TIIE MORNING OREGOXIAX, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1909.
m h mmsm mm
i;. M. BKERETOX FIXDS TRACES
OF PETROLEUM.
Ccof-ogical Formations Similar to
Those or Oil-Bearing District
of California.
(From The Orf?onlan December 29. 190ft.)
"WOODSTOCK. Or., Dec. 27. (To the
Editor.) The enclosed data, form the
basis of my belief in the probability
of petroleum belnff found In the Wil
lamette Valley.
In 1871-72 I saw the seacoaat of Cal
ifornia, from Santa Barbara to San
Diego, iridescent with petroleum, and
reported to TV. C. Ralston and others
that California would be found a great
oil region. Their eyes and minds were
then so full of the gold placers and
the Co ms to ck mines that they paid no
Attention.
It was much the same with my great
irrigation project In the Ban JoevQnin
Valley, when the whole of It was a
peml-arld region. In both of these I
v aa about 2D years too early In advo
cating exploitation, but the present out
tome shows I was entirely correct.
The data follows:
Firt The geological formation of Weet
r rn Oresoa are In the umi relative se
quence aa those extitln Jn the oil reflona
.r California, vlxi (a) cretaoeoua. (t eo
itno. (c) mlocene.
Second The moat productive of petroleum
in these m California today lie within the
upper mlocene tertiary formation.
Third The whole of the Tualatin and
Tamhlll valleys Trithin the counties of
V. aihinirtcm. Tamhlll and Polk lying west
of the Willamette Klver are In the mlocene
formation. The same formation exists east
of the river a Ion the western slope of the
rnsrarte ran re, north from Eugene to the
Clackamas River.
Fourth The shales and aanrtatonrs
throughout this mlocene region are fully
r fossillferous and dlatomaoeous as are
this In California, This fact Is revealed
I" the dralnak'e aroa of Dairy Creek, north
t.f Hill.iboro and Forest Grove; also in Ga!es
Cre-k and In Boons' Quarry, west and aouth
v -st of Freat Grove; also at North Yam
hill, at the south end of Wapato Lake, and
;it Carlton. In Yamhill County; also In the
)ii!l range east of Amity In the same county.
ar:d in the aame hills east of McCoy and
Ji dimes' Gap In Polk County. I lank three
wells for water on the farm I had between
T ir-st Grove and Cornelius, from thest.
within 2 feet of the surface I obtained
mlocene shales and fossils. During the past
yeara that I have been resident In Ore
pon. I have collected specimens of mlocene
f o3!l!ferou8 sandstones and ah ales from all
the above-mentioned points. Among thee
pre bituminous shales. In ' the Tualatin
Valley I found ehales which contained a
Ftrong cent of petroleum.
K:fh petroleum differs from coal In that
1: !s the product of marine vegetation and
nroinism; c-al Is the product of fresh, water
v-fce-ation, and generally Is only found In
"Western Oregon In the eocene formation.
In Polk and Yamhill Counties lies Salt
rwk. a tributary of the Yamhill River;
In tMs are found strong salt eprinjrs. An
M settler at Amity showed me a well he
ha.l sunk for water: he could not use it
bM a It was so oily.
1 ixth All geologists admit that the pa
r'r.c Ocean extended far eastward before
t uplift of the Kocky Mountain Range.
Thn It was thrown back to the westward
by the latter uplift of the Cascade and Si
erra Nevada. Ranpes; and lastly still farther
. the uplift of the Coast Kange. Recently,
the oil-bearing strata of the mlocene for
mn tlon have been found In Mono County,
California, on the summit of the Sierras;
thus Illustrating how the ancient ocean bed
has been lifted.
Seventh Hitherto nearly all the boring
exploitation work for petroleum In "Western
Oregon has teen done In fcthe eocene forma
tion: I do not know of a single case In the
mione. If the. miocene formation m the
Tualatin and Yamhill valleys has anythfr.p
l'ke the thlcknese found In California. I
should look f'r oil and gas to be found
therein. The United State geologists havn
not Vet explored this region, and it sevms
to ire full time for Oregoniant to urge tho
Ovrnmont to undertake thia most impor
tant Investigation.
Kirhth The mlocene strata are far more
exterfMve Jn area and depth In Eastern
n-gnn than they are in Western Oregon ;
i;t there the are covered with a great
depth of basaltic lava flows and fresh -wntr
deposits, which would make any ex
ploration work far more expensive than In
the Willamette Valley.
Ninth The California oll-bearlr g strata
have been traced and exploited In Humboldt
County. I have found the mlocene strata
In Curry County, the so-called "pitch-coal"
found In Coos County is an asphalt pe
troleum analysis) and not a lignite coal.
The Nehalem and the Cowlitz coal are in
the eocene formation.
