Wednesday, April 17, 1901
THE SUMPTER MINER
'
GOIPROSPEGT FOR OIL.
Every Indication on John Day
and Stein Mountains.
Everywhere In the Pacific coast states,
In Arizona, Texas and Colorado, people
are becoming more and more excited over
oil prospecting. Fortunes have been
made In southern California and Interest
Is rapidly spreading north. Dozens of
companies are boring for oil In the north
ern part of that state, In western Oregon,
on Puget Sound and eastern Washington,
but thus far no producing well has been
reported. Some gaudy reports regarding
oil signs and Indications are published,
but these reports are Inspired very
largely by the wildcaters who have stock
for sale.
Just to the east of us, across Snake river
In Idaho, It is said that oil has been found at
a depth of 600 feet. This report was put on
the wires at Boise City last week but
has not been confirmed. A company Is
sinking a well over there, but If oil had
been struck ten days since, full confirma
tory reports would undoubtedly have
been received before now.
The story published in THE MINER
last week regarding the good fortune of
some Sumpter citizens In getting In on
what looks like an oil bonanza in Colo
rado, has been the topic of much discus
sion here since then, and a number of
men know just where they can go and
find oil in eastern Oregon, not a thousand
miles from Sumpter.
For months past the general impression
has prevailed In tills vicinity that oil
would sooner or later be found in the
John Day valley. During the past week
two gentlemen have informed the writer
that they have seen oil seepage, about
thirty miles east of Canyon City. There
are no oil experts hereabouts, but every
body here have, of course, been reading
during recent months about the necessary
geological formations and the surface in
dications of the presence of oil pelow,
and many of these conditions are found
on the John Day. There are coal and
shale and mineral springs and sand stone
and a lot more of the regulation require
ments. As a matter of fact, one of the men who
stated to a MINER man recently that he
had seen oil seepage In that locality, Is
now on the ground, accompanied by an
. oil expert who was Introduced here as "u j
mining man from Portland" as If there
were any mining men in that jay camp; It
would be no less absurd to speak to a
Denver sea captain.
According to another story, related by
an old prospentor who has followed float
clues to hidden treasurers, from California
to British Columbia, for the past quarter
of a century, oil can also be found south
of Stein mountains, very near the Nevada
line. He has seen the seepage there, and
even a still better sign, a veritable oil
"blossom;" the "pitch stone." This Is a
substance as hard as granite, which burns
as readily as rosin. It is supposed to be
petrified petroleum. It is not known by
the writer whether or not this is a theory
af the professors, but it is just as good
for the purpose as if itbore the Harvard
or Yale brand. It is thought to be an
"old" rock, not oil seepage hardened by
exposure to the atmosphere, but the pro
duct of Nature's labratory down in the in
side of the earth, and of the vintage of a
few million years since.
"Show me," the skeptic will say. "Go
out and see for yourselves," is the advice
THE MINER offers. It is not at all im
probable that petroleum exists In eastern
Oregon, and It ought to be discovered this
summer.
Prejudice Against Pocket Mine.
There Is no good foundation for preju
dice against "pocket" mines. Nearly all
mines are more or less pockety or spotted.
A real pocket mine Is one where an ex
ceedingly rich bunch of ore occurs occas
slouly, while the rest of the vein is com
paratively barren. Sometimes It takes
all the money found in one pocket to
carry on the work to reach the next. Oc
cassionly six months or a year's work is
spent before a good pocket is found.
Some of the pocket mines have been
worked for a number of years in a sort of
Intermittent way, but have been found to
pay in the end. The ledges of these
mines are usually small. But even In the
chimneys of good, well defined ledges
there are poor and rich spots not so
marked, of course, as In the true pocket
mine, but occurring nevertheless. Possi
bly the pocket mine will not hold out as
long or warrant expensive plants, but
much les ore Is mined. Sometimes a
vein is pockety and extremely rich on the
surface, which, with depth attained, set
tles down Into a steadily paying proposi
tion. Mining and Scientific Press.
THAT MINING CONGRESS.
