You are therefore directed to make the proper notation upon your tract books that the vacant lands in the following description are suspended from agricultural entry to permit investigation of their alleged mineral character:

E and SW; SE‡ NW‡ Sec. 2; Sec. 10 except NW NW; W, W† SE‡, SEĮ SE} and SWĄ NE‡, Sec. 12; all of Sec. 14; NW, SE‡ SE‡, N‡ SW}, SW} SW‡ Sec. 22; W and W NE Sec. 24; NW1 Sec. 26; all in Tp. 32 N. R. 3 W. and N} and N} SE}, SE SE, NE SW Sec. 6, E and SW Sec. 18, Tp. 32 N., R. 2 W., M. D. M. Give due notice hereof.

By office letter of November 10, 1900,' all the public lands in townships 38 to 43 N., ranges 77 to 80 W., Wyoming, were temporarily suspended from disposal under the agricultural laws until a special agent of this office could make an examination of said lands and report relative thereto. A similar letter relative to those townships in the Buffalo land district was addressed to the local land officers at Buffalo, Wyoming. By office letter P of January 21, 1901, special agents John B. Brockenbrough and Thomas J. Jenkins were directed to make a thorough examination of the townships described as to their character as oil lands and to submit a separate report on each township and on each section therein, submitting therewith corroborated affidavits of reliable persons having personal knowledge of the mineral character of any particular subdivision of these lands as to the facts and conditions on which their opinions as to the proper classification are based.

There was also transmitted to said agents a copy of the petition filed in this office January 10, 1901, by Senator C. D. Clark, and signed by E. H. French and thirteen other citizens of Natrona and Johnson counties, State of Wyoming, asking a suspension from agricultural entry of the following described lands situate within the State of Wyoming:

Commencing at the N. E. corner of township forty-two, range seventy-seven, thence west on same township line to the east line of range eighty-six, thence south on same range line to the north line of township forty-one, thence west two miles to the northeast corner of section 3, township forty-one, range eighty-six, thence south on section line to the Ninth Standard Parallel, thence west on same Standard Parallel to the east line of range ninety-six, thence south on same range line to the south line of township thirty-one, thence east on same line to the west line of range eightyseven, thence north on same range line to township thirty-two, thence east on same township line to range eighty-three, thence south on same range line to south line of township thirty-one, thence east on same township line to west line of range seventynine, thence north on same range line to the north line of township thirty-two, thence west on same township line to the west line of range eighty, thence north on same range line to the Eighth Standard Parallel, thence east on same standard line to the east line of range seventy-seven, thence north on same range line to place of beginning.

It was stated that no action had been taken on said petition nor would be taken until after the investigation ordered as to townships 38 to 43 N., Ranges 77 to 80 West, inclusive, was made, on account of the great labor which an investigation, in detail, of such an immense area would involve. The agents were, however, to consider the same generally and to submit one general report thereon corroborated by affidavits designating any particular sections which are supposed to contain oil.

1 See p. 63.

By office letter P of May 1, 1901, these instructions were modified to the extent of directing the special agents not to make a detailed examination and report on each township but to make a general cursory examination except as to the townships which they were informed contained valuable oil deposits. These latter they were to examine carefully and make a report in detail.

I am now in receipt of the report of special agent Thos. J. Jenkins, dated August 14, 1901, and that of special agent John B. Brockenbrough, dated August 20, 1901. These reports are accompanied by numerous affidavits for and against the suspension of the lands hereinbefore described from agricultural entry; also by maps illustrative of the matters stated in the reports and by exhibits showing the mineral locations and agricultural entries and filings within the territory made the subject of investigation. The reports of the agents and the evidence accompanying the same have been carefully examined, and without going into the matter in detail it would appear sufficient to say that the following townships appear to contain oil in paying quantities, or such evidences of the existence of oil as would justify the suspension of the same from present disposition under the agricultural land laws that opportunity may be given to develop the same as mineral, viz:

The townships above described are accordingly hereby suspended from agricultural entry. The suspension of township No. 43 N., ranges 77 to 80, W., is revoked. Claimants who made entry prior to suspension of November 10, 1900, as to the lands covered thereby, and prior to the date of this letter as to the additional lands suspended, may, however, proceed in compliance with the laws under which they claim to make final proof, at such times as may be required. If such proof is satisfactory and there is no protest or other objection thereto, you will accept the same, issue final certificate thereon as in other cases and duly forward the record to this office, when, if all be found regular patent may issue thereon.

