Descriptive Summary
Gordon, W. K. (William Knox), 1862-1949
W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers
1888-1986
1888-1922
2.1 linear ft.
AR421
Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library
Materials are in English.
The W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers reveal the struggle encountered in the quest for oil in Texas and detail the financial sacrifices and rewards in its discovery. Gordon's passionate belief in the presence of oil beneath Texas' soil and his determination and dogged effort to bring it to the surface are well documented here. A large portion of the papers consists of correspondence between E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon, reports on coal and oil production and prospecting of the Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company, oil field drilling logs, lease agreements, and maps.
Biographical Note
William Knox Gordon, Sr., was born in Loriella, Virginia, on January 26, 1862, and trained as a surveyor and civil engineer. He came to Texas in 1889 at the age of twenty-seven to survey a rail route, and there accepted the position of civil and mining engineer with the Texas and Pacific Coal Company at Thurber. Thurber was a company town, owned and operated by the Texas and Pacific Coal Company. Gordon was soon working as General Manager of the company. In 1903, Gordon married Fay Kearby of Dallas, Texas. Together, they had three children, of whom only their son, W. K. Gordon, Jr., survived into adulthood. W. K. Gordon, Sr., made changes and improvements in mining techniques, patenting an automatic coal dumping cage and a saw-operating mechanism. At the time of his death, March 13, 1949, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors, and had been so since 1934, for the then Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company and had been with the company sixty years. Termed a
Texas Pioneer, he had a major role in the discovery of the Ranger oil field.
Gordon guided the company's transition from coal mining to oil production, insisting that oil could be found in the vicinity of Thurber despite negative reports from an eminent geologist. His conviction was so passionate that Texas and Pacific Coal Company executives allowed further exploration and the leasing of 300,000 acres in the Texas counties of Eastland, Stephens, Throckmorton, and Palo Pinto. The first producing well was completed on January 14, 1915, near Strawn, Texas. Interest in area oil possibilities did not stir until the successful bringing in of the McClesky Well in Ranger, Texas, on October 22, 1917. Subsequently, the Texas and Pacific Coal Company became the Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company in 1918. After 1921, Gordon continued to produce oil and gas independently.
Sources:
- <emph render="bolditalic">Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Southwestern Life Insurance
Company,</emph> July 12, 1949, W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers, AR421, Box 1, Folder 11, Special Collections Division,
The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
- <emph render="bolditalic">Memorial to William Knox Gordon</emph>, from the Minutes of the Board of
Directors, Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company, March 23, 1949, W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers, AR421, Box 1, Folder 11,
Special Collections Division, The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
- <emph render="bolditalic">The Story of Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company, 1888-1955</emph>, W. K.
Gordon, Sr., Papers, AR421, Box 1, Folder 11, Special Collections Division, The University of Texas at
Arlington Library.
- The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, James T. White & Co., W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers,
AR421, Box 1, Folder 11, Special Collections Division, The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
- House, Boyce, <emph render="bolditalic">Were you in Ranger?</emph> W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers, AR421,
Box 1, Folder 10, Special Collections Division, The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
- Maroney, James C., <emph render="bolditalic">Gordon, William Know</emph>, The Handbook of Texas Online, The Texas State Historical Association, 1999, http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/GG/fgo16.html [Accessed Wed May 5 21:18:22 1999].
Scope and Contents
The W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers are contained in five document boxes, one oversize box, and space in the Map Annex, totaling 2.1 linear ft. There are six series consisting of 128 folders; eight folders containing artifacts, certificates, sketches, and maps in one oversize box; and 5 large maps. A large portion of the papers consists of correspondence between E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon, reports on coal and oil production and prospecting of the Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company, oil field drilling logs, lease agreements, and maps.
The papers are organized in six series. The first series is Personal Papers, which include W. K. Gordon's correspondence and speeches for the Ranger 10th and 20th anniversaries, his historical sketch of the oil discovery by the Texas and Pacific Coal Company, his patents, and memorials following his death. Also included in this series is correspondence between his son, W. K. Gordon, Jr., and Richard Mason, who researched Thurber's role in Texas history for Texas Tech University, and between the younger Gordon and the Thurber Historical Association regarding Thurber's 100th anniversary, and includes pamphlets relating to both.
The second series is Business Correspondence, which consists mainly of letters between E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon in their Texas and Pacific Coal Company roles from 1890-1921. Other correspondence in the series consists of Texas and Pacific Coal Company letters, prospecting reports from Gordon to Col. R. D. Hunter in 1895, letters relating to the United Mine Workers of America in Texas, and correspondence and telegrams relating to the geological exploration of Northern Coahuila, Mexico, in 1919.
