The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-01-11
GAS BELT WIDENS OUT
Good Prospects Found on the
Milne Ranch Near SteptOe.
Indications Also Point Toward
Good Gas Ground Around
Thornton and Oakesdale.

ne EXPLORATIONS III tue Rdc hcluS bCbp
only toward more satisfaction among
those interested that the Palouse cOun-
try has a gas belt rivaling in extent and
power the natural gas fields Of Penn
sylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The more
the country Is prOspected the wider area
underlaid by gas is found.
Excellent Indications OF gas have
within the last week been found on the
Milne ranch near Steptoe. This is crawl
ing still nearer Colfax, and it is expected
that little time will elapse until the
known gas belt will be brought right
down to the town. New discoveries are
being constantly made at different
points, and it liz not too much to say
that the Palouse country is on the eve
of an industrial boom in gas, coal and
oil such as characterized the prosperous
days of Pennsylvania.
Talk About Gas.
The range of the gas and oil belt seems
to have no limit. Everywhere prospect
ors go in the PalOuse country they seem
to find it without much trouble. r. A,
and Frank Milne, who we're in town
Wednesday, say that for years they have
observed gas and oil Indications on the
Milne ranch near Steptoe, but until it
mas DpCOne IUOTe Ut ItHS vi d CTdZe
thought nothing of it. Now they are
certain that they have just as good as
anybody has in the line.
Fifty Dollars an Acre.
J. NJ. Baker reports that letter has
been received from State Auditor Neal
Cheetham, in which be states that he has
been offered $50 an acre for his land
near Thornton. This is a result of the
recent gas discoveries.
More Gas Leases.
Eleven ROsaia farmers have entered
into contracts with Spokane parties for
the drilling of wells for oil, coal or gas
The capitalists are to have the privilege
of drilling and developing any proper
ties there NAV be in sight for two years,
says the Spokesman Review. At the end
OF two years, if nothing is found, the
contracts are to be nulfiied. If any gas,
oil, or coal is encountered the discoveries
are to have the right to work in the
fields for % years for a consideration of
one tenth royalty on all finds and so
shares an acre stock in the companies
operating. Yesterday A. G Hanauer,
representing the contracting capitalists
filed contracts at the courthouse on
each Of the farms. which vary in extent
from 16O to $50 acres. The farmers
whose lands are to be exploited are John
Paulson, W. F. Reisand, j. Hanley, E.
d. Blackman, +. Miller, C. F. Miller, F.
d. Lemley, John Fry, g. A. Grimes, A.
Hood and Charles Lemley.
Mr.. HanauPr's company is to be
known as the ROsalia Natural Gas and
Oil Company. The contracts are all
drawn in the name of MIR. Hanauer, the
name of the company being mentioned
in a section where MIR Hannauer agrees
to incorporate the company if valuable
minerals are found in paying quantities.
The locations of the farms affected is in
the southwestern part of Spokane
county.
Oakesdale Is in 1t
Oakesdale is not to be outdOne by any
OF its neighbOrs in the matter of gas or
indications of the presence of the real
stun IN petroleum, Notwithstanding we
have been trit1e tardy in revealing the
facts to the outside world, we have got
1t all right, more and better indications
than any yet announced in this section
ot the country, says the Oakesdale News
There is a well in Oakesdale which is SO
strongly lmpregnated by the strong Oily
substance that the water has never been
mt Tor use and there is such a strong
OdOr OF gas at times that it is almost
suffOcating. An efort is being made to
organize a local company to develop
this property.
The recent excitement at other points
along the banks of Thorn and Pine
creeks reminded Col. Secrest that for
several years he has been aware of the
presence OF an oily scum of a thick
greenish cast on the surface of two
springs on his land adjoining the CITY
limits of Oakesdale, the water being 40
contaminated that live stock would not
drink it. The other day sample was
procured which had a very strong odor
OF Kerosene and the oily substance was
plainly visible on the surface. The SAM
pie was boiled down and the result was
small quantity of oil of wbitish.
creamy appearance with a strong odor
OF crude oil. The Colonel is morally
certain that he has the real stuff and
that there are good indications that if
exists in quantities sufficient to warrant
the beginning of operations for it's de-
Velopment. But he is as vet undecided
as to what action he will take.
Almost simultaneously with this
comes the news of the discovery of more
gas and oil on the farms of Z NJ. Craw
ford and Geo. McCroskey on Thorn creek
about miles west OF this place. A
greasy substance resembling crude petro-
!eum both in consistency and odor is
found in liberal quantities floating on
the surface of the water. A quantity
was placed in a common lamp bv Mr.
Crawford, and when ignited burned furi-
ously at first but soon lost it's illumina-
ting quality and went out. Both Mr..
Crawford and MIR. McCroskey are very
enthusiastic and will continue their in.
designations and hold on to their land
Republican Meeting.