548 GEOLOGY OF NORTHWESTERN TEXAS. 



parts of the county. No deep wells have been put down in the county except 

 at Trickham, where some prospecting for oil has been done, and in the wells 

 there only salt water has been found, which flows from the top of these wells. 



BUILDING MATERIAL. 



The Carboniferous sandstones are abundant in parts of the county, and 

 wherever found make good building material. 



The Carboniferous limestones are found in places, and are good. They are 

 of uniform color, and are of such thickness of beds that they need no dressing 

 except on the edges which are to be exposed in the building. 



The Cretaceous limestone on the top of Santa Anna Mountain has been 

 used extensively in this county. It is easily quarried and takes an excellent 

 finish and is easily dressed by the masons. The supply of this place is prac- 

 tically inexhaustible. 



This limestone makes good quicklime, as do also many of the Carbonifer- 

 ous limestones in different parts of the county. Clays for bricks are abundant 

 in almost every locality, and where it is not already of the proper composi- 

 tion the necessary materials are near at hand and the manufacturer may mix 

 the ingredients to his own liking so as to get the best practical results. 



OIL. 



At Trickham, in the yard of Hon. L. L. Shields, a well was put down for 

 water. At a depth of one hundred feet a flow of salt water was reached and 

 with it a small quantity of oil, which collects on the top of the water. No 

 analysis of the oil has been made, and it seems to be about the same quality 

 as that found at Brownwood. The geological horizon is probably about the 

 same. 



The extent of the oil bearing rocks in this locality has never been tested, 

 nor the quantity of oil that might be obtained if desired. 



NATURAL GAS. 



In the well (already mentioned) of Hon. L. L. Shields, at Trickham, there 

 is a flow of gas that would probably be abundant if the water was shut off. 

 When the water is drawn out of the well rapidly a great volume of gas rushes 

 out with a roaring sound. 



About one mile west of this place another well was put down by Mr. Shields, 

 on his place, and at a depth of two hundred and eighty feet a flow of salt 

 water was found, and with it a flow of gas that will burn any time by lighting 

 it with a match. When the water is taken out of the well there is such a 

 rush of gas that if it is then lighted the flame will extend twenty-five or thirty 