The third series is Reports, which covers the various interests of the Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company from 1894-1922. Of particular interest is Gordon's
Report of Oil and Gas Prospects of the Argentine, which reflects his view on oil and coal prospecting in South America following his six-month-long trip, taken in late 1920 and early 1921. The report consists of a series of six reports bound together with 28 photographs and an unlabeled, undated geography of Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.
The fourth series is Agreements, which consists of contracts with various oil companies from 1918-1919. The fifth series is Oil and Coal Drilling Logs and Field Notes, 1889-1945, which consists of drilling data on individual wells numbered sequentially from 1-336 and additional numbered and named wells, and includes a log of Mexican Wells in Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico, in 1917.
The sixth series is Business Records, which includes a contract draft for railwork in 1888 with the Georgia Pacific Railway Company, an 1889 pamphlet on the Texas and Pacific Coal Company for prospective employees, an 1896 financial statement, one set of minutes of the Texas Committee on Coal Production in 1917, oil lease descriptions for Stephens County and Ranger Field in 1919, a memorandum outlining progress of a legal case, an article reprint, and ledger sheets noting payment transactions for various wells.
The W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers reveal the struggle encountered in the quest for oil in Texas and detail the financial sacrifices and rewards in its discovery. Gordon's passionate belief in the presence of oil beneath Texas' soil and his determination and dogged effort to bring it to the surface are well documented here.
Processing Information
Finding aid prepared by Leslie A. Wagner, October 1999.
Newspaper clippings were photocopied onto acid-free paper, and the original clippings were discarded. Telegrams were also photocopied onto acid-free paper to provide working copies. Duplicates were also discarded.
Organization
The W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers are organized in six series:
- Series I. Personal Papers, 1897-1986. 0.15 linear ft. (17 folders).
- Series II. Business Correspondence, 1890-1921. 0.45 linear ft. (28 folders).
- Series III. Reports, 1894-1922. 0.5 linear ft. (39 folders).
- Series IV. Agreements, 1918-1919. 0.3 linear ft. (17 folders).
- Series V. Oil and Coal Drilling Logs and Field Notes, 1912-1945. 0.6 linear ft. (14 folders).
- Series VI. Business Records, 1888 - 1925. 0.1 linear ft. (13 folders).
ProvenanceAll of the materials included in the W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers were in the possession of Mrs. W. K. Gordon, Jr., until they were officially deeded to The University of Texas at Arlington. The W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers were transferred to The University of Texas at Arlington Library, Special Collections Division, in 1998. The donation of the materials was negotiated by Jane Boley, Special Collections Archivist. Leslie Wagner accessioned the collection. The collection was acknowledged by Dr. Gerald D. Saxon on April 9, 1998.
Gift, 1998.
Citation
W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers, AR421, Box Number, Folder Number, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
AccessOpen for research.
Literary Rights Statement
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
Related Material
AR399: Thurber Historical Association Records,1888-1992
Separated MaterialAR401: W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers, 1890-1995
Index Terms
These materials are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of The University of Texas at Arlington Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons
Gordon, W. K. (William Knox), 1862-1949--Archives.
Gordon, W. K., Jr.--Correspondence.
Organizations
Texas and Pacific Coal Company--Records and correspondence.
Places
Thurber (Tex.)--History.
Ranger (Tex.)--History.
Alternate TitlesHistorical Manuscripts Collection.
Container List
Series I.
Personal Papers,
1890-1986
0.15 linear ft. (17 folders)
Arranged into two subseries, each arranged chronologically.
Subseries 1. W. K. Gordon, Sr., Personal Papers,
1897-1949
Memorials, Gordon's historical sketch of oil discovery, Gordon's patents, correspondence relating to 10th and 20th anniversaries of Ranger oil discovery, correspondence and certificates relating to Gordon's appointments to the Texas State Mining Board.
1
1
Patent #594,736 and related material,
November 1897 - March 1898:
Patent for Automatic Dumping Cages dated November 30, 1897, includes mechanical drawing in 5 figures on 3 pages. Letter dated December 1, 1897, from Munn & Co. (patent attorneys) to W. K. Gordon. Clipping of article on patent as published on page 383 of Mines and Minerals, March 1898.
1
2
Patent #851,512, Saw-Operating Mechanism, and related material,
April 1907, June 1927:
Patent for Saw-Operating Mechanism dated April 23, 1907. Letter dated June 29, 1927, from Munn & Co. to W. K. Gordon relating to mechanism improvements.
