Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-08-30
COAL OIL Nj
SOUTHERN
OREGON
ROSeburg Promises to Be First
Oil Center Opened in the
NorthWeSt-ProS-
poets Fine.

with the work Of boring for oil
in active progress in Polk county,
the following report Of oil beng
found in Douglas county will prove
of interest. The Roseburg News of
Monday says:
''Oil has been found in Douglas
county, within eight miles of the city
Of Roseburg, without doubt. That
the discovery will lead to great re-
suits in the way Of building up OF a
permanent industry in the oil line is
not doubted by those who are invest.
ing their good gold coin in the enter
prise and are sanguine OF rich profits
in return for its expenditure.
The first discovery of indications
OF oil was made about July 1, in a
well being bored on the Lundenberg
place, near Looking Glass. At
depth OF so feet from the surface a
great flow OF water was struck. in
some respects resembling an arte-
sian stream, and on the surface Of
this water was plainly visible 10 the
eye. The matter of the discovery
was hushed up so far as possible,
and the reports that did leak out
were dlscredited, so little faith was
put in them
This was done 10 give those inter-
ested an opportunity to secure op-
tions on adjoining lands, and to
further this end the f. w billiard
Development Company was formed
and work OF getting options desired
quietly began. The company has Sc
cured options on two square miles of
land surrounding the original dis
covery, and really all the holders
consider they can properly handle.
In the meantime the boring in the
well continued uninterrupted to a
depth OF 80 feet more, and vials
filled with water from II were sent
to Corvallis for analysis. From the
first Bounce vial n teaspoonful OF
oil was taken, and from the second
even better results were obtained.
Not satisfied, the company sent
piece OF the core rock taken out by
the drill TO be tested. II was per-
meated with oil. Thus encouraged
James T. Goodman, one OF the mem
bers OF the company, sent to Portland
for an oil expert at his own expense.
In whom he placed perfect confidence
The expert came and examined every
thing thoroughly-the surrounding
country. bed rock. the sandstone. the
shale through which the oil perco-
lated and the oil. and he unhesItat-
ingly announced that he had never
Seen better Indications OF a big
strike pending in a well at less depth
than 500 feet. His advice was to
go ahead.
All concerned were satisfied In
their own minds before, but the
words of the expert made assurance
doubly sure. A meeting OF the com
pany was called. and an order was
Immediately sent to the Star Drill
ing Company. Portland. for a ma
chine to be built capable of drilling
a wen 200 feet deep. This machine
Is about completed and is due at any
time now, aud Ii will be placed in
operation at once. Instead of being
erected on the Laudenberg place, II
will be placed either TO bore at a
point on the j. T, Goodman farm,
near a spring carrying oil on the
surface OF its waters, or on a we'll
40 feet deeper than the Lundenberg
enterprise, where oil was found ls
years ago. This well was aban-
doned then for the simple but sum
Client reason the parties doing the
work did not have the money nee
e'sary TO push the boring TO a success
tul termination. The new machine
VIII be on the ground and in active
operation before the week is ended.
There is close to this site last chosen
not only the spring showing oil in
its water, but there is a salt spring,
too strong to be touched by any do
nestle animals, and Looking Glass
at this point is only 500 feet above
the sea level.
To show the confidence the parties
In the combine have IN the future Of
their discovery, it might be well TO
mention they have nothing for sale.
They are firmly OF the opinion that
they will buy up every foot of the
land on which they hold options. and
they have decided that the limit Z.
further partnership has been reached
Without doubt the success that has