The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1910-05-14

by long odds the greatest producing coun-
try In the world, came from the outside:
from the stranger. The local capitalist and
other, of smaller means. being absolutely
blind as to the opportunity then within
their grasp From other portions of the
state, California capital and brains took
leading part In the early development. Well
known merchants, lawyers, doctors, lumber
and fruit men taking leading part, and
to the list must be added the many hun
dreds of the comparatively smaller in
vestors, such as mechanics, railroad men
and particularly the strong support and
backing furnished by the keen department
store employe-two Los Angeles stores
alone supporting hundreds of investors,
each one helping the development in
amounts that ranged from $50 by the lady
cashiers to $4,000 by managers of depart
ments Another interesting feature in this
connection was the impetus given by resi-
dents of the SHOW Me- state. They sent
their delegations to investigate, were duly
shown" and as a consequence their sub
seQuent investments have added many mil
lions Of dollars In Brown Gold to the worlds
wealth. Some towns of about 10000 in
habitants furnishing more "sinews than did
any one Of the wealthy eastern states.
It was not very long after the Elwood
discovery before all the good land in the
district was acquired, principally by min
ing, fruit, lumber and other men, who
through business connections and associ-
ates were brought into active touch with
the exact situation in Kern County, and
who were quick to take advantage of the
immense possibilities and profits to be ul-
timately derived from the development of
Brown Gold as against that of any other
kind of mining industrial enterprise
And, as a consequence, those who later
decided to engage In the industry were
compelled to go elsewhere and secure lands
in other districts, where the indications and
general appearance Of the country were
similar to those prevalent in the Kern River
District. This "crowding out" which led to
the compulsory seeking for other districts
was particularly fortunate from the fact
that it led to the further exploiting, develop
ment and ultimately the proving up of the
greatest of all California Brown Gold DIS
tricts-"Coalinga"
The stupendous magnitude and the recent
rapid advancement made in the develop
ment of this great Brown Gold district is
such as fully warrants the name the
WONDER DISTRICT, and in order to
fully appreciate its immense richness and
the development thereof which has been
made during the past few years, which
period covers the real opening up of the
field, a comparison will be necessary, and
for the purpose of making an INTELLIGENT
one, the celebrated Kern River District the
field that is generally land was truly re-
garded being the greatest and richest
producer of Brown Gold in the world will be
taken.
The authentic, up-to-date figures used in
order to substantiate the statements made
are those compiled for the month of March
1910, and they are interesting as well as
remarkable from the fact that they prove
unQuestionably the supremacy of Coalinga
the Wonder District of California and
shows it to be by all odds, through COM
parison of present development as well az
by results, actual production-the King of
all Brown Gold districts. The figures re-
ferred to, which cover the total production
of those two great Brown Gold districts for
the month Of March, 1910, are: