The Raymer enterprise., 1920-05-27
THAT COUNTY
DIVISION IDEA

Yes Northern Weld wants IT,
That irresistible conflict of inter.
ests between the strictly dry farming
and the irrigated districts will never
down until there Is county division
and while we are making the canvas
and survey of the sentiment Of the
people relative to the adyisability of
such division let us spend a little
time surveying and considering our
own resources
Northern and eastern Weld has
Just passed through the transforma-
tion from sheep range to a farming
community, and in that transforma-
tion northern adm eastern Weld has
added to Its population, has increas-
ed its land values and many fold
increased the volume OF business of
the district. II was forward step
and made in the face of many pro-
tests that we were spelling good
sheep range, and yet no one regrets
this transformation save perhaps a
few dethroned sheep kings
Is there not another stride for us
to take? Are there not other posi-
bilities and other resources of nor
thern and eastern Weld? What of
oar oil prospects? Experts, gaolo
gists and practical oil men time and
time again have pointed out in re-
ports the favorable indications for
Oil in this district. To their prac-
ticed eye particles Of Oil found float
Ing on the water from many OF our
wells, the dykes of oil shale the fos-
iliferous beds, the coal stratas. all
found in abundance throughout the
district, mean something
Then while we are "boosing" a
county division let us boost the de-
yelopment of our oil resources, for
what will bring about the coveted
county division more speedily than
a real honest to God oil boom? II
Will enhance from ten to one hun
dfed fold the sale value OF our lands:
1t will increase our population as If
by magic; II will build up our town
as no other industry could, II may
not make two blades Of grass grow
where but one grows now, but II may
make 500 easier to catch up with
than one dollar is now. Then let us
accept and recognize the decision Of
these men qualified to speak and
let us endorse the confidence of those
who are in a position to know, and
while we are talking county divis-
ion let us talk OIL let us think oil.
let us dream oil and believe oil. Let
us have and display a confidence In
the resources of our county and it
Will stimulate confidence in others
and viii likely mean the develop
ment of our latent resources and will
quite likely to bring us a prosperity
which will keep us so busy making
and spending real money that our
county division issue will look like
tiresome sport.
Now laugh, you who have not
given study TO oil. The history of
oil records stranger incidents than
the writers of fiction have ever con
eeived A hunter slipped on a rock
ledge near Beumont and uncovered
some oil shale groupings and the dis
coyery of Spindle Top was the result.
a city built almost In night hun
dreds OF eager men found employ
ment and wealth, and millions OF
dollars of crude oil have been taken
from the district. The people of Hog
Creek In Texas were content with
their hogs, their poverty and their
ignorance OF their county, but some
engineers and metalurgists passed
through the district and went forth
proclaiming the good news that there
were oil groupings there. and mon
and where once the razorback grunt-
ed his disgust for the country. now
real cities are built; oil derricks
crowd each other for sufficient space
for operations, and wealth and hap
piness abounds. ADV