The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1920-03-25

ing around Winnett which outmun.
chausen Munchausen,
How large is the field? Only the
drill and the expenditure of millions
of dollars in development work will
determine. The curious might take
a map of Montana, and starting be-
tween Carter and Fallon counties in
the extreme southeastern part of the
state, draw a line z~igzagging in a
northwesterly direction through Gus
ter, Rosebud, Yellowstone and Mus
selshell counties, in every one of
which there is development, and in
Musselshell, considerable. Then
from west of Roundup, continue the
pencil line to the east and north to
the eastern edge of Fergus county,
and then swing the line westerly on
through the northern part of Fergus
county and on out west almost to the
Glacier park, and one will get some
idea of the scope of possible develop
ment.
History of the Discovery Well
But back to Winnett, where inter
est centers just now. The history
of the Frantz development dates back
to the inspection of the Cat creek
country by G. T. Lupton last summer.
Mr.. Lupton was for years connected
with the United States geological
survey and in this capacity made the
original survey of the coal deposits
at Roundup which have since devel-
oped a large output. Then he bel
came connected with the Cosden COM
pany of Oklahoma, and his visit to
MI nnfana Woc for fhn ,a,1rnnca nf III
vestigating oil possibilities for an
syndicate, of which Form
er Governor Frank Frantz of Okla
homa was the head.
A few months prior to the coming
Lupton, w. P. Kerr, a Canadian
geologist, organized a syndicate and
began to acquire leases in the Cat
creek country. Kerr is therefore the
pioneer of the Cat creek district.
Among other properties Kerr leased
ranch of j. F. Charles near Mos
~. Lupton approved of the appear
lnce of the formation and made a
leal with Kerr by which his syndi-
ate took over Kerr's lease on the i
ranch, the consideration be- {
ng that drilling should start on the 6
property within a specified {
ime. Lupton then proceeded to r
cquire a large acreage in the same !
.eighborhood, and when he had COM {
leted this work returned to Okla {
oma, where the Frantz corporation 1
vas organized, and last fall Lupton h
lade good his agreement with Kerr a
y %spudding in the Mosby or Frantz .
7ell On the Charles ranch. r
Drilled at Heavy Cost b
The work was difficult. All sup D
lies had to be hauled overland, over o
DOR roads, and it is stated that the e.
ost of drilling the first well, because t.
these disadvantageous conditions, a
as five times what it would have T
had conditions been favorable. CT
ut the work went forward. A small 81
of oil was encountered at CO
depth of 600 feet; also some gas, a.
at 500 feet a heavy flow of wa W
r was cut into. The water caused
e drillers much difficulty, but fl
lily it was cased off and the drill "a
G went on. to
About this time, when the situa- m
did not look any too promising, W
e Tri-City company, which has ex- CO
nsiye holdings in the Crazy Wom- pc
Is pocket and other Roundup til
lids, opened negotiations with the E.
anti corporation, the upshot of st
Itch was the acquisition Of a half op
In the Frantz or Mosby we'll. up
d 10 acres Immediately around it, he