El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-01-12
ERALD-ANNUAL SUMMARY OF SOUTHWESTERN PROGRESS.
West Texas Mineral Wealth Is Untouched
! ECAUSE the lawmakers OF Texas
B have failed to provide laws un-

D ECAUSE the lawmakers OF Texas
II have failed to provide laws un-
der which the vast mineral re-
sources Of the state can be developed
and made to enrich its people there has
been little or no prospecting or devel-
oping done In the mining districts Of
western Texas, or, more properly speak
ing, there has been nothing done In
those sections which would be mining
districts If the laws permitted. How
ever, 1t Is known that the Trans Pecos
country is rich in many minerals, and
that wonderful development will take
place Immediately after the legislation
needed is secured.
known Minerals Existing.
with but little development and but
little prospecting, 1t is not to be ex-
pccted that any great mineral showing
can be made but occasional discover
les, for many years back, spasmodlc
efforts to mine under adverse conditions
and the Investigations conducted from
time to time by scientific men, in
search of knowledge as to the geologi-
cal conditions of the Trans Pecos coun-
try, have made 1T certain that great
mineral wealth does exist in this por-
ton Of Texas, and that 1t will be fully
developed Is only matter OF time
THIS work OF investigation has dis
closed the presence of copper, coal pc
troleum, marble, salt, sulphur, lead,
silver, turquoise, and probably gold in
paying quantities, while private enter
prises are developing mines of tin and
iron in different parts OF lei Paso coun-
~.
The Salt Deposits.
great many years ago, long before
the occupation OF any part Of Texas or
New Mexico by he Americans, the Mex
leans and indians for hundreds OF miles
around, as far south as chihuahua Sc
cured supplies OF salt from the salt
lakes in what is now known as the
Salt basin, just south Of the New Mex
leo line, and about SO miles north OF
Van Horn, the salt deposit being one OF
number of lakes in that vicinity
Unconsolldated impure gypsum forms
the floor Of most of these lakes and
strontium occurs In the gypsum sur
rounding the salt lake. Borax and pot
ash have been found In one OF the lakes.
This salt Is of a good quality and will
be an important commercial product.
The depression known as 1.-The salt
lake." covers about As acres in the dry
season and presents every encourage
nent for extensive operations in that
N,cinity.
known COnl Fields.
Official Investigations conducted un-
der the supervision of the university
of Texas have determined the exist
ence OF number Of very promising
coal fields In the Trans-Pecos coun-
try. The coal area extends south from
the New Mexico line and may run as
far as the Rio Grande, on the southern
line of the state.
For some years reports OF coal be-
ing found along the New Mexico line
attracted but little attention because
of the many difficulties in the way
of its development at that distance from
railroad. In February, 1904, in a well
being sunk for water and at depth
OF 244 feet vein of coal six feet
through was found, and an eXamina :
ton OF this coal determined that it
would coke. This well is eight miles
north OF Fort Hancock,
Coat is also known to exist al several
places between Fort Hancock and the
New Mexico line, at Eagle Springs; be-
tween Alpine and Paisano Pass on the
east and south sides of the Chisos
mountains and near San Carlos The
state biologists say this coal, so far
as known, is OF the upper cretaceous,
while that in New Mexico Is OF the
Laramie age.
These coal fields. offer great oppor-
tunltes for capital, and will undoubted-
ly soon become Of great value to the
commercial development OF the entire
southwest, ana will contribute to the
cheapening OF fuel and power in Eel
Paso
Petroleum.
For great many years eminent geo.
logists have insisted that petroleum did
exist In paying quantities in the coun-
try west of the Pecos river, and that
1T should be strongly developed in east
ern lll Paso Reeves and Pecos coun-
ties. They based their Judgment upon
the existence OF bituminous limestones,
sandstone and shales, cropping strong"
ly in the localities named. Upon strik
ing these outcroppings with n hammer
they give out a strong odor OF petro-
leum and all through that section glo-
bules of oil are frequently found in the
wells. These Indications, together with
the finding of an occasional seep in
which oil was strongly present, con-
WINGED them that the field deserved the
attention of capital. .,,.>
Prior to 1904 a plan OF cooperation
between the United States geological