1921] EDWARDS, SULPHUR MINING ON THE GULF COAST. 57 



the sulphur mines and to obtain material for use in makinj^ an exhibit 

 of this exceedingly useful economic mineral. 



Such studies could have been made at any one of three localities : Sul- 

 phur, Louisiana; Freeport, Texas; or Big Hill. Texas. All of these are 

 situated at the extreme edge of the gulf coast and approximately 100 

 miles from each other. These deposits are essentially alike, and a choice 

 between them is merely a matter of convenience. The selection finally 

 made was. we believe, very fortunate, as the Freeport Sulphur Company 

 did everything in its power to further the work and render assistance to 

 the field party. 



We wish at the outset to express our ai)preciation of the courtesy of 

 the officials of the company and our gratitude for the great assistance 

 rendered us in securing the excellent results obtained. 



In order to reach Freeport. it is necessary to first proceed to Hous- 

 ton, which city is the center of all the railroads of southeastern Texas. 

 It lays claim to historical distinction by reason of its having been the 

 first capital of the Repul)lic of Texas, but its historical claims are today 

 eclipsed by its fame as a center o{ the petroleum industrv. 



From Houston we proceeded straight south by way of the h^ast Co- 

 lumbia P>ranch of the International and Great Northern Railway. Jn 

 the immediate vicinity of the city is a region of scattered pine forests 

 which are soon replaced by live oak swamps and open ])rairies covered 

 with coarse grass. Everyone on the train was talking oil. and the land- 

 scape was dotted with the derricks of oil wells; sometimes standing alone 

 as a monument to the disappointment of an expectant driller and occa- 

 sionally crowded together indicating the lucky tapping of a reservoir of 

 oil below. 



Throughout Harris county the roads have l)een improved, and are 

 made of the shells found on the coast. These are ground up ])v the wear 

 of the trafific, and cement themselves into a hard, smooth, glistening 

 white surface. The county line is easily determined for there the shining 

 white road gives place to a veritable sea of mud — black sticky mud, 

 through which the horses and riders carefully pick their way. The 

 wagcjns hauling pipe to the oil wells sink in up to the hu])s. six or eight 

 mules being required to move the load and even then the pace is slow. 



y\fter about three hours of riding over this flat prairie, we can see 

 that the level of the land is lower, for large jxjols of standing water are 

 observed and the streams cease to flow with an appreciable current. The 

 trees are covered with Spanish moss, a long mass l)eing suspended from 