1
3
Correspondence and appointment certificates,
September 1911 - September 1923, August 1951:
Letters relating to Gordon's appointments to the State Mining Board and his representation at the American Mining Congress, 1911 - 1923, August 1951. Includes correspondence between Gordon and Governor Pat M. Neff (1921, 1923). Includes Certificate of Gordon's appointment by Governor O. B. Colquitt as representative to American Mining Congress, September 26-29, 1911. Also included is a letter dated August 8, 1951, to W. K. Gordon, Jr., regarding the service of W. K. Gordon, Sr.,, on the Texas State Mining Board. Oversized appointment certificates for 1913-1924 removed to Oversize Box 347, Folder 4.
1
4
Statement of W. K. Gordon Relative to Coal Properties of the Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Co., Thurber, Tex.,
June 20, 1920
1
5
Historical Sketch of Oil Discovery by the Texas & Pacific Coal Co. Eastland-Stephens County Oil Fields,
September 14, 1921
W. K. Gordon's account of oil drilling operations and results, 1912-1920, five pages.
1
6
Correspondence,
December 11, 1922
Copy of letter from Ed Stephens, a former worker, to W. K. Gordon dated December 11, 1922.
1
7
Ranger Field,
September - October 1927
Correspondence, text of speech given by W. K. Gordon, telegram, and copies of newpaper clippings relative to 10th anniversary
Jubilee celebrating the discovery of oil at Ranger.
1
8
Ranger Field,
December 21, 1935
Letter from W. J. Oxford to W. K. Gordon discussing
Ranger Field and Bridging the Atlantic.
1
9
Ranger Field,
October 1937
Materials relating to Ranger's 20th Anniversary Discovery of Oil and Homecoming, October 21, 1937. Letters between L. H. Flewellen and W. K. Gordon, October 11 and 14, 1937. Letter from Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, October 18, 1937. Envelope specially printed for Ranger, Texas homecoming information. Copies of newspaper clippings.
1
10
Ranger Field,
October -November 1947
Correspondence between Professor Carl Coke Rister and W. K. Gordon discussing the discovery of the McCleskey Well. October-November 1947. Includes a carbon copy of "Highlights of Texas History from
Were You in Ranger? by Boyce House, Sunday, January 19th, 1936" as part of correspondence.
1
11
Memorials, March,
July 1949
Copy of memorial to William Knox Gordon, Adopted by The Board of Directors of Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company, March 23, 1949. Copies of telegram and letters of sympathy on Gordon's death. Copies of Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Southwestern Life Insurance Co. dated July 12, 1949.
Subseries 2. W. K. Gordon, Jr. Correspondence,
1969-1986
Includes correspondence between W. K. Gordon, Jr., and Richard Mason of Texas Tech University, and correspondence of W. K. Gordon, Jr., relating to the 100th anniversary of the mining camp at Thurber.
1
12
Correspondence,
August 1969 - November 1970
Research correspondence between Bessie Reid and W. K. Gordon, Jr., relating to "a true history of Thurber."
1
13
Correspondence,
January 25, 1970
Research correspondence between H. G. Perry to W. K. Gordon, Jr., relating to a "comprehensive history of the county and adjacent territory."
1
14
Correspondence,
April - May 1971
Letter of thanks dated May 28, 1971, from Mrs. Elmo Bogus, widow, to W. K. Gordon, Jr. Thurber Historical Association Bulletin #5, April 15, 1971.
1
15
Correspondence,
September - October 1971
Research correspondence between W. K. Gordon, Jr. and Ann Simmons, relating to Simmons' proposed history of Thurber,
A Personal Country.
1
16
Correspondence from Richard Mason and David Murrah,
May 1978- June 1986
Letter from Murrah to Thurber Reunion Association, May 25, 1978. Southwest Collection flyers. Correspondence from Mason to W. K. Gordon, Jr., Sept. 2, 1981, Murrah to Gordon, Sept. 28, 1981, Mason to Gordon, October 5, 1981, Nov. 20, 1981, Mar. 4, 1982, June 5, 1985, June 11, 1985. Murrah to Gordon, June 3, 1986. Correspondence between W. K. Gordon, Jr., and Richard Mason of Texas Tech University regarding loaned materials for the Southwest Collection. Copy of Richard Mason's
Coal, Natural Gas and Industry: Thurber's Affect on the Texas Economy: An Address Delivered at the 99th Reunion of the Community of Thurber, June 8, 1985, 4 pages. Includes Southwest Collection Report No. 3, Winter 1979, and No. 6, Spring 1985.
