, 1901-12-26

- uoS. A. oooA 80 IL
was placed upon a substantial basis
in the Black hills, prospectors COM
menced to collect the oil from the oil
springs along the Belle Fourche river
and haul it by wagon to Deadwood. A
well Or SO was drilled, and from one Of
these shallow drillings a company
pumped five barrels Of oil per day, and
marketed at Deadwood for $500 per
barrel. This industry continued until
the Northwestern railroad reached the
mining region, and furnished oil at a
lower figure. The greatest advance
ment made in early days, in the devel-
opment of our oil resources was led by
the late DR.. Graf Of Omaha. He or
gained a company, which drilled in
the Popo Agile oil field in 1883 and be-
fore he suspended operations he had
three flowing oil wells that produced
200 barrels each per day. Owing to
the lack of cheap transportation, and
the long distance from completed rail.
roads, these wells were packed and
the oil never utilized except to supply
local demand.
The success of this company in
striking oil induced many others to en-
ter the various fields, and within q
yCdl VI bO AI66 WCIc ClCCtCu, III ICoVoA
R~attlesnake, Arago, Oil mountain,
neighborhood of the Popo Agile. But
panies we're successful in finding a
paying we'll This was at the very
dawning of our development. Al
some were very much embittered to-
NC ri tho oil ip1,,cfry ~ Tho ako<1 ~
Pennsylvania Oil company entered the
closed they had a producing well at
Salt creek. They drilled several 9TH
ers, and in 1894 commenced regular
shipments. and have been constant pro-
ducers aver since. Their experience
induced a few other companies to or
ganize and commence work; but for
some reason they were not successful.
About two years ago an English com
pany entered out state and made some
examinations, which led up to the
sale of the Popo Agile wells. About
this time the oil fever had commenced
to subside In California, and the oil
world was thrown into great excite
ment over the Beaumont discovery.
People began to note the merits of the
Wyoming fields. At first I would re-
ceive n or two inquiries per week,
but soon this increased to three letters
per day, and finally last June, it was
not an uncommon thing to have TWEEN
ty or thirty requests per day directed
to the university, for oil literature and
data. This excitement was augment
ed last winter by the discovery of oil
at Spring Valley, in a well being drill
ed for water for the Union Pacific rail-
road. At the present time we have
been invaded by oil people from many
localities. Californians have taken a
deep interest in the Uinta county
fields, and with them are companies
from Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio, Penn.
sylvania and many other localities.
In the central part Of the state several
English companies are taking a firm
hold and with them many other repu-
table organizers. A Kansas company
is arranging to drill at the Powder riv-
er field. A Washington company has
taken charge of the most of the New.
castle field. Three Montana COM
panies are interested in the Belle Four
che field. Never before In the history
Of our state has there been such un-
bounded enthusiasm in the develop
ment of any of our great resources,
and what ia better the companies who,
at the present time, are engaged In
carrying on development work, are as
. rule experienced in prospecting for
oil. They are also backed by q liberal
supply Of money, and we can safely
look forward to the immediate devel-
opment of the many oil fields of our
state.
Az have noted before in several Of
my publications, there are Is known
oil fields in this state where either
oil sandstone OF oil springs r found,
The recent discovery southwest Of
Rawlins makes the whole number now
10, and many more are to be added
to the list. Eventually We may expect
to have not less than two dozen indie
pendent oil districts.
In the limited time assigned to this
subject, It ID impossible to give m ade-
quate idea Of the oil fields. The fol-
lowing brief description must be con-
sidered ~ . mere Introduction. For
further Information 9 oil bulletins
Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 1 published BY the
school Of mines Of our university, and
also . series Of articles that l am at
the present time contributing to the
engineering and Mining Journal.
The oil fields are distributed ~ fol
lows: The Carter, HilliArd, Spring
Valley and Twin Greek are located in
Uinta county: Popo Agie. Lander. 6ho.
shone, Beaver and . part Of Dutt0n In