R. M. BRERETON. C. E.
AGREATTH1N3 FORPORTLAND
HOSE CITT WTLI BE OXE OF
WORLD'S GREAT OH, MARTS.
Sir. Brweton Believes This City Is
Soon to Be On of tho World's
Greatest Oil Centers.
From the Evenlnc Telegram, April 23,
1908.
That Portland -will be. at a date not
far distant, ons of the world's greatest
n't centers. Is the prediction of R. M.
Krereton. perhaps the best-known civil
engineer on the Pacific Coast. He has
been a resident of this city for many
years, during which time his work has
led him all over the Northwest. He
has studied every foot of soil and rock
that he has gone over, and he now de
clares that Oregon will soon be pro
ducing oil in far greater quantities
'than California,
In Mr. Brereton's autobiography
"liemlnlscences of an Old English Civil
Kngineer" which has Just been pub
lished In handsome book form, one
chapter Is devoted to the future of
Portland as a commercial city and of
Oregon as an oil-producing state. On
both subjects he speaks as one having
authority. He says:
"I believe it possible, and even prob
able, for Portland's more rapid growth
in population and wealth In the near
future, through the development of the
now occult and wholly unexplored
natural resources of what should be
Oregon's own' oil fielcs. My faith In
the existence of these is based upon the
fart that the oil fields of California
nre mainly found Jn the geological
Ftrp.ta known as the mlocene or neocene
sandstone and shales, and. more espe
cially. In the geological horizon of the
middle miocene rocks.
"Oregon possesses, from my own
personal observation and study, a far
greater area of these oil and gas, mlo
cene formations than California, In
Kastern Oregon and In the "Willamefte
Valley these miocene formations
abound. These are marvelously rich In
f.-issillferous and dlatomaoeous and
rorsiniir.iferous organic materials of
marine origin. These form the accept
ed sources of petroleum, bitumen and
asphalt on the Pacific Coast."
It was Jlr. Brereton who some 40
years ago showed the people of Cali
fornia what great wealth lay at their
feet if they would but irrigate their
lands. He laid out the first of the
reat Irrigation enterprises that now
make the Golden State flourish, and It
was through the effort of Mr. Brereton
than Congress was induced to allow
the Federal Government to aid In t
watering tho dry lands of the Nation. J
CHAS. E. LADD SAYSl
Mr. H. A, Cushing." City. Dear Sir:
Replying1 to your Inquiry concerning
Mr. R. M." Brereton, I take pleasure
In advising you that he has done
considerable work for me, and I have
always found him to be honest and
capable, and think that his judgment
Is conservative and can be relied
upon. Tours truly.
CHAS. E. LADD.
CALIFORNIA PRODUCED 20.0OO,O0O
WORTH OF OIL IX 1908.
And there are producing fields In both
British Columbia and Alaska to the
north of us. It has been found in
Wyoming and Colorado to the east,
and .who will assume that the coun
try is barren between all these points?
We nrmly believe that we hnve It
within fifty miles of Portland on
lands covered by onr leases.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY
There is but one way for a poor
man to escape ETERNAL poverty.
Saveup a little money and put it to
work for himself. Do not rent it to
the banker at 4 per cent and let it
work for him and earn 100 to 1000
per cent. Invest it yourself in prof
itable stocks and let it grow.
WE HAVE 6500 ACRES OF
LAND.
TVe have 6500 acres of pros
pective oil lands bow under
lease, and we are not going at
this job with a posthole auger,
but with machinery that will go
the required depth to find it.
WE'LL BORE SEVERAL WELLS
ONE HOLE -would not develop a
new oil field, so we'll bore at least
THREE and possibly FIVE. "We
are going to sell enough stock for
that purpose, and we're GOING TO
GET OIL! It will be wise for
everybody to bear this fact in mind.
WE'RE AFTER OIL AND
NATURAL GAS
For Portland. We have select
ed our Manager from the Oil
field of Pennsylvania and our
Drillers will be the best that
money can hire.
Andrew Sherwood, a Distinguished Geologist from the Oil Region of Pennsylvania, Will
Have Charge of the Company's Work in the Field, and Will Direct the
Location ana sinKing or me i e&i v cu&
WHO'S ANDREW SHERWOOD t
(Who's Who In America, Portland Public Library.)
ANDREW SHERWOOD Geologist: born Mansfield. Pa., July 16. 1848;
educated State Normal School and old Chicago University; connected six
years with geological surveys of Ohio and New York, under J. S. Newberry
and James Hall; Assistant State Geologist second geological survey cfPenn
sylvanls; in charge Pennsylvania mineral exhibit World's Columbia Exhibi
tion. Chicago, 18S3; leader of expedition to Yukon, 1898; delegate from Penn
sylvania to National Prohibition Convention. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1888;
Prohibition candidate for Congress 1894; member American Philosophical
Pociety: member American Forestry Association; member American Associa
tion for the Advancement of Science; corresponding member New 1 ork
Academy of Sciences; author of geological works published by the state;
author numerous newspaper and magazine articles; United States Deputy
Mineral Surveyor, and
HE'S VICBJ - PRESIDENT AJfD FIELD MANAGER OF THE PORTLAND
OIL AND GAS COMPANY.
