systematized condition of af-
fairs is being brought out of the excitement
and hustle attending the development of the
oil industry in Southern California. From an
exhaustive review of the situation made by
the Los Angeles Times the following extracts
are taken:
Each day brings evidence Of continued improve
ment in the petroleum market. Less than ninety
days ago oil was being sold at the oil tanks in the
Los Angeles field low price rs cents per bar
rel To-day sales being made at 20 cents per bar
rel at the wells. During the last few days producers
have refused to enter into contracts for long
periods at the latter price. Last Friday the Oil
Exchange sold 500 barrels aboard at S71a
cents per barrel, being 21a cents per barrel in
crease over the Exchanges quotation of advanced
rates, agreed upon in executive session less than
two weeks ago.
Another advance is imminent, but will not be
made until the OIL bark Enoch Talbot has taken
her cargo. she Is now loading and has already
taken in over 1000 barrels under contract 10 the
Arctic OIL Works of san Francisco. The Exchange
intended to put 5000 barrels into her this trip but
this amount will probably be increased TO 10000
barrels.
Messrs. Martin and Burns informed reporter
Of the Times yesterday that the market was show
ing very greas improvement, the consumption at
the present time exceeding the production.
The work of developing the oil stores of
Fresno County is progressing steadily, and
now comes the San Diego Sun with the
nouncement of another important discovery:
After several weeks delay in lining and gener-
ally fixing up the oil prospecting well at Ocean
Beach work on boring deeper wi be resumed in
few days large piece of sha e taken from the
bottom OF the shaft yesterday, which has now
reached depth of 500 feet, contains liberal per-
centage OF asphaltum The presence OF this sub
stance is positive indication that body of oil
has existed in that vicinity at some time, and OF
course may be accepted encouraging the belief
that 1t may yet be found. In the borings that
have been taken from the shaft from the SO0-foot
depth the most encouraging indications of oil have
been found and while those interested are par
tcularly secretive to the result OF their invest
cations SO far the fact that they have gone to
great expense in putting the shaft into perfect
order after reaching depth of 300 feet shows that
they have been encouraged by their prospects
The presence of large flow Of water has occa-
stoned considerable expense. and now that the
work OF casing in the well to its entire depth has
been almost completed the work of boring will be
resumed and if necessary continued to depth Of
at least 1900 feet.
The fortunes of Arizona are closely linked