Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-12-14
Virgin River Oil Fields of Washington County H.

stuud out prominently in the
history or southern Utah as
marking tine beginning OF am
era of oil ana gas development that
bids fair Ia mako toe state OF Utah the
"PennsyNnulu of the west" ON that
dote the Virgin River Ou and Dcvcl-
opmcnt company tho pioneer company
600 che field brought in wou with up-
wards of goo barrel production of the
highest petroleum ln the west-wlth
'ec possible exception OF Spring Val.
lcy, Wyo. OIL
Immediately The news OF this Oh
STRIFE was hcralded through the
country grand rush was made into
the new hold by hundreds of men who
realizoo what a discovery of petroleum
really meant
The press OF Utah. Nevada and Cali
foruia hnd devoted considerable space
20 che possibilities of the virgin river
valley as an oil producer prior 90 this
discovery. experienced experts of con-
tinental experience had reported often
and favorably on 10 but 81 was not un-
tl few daring investors OF Rhyofite,
New. who had the courage OF their
convictions. had actually drilled a
producing well that any serious at
tention was given the district by capi-
tai.
The remarkable record made by the
Virgin River cell and Development
company IN bringing ia producing
well within 30 days from the time the
machinery was shipped from California
Notwithstanding delays in securing
derrick lumber and cordwood. was a
big surprise Co those on the inside |
who were watching with eagerness the |
result of the venture.
BEGINNING or THE RUSH
Men prominent in the oil industry 90
g., continent visited the felo within
a. Vt 10 days. They made an ex-
hau. ..c ovamination OF the field and
the surrounding country with the re-
suit that mo-. than $1,000 worth Of
drilling machinery mas been hurried i'm
to the field within the past four months
and active urilling operations started
the valley
In accordance with the progressive
policy OF the first company, their ex-
pert was sent to Los Angeles early in
August to purchase two additional
drilling rigs, with instructions to have
hem on the ground at the earliest
possible moment. These rigs were To-
,ated on the ground and ready for con-
,truction early in September.
The company also hurried a complete
pumping outfit in with view to sup
plying fuel for It's future drilling
operations and also for a score Of 9TH
err companies who were rapidly coming
forward to prospect their various hold
ings In the field.
FUEL PROBLEM SOLVED.
on Sept. 10 the company had over
200 barrels of oil stored In tanks ready
for delivery 10 the different operators
throughout the field, thus solving the
fuel problem which had been a serious
one with the pioneer company.
Next In line OF development cams !
the Dixie oil and Land company pro-
NOTED by J. r. Clark OF Salt Lake city.
well known mining operator in Utah
and Nevada. Mr.. Clark had no dit
Guilty In securing sufficient means in
Salt Lake TO put his company on a
safe business basis. This company
controls several thousand acres Of oil
land in different parts Of the feld and
viii organize subsidiary companies to
develop its extensive holdings
DIXIE COMPANY.
The initial location OF the Dixie oil
and Lana company was made on the
southeast quarter Of section ~. town
ship Al south, range IL west. about
.hree-quarters Of mile northeast from
V. r. o. & CO.'S No. ] well. whore a
hole was drilled TO a depth OF nearly
500 feet. Al the point 1t was deemed
'xpedIent by the directorate Of the f,
company TO put ia casing in the well
ana work was temporarily discontinued
pending the securing OF this casing.
Work viii hoe pushed on the well at am j
'arly date. The policy OF this company q
8 TO explore their ground at depth, VI
LOS ANGELES UTAH.
The Los Angeles-Utah oil company. o
creation OF the noted Harper [
Mayor bunch Of Los Angeles, al
whose head IS George Montgomery "a
"Monty'D, well known throughout the ii