Onlv the names of GREAT men are In that book "Who's Who In
America" and if It were not a great book It would not be In the library.
By references to its pages any one can readily find out who IS who in this
country. Mr. Sherwood caul' to Oregon some time ago on a visit to his
son. principal of the Terwilllger School, and upon ascertaining his great
ability as a geologist he was engaged to make a critical geological examina
tion of a large tract of country in the Willamette Valley, with a view of
ascertaining the probability of the existence of petroleum, gas or coal de
posits beneath the surface of the earth in that section. For years it had been
rumored that the formation here was identical with that of California s oil
producing section, and this investigation was to be mode with the sole object
In view of ascertaining tho facts In the case, and sinking for oil if the reports
were favorable. We therefore have pleasure in appending hereto
MR. SHERWOOD'S REPORT IN FILL.
I have the honor to submit to you the following brief report of observa
tions on the geological structure of a portion of Yamhill County, in the State
of Oregon, with reference to the possible .existence therein of petroleum.
The region In question embraces that portion of said County of Yamhill 'lying
in and around the villages of McMlnnville and North Yamhill and the inter
vening country between these two places.
This beautiful valley. Iving between the Newberg hills on the east and
the foothills of the Coast Range on the west. Is a typical exanjple of what
Is known among geologists as an anticlinal valley. In other words, it is in
the llr.s of a grat arch In the underlying strata, and belongs in and is one
of the series of great axes of upheaval and depression constituting the Coast
Kange mountain system. This is an axis of upheaval, or an anticlinal axis,
while on either side, under the Newberg hills to the east, and under the foot
hills to the west, there is an axis of depression, or a synclinal axis, beyond
which, but more especially to the westward, there exists a succession or
series of these folds of the same general character, only that in the moun
tains they are much steeper and more complex. All these arches of up
heaval and depression run north and south, or with the mountains, and in
conformity with the coast line, and. as I have said, they are known as antl
clinals and synclinals. An anticlinal is an arch In the rocky formations
lvlng between and parallel with two synclinals, and from It the strata dips
down and away to the bottom of the synclinals. A synclinal Is an inverted
arch, lying between and parallel with two synclinals and from it the rocks
rise over the anticllnals. .
I have been thus explicit in the matter of the geological structure of
the region for the reason that the existence of oil depends so largely upon
structure. Of the three fluids- found In rocks formation namely, water,
oil and gas water Is theheaviest, and because of its greater specific gravity
will naturally be found at the bottom of a synclinal trough. A well located
thore would very likely go' into water, and might even develop an artesian
r-r flowing well, because of hydrostatic pressure. Next In density, being
lighter than water, is oil. which will be found collected in the slopes and at
a higher level than the water where the strata are gently dipping. But the
greatest flow of gas. the lightest of the fluids, may be looked for higher up
the,slope. even to the top of the anticlinal arches, it being In just such loca
tions that the great "gassers" of Western Pennsylvania occur.
It will be seen, therefore, that the contour of the surface, that Is to say,
the topography, may have little or nothing to do with the existence of oil.
An experienced oil man will be governed entirely by the underlying struc
ture, and will select an anticlinal arch, or the sloping sides of one. as a spot
for locating his well, no matter whether the surface there is represented by
a range of hills or a pleasant valley. Anticlinal arches are generally pre
ferred to svnclinal basins bv oil locators, for the reason that the latter struc
ture is generally encumbered with water. The geologist knows that In the
synclinal basin, after a few hundred feet of drilling, on striking a thick
porous sandstone, water will be encountered.
" So to be able to recosrnize rock structure, or the position Into which
rocks have been thrown by upheaval or compression, such as that of anti
clinal and synclinal folds, is important. So, too. the rocks themselves, and
the geological periods to which they belong, are Important, since the rocks of
certain geological periods have been found by experience to be more likely
for oil than others. For example, tho oil of Pennsylvania Is found In
devonian rocks, while that of Texas and California is fojind in tertiary and
cretaceous rocks, but no oil has ever been, and It Is safe to say ever will be.
found In granite, basalt, or any of the igneous rocks; yet cases are on record
where parties have actually bored down on granite In search of oil.
