The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-26

oil field has been discovered in Flathe1d
county.
Petroleum of High Grade.
Pennsylvania. West Virginia, Ohio and
Indiana produce practically all OF the
hlgh-grade petroleum refined in this coun-
try and, in spite OF millions spent in the
constant prospecting of new territory in
those states, the supply has gradually
diminished until the visible supply above
ground, which in 1891 was 90,UO0OOO bar
rels, is now less than 100000 barrels,
and it falling off at the rate Of $50, 900 bar
rels monthly, so that the market price
OF the crude product is constantly rising.
In this condition of affairs it is certain
that as soon as Eastern oil men learn
dehnltely-What at first they will be slow
to believe-that there is a genuine high
grade petroleum field in Montana, there
will be a rush of capital and a develop
ment that will add millions to the states
output OF wealth.
There are in Flathead valley at least
5000 acres which would fetch from
81, 900 to 5000 an acre If the field were
located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or
Ohio, and this land will command just
such prices just as soon as the Eastern
oil men learn the facts concerning the
discoveries in the kintia district 1t
is well within the bounds of moderation
to say that the Flathead oil field is
capable, under development, Of an an
nual output Of 900 worth OF Pc
troleum. Abundant fuel, plenty of Wa
ter, an easy grade over which to pipe
to the railroad and a formation in which
fast and cheap drilling can be done, Will
make development work comparatively
inexpensive.
Drill VIII Tell the Story.
An analysis Of the seepags oils shows
y So per cent OF Illuminating oil, Is per cent
| of the lighter oils, IL per cent lubricaung
| oil and the remainder very heavy Oil.
| That there is oil in the kintla district
seems absolutely Certain, but only the
] 1ri11 roll To-
quantities On the east side of the main
| range of the Rockies and on the Canadi-
| an side of the border a man named Al
| bridge and his son have for several years
| dipped the petroleum from springs ana,
| after putting it through a crude pro-
| cess Of refining, have sold it in Alberta.
This OIL however, is purely fuel oil
and has not the valuable properties of
| the Kintla product.
The seepage of the oils takes place along
| the base and in the valley Of the main
divide. The formation is badly broken,
| since the main range is an upIft But
underlying the floor of the valley is a
formation consisting of ShaleS and sand
stone, dipping slightly to the north and
east, but seemingly almost horizontal,
| and here the experts think the drill
| should show oil at depth of from 1900
| to 1000 feet.
viii Start This Week.
If it has not already commenced, drill
| will start this week. This company has
| built wagon road to Kintla lake from
| Bolton, on the Great Northern, and
| small sawmili outfit, a drill, and other
necessary machinery were taken in more
| than a month ago. After the derrick had
| been erected, however, it was decided
| that the boiler was not powerful enough
| to handle the drill at any great depth
| 1t was expected that this would result
in long delay, but the company was
| fortunate enough to find a suitable boiler
| IN Kalispell, and this was taken in last
| week. The services of an experienced
| driller from Pennsylvania have been Sc
! cured, and, barring accidents, this com
pany will know if their property is worth
| anything by next spring.
A strong company Of local bl.-.nars
| men has been organized for the purnose
| of pushing development work and will
| send in drilling outfit as soon as the
| snow is deep enough for Shedding. ~
| Francis has organized a companv in
| Helena, and this corporation will also
send In men and machinery for deveIon-
! ment work this winter. Almost everv
| man IN Kalispell who could raise tbe
| necessary funds has one or more claims
| in the oil region, and If the confdan+
| expectations Of those who are willing 70
risk their capital on their Judgment ~ -
| realized in any ordinary degree. Kajisra1I
| Is likely to be second only to Butte IN q
| year from now, in the matter Of indi-
| Vidual wealth, so far as Montana Is ron
| cerned. " eon-
The Kintla country is one of great scAn-
| ic beauty, many Of those who have Sear
1t asserting that 1t surpasses even the
| far-famed Lake Mcdonald region in
| that respect.