El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-29
COKE COUNTY IS
DRILLING DEEP
Oil Leases Now Bring From
$3.50 to $40 An Acre and
No Oil Yet.

Robert Lee, Texas, March Zs.-Whtle
{ the oil development in this immediate
territory IS still IN the early stages.
it has been known BY old settlers that
oil and gas underlay the Coke county
soil for many years But IN what
quantities. It was not yet determined.
The first oil remembered TO have been
noticed in Coke county was about 80
years ago. and was discovered on top
Of the water in an old well near the
Colorado river Since that time oil
has been noticed from time 10 time in
many water wells throughout the
county. However. not much attention
was paid 70 the fact, until within the
past year
At the present time there are more
than a dozen places where wells are In
progress Of drilling, or where prelim-
mary work preparatory 10 drilling IS
going forward In the county. and ac-
cording to the most efficient Ee0lo-
gists, Indications point to Coke county
as among the gichest prospective oil
fields in western Texas.
About a year ago actual oil devel-
Opment began. and the first oil der
rick TO be erected in Coke county
was put Up by the Robert Lee OIL
company, with headquarters at Dali
las II was located on the Lockdale
ranch, q mile south OF Robert Lee.
Oil has been encountered at shallow
depths in practically all OF the wells
In Coke county, and indications at
each OF the locations are very en-
couraging. The flattering reports
which continue TO be given out are
largely responsible for the new sites
being selected and new wells started
Robert Lee Well No. =.
At the Robert Lee oil wen No.
drilling is going on night and day and
the well is now down more than 1000
feet. with the very best Of Indications.
This well is located on the II Stroud
farm, one and a half miles west OF
Robert Lee, and IS IN charge OF George
Bridges, field manager for the Robert
Lee OIL company Two strata Of oil
sand have been drilled through.
Work is progressing nicely at the
Tucker well which is located on Har-
ris Bros ranch, five miles south of
Robert Lee The work Is under the
management OF Walter Brown and the
big well has been drilled through sew
eral oil sands and Is now in the neigh
borhood OF 1880 feet
Reports are current that four more
derricks are 10 be erected on the
Harris lease in the near future. Shall
low wells are now in progress at this
site for the purpose Of developing the /.
shallow sands for fuel oil +
Oil was first discovered on this
ranch about four years ago, at the To-
cation known as spindle Top hill,
when a well was being drilled for
water. {
Work Ht skinner Wells. E
At the skinner wells, located on the
J.. Q. McCa5e ranch, nine miles west
Of town. work continues with no new
Developments. Several shallow wells
are in process Of drilling. at each OF
which good showings Of oil have been
encountered.
The Hamilton wen, located on the J.
T. Hamilton ranch, in the northern
lart or the county. IS creating more
interest than any other well in the
county, unless IL Is the Robert Lee :
oil well No .. 1t is being drilled by
he West Texas Production company E
and Is down more than 1000 feet E
Drilling IS temporarily suspended,
VINE roaming the well IS going on. E
Work at this well has progressed
-ery rapidly since starting. and no :
difficulties have been encountered eL-
'ept a Few days spent fishing for tools E
ost IN the we'll
Derrick Reereeted. &
me derrick on the Westorook &
anch at Tennysou, which vas blown E
.oWn during a severe sandstorn1 re- E
emily, has been regretted and prep e
rauons are going forward to begin &
MS deep test E
Preliminary work continues At The . E
-reledge well site, located on the Are E
edge ranch in the northwestern part E
Z the county Wood. TO be used as 3
ueL IS still being hauled and cut. ma E
ninery IS being placed, and other pre- E
minary details being arranged pre- 8
aratOry to drilling Is
The Bronte Wells. i=
The two wells in progress IN the e
ronte neighborhood, u miles east OF e
-oDert Lee, are reported to be tempo &
arily shut down, on account Of fish 8
e jobs and other hindrances. e
Leasing and buying royalties con e
nues TO be the principal occupation e
I every one in the field Most Of the e
oke county land Is leasing at from 3
to $40 an acre. In some obscure 3
pots OF the county, land can still be =
ased at from 81 to $3.50 an acre. e
abulous prices have been refused h- =
any Of the land owners