The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-06-01
OIL COUNTRY IS
SHOWING WELL
AdviCeS From Bluff Indicate an
Unusual Amount of
Activity.

Bluff. San Juan county, May 2S.-
Everything is running smoothly at the
Goodrich oil well. Seventy-five feet of
six-inch pipe has been driven during the
last two weeks and the machinery is in
excellent condition. 1t is expected that
the oil will be reached in the 210-fOOt
sand, the same strata in which the other
well is fed. The well now under way is
some miles from the one completed in
January and, if a success, will prove d
large tract of land to be of immense
value Progress is being noted carefully
and the climax anticipated with unusual
interest from many quarters.
James Apted the representative of a
company of MancOs Colo, gentlemen
was here recently negotiating for options
on claims belonging TO various parties
He was successful in tying up a NUM-
Der of claims held by the Hyde-Raplee
people and is now arranging the papers
for deal between the Joseph Hunt COM
pany and themselves, which, if success
tul, VIII give TO them some of the chOic-
est land in the oil belt Some members
of his company are James Apted, ALI
kimban. J. r. TuOtter. G. T. Cline.
banker Joseph J. Shidelier, manager of
Bauer Mercantile company, and associ-
ates. All are influential business men
of southwestern Colorado.
The money arrived on Sunday which
was the result of a deal between j. Han
son, representing New York and Chicago
capitalists and the Hyde-Raplee people.
which Will tie up a number of claims for
some months. The consideration was 500
per claim, and forfeit if they 0he
eastern money mem were not on the
ground with standard rigs within a GER
tain limited time. In order not 10 miss
the time limit the checks came by spe-
cial rider, as telegraph or telephone con-
nectiOns do not Vet reach us Mr. Han
son is originally from Chicago, but of
late has been connected with the Gold
Dream mine. located in the Blue noun
tains near Monticello, Utah. Since Sun
day Mr.. Hanson and party arrived and
are now on the field. looking over the
situation.
George Turner is here in the inter-
ests of Galloway Bros. of Ouray. Colo.
His purpose is TO study the feasibility
of an auto route, which will best &C
cOmmOdate the oil country. He has just
come in over the country from ThOmp-
sons Utah, has also been over the road
between Bluff and the oil wells and
left last evening for COrtez and Man
COS. lie stated that so far as he had
seen there was no reason why a good
road could not be built either by way of
ThOmpsOns or by Colorado The sand
is the greatest barrier, but this is found
in patches. which would not mean a great
deal in the construction of a road.
The little town of Bluff is wide awake to
it's responsibilities. Some few weeks ago
the people here donated 1880 to be used
in improving the wagon road between
Bluff and the oil wells. Hyrum Perkins
and John Larson have the contract and
are now. with a number of men. cutting
a road through the Buttlers and Come
washes. When they finish. which will
be about July 70. the wells viii be some
miles nearer Bluff as this road will cut
off six or seven miles of the present dis
lance. The next move locally in building
Will be a suspension bridge which will
span the San Juan river at point TWEEN
" miles from Bluff There is a natural
site at that place and the river is only
l20 feet wide, with a high cliff wall eX
tending on each side of the stream, which
will furnish excellent anchorage in which
10 place the cables. A good bridge can
be built at a very reasonable figure and
will tap the largest and most valuable
part of the oil country.
Ii is TumOred here that Jesse Knight
of Provo will soon be i'm the field look
ing into the situation. Some time ago
the people expected a visit from Mr..
Knight, but were disappointed. Ii was
explained here that as soon as the smelt-
or is completed, which has OccasiOned the
delay. Mr.. Knight is coming down with
the goods TO do something substantial to
promote oil interests. The conservative
element of the country will welcome all
such men as Mr.. Knight and will fur
nsh plenty of land at reasonable terms.
for the pe6ple know when Uncle Jesse
talks all wildcats get out and dust.