The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-03-05
RENEWED ACTIVITY AT SULPHUR
The Silver State Representative Graphically Describes Actual Cond
tons at the New Oil Fields

barrel of light gsravity oil being pump
ed. Some climate that as much as
fifteen barrels came up. Some of the
oil was saved, but most of it was lost,
as it was pumped onto the ground and
washed away. However, this proof of
the existence of oil in quantity was
sufficient to convince the most skepti-
cal, and the town was soon excited and
busy
The news was telegraphed to Win
nemucca, and the train Monday morn
ing carried many curious individuals
bound for Sulphur. representative
of the Silver State went along So
much had been rumored, but so little
proof had been offered heretofore, that
this paper did not feel warranted in
seriously taking up the matter, al
though well knowing the immense
value to Winnemucca in case the oil
fields could make good. Therefore the
information was received with pleas
ure, as it seemed to substantiate the
claims of the oil promoters and addi-
tional data was obtained by our rep
resentative which will enable anyone
who knows anything about oil forma-
tions to arrive at an intelligent opinion.
The well was started on the West
ern Pacific right of way at Sulphur
for the purpose of supplying water
for the engines. The first APO feet
passed through alluvial soil, gravel,
etc, without attracting attention. At
420 feet an eight foot strata Of par
affin was sruck. Overlying this was
about 20 feet of porus sandstone and
cement. Quantities of this paraffin
were brought to Winnemucca and
created the first stir in reference to oil.
The casing was sent through the de-
posit, so feet deeper, when clay was
struck. Below this sand and water
appeared. Thirty Ieet below this, at
the 500 foot level, brown shale was en-
countered. This formation continued
IT'S feet, or to total depth of 675
feet where strata of light gravity
oil was struc.- which would have sup
piled about five barrels per day. Be
low this was clay. At 700 feet anoth-
er water strata was passed, then blue
shale was encountered about fifty
feet thick At $50 feet sand, water
and light gravity oil were struck From
this level the next 100 feet was blue
and brown shale. AT $50 feet a light
gravity oil strata was pierced. From
th1o lCNCi W Sfo lcct ktHo present
depth of the well, which is now in
brown shale), are stratas of clay, sand
and water. At the 500 foot level
the drill passed through some very
sticky blue clay. At 725 feet the drill
passed through thin cement strata
verv hard, when considerable gas was
noticed
As the railroad company was more
anxious to secure water than oil, they
punctured none of the oil stratas and
stopped at $40 feet.
Even in the best oil fields, under
the most favorable conditions, oil in
quantity is rarely found or expected
before reaching a depth of 1,500 to
1000 feet. The Sulphur well certain
ly makes a remarkable showing A lit.
tie more depth may pierce a hardpan
layer covering oil under pressure and
develop real gusher At any rate
experienced oil men with ample means
are now determined to thoroughly test
the field.
The Silver State has authentic in.
formation that strong financial inter
ests are acquiring much property In
the oil fields. The Sitting Bull Oil
company has been quietly adding tc
its holdings in the Antelope and Ele
phant fields as well as Sulphur J. F.