The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1926-09-23
Kevin Field Independent
From the KaHspeA (Mont.) Flatheod Nonitor)

History of the struggle for control oil fields
Pennsylvania to California between the independent OPP
and the Standard Oil ruthless battle
where quarter given and the wake of these bat
tie fields srewn wreckage of independent refner-
ies end Of scrapped derricks useless drills oper
anng materials Every one OF these fields form the
graveyard of cherished ambitions fond hopes OF
many brave men who sought TO measure steel with the
Standard Oil who ever has and probably always will
dominate the oil industry in this country BY this it is
not meant that there Independent oil fields in the
United States for there number of fields We have
one in Montana in the Kelvin -Sunburst How long it will
continue TO be Independent depends largely upon
dependents who control it, The Illinois Pipe Line
big influence in every field child of The Stan
dard the Ohio Oil company the wasp of the Standard
has probably stung more independents than anv of the
subsidiaries; the Standard of California looked upon
with NOR than any other offspring md several
lesser lig sailing under independent colors but pri-
vaely conroed by Standard Influences arc be found
in Montanas big field. However, the Independents are
in the saddle and have good opportunity to remain
there.
careful review of the history of tbe field ,ovoaIs
the fact that three distinct elements primarily res
ponsibe for the independence of what is now the ma
tons greatest oil field in point of and bids 10
exceed any other in production
The first factor was Gordon Campbell the discover
er OF the field Although at this time he is facing a
term in federal prison. his discovery made il possible for
these deals which run up in the millions TO be made
However his judgment may be criticized and
justly SO, his independence of the Standard Oil crowd
and his desire for the maintenance Of strictly nde-
pendent oil field never could be questioned
The next factor is found within the confines Of Kali
ispe 1t the KaIispellKevin Oil company This CON
Germ, either through sks 81 ge:us by sheer luck
in the early days of the field before the discovery we'll
brought in, selected the heaviest producing in
the field, from which more than half of the production
coming They also preferred doing business with
independents and sub-leased their ground Rice and
Fulton and other Independents, who in disposed of
their holdings to the Julian Petroleum company strictly
Independent.
The third and last but by no means least element
that has made for the final independence of the Kelvin
Sunburs field is the ONe brothers, L. B. Tip" and
John who established the International Refinery Sun
burst Giving to the independent operators outlet
their production These young made a rec
ord for Themselves and their word accepted in lieu
big banking institution throughout the country They
contracted with the Great Northern to furnish that road
with fuel oil and sold their oppngs for the manufacture
of gasoline. Thus the independent operators mol
compelled to depend upon the Standard Oil company
for market. To these brothers, perhaps belong the
lions share of the credit for holding the field in the in
dependent ranks at the most critical period months
ago. when the production became to heavy hat it
impossible for them to it in their topping plant
They absorbed staggering loss rather than be party
to sacrificing the independence of The field Recently
they sold their refinery to the California Petrol
pany for S5000000 of the strongest Independent
oil and refining companies in California They took
block of stock in the and will continue to
conduct the companys business in the field they did
before only this time with untold millions behind them
md entrenching the independent operators firmly