The first question, then, to be determined, is, have we the right structure
for oil In the Mc.Mlnnville-Carlton-North Yamhill Valley? As I have already
intimated, this beautiful valley is in the line and marks the location of an
anticlinal axis or fold, from v.hleh the rocks dip gently away to the east and
to the west, and I have seldom, if ever, seen a more ideal structure. The coast of
this great arch or fold can be seen at the shale quarries near the Village of
North Yamhill; the beds In the new quarry dipping to the east, while in the
old quarry tliev din to the West. So that the structure is all that could be
desired. Especially Is this the case in the neighborhood of Carlton, and
farther on toward Mc.M Inn vllle. where the arch Is broader and the dips more
gentle, all of which is favorable. But at. North Yamhill, and to the north of
that village, the fold is sharper and the dips steeper, and I should not be
Inclined to regard the conditions as being quite as good as around Carlton.
Neither do I givi-. any weight to the so-called "oil-scum" in the locality, as in
the Perkins well. 1 saw no such scums there, or oil of any kind, although
the well was uncovered foj- me. and I should very much doubt its existence.
In my opinion, all that has ever been seen there or in any of the neighboring
wells or springs, is a little of irrldescent oxide of iron so common in some
springs and marshes. '
Moreover, to the northward from North Yamhill, I found fissure eruptions
of basalt, where cracks have opened and molten lava has poured out as water
pours from a crack in the Ice. and these I should regard with disfavor, for
the reason that such disturbances of the earth's crust would very likely have
released any pool or subterranean reservoir of oil which may have existed
prior to the date of these lava flows, whlcn was during the miocene tertiary.
Good Judgment would seem to dictate that we should keep away from these
places, and this we would do by going further south.
The next question is the kind of rocks. Have we the right formations
here for oil? To which we should have to answer. Yes; for the reason
that the underlying rocks belong to the tertiary and cretaceous periods,
which are the oil-bearlr.g rocks of Texas, Colorado and California. The first
rock to be penetrated by the drill would be a mass of clay shales of unknown
thickness, in which there would be no hope of finding oil. The drill would
most certainly have to penetrate this deposit into a stratum of porous sand
rock before it would be possible to find any oil In commercial quantities. At
some depth, unknown to me (it mav be of several hundred feet), other strata
of a different character should and would be encountered, but whether oil
bearing or not the drill alone car. determine. No man can tell with any
decree of certainty what lies there, in the wav of oil or gas, twelve or
fifteen hundred feet below the surface; but I have a good deal of confidence
upon the fact that the geological structure would appear to be ideal that
the underlying rocks are of tertiary and cretaceous age which would mean
that they might be oil bearing; and that there are numerous mineral springs
along and near tho line of the anticlinal axis, where saline waters, accom
panied with much gas, are constantly escaping. These waters and gases are
indirectly a favorable sign. The gas may occur without oil. but oil rarely
occurs unaccompanied by gas.
There Is something wonderfully Interesting about these springs, and
which I must say is very suggestive of both oil and gas, and I f m very glad
to have seen them.
I ought, perhaps, to sav In passing, that in drilling a well in this valley
for oil there is a possibility bf finding not only oil. but coal and gas;
und although the coal would be lignite, it might still prove to be of great
importance; while a good supply of natural ghs would be of untold value to
the City of Portland, as well as to the surrounding towns.
In conclusion. I would say that I am firmly of the opinion that oil will
yet be found in large and paying quantities in Oregon, and one of the most
promising places I have seen in which to look for it is In this valley between
.McMlnnville and North Yamhill. Having carefully gone over the ground I
should most certainly advise a test-well, to be Judiciously located, of course,
at some point In the valley between the above-named villages, though
preferably, perhaps, on the east slope of the anticline. I consider the indi
cations of oil. coal and gas such as to amply justify the expense of putting
down one or more test-wells to a depth, if necessary, of 2000 feet, although I
should be hopeful that a less distance would suffice. In other words, since
ro test has ever been made, and after weighing all the facts, and seeing
that It would mean so much in case of success, 1 feel that I would be war
ranted In advising that farther researches be made.
I have the honor to remain.
Your obedient servant, ANDREW SHIJRWOOD,
Assistant State Geologist in the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania.
mv. i o .n.i.fnrm o riirne nusrht tn be an inspira
tion to every reader of this newspaper, and a well-spring of buoyancy to
every citizen of Portland and the Willamette Valley. But the company has
fortified itself with the report of another eminent engineer -a. man who nas
represented the greatest financial interests of citizenc. of this city in anotner
direction. '
MR. BRERETON, AN OIL - GROUND EXPERT.
Mr. R. M. Brereton, of Woodstock, a suburb of Portland, is a man of
International reputation in the line of minerals and extensive irrigation
proiects. He was for years employed y the government of .Great WJ'Jf'"
in its work In India, and is given the credit of being the father of Irrigation
In California. Twenty years ago he urged upon California capitalists ine
wisdom of searching the earth for oil. in the Identical territory now so pro
lific in that Important product. But men's mind were turned entirely to
gold, all other thoughts of profitable enterprise being subservient to this one
effort. So the oil agitntlon became comatose and for more than two decaaes
was permitted to enjoy the quietude of profoundest slumber. But Mr.
