The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1927-10-27
Of
kfvin Oil Field
Returns Home


Great Falls, October rs. Gordon
Campbell, discoverer OF the Kevin-
Sunburst oil field, returned to Great
Falls under parole from Leavenworth
penitentiary Monday morning, with
philosophical outlook and determl-
nation to recoup his fortune. He
served nearly year Of a two year
prison term to which he was sentenc-
ed by Federal Judge George M. Bouf-
Squin for making fraudulent use of the
Mails in promoting an oil syndicate.
I'm feeling fine, said Mr. Camp
bell They gave me splendid treat
ment at the penjtentiary and bear
no i'll will towards any man. Warden
White asked me to come into his Of
flee when left and when said good
bye to him told him that still believ
ed / was innocent, and do: but my
trial and all that followed is in theI
past and I'm going to make new
start.
"One Of the finest things that ever
came into any mans life was the
friendship of the Montana men wno
gave me so much assistance. 1t is in
things like that that / find encour-
agement to start over again. Some
day ! may find way to show my
friends how much | appreciate what
they have done for me-
Prospect in Alberta
Before going to Leayenwort7l, Mr..
Campbell did geological work on a
structure al Alderside, Alta. and a
well now is Gown 1000 feet. ms.
Campbell believes. that the prospects
for finding production are excellent
and if this hope naterializes he will
have a substantial interest in valuable
property. He intends to visit the
field within a short time A compile
tion is expected at about 1900 feet.
During the last few days heavy show
ings Of oil have been evident.
The story Of CampbelPs discovery
Of the -Sunburst field has been
frequently told during the last six
years. The field has been condemned
by the leading geologists of the larger
operating companies and it was only
through Campbells abundant faith
that it was compssted. Instead or
bringing him the fortune he had en-
visioned, Campbell's troubles grew
with each week tho: PASSED after the
well was brought in The followed
years of litigation, foreclosures, disag
.reements and eventually Campbell
had no interest in the field to which
he could claim clear title. A fine
imposed on him by Judge Bourquin
ii addition to the prison term was
paid shortly before his release byl
Lis friends in the oil Industry
Its my firm belief that Uuly a
small portion of the oil under Monta-
mas soil has been discovered" said
Mr.. Campbell, and intend to resume
The hunt for it at the point where
left off. am going to spend a few
days at my office in Kevin and may
Gunt ducks for a short time, but with
III few weeks / hope to be back in
Tue ileld"
Tried in 1925.
Campbell was found guilty in the
federal court here in May, 1925, and
lost appeals to the San Francisco cir
cult court and the United States SUI
rreme court He was the only de- {
fendant convicted out Of several in
dicted on the same charge Two de-
PENDANTS under indictment were sum
moned by the government as witness J
os at Campbcll's trial and thereafter
we're not prosecuted. Both left
Great Falls in a taxicab shortly after {
Campbell was found guilty and took a {
train from Browning for the west
coast. Both we're associated with
Campbell in the promotion of the {
syndicate.
An outstanding feature Of Camp {
bells trial was the ruling by Judge
Bourquin tnat the cost Of promoting
the syndicate was taken illegally
from the proceeds Of unit sales. The s
point was one that was not referred
to by the prosecution during the TAX
ing of testimony, fact to which the
court made reference in the charge
to the jury
Campbell is paroled to A. j. Brett
enstein, secretary of the Montana Au-
tomobile association.