Savannah Morning News

OIL IN LOUISIANA.

A Visit to the Scene of the Recent Discovery.

Cor. Times-Democrat.

LAKE CHARLES, LA., March 30.—I have made a trip to that problem of geology, the sulphur mine, more particularly to see the oil well over which there has been considerable local excitement. After getting pretty badly lost by the driver we found the spot distant about 12 miles from this place. The locality is fairly littered with huge iron cylinders and sections of the same, ordered years ago for the old sulphur mine but unused. The old boring was through a considerable depth of quicksand, and these cylinders were intended to prevent caving. But for one reason and another the operations were discontinued, and the cylinders on the scene of the boring and many on the river represent an apparent wreck of a good many thousand dollars.

Of late, Capt. Grant has resumed boring, as I am informed, to test the area of the sulphur deposit, and if the quantity warrants and the practicability of mining it be demonstrated without too great expense for the same he will develop it under the auspices of new capital and associations, as I understand, a prominent factor, in which is Mr. C. P. Huntington, the railroad magnate.

It is to be regretted that Capt. Grant was not to be seen, he having left for New Orleans, so that something more authoritative could be given. There seemed an air of reserve about my informant, as of semi-repellence or impatience. Someone suggested that he was worn out with the innumerable questions of the unfortunate curiosity of late questioners; others that there were secrets of too vast moment to reveal, and yet an air of concealment or evasion was next to as bad as momentous revelations.

There are several holes, or sinks, or tar wells in the locality, and near one is a considerable quantity of solidified residuum, like very stiff tar. One of these it is said was the first suggestion to boring, several years ago, for oil, at which time the wonderful discovery of sulphur was made, which revolutionized both aim and operation, inducing the attempt at sulphur-mining, which culminated in the huge cylinders above narrated and the debris of large capital. The old well was bored 1,230 feet, and is discharging a large quantity of water highly impregnated with sulphur, the air fairly heavy with its fumes. This well went through a very remarkable stratum of solid sulphur over 100 feet in thickness and of great purity and beauty. Another well has been bored over 500 feet and flowing sulphur water. The problem for Capt. Grant was to solve the area of sulphur and find, if possible, a better place for a shaft than could be found in either of the above wells. He bored one 600 feet, and went through over 100 feet of sulphur. This is flowing both sulphur water and fresh water comparatively pure, being so piped as to admit of these; so there are three flowing sulphur wells. In none of them (except by slight indications) was petroleum found, while at a fourth boring (and the second of Capt. Grant) the petroleum in question was found. It is in this 400 feet. He first struck oil at 350 feet. The flow is greater than when first struck, but since a depth of 400 feet the flow has been about the same, and it is estimated at from 15 to 25 barrels per day, from an orifice about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, the drill occupying all but that dimension of the pipe. The oil is black, said to be a good fuel and lubricant, and is used for their machinery. A gentleman interested in land near by speaks very highly of it.

THE OIL was first struck in very hard limestone. Then followed limestone and marl until now, when it is in a pulverized sand, to use the language of our informant, and in caving material. Here operations have ceased for the present, and it is understood that Capt. Grant's mission to New Orleans is to learn the company's intentions in the new and surprising aspects of the affair. It is only due, however, to my informant to say that he informed me that the company do not intend to pay any regard to the oil feature, their hunt being after sulphur. Per contra, a part owner in property told me that he was asked the price of his property by a party interested in the oil well.

It is deemed that the resting place of the present boring is just above the sulphur stratum. As soon as the depth of the sulphur is discovered in the present well it is designed to bore again at a distance of about a thousand feet away, these borings being made to determine the extent of horizon of the sulphur.

The piping is in a 7-inch hole, and the piping is 3½ inches in diameter. The piping in Capt. Grant's first bore is 5 inches. The piping in the first and great bore is not known.

The well borers have been working night and day until oil was struck; but they have stopped now for fear of the gas igniting. The gas sent up the oil with a rush and noise to over 30 feet when it first emerged.

BELOW THE SULPHUR is found the bed proper of gypsum, and more or less of latter is found above the sulphur. Gypsum is struck before limestone at from 350 to 400 feet. Then limestone and then softer rock and marl; then sulphur; then gypsum.

There has been no thorough exploitation for gypsum. I also visited, near by, a well highly impregnated with alum. Thus on an area within a radius of less than 10 acres, gypsum, alum, petroleum and sulphur have been found. It may or may not mean much. Years ago, with far less, there was great excitement, but the expenditure of large sums of money on joint stock account, and several private borings, have depleted pockets and cooled ardor; and the most promising, or, at any rate, contiguous property can be bought, as the owner tells me, at prices unaffected by boons or sensations.