A copy of this letter has been sent to the local land officers at Buffalo, Wyoming, for their information as to the lands herein described within their district. You will so note your records.

Very respectfully,

Under date of October 3, 1901, there was received in this office a letter dated September 28, 1901, from Mr. Solomon Hirsch, Portland, Oregon, enclosing a petition in behalf of himself and others praying that certain lands in your district be withdrawn from

agricultural entry on the ground that they are mineral (oil bearing) in character. The lands desired withdrawn, are described as follows:

All of Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 35 in Township 15, South, Range 43, East of Willamette Meridian.

All of Sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 in Township 15, South, Range 44, East of Willamette Meridian.

All of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 35, in Township 16, South, Range 44 East of Willamette Meridian.

All the Sections lying in the west half of Township 16, South, Range 45, East of Willamette Meridian, excepting therefrom Section 16.

All the Sections lying in the east half of Township 17, South, Range 44 East of Willamette Meridian, excepting therefrom Section 36.

All the Sections lying in the west half of Township 17, South, Range 45, East of Willamette Meridian, excepting therefrom Section 16.

It is stated that petitioners are unable to determine whether or not the lands above described include any lands granted in aid of the construction of the Dalles Military Wagon Road, and patented by the United States under that grant, or lands which have been entered by any other persons, and that if it should be found on an examination of the records of this office that any of the lands described have been so disposed of, the petition be considered as being withdrawn as to all lands found to have been patented, or which have been entered by any other person.

The petition is supported by the report of M. M. Ogden, said to be an expert regarding lands chiefly valuable for petroleum or other mineral oils, the affidavits of I. W. Hope, Walter Moore, W. P. Keady and W. C. Elliott, a civil engineer and surveyor, and a blue print map showing the lands that are sought to be withdrawn, and the mineral locations made by thirty five mining associations represented by the petitioners herein.

While petitioners speak of only one seepage of oil in one of the small pools formed by several springs impregnated with gypsum and sulphur, and solidified bitumen in the sand-stone and conglomerate outcroppings at several places, the showing made indicates the existence of oil on the lands described, the geological formation being very similar to that of localities where oil has been produced in large quantities, particular reference being made in this respect to the Kern river basin in California. The purpose of the petitioners is to take steps to determine the existence of oil by actual operations, and to that end the withdrawal is asked.

All of the lands described in the petition are within the granted or indemnity limits of the Dalles Military Wagon Road Company, and various tracts have been selected by said company or entered by private parties under the agricultural laws.

There appears to be no good reason why the lands described by petitioners not entered or patented should not be withdrawn, as requested, with such restrictions as seem just to both the agricultural and mineral claimants.

Accordingly, the lands described in the petition are, with the exception of those tracts entered or patented, hereby withdrawn from agricultual entry for a period of one year from date hereof, provided, that failure to prosecute work with reasonable diligence shall be considered an abandonment and consequently good cause for revoking the withdrawal.

You will so advise petitioners, through Mr. Hirsch, at Portland, Oregon, making the proper notations on the records of your office.

Very respectfully,

BINGER HERMANN
Commissioner.

WITHDRAWAL OF NOVEMBER 4, 1901.

[Telegram.]

NOVEMBER 4, 1901.

REGISTER AND RECEIVER,

Los Angeles, California.

Suspend from mineral or agricultural entry southwest quarter section twenty-nine, and southeast quarter section thirty, township one south, range eighteen west, and report status by wire.

BINGER HERMANN
Commissioner.

WITHDRAWAL OF NOVEMBER 8, 1901.

Nov. 8, 1901.

REGISTER AND RECEIVER,

Burns, Oregon.

SIRS:

Under date of October 15, 1901, there was received in this office a letter dated October 7, 1901, from Mr. J. N. Teal, Portland, Oregon, enclosing a petition in behalf of himself and others praying that certain lands in your district be withdrawn from agricultural entry on the ground that they are mineral (oil bearing) in character. The lands desired withdrawn are described as follows:

All of sections 30, 31, 32, 33, T. 17 S., R. 43 E., W. M.;

All of sections 3, 4, 5, N. 1 of Sec. 6 and S. } of Sec. 8, T. 18 S., R. 43 E., W. M. It is stated that petitioners are unable to determine whether or not the lands above described are included in lands granted in aid of the construction of the Willamette Valley and Cascade wagon road and patented by the United States under that grant or lands which have been entered by any other persons and that if it should be found on examination of the records of this office that any of the lands described have been so disposed of the petition be considered as being withdrawn as to all lands found to have been patented or which have been entered by any other person.

