Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-17

ShhSo cAeicise great lnuuence upOl
the accumulations of oil and gas. Al
can be readily seen. the anticline be
gins on the south side of Junction
creek and forms the syncline at Light
ner creek. the Intervening surface ter
rttory being covered with cretaceors
shales, from number Of points from
which | have opened the surface.
1nd the shale heavily impregnated
with the odor of oil. A number OF
places in the shale l find strata OF
fossil shells above the Dakota group.
Ihe strata are of marine origin, full
OF marine fossils, that when broken
have the same cd or of petroleum.
l find also on the Animas river an
irridescent scum of oil coming contin-
uously from the shales along the
bank. also find mineral springs,
also the residue from mineral springs
and several other strong indications
of the presence of petroleum oil un-
derneath, also the white-leached
shales caused by the chemical heat
action connected with the forming of
bitumens, which are found plentifully
through this field.
One of the most conclusive theories
have to present as to the presence
of petroleum oil in this field, is the
finding Of paraffine in a vertical frac-
ture in the Dakota sandstone which
is exposed by the uplift in the vicinity
of Junction creek on the Animas
river side. We find that petroleum is
found to contain either an excess of
asphaltum or parafiine, either of
which is known as the bast of the oil
In Pennsylvania and Ohio where most
of the high grade oil Is found, we
find parafiine to be the base. In To-
eating this deposit here of parafiines
am of the opinion that If oil should
be found it will be of high grade,
equal to the oil found in Florence in
this state. l might also add that
from an examination o. the Animas
valley for a distance of eighty miles
the country has the appearance of be-
ing the greatest oil producing section
In the west. Abundant proof of this
can be had by examining the surface
indications and formation.
In the Durango field the oil horizon
will be probably 1900 feet in depth,
and will be found in the Dakota sand
stone. This l am led to believe on
account of the parafflne found in ver-
tical fractures in the sandstone at the
top of the anticline. Although at
Florence the oil is found in the shales,
the sandstone is much more to be de-
sired. as it makes a more even reser-
voir. and the product will be found in
more regular channels.
Elevation.
Altitude is not an element In determ-
lining the present of oil, for there are
wells under the sea near Los Angeles,
as well as on the high hills. But alti-
tude above the surrounding country is
an element of importance, for while
the oil is sometimes found in canyons
between hills and mountains, it is gen
orally considered that the prospects
are best on anticline hills. This
means that hills are drawn out to con-
siderable length, and therein are the
best prospects for finding reservoir
of oil in the rocks
Fortunately, in this dictrict, there is
an economy in nature. There are
very few districts where the land has
any particular value apart from this
new industry, as this field furnishes
but precarious picking for cattle and
a possible living for sheep, but only
trife of the land is tillable.
In conclusion, would say as to the
oil probabilities, Judging from the sur
face indications, and the different
indications of which l have
made mention above, that from a con-
servative standpoint the showing in
this field is more extensive than the
average showing in any known oil belt.
and freely recommend the digging of
a well within the radius already rec
E. H. DE VORE, E. NJ.
On the strength OF this immeasura-
bly, favorable report a company has
been formed under the laws of Wyo-
ming for the purpose Of pursuing the
and producing of oil
in this section. 1t will be known as
the Durango Oil company. and is incor
porated with capital stock of 1.500.-
900. The company is composed of
leading business men Of this communi-
ty. whose aggregate wealth represents
over one million OF dollars, and is in it.
sell a guarantee that everything con
nected with the enterprise will be thor
oughly business like in its conduct.
The officers and directors are heavy
subscribers, but certain amount of
treasury stock will be open to the pub
lie for investment. A necessary
amount of stock has been underwrit-
ten to guarantee faith In the project.
AS soon as possible the machinery
will be gotten here and drilling COM
menced. The company has options on
some thousand acres of land. The
first operations will doubtless be con-
Quoted on the Wenig ranch, west of
the city.
1t is to be hoped that local people
desirous of investing will take hold of
the treasury stock, and thus show
their faith in an enterprise which will
prove so much for Durango in the