Brereton's words were not forgotten. The spark he had kindled was at
last fanned Into flame, money was subscribed, a test-well put down, ana
OIL BURST FORTH AS GEYSERS FROM THE EARTH,
and one of the monster industries of the Pacific Coast was born! Other
wells followed "in million-dollar succession," and fabulous fortunes have
been grown from the seeds of poverty of less than two decades ago. More
than $20,000,000 was received for California oils last year.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT REPORT.
Mr. Sherwood's report was made, and subsequently Mr. William SIcIntosh,
S gentleman connected with a local bank, employed Mr. Brereton to make
observations and report on the probability of oil and gas being found in
practically the same territory covered by Mr. Sherwood, except that Mr
Brereton's observations extended to parts of Polk County. In this district
this gentleman found strong evidences of oil deposits, set forth by nlmseir,
in his own language, as follows: , rt ,.
.Mr. William Mcintosh, care Bank of California, Portland, Oregon Dear fair.
WILLAMETTE VALLEY OIL FIELD
In accordance with your request I have examined alleged Indications of
petroleum, in the forms of oil, gas. bitumen and asphaltum in Yamhill ana
Polk Counties, this state (Willamette Valley), between Whitson on the North
and Crawley on the South. .
I found the statements regarding the existence of fossils, bitumen ana.
asphaltum in the exposed surface shales and sandstone rocks to be correct.
I examined the country surrounding for many miles, and- thus obtamea a
very fair idea of the general outlook for the production of petroleum from
this region in the near future.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS.
The main and most convincing evidence afforded at the present time,
from the view of surface indications, which is all that is visible to the eje
and touch of man, is the richly fossillferous and dlatomaceous character of
the exposed shales and sandstones of the district, and the anticlinal folds or
the earth-crust. The fossils tell the geological age of these formations,
and the anticlines show the movements which have arisen .since these sedi
mentary strata were deposited in horizontal layers, and formed the successive
beds of the Pacific Ocean. .
During geological tertiary periods, and before the Cascade and coast
Ranges were upheaved, the fossils show very distinctly that the formations
belong to the mlocene geological horizon, and so they directly correspond
with the same formations in which the oil fields of California are found and
established today. . , . .
So far as I know, from personal observation, the most promising portion
of this mlocene area for present prospecting operations lies In the southeast
corner of Yamhill Countv and in the east and northeast sides of Polk Count.
At Amity there is an east-west spur from the main range, and another
to the south at Holmes' Gap. This latter trends southwesterly some 4 or o
miles north of Dallas. The main range south trends toward Eola. on trie
Willamette river. The above described main range, together with Amity
and Holmes' Gap spurs, form a horseshoe shape to the western slope or
the range of the mlocene upheaved formation. It is in these hills, ana in
their east, more especially, slope, that petroleum deposits will be round lr
they exist. '
GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
The general formation of this special district shows very clearly the
anticlinal features whlc are considered so important and favorable in tne
various oil fields of California. The folds appear, from surface observation,
along the eastern and western slopes, to be fairly uniform and gentle, and
the summits, .which average about a mile and a half In width, do not appear,
so far as what I saw of them, in the three places, to be folded steeply ana in
Before the Cascade and-Coast Ranges were upheaved, the. shores of the
Pacific Ocean extended eastward to the western slope of the Blue Mountain
Range in Eastern Oregon. The marine fossils' I found in this Yamhill and
Polk miocene district appear to belong to the middle mlocene horizon; the
same as that which has furnished California its most productive oil fields.
Some of these fossils are shown in the accompanying photograph. Another
good feature I observed in this district, as favorably associated with
' petroleum deposits, exists in the known salt springs, along Salt Creek, which
the map shows drains this specialized district. These indicate a marine
origin of the formation. There Is a well-known strong salt spring in the
southeast quarter of section 34. In Township 5. South of Range 4 West. I
went to this but could not roach the spring because of flood waters around
It. Geologists today recognize the association or affinity of petroleum
origin with saline or marine organisms of animal and vegetable nature.
Another favorable Indication of the mlocene formation I observed in the
presence of silica filling of some of the fossils. Some of these contained
perfect casts of chalcedony and agate. This silica infiltration was strongly
in evidence during the miocene period. It has not been observed In the
upper and later pliocene tertiarv formation. The coating of the one
celled marine plant life, called diatomas. was pure silica. The mlocene
period contained a marvelous and inconceivable wealth of fossillferous and
dlatomaceous animal and vegetable marine life. The subsequent silica
infiltration In these fossils was probably due to the pressure and heat
produced under the vast weight of later sedimentary deposits, which in this
district have since ben removed by action of erosion.
