The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-10
KANSAS OIL FIELDS.
Government Report of the Recent
Investigations.

Washington, Dec. 8.-The following is
from recent bulletin issued by the
geological survey:
Dr. George L Adams, of the United
state geological survey, spent part OF
last summer studying the oil and gas
resources of the lola quadrangle KAN
GaS- With the assistance of Prof E.ras-
mus HaWorth and Prof. ". r. Crane
OF Kansas university. DR.. Adams made
Il detailed survey of this quadrangle
which had been surveyed Topographic
caliy during the summer of 1902.
This quadrangle is a part of the
kansas-1ndian Territory oil and gas
field. The most important towns are
lola Chanute, Humboldt, and La
aarpe, which lie in the more produce
tive portion of the field. Bronson, Mo-
ran, Ellsmore, Savonburg, and Erie
are in the eastern border of the field,
within the area surveyed.
The present rapid development of the
territory is the result of prospecting
which has been conducted in the gen
eral field since 1865 Gas was first
struck in well at lola in 1873. but no
considerable quantity was found before
1888. The discovery of oil in CONNER
cial quantities occurred about the same
time at Neodesha. 1t was not until 1900
that drilling for oil in the lola qua
drangle began, as a result of the deveI-
opment of a small field at Chanute.
The development of the gas resources
was stimulated by the fact that cheap
gas would make possible the introduce
ton of certain desira BILE industries. The
large lead and zinc sme1ters at lola,
Gas City, La Harpe, and Chanute, and
the cement works eat~Iola- have all been
established since the discovery of gas
in the lola quadrangle. se
The immediate market value of oil
mas been sufficient incentive for pros
pectors in search of that commodity.
The growth of the field during the last
two years has been so rapid that it has
been difficult to keep pace with it's de-
Velopment. Even since September, when
DR.. Adams left the field. the oil area
has been considerably extended BuI1e-
tin 1874 of the United States Geological
Survey, on the Oil and Gas Fields of
the Western Interior which DR. Adams
wrote in 1901, is valuable for its dis
cussion of the general conditions of the
field, but is no longer an adequate state
ment of present developments.
The recent Investigations made by
DR.. Adams and his assistants were the
first close studies ever attempted by
the United States Geological Survey of
that oil-gas field. The inquiry included
a study of the volume of the flow and
the pressure of the gas. Observations
were made which will help to estimate
the life of the field. AS the history of
all gas fields show that they ultimately
become exhausted, determinations of
importance. In certain places in this
field the gas begins to show signs of di-
lninutton, but there is no immediate
cause for alarm.
The structure of the field and the
mode Of occurrence of the oil We're SUBJ
Jects of inquiry. The investigation
shows that the oil in the district is
contained in oil-bearing sands that are
of limited extent but are generally dis
tributed throughout the field. The oil
Is rather light and is adapted to dis
tillation- This fact increases its value
and accordingly it is not used as a
fuel oil It is refined at Neodesha, to
which point it is either shipped or