Bolie Preparing for the International Meet
ing There in June.
The forthcoming meeting of the Inter
national Mining congress in this city is
engrossing the attention of the cham
ber of commerce, which some time
since appointed a special committee
of 11 on ways and means, with power to
appoint such sub-committees as might be
necessary to carry on the work. It Is ex
pected a meeting of the special committee
will be held In a day or so and that active
steps will at once be taken to perfect ar
rangements for the entertainment of the
visitors.
Secretary Malion, of the congress, has
opened up headquarters In the mayor's
office in the city hall. In convention
with a representative of the Statesman
yesterday he expressed Ills belief that the
people here would rise to the importance
of the occasion and entertain the delegates
to the congress in a fitting manner.
"This congress is an International af
fair and the most prominent mining men
and investors of this and other countries
have always attended the meetings.
There will beyond question be many of
them here. The meeting, therefore, pres
ents Idaho's great opportunity to show
Investors what she has. It is a matter of
great Importance to the state. Colorado
experienced wonderful benefits from the
session held within her borders, and
Idaho, I am sure, will do the same."
Last year's session of the congress was
held in Mlllwaukee. At that time Idaho
was represented by but one or two men.
In fact, it was not known here, excepting,
perhaps to a few, that this state had any
representation there until a message was
received by Mayor Richards asking
whether Boise would be in a position to
take care of the congress should It decide
to come here In 1901. The mayor an
swered In the affirmative. The little Idaho
delegation beat Colorado and all other as
pirants. Some time afterwards Los
Angeles sent word to Secretary Mahon
that in case Boise had changed her mind
about the congress, the California city
would be pleased to have the congress
come there. It was stated that $ 20,000
would be raised for entertainment pur
poses, and more if necessary. However,
if Idaho's capital was going on with the
matter, Los Angeles would do all in Its
power to make the meeting there a suc
cess and would be a candidate for the 1902
session. Secretary Mahon wrote back
that Boise was going ahead, the state
having also become Interested in the con
gress. Boise Statesman.
Miss Rlchardson,the mllllner.announces
that from the latter part of this week she
will be constantly receiving new pattern
hats every few days throughout the
stason.
M. n FLYNN
f ff MEN'S TAILOR;
mj Wv
A Line of Woolens and Spring Suitings
such as would be found In a large city.
Look for yourself. Work guaranteed
and prices right.
DON'T BE A JAY
nj wear ilorc clolhtt
Ciranlle Street, Next to
Firit Bank of Sumpter
Sumpter, Ore.
Golden Eagle Hotel
American and European Plan
T. T. DANILSON, PROPRIETOR
Sample Rooms for Commercial Men. SUMPTER, OREGON
kV''''-
A. P. UOSS, President
A. J. GOSS, Cashier
& Bank of Sumpter 3
Tfinnctt Cinttil Sinking Builnm
Interest Allowed on Time Deposits
Drafts drawn on nil parts of the world. Special attention to collections.
Safety Deposit boxes for rent.
SUMPTER, .-.... OREGON
k-'V''l
....The Elite Cigar Store....
L. HARRIS, Proprietor
Newly remodeled and refitted. Smokers'
resort. We are daily receiving fresh cigars
of the leading brands. No stale goods in
stock.
Healy Block.
Cor. Granite and Center Sts.
Eureka Feed & Livery Company
H. K. BROWN, Proprietor
Horses Boarded by the day or Month. First
class turn-outs and saddle horses. Our spec
ialty is the quick and safe delivery of freight
ana passengers to any and all points.
HAY AND GRAIN FOR SALEHS
W. S. BOVVERS
ABSTRACTS
Real Estate, Loans and Insurance. Mining Patents Obtained
Years of experience in Baker County Records.
No. 2104 Court Street, baker City; Oregon.
SUMPTER BOTTLING WORKS
Manufacturer! ot ml klnJs of Carbonated Drlnki and Cider.
Operated In connection with the
Kentucky (Liquor House
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
GAGEN A. SLOAN, PROPS.,
SUMPTER, ORE.