The petition is supported by the affidavit of I. W. Hope, setting forth the facts regarding the mineral character of the lands described therein and having attached a map showing sixteen placer mineral claims located on a portion of the lands in question and also a list of members of the various associations on whose behalf the petition is presented, and by the affidavit of F. O'Neil and W. E. Harris corroborating the affidavit of Mr. Hope.

The affidavit of Mr. Hope sets out that he personally visited and examined every legal subdivision of said lands, that they consist of rolling hills which, wherever the formation is exposed, are shown by the outcroppings to consist of shales, both silicified and clay, and of sandstone and conglomerates with deposits of diatomaceous earth in close proximity; that said lands are impregnated with gypsum, apparently deposited from solution; that on said lands there are also evidence of gas escapes which are indicated by finely divided red and yellow ochres which appear on the surface of the ground; that the sandstone strata on said lands are stained with violet stains; that a seepage of mineral oil appears at certain places on said lands and that said lands and all of them are mineral in character and are chiefly valuable as mineral lands. This report of an examination made by Mr. Hope would indicate that the geological formation of the lands it is desired to have withdrawn is very similar to that of localities where oil has been produced in large quantities and the purpose of the petitioners seem to be to take steps to determine the existence of oil by actual operations.

Portions of sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, T. 18 S., R. 43 E., are covered by selections of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Wagon Road Company and by entries made by

private parties under the agricultural laws. There appears, however, to be no good reason why the lands described by petitioners not entered or patented should not be withdrawn as requested with such restrictions as seem just to both the agricultural and mineral claimants.

Accordingly the lands described in the petition are, with the exception of those tracts entered or patented, hereby withdrawn from agricultural entry for the period of one year from the date hereof, provided that failure to prosecute mineral development work with reasonable diligence shall be considered an abandonment and consequently good cause for revoking the withdrawal.

You will so advise petitioners through Mr. Teal, at Portland, Oregon, making the proper notations on the records of your office.

Very respectfully,
BINGER HERMANN,
Commissioner.

WITHDRAWAL OF NOVEMBER 13, 1901.

NOVEMBER 13, 1901.

REGISTER AND RECEIVER,

Burns, Oregon.

SIRS:

Under date of November 8, 1901, there was received in this office through the Hon. John H. Mitchell, U. S. Senate, a petition from Mr. W. C. Cowgill, Baker City, Oregon, in behalf of himself and others, praying that certain lands in your district be withdrawn from agricultural entry on the ground that they are mineral (oil bearing) in character. The lands desired withdrawn are described as follows: The NW. of the NW., the S. of the NW. 1, the SW. of the NE. †, the S. }, of Sec. 10, and all of section 25, T. 19 S., R. 43 E., W. M. All of sections 19 and 20, S. § of Sec. 21, the NW. † and the S. of Sec. 22, and all of sections 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, T. 19 S., R. 44 E., W. M.

The petition is supported by the report of Mr. J. D. Miles, said to be an expert regarding lands chiefly valuable for petroleum and other mineral oils and the affidavits of W. C. Cowgill, L. W. Burtch and J. D. Miles, setting forth the facts relating to the mineral character of the lands in question and the location of certain placer mining claims, forty-three in number, thereon. The petition is also accompanied by diagrams of said townships showing said mineral locations and the names of the associations claiming the same.

It is stated in the report of Mr. Miles that:

The subdivisions referred to consist of silicified and clay shales, sandstones, coarse and close grained, and what may be styled a sub-strata of pebbly conglomerates. There are deposits of infusorial earth largely dispersed over the lands in question with a considerable portion of gypsious clays. The underlying formation is clay, sandstone and calcareous concretions, white calcareous shales, fossiliferous concretions, carboniferous lime and lime shale. The formation generally is such as to give the lands in question a high character as lands peculiar to oil formations on the Pacific Coast. There are indications on the surface of finely disintegrated red and yellow ochres which have suffered dessecation from ferruginious deposits which apparently were carried to the surface by the action, as indications seem to show, of volatile hydrocarbons. The sandstone strata is impregnated and stained with deposits which would result from such source as soon as the sandstone is exposed to the air. There are in places deposits of lignite of a low carboniferous form and in some place along the dry bed of creek running into the Malheur River may be found within the escarpments of the foothills down to the outcropping rim-rocks of sandstone indications of solidified bitumen which in my opinion are the deposits in residuous form of liquid hydrocarbons.

The land in question is unfit for agricultural or pasturage purposes. At several points along the dry bed of the creek shown on the township plat of township 19 S.,