Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-15
UTAH UlNTAlTE DEPOSITS.
Many Commercial Uses TO Which This Re-
Gently Found Variety Of Asphalt May Be Put.

There has been published as part of
the seventeenth annual report of the
United States Geological Survey an ac-
count of THE Uintaite (Gilsonitc) De
pcsits of Utah. prepared by
George Romans Eldridge. The
name unitaite was given by
riety of asphalt found in the vicinity
of the Uinta mountains in Utah. The
name gilsonite, of a later derivation,
was adopted because the substance was
brought into prominence as an article
of utility through the efforts of S. II.
Gibson of Salt Lake City. The trade
knows it better by the latter name.
According to Mr.. Eldridge, untaite is
employed chiefly in the manufacture Of
black, low-grade brush and dipping
varnishes, such as are used on thu
various kinds of iron works and as bak-
ing japans. 1t is employed by enc com
rany for mixing with an asphaltic
limestone in the manufacture of payine
material. Other uses. according to f
w. Parker, in Mineral Resources of
the United States for 1898, are: For
preventing electrolytic action on iron
plates of ships bottoms, for coating
barbed-Wire fencing, etc, for coating
sea walls of brick or masonry. for
covering paving brick, for acid-proo;
lining for chemical tanks. for roofing
pitch, for insulating electric wires. fol
smokestack paint, for lubricants fol
heavy machinery. for preserving iron
pies from corrosion and acids, for coat
Ing poles. posts and ties for torpedo
proof pile coating, for covering wood
block paving. as a substitute for rub
Der in the manufacture of cotton gar
den hose, and as a binder pitch foI
clum in making brickette and eggette
coal. Mr.. Eldridge is inclined to be-
lieve, however, that the uses of gibson.
lite as thus enumerated by Mr.. Parker
are in most instances still in the eX
detrimental stage.
In his paper, Mr.. Eldrdge treats o,
the classification of hydrocarbons anC
allied substances. chemical relation
between hydrocarbons. resemblance
and differences between the asphaltites
analysis of uintaite, geology of tn,
Unita Basin, and its Typographical
features. distribution Of uintaite anC
allied hydrocarbons in the Utah fields
of the various uintaite veins. estimate
tonnage of the uintaite fields of Utah
the exploitation of the veins, and com
mercial considerations.
The veins are known as the Duchesue
Culmer, Seabolt. Bonanza, Cowboy, an5
Black Dragon. The most important
locality of uintaite or gilsonitc is tn
region Immediately north and south O
the White river, near the eastern edg
of the Uncompahgre Reservation. Tn
veins are here known as the Little
Bonanza, Big Bonanza, and Cowboy
they have not yet been exploited. TN,
Duchesne vein, which lies near to an
is named after Fort Dpchesne, Ia
been worked for several years. and i,
opened to a depth of Jos feet The 81
Louis ellison Asphaltum Company con
trolls the greater part Of this vein, ant
has shipped a comparatively larg
amount Of gilsonite in the five or si2
years it has been operating.
The Culmer and Seabolt veins cross til
western edge of the Cncompahgre reSer
walton in the vicinity of the fortieth pai
allel Only the Gunner is workable G
these two, and this at "a great disadyan
taGe. The Black Dragon vein is situate
in The region of Upper Evacuation Creeb
and is one of great promise. The totI
tonnage contents of all these UiDtait,
vcirs is estim3ted az 23.Ii4.5S2. Mr.. E:
driIlra says. Mining for INITIATE will h
conducted after the ordinary methods, >
means of shafts and tunnels. With tn
establishment of HOSTS and conveying
M, Li,ay,r az oe,,aci.I ,,,,ressit,- viii T.
Inc installation of a ventflating plant. 70
the dust derived from The gilsonitc
minir,r is exceedingly annoying. peae
rating both skin ana lungs. and ther
except under the action of
sC,i--e,lt ;r,noeeibIa Of ,.oursa In, the Ia
tor case This nec,liarifv Of the miner
is due no its insoubility in water. ami t,
its softening under the temperature