The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-03-19
GENUINE
GUSHER
STRUCK.
ArteSian Water Near the
Columbia
Flow that Will Irrigate 5000
Acres

One of the wonders OF the undevel.
oped West is the artesian water flow
struck by the Columbia River Devel.
opment Company at Rotten Springs,
Wash. opposite Castle Rock. II is a
phenomenally strong we'll issuing. 1t
is estimated. 10000 barrels OF water
in "a hours, sufficient TO irrigate hun
dreds of acres of land. The discovery
OF this artesian water was an acci.
dent, the parties who struck II hav-
ing been prospecting for oil and nat
uinl gas. and instead struck some
thing of equal utility. water in a des-
ert country, though in all probability
gas and oil in paying quantities will
very likely be found ere long.
The story connected with this for
tunate strike is rather novel. Sew
eral years ago Ross Beardsley located
homestead on n tract of land on
which was situated a spring that had
for years been known as Rotten
Spring" because Of the offensive odor
OF the water A gas came up with
the water OF the spring that was OF
fensive to both smell and taste, and
finally Mr. Beardsley concluded that
the gas could be utilized. and put
rude tank over the spring to receive
the gas. which he conveyed through
pipes TO the house and burned the
gas both for heating and lighting pur
poses.
Had His Own Gas Works.
This primitive and novel appliance
for combining gas finally attracted tn
attention OF parties at Arlington, whit
were familiar with the oil and natura
gas fields of Ohio. Pennsylvania an,
West Virginia, and as n result com
pany was formed by residents OF Al
Rngton and Heppner to prospect 70
gas and oil.
Several months ago this compan
began operations. They secured
large drill and began sinking n nine
inch hole on Mr. Beardsley's home
stead az the Rotten Spring" near IN
bank OF the Columbia. A hole wa
put down $50 feet through a volcani
formation when the flow OF artesia
water was struck that Is sending Il
from the bowels OF the earth 1000
barrels OF water a day. The water
highly impregnated with gas. thoug
as yet no means have been taken {
confne II. as the water flow Is 10
great 10 allow a successful confnin
OF the gas. But the company ha
chosen different location for II
work OF prospecting. and has begu
sinking a well half a mile from IN
river. at a point several hundred fet
above the first well. and as the we
is sunk casing Is put down so tina
the water can be handled and the ga
II found can be confined.
Water 10 Valuable.
In the meantime the company ha
taken the precaution OF securing til
TO a tract OF about 10000 acres d
land in the vicinity OF the well. S
that II either gas, oil or water
found it can be applied 10 practica
purposes.
Viewed from all points this proI
osition seems one that will result q
the development of vast new resour'
es in a most prolific country. Tn
site OF the prospect is on a vast trac
OF land that may be made most pre-
ductiye by irrigation. so II nothin
more than artesian water is foun
this can be utilized for irrigation pun
poses. new agricultural belt be dc
veloped and the company owning th'
water supply will derive a large reye
nue. from the sale OF water or b!
cultivating the lands It's rights cover
And IL natural gas is discovered II
quantities sufficient for Commercial
purposes. the future OF the entire sec
tion will be settled. for gas can b.
piped any reasonable distance. and b
used for either heating and lighuni
purposes. or as fuel TO produce motive
power for manufacturing, etc. Ther
II oil is found, refining works vii
soon result. and the product Of thai
section will be shipped broadcast
througho' Ihe country-Times-Moun
taineer
IWriOhf ic