COAL AND PETROLEUM IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON.
It Is a pertinent question why so little coal and so much oil-bearing
rocks and deposits are found In California. Both ar supposed to, be derived
from organic matter ot different nature and formed under different
conditions. Coal Is the residuum of terrentlal vascular (cellular) plants and
trees formed under pressure and heat in Iresh water.. ,
Petroleum in the forms of oil. bitumen and asphaltom. Is derived irom
more perishable microscopic cellular plants and animals called diatoms.
Infusoria and foramina, which mainly form the constituents of ooze or
inud: subsequently hardened into shales and sandstones through pressure
and heat, in salt water.
The coal formations Include the fat or cannel. the bituminous, the
semi-anthracite, the anthracite and finally the graphite. Petroleum forma
tions furnish the gas, the light oils, the tarry or heavy oils, the bitumen,
the asphaltum and finally the diamond by the ultimate crystallization of
the California and Oregon produce coal only In limited quantity and in the
lignite form. I believe the reason for this to be that coal In this character
exists only in these states in the tertiary formation Known as ine eocene
(the lowest) and pliocene (the highest). The former for long geologic
periods was above the sea level, and so under fresh water and favorable to
climatic conditions for forestal and plant growth. Petroleum deposits in
these States exist probably mainly in the miocene shales and sandstones,
which were the original beds of the Pacific ocean, and in which forestal
and fresh water plants dould not have had a birth-place; but which would
be peculiarly favorable to the marine fossils and other organisms which
are found so marvelously abundant therein both in California and in Oregon
Petroleum products have been disclosed in this formation in Humboldt
countv. California. Professor J. S. Diller, of the U. S. Geological Survey,
states" that the so-called "pitch-coal" in Coos county. Oregon, is asphaltum.
This occurs in the upper eocene, which directly underlies the miocene. This
Is linking the California oil fields very closely with what may. In the
near future, be one of Oregon's oil fields
If the upper eocene and the overlying mlocene formation In California
ore now furnishing the main supply of gas and oils, the same vast forma
tions in Oregon, equally if not more so, endowed with organisms which
form the sources of petroleum, can reasonably be expected to yield similar
outcome. Hence tho prominence I would give to Oregon for the petroleum
fuel supply in the near future. The geological strata, with their abundant
petroleum-forming ingredients, are herein. The same earth movements
which have upheaved the Sierra Nevada and coast ranges in California,
havo upheaved the Cascade and coast ranges in Oregon. The compressed,
folded and metamorphic conditions of these formations through pressure and
heat which have distilled the petroleum products therefrom and stored
these therein in California, have been existant in Oregon. All these features
and processes of nature are, in my Judgment, very significant and encour
aging facts for Oregonians to consider and to speculate upon. All mining
of nature's underground resources is more or less of a speculative enter
prise The accompanying illustrative sections serve to represent the anti
clinal folds of the California oil fields and the location of the testing wells
sunk thereon to the oil-sand strata. . .
These are equally characteristic of the topographical features of the
same formations In Oregon. The more these miocene shales and ,andstones
are found closely folded, the more the pressure and consequent heat have
arisen and concreted the oil Into bitumen and finally into asphaltum.
WE WANT 1500 MEN AND WOMEN
To become stockholders in this company with tia by subscribing for $50 worth of stock each, payable $10 down and $10 a month. This is a very small
sum, and the payments are so easy that every one can get in and help develop what may in the near futnre be an immense oil and natural gas field
right at the front door of Portland. Should we strike oil or natural gas, or both, and as our chances are even better than they were in California
before they struck either, it is needless to say that the returns on even such a small investment would simply BE IMMENSE.
I trust the fnrep-nlno- infn.m.fiA. j .1 i.v.
. - . , " .iiiwuiianirii anU VJUBCI VrtllUIl Will LUI111BI. JUU
ana your friends all the preliminary Information you need.
Yours faithfully.
(Signed) - R. M. BRERETON. M. I. C. E.
t Thi? I.P0!1 5f Mr- Brereton was purchased from Mr. Mcintosh by the
Portland Oil & Gas Company, the latter acquiring all the Interests of the
former in the explorations of Mr. Brereton.
OTHER STRONG OPINIONS.
. In. the book, "Elements of Geology," by Joseph LeConte, page S77, the
following may be read:
"It Is a curious fact that petroleum Is often associated with salt. It la
so in Pennsylvania, in Virginia and in manv other localities. I have said
that petroleum and bitumen are found in all fossillferous formations, but
in each country there are certain formations where it especially abounds.
