East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-10-24
TENAS SULPHUR BEDS WILL
RIVAL ITALIAN MINES.

sulphur beds sufficiently rich to
control the United States market for
score of years to come have been
discovered in western Texas. about so
miles distant from El Paso. not far
from the Rio Grande. Count G, Il. u.
Caracristi, an eminent mining eng-
neer of Italy. has completed an inves-
tigation of the resources of the depos-
its, and has submitted II report favor
ing the immediate development of the
field by London capitalists whom he
represents, says the Denver Post
Italy has hitherto controlled the
sulphur market of the World, The
sulphur trust known as the Anglo
Sicilian sulphur company, limited, Of
London, England, has the available
supply within its grasp.
The discovery OF the El Paso coun-
ty sulphur beds has been figurative
only, Their existence has been known
for years, but 1t has been only recent
ly that capital awakened to their eX-
istence and called for II fun investiga-
ton of their resources by a competent
engineer.
Count Caracrisu was selected for
the purpose. He was formerly a mem
ber of the Royal Italian engineers
and has been intimately connected
with the sulphur interests of Italy.
Lord Thurston of London "A man Of
great means, eager to invest part of
his capital in this project in case it
were proved feasible. heads the party
of British capitalists who are interest
ed in the development of the El Pasn
county sulphur fields
Exists in Quantity.
The report of Count Caracristi has
been completed and Is emphatic in its
declaration that sulphur exists in
quantities sufficient to warrant its de-
the capitalists whom he represents
will take up the project.
sulphur exists in solid deposits.
practically pure, over an extensive
tract of ground. The sulphur can he
dug out in huge blocks with the mini
mum of expense, he says.
The deposits are SO heavy that the
water in small stream which flows
near is impregnated with a sulphur
solution closely akin to sulphuric
acid. Cattle have drank of it and
their bones lie bleaching on the
ground in that section. Other small
animals have tasted the water and
died.
Not far from the sulphur beds are
hot sulphur springs flowing from the
ground at a temperature of 120 de-
grces Fahrenheit. The springs have
long been known for their medicinal
| qualities. but. like the deposits, capi-
tai has never sought to develop tn, m
for commercial purposes
No railroad passes within 80 miles
of the deposits and il will be necessary
to build a line to the fields. Tits t.e
| Texas & Pacific is ready to do. The
Texas & Pacific has offered Count
| Caracrist every aid in ascertaining
conditions at the deposits.
Count Caracristi says that the Eng
! lish company will probably begin
work soon. When he was authorized
to make the journey to this country
! he was Informed that if a favorable
report was submitted there would he
no delay i'm beginning operations
For at least 20 years Italy would
be shut out of the sulphur market in
this country, if these deposits were de-
veloped," said Count Caracristi. THE
sulphur within sight is sufficient to
supply the market for that period OF
time. | have no doubt that the de-
posits are ample to continue for an
even longer period to hold the United
States market against all outsiders.
S,I,,bu. In,nn.t. IIonxy