Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1905-12-27
OIL SAND STRUCK AT DEL RIO
 WELL.
(Frsm Wednesdays Daily.)

Oil sand was struck a few days ago by the drill at the Yavapai company E plant near Del Rio. It bore the un. mistakable signs that are the forerunner of oil, and it probably will be only necessary to send the bore down hun dred feet before the reservoir itself is tapped.
 Unfortunately soon after the pump had brought up the sand that is recog- nized by oil men as being the right stuff, there was a cave-in of the loose formation, and the further progress of the enterprise has been suspended until the arrival of the necessary cas- ing that will be driven into the we'll at the point where the damage has taken place. A supply of this material is on the road, and before the middle of January it is expected to arrive, when work will be resumed and prose euted vigorously.
 The well up to the time of the ave in had reached a depth of 40 feet, and the statement is made by the man. agement that the best indications yet given were taken from the bottom of the well or at point where the soil gave way and interfered with further sinking, owing to the lack of the ne- cessary material to pick up the ground. At this depth the foreman of the plant, H. T. Johnson, an experienced oil man, made the statement to the company that oil sand was unmistakbly in evi- dence, and he was very enthusiastic over the indications of striking oil at depth below, saying that the strata being penetrated was similar in many respects to those encountered in other sections that produced oil in abund- ance.
 MT. Johnson also stated that the oil reservoir which he is confident lies be- low at some depth or other, may not be in line with the well that is being driven, but it is his belief neverthe- less that it is in close proximity to the work now under headway, and he bases this belief upon his observa- tion of the character of the formation in which the drill has been pounding recently.
 He feels very enthusiastic, and is pronounced in the ultimate outcome of the project being a success. He also stated that on leaving for California he desired on the resumption of work to be retained, having faith that he will solve the problem in the near future.
 During the progress of sinking this well many obstacles have been encoun- tered. Large granite boulders have been pierced and the drill has been turned from its perpendicular course. This has retarded worked consider ably, and after the hole had been straightened minor evils usually met with in work of this character have still further interfered.
 The company has, with the depth reached in this well, solved one impor- tant problem. It is that of the exist ence of fire clay composition that was brought up by the sand pump, and it is pronounced as of the best qua lity. A sample lot of this material was sent to Jerome, and the return ana Iysis gave it high recommendation.
 Naturally there is manifested in this section a decidedly keen interest in the outcome of this commendable un- lertaking, being as it is the only enter prize of its nature in existence in nor -hern Arizona. In addition to this practical illustration of the merits of he undertaking, expert examination ,f surface indications for oil are be- hind the movement, hence the creation ,f this company, and the diligence with which they are prosecuting the work. It is to be sincerely hoped that upon the of work no additional de- avs will be met with in natural ob- l 'tacles below, but that the work will ! De rushed, and success will follow, which seems evident from the indica- | ions found in the greatest depth yet |