In Europe it is found principally in the tertiary: in eastern United States
it is found almost wholly In the paleozoic below the coal measures; In Cali
fornia it is found in the tertiary. In Pennsylvania and Kentucky oil is found
in the upper devonian; in Canada and Michigan in the lower devonian; in
West Virginia In the sub-carboniferous; in Ohio in lower coal measures,
though It probably originated below: in California it is found in mlocene
tertiary of the roust range, all the way from Los Angeles to Cape Mendo
cino. These have been called "oil horizons."
Professor Thomas Condon. Ph. D.. professor of geology in the University
of Oregon. In his book, "Two Islands," writes th;it "Southwest of Forest
Grove, where coast mountain streams rut through the mkirene foothills, the
fossils (indicative of petroleum) are again very abundant and very fine
all miocene."
.Here are the opinions of FOUR men whose judgments are worthy of
consideration. They are so worthy that the originators of the Portland Oil
& Gas Company have expended several thousand dollars of their own coin
in the formation of the corporation and ji carrying it along to its present
position, and we are confident that we ar pioneers in an undertaking that
will soon gladden the heart of every citizen of this active metropolis and
all Its neighboring towns and villages.
The original map of the district, likewise photographs of the fossils
referred to, as well as some of the fossils themselves, may be seen at the
company's office, 601 Worcester building.
CAN THESE MEN BE MISTAKEN?
Here are the observations of two learned gentlemen, one fresh from the
oil fields of Pennsylvania, where he has had a part In the development of
the oil industry, and perfectly familiar with the contour of the country and
indications of the existence of oil. and the other from the pen of one of
the most scholarly men" In this country, who for more than fifty years has
been engaged in mineral and geological avocations that have qualified him
to speak intelligently on all subjects of this nature. And it is agreed by
each man's report, neither knowing the other had inspected the ground,
and neither having so much as the acquaintanceship of the other, that there
is the best of Indications of the existence of oil and gas and very likely
coal in the territory covered by their careful explorations. Is there a like
lihood, then, that both are mistaken? Reason teaches otherwise, and
THE PORTLAND OIL A GAS COMPANY BELIEVES THAT OIL AND GAS
DO EXIST IN YAMHILL AND POLK COUNTIES. AND WILL
GO AFTER IT WITH AN EARNEST HEARTINESS
THAT MUST SPELL SUCCESS.
Its discovery means fortunes to the stockholders of the company. It
means that the production of oil will keep at home the thousands of dollars
paid each month for California fuel oil. and that this vast sum will go into
the hands of the people and business men of Portland and the Willamette
Valley. It means added prosperity for every individual In any wise engaged
In business pursuits of any character, from the smallest to the greatest,
from the top to the bottom of them, from rooming-houses, restaurants and
hotels to the wholesale merchant, manufacturer, banker and the state.
IT IS A MONEY-GROWING PROPOSITION, AND WE WANT A FEW PART
NERS IN THE ENTERPRISE.
We want those who will, be satisfied with a "Square Deal" all the way
through, the principles upon which this company has been founded, to get
into the bandwagon with us now, and when the profits come share with
us In Its distribution. In 1907, in round numbers, California produced
116,000,000 worth of oil, Ohio and Illinois a like amount, and Oklahoma and
Kansas $18,000,000 worth. California increased its output J4. 000.000 in 1908,
and producing oil shares In that state are stable as wheat. Who knows but
Oregon will be one of the great oil producers within a year or two, and as
J. C. Bayer once said. "The chances are so good I cannot afford to be out
of it!"
TWO HOURS' RIDE FROM PORTLAND. "
1 North Yamhill Is but an hour and fifty-three minutes' ride from Port
land, and another 31 minutes carries the passenger to McMlnnville. It li
therefore "but a step" from, the state's metropolis to the territory covered
by the reports published herewith, with a down grade for a -pipe line all
the way to this city. Then our first well, it is expected, will be located not
more than six or eight hundred feet from the Yamhill river, so that its
product may be loaded upon barges and brought to this railroad center and
steamboat distributing point at a scarcely computable expense per gallon.
The Southern Pacific and electric railway lines afford the very best facilities
for reaching the district, so that it Is but a pleasure Jaunt by those modes
of travel.
WHAT THIS -MEANS TO PORTLAND.
We come before the people, therefore, with the opinions of at least
TWO scholarly and thoroughly experienced gentlemen, worthy of the most
serious consideration, that there is more than ' ordinary indications of both
petroleum and gas in Yamhill and Polk counties, with a strong probability
of coal deposits. That there is gas Is well known. It hubbies from the salt
springs of the neighborhood so copiously that in some places it may be lighted
with a match, and the several excellent authorities, apart from Messrs.
Brereton and Sherwood, we have quoted, so encourage us to believe we shall
discover oil that we will go after that product with an earnestness and zeal
that cannot fail of oil discovery. If such exists in the region we have named.
