Prospectors Strike Natural Gas Near Kahlotus
A deep-well driller finds natural gas, copper quartz, and mica nine miles southeast of Kahlotus, fueling hopes for an oil boom in Franklin County.
Dr. R. S. Johnson, who is in the city, reports the finding of considerable quantities of natural gas on his farm in Franklin County, located in section 21-12, nine miles southeast of Kahlotus. Well-borers have been at work on a huge well on his place for several weeks, and at a depth of 600 feet, the first indications of gas were encountered. The well is now down to a depth of 710 feet and the quantities of gas arising from the depths are increasing. No water in any appreciable quantities has as yet been struck, but drilling will be continued for some time in hopes of striking a good flow. At the 600-foot mark a peculiar substance of a greenish color, feeling greasy to the touch, was brought up by the drill, and a few feet further down a strata of copper quartz was encountered. A strata of almost pure mica was also struck. The indications of gas are of more importance to Dr. Johnson, he says, than either copper quartz or mica, and if its presence increases he may continue the well down several hundred feet further in an effort to tap a reservoir. He is also of the belief that oil can be struck, though it would possibly require boring to a depth of 1500 to 2000 feet.
“The indications of gas, however, is of more importance to Dr. Johnson, he says, than either copper quartz or mica.”
Long before the modern debate over fracking and pipeline infrastructure in Eastern Washington, early settlers like Dr. Johnson were already scouring the Palouse for energy wealth. These early drilling efforts reflect the perennial frontier hope that the ground beneath the wheat fields held something more valuable than grain.
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