126 OIL FIELDS OF TEXAS-LOUISIANA COASTAL PLAIN, [bull. 212. 
indications, such as the presence of sulphur or salt-water springs, the 
escape of inflammable gas, or the topographic configuration of the 
surface. In other cases no such surface indications were present, 
and the wells were located apparently at random on the prairie. 
BIG HILL, JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
Big Hill is located about midway between Beaumont and High 
Island. It has an elevation containing several thousand acres, rising 
in a gentle swell above the surrounding level prairie. It has a some- 
what irregularly crescen tic outline. One well has been drilled on the 
slope of the hill at its eastern extremity. A detailed log of this well 
is not available, but it is known that at a depth of 350 feet rock was 
encountered which continued to a depth of 1,400 feet, where drilling 
was discontinued. This rock, which is reniarkabby uniform through- 
out its 1,050 feet, is a light-gray crystalline dolomite. The rock is 
massive, but contains parallel seams which may represent bedding 
planes. These have ah inclination of about 7°, indicating a decided 
dip in the beds. Since the angle of dip is obtained from cores, its 
direction can not be determined, but it is assumed to be toward the 
east, with the surface slope on which the well is located. The dolomite 
contains much gypsum, and iu places is cavernous. A few small 
pockets of oil were found, but for the most part the rock removed in 
the form of cores was entirely free from any stain or other indication 
of oil. 
While it can not be stated definitely from data at present available, 
it appears probable thai this locality is upon a dome similar to those 
at Spindletop and High Island. A well at Winnie, only a few miles 
to the west, found no rock whatever to a depth of 1,600 feet. 
DAYTON HILL. 
In the vicinity of Dayton, in Liberty County, there is a considera- 
ble area having an elevation of 90 to 100 feet above sea level and 
25 to 30 feet above the level of the surrounding plain. This is gen- 
erally known as Dayton Hill. It extends westward from the Trinity 
about 10 miles and has an approximate width of 6 miles. Consider- 
able quantities of gas occur at various localities throughout this whole 
district, chiefly in small springs and shallow wells. Up to the present 
time, however, no oil of commercial importance has been found. Two 
companies are prospecting in this field. The Taylor-Dayton Company 
is drilling on the northern side of the district and the J. M. Guffey 
Petroleum Company has put down one well on the southern side. 
The Taylor-Dayton well, located a short distance from the town of 
Dayton, is 1,200 feet in depth. Limestone was encountered at 600 
feet, and continued to a depth of 800 feet, where rock salt was encoun- 
tered, and the latter continued to the bottom of the well. The Guffey 