And If we do find oil every citizen of Portland may well toss up his hat and
shout In gladness. If gas be added the acclaim can not be too vociferous,
and if coal shall be ;in the discovery the town might well engage in a
Jubilee. Who can comprehend the importance to not only Portland, hut the
entire Willamette Valley of such discovery? Every fndustry in the city and
valley would feel Us beneficent Influence. In fact. It might truthfully be
said that its prosperous touch would be felt all the way along, from the
bootblack's stand to the treasury of the state. Think what this cheap fuel
would mean to the mills and factories of the entire valley! What it would
mean to the water craft' and railroads! What it would man to the immense
deposits of iron in our hills. What it would mean to our public buildings.
What it would mean to hotels and restaurants! How it would light and heat
our homes! What It would mean to labor! And if found the natural gas
would quickly solve the lighting problem. '
IT WOULD DOUBLE THE POPLLATION OF PORTLAND WITHIN
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
Property values would soar and millions be added to the realty of this
city. Men and families would flock in here from all parts of the country.
There would be a hum in all Industrial lines and the flag of progress would
be unfurled wherever the eye might turn. There would be a pell-mell rush
in this direction, and Who would not profit thereby would most certainly
be entitled to his peaceful rest. As the raindrops fall upon all the earth, so
would the beneficent effects of this enterprise fail upon every individual of
this great region. In fiict, the immensity of our proposition cannot be
grasped by any one who has not sat quietly down and pondered the question
In his own mind. .
WE SHALL EMPLOY ONLY OIL EXPERTS.
Onlv oil experts will be employed by this company. We shall provide a
standard West Virginia oil drilling outfit. We shall have a machine capable
oboring to a depth of 4000 to 5000 feet, with a 13-inch casing at the top,
and Mr. Sherwood will superintend the operations on the 'ground. With a
force of expert drillers, therefore, wo have every confidence that we shall
be abundantly and speedily successful in our aims. The same eruption that
created the mountains of California created those of the entire coast range
all the way around to British Columbia and Alaska. Oil is already flowing
from the wells of all these localities California on the south to British
Columbia and Alaska northward. It does not seem possible, therefore, that
this territory can be barren, and we never will believe it until we have been
actually convinced by faithful exploration. And this is the only way the
question can be settled. No officer ot the company will receive any pay
at all, save those working in the field.
AS THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT MEANS SO MUCH FOR PORTLAND
AVE SHALL EXPECT TIIE GOOD WILL AND CO-OPERATION
OF EVERY MAX AND WOMAN IN THIS CITY.
If a stockholder, . and we find oil, gas or coal, or all three, you will
have an- investment bound to pay surprising profits; but If you own no stock
at ail and we are successful, you cannot help but profit immensely in conse
auene'e of the new activities and enterprises that will be created and the
influx of money that will come to Portland and the Willamette Valley. No
one can afford not to give, us at least their moral support, and we do not
see how any one can afford not to be an owner of our snares. There are
more than a million stockholders In Standard Oil and allied companies,
ihese are all receiving enormous dividends. Many, like Rockefeller himself,
ooor at first are now in most affluent circumstances and Immeasurably
glad that they took a chance. At 13 Mr. Rockefeller was digging- potatoes
tt 7 rents per day. and saved a little money. He was a thinker and
worker too, and it occurred to him that his savings could be made to help
him earn his bread. Seven per cent was then the legal rate, but it struck
VTr Rockefeller that that was not enough that his hard-earned savings
should be worth ten times that sum and he Invested in what now Is Stand
ard Oil. and is the richest man on .earth Had he been contented with a
"safe" 7 per cent ne misrn. iiuw ": ?""-f
more He was not afraid to run a little risk.
The company owns leases on 6500 acres of land in the district, all cov
ered by the reports of Mr. Brereton and Mr. Sherwood. The directors of the
comDanv are alive as to what is required of them, and have already engaged
Mr Sherwood by wire to superintend the field work. Only the best talent in
oil' land development will be secured, and no expense will be spared in that
direction to secure the best.
THE FIRST 100,000 SHARES WILL BE SOLD AT 25o EACH, OR 30c ON INSTALLMENTS OF ONE-FIFTH DOWN AND BALANCE IN FOUR EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS
601-2 Worcester Building, Third and Oak
Sts., Portland, Or. Telephone Main 8185
OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
President, H. A. Cnshlnje;, vice-president and manager the Chan. H. Lilly Seed Co., 200 Front St., Portland t 1 lee
Presldent and Field Manaeer. Andrew Sherwood, to arrive from Pennsylvania nhout April ltt Sccretnry-rrensurer,
Francis Sealev, of the Sealey-Mason Co.. pioneer grocers; Attorney, 8. C. Spencer; Director, In addition to the 1 oregolnsr.
E. C. Mears, formerly cashier Lnnibenuens National Rank; John E. Davis, president Davln Sate &. Lock; Co, 6tt Third
St., and Robert S. McBride. office manager.