1
17
Correspondence and Materials Relating to Thurber, Texas 100th anniversary,
June - July 1985, May - June 1986
Correspondence between W. K. Gordon, Jr., and Mrs. Cleo (Ivey) Pierce relating to the Thurber Historical Association Reunion, June 8-9, 1985. Includes listing of attendees and flyer. Correspondence between W. K. Gordon, Jr., and Lillie Gibson, relating to the 100th Anniversary of the mining camp at Thurber. Includes pamphlet on the exhibition,
Thurber: An Industrial Town on the Texas Frontier. Newspaper clippings relating to Centennial reunion: Centennial reunion planned for Thurber in June, Stephenville Empire-Tribune, Sunday, May 4, 1986. Thurber Celebration: Historic town to mark 100 years, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Friday morning, June 13, 1986, p. A19.
Series II.
Business Correspondence,
1890-1921
0.45 linear ft. (28 folders)
Arranged in three subseries.
Subseries 1. Northern Coahuila Project
1919
Includes letters and telegrams relating to geological exploration of Northern Coahuila.
1
18
Coahuila,
March - December 1919
Letters and telegrams relating to the geological exploration of Northern Coahuila. Robert E. Garrett to Purcell & Scrope, March 12, 1919. Copies of letters: Frank Armstrong to W. K. Gordon, October 31, 1919; W. K. Gordon to E. L. Marston, November 25, 1919; J. C. Weller to Frank C. Armstrong, Vulcan Oil Co., Dec. 3, 1919; Gordon to Weller, December 5, 1919; Weller to Gordon, Dec. 18, 1919; Armstrong to Gordon, Dec. 31, 1919. Telegrams, November, December 1919.
Subseries 2. E. L. Marston Correspondence,
1899-1921, undated
Correspondence relating to the Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company.
1
19
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
December 1899
Correspondence between Edgar L. Marston and W. K. Gordon.
1
20
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
January - July 1900
1
21
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
April - September 1904
1
22
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
December 1906 - March 1908
1
23
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
March - April 1908
Typed copies of letters and telegrams relating to Wage Scale Conference, March 26 - April 13, 1908.
1
24
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
August 1908
"Key to Map of Coal Field in Brazos River Watershed - Thurber, Strawn, Rock Creek, Also Other Prospect Holes, In Various Parts of Field."
1
25
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
August - October 1911
1
26
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
April - December 1912
Correspondence, April, May, December 1912.
1
27
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
June 1913
Two page attachment, a table describing geology of prospective oil well drills, moved to Oversize Box 347, Folder 7.
1
28
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
March - July 1915
1
29
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
April, May, 1916
1
30
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
June - November 1916
1
31
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
February - December 1917
1
32
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
September - December 1918
1
33
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
March - November 1919
2
1
E. L. Marston et al and W. K. Gordon,
August - October 1919
Working copies of telegrams between Marston et al and Gordon. Originals in Folder 2.
2
2
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
August - October 1919
Original telegrams between Marston et al and Gordon. Use working copies in Folder 1.
2
3
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
February - April 1920
2
4
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
January 1921
2
5
E. L. Marston and W. K. Gordon,
undated
Copies of correspondence.
Subseries 3. Other Business Correspondence,
1890-1921
Includes Gordon's correspondence with individuals other than Marston.
2
6
Southwest Petroleum Co., J. S. Mullen to E. L. Marsden [sic] and W. K. Gordon,
December 4, 1918
J. S. Mullen to E. L. Marsden [sic] and W. K. Gordon, includes handdrawn tract of lease.
2
7
Steiner Oil Company,
May - June 1919
Letter to W. K. Gordon includes Steiner Oil Corp., Dallas, Texas, Statement of
Organization and Operation dated May 8, 1919, with plat map of leases. Also subscription blank and telegrams.
2
8
Texas & Pacific Coal Company,
June 1890 - December 1899
Letters detailing Gordon's hiring by T&P Coal Co.
2
9
Texas and Pacific Coal Co.,
July 1895- June 1898
Handwritten letters written from Gordon in Sierra Blanca to Col. R. D. Hunter, July 17, 1895, includes coal prospecting report and 3 topographical pencil sketches of the terrain. Typed copies of letters November 2, 1896 - June 18, 1898.
2
10
Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company,
April 1920
Letters regarding Gordon's election as director to the company's various Boards, April 1920.
2
11
U.M.W. of A. -
March 21, 1910
Gordon addressed Local United Mine Workers of America, March 21, 1910.
2
12
U.M.W. of A. -
September 1921
Correspondence relating to local United Mine Workers of America strike in 1921, between R. G. Massock and Gordon and between J. M. Worth, Jr., and Gordon. Includes copy of article written by Gordon,
A Brief History of the Bituminous Coal Mining Industry of Texas.
Series III.
Reports,
1890-1922
0.5 linear ft. (39 folders)
Arranged in chronological order. Reports on prospecting operations and coal and oil production in various mines and fields.
2
13
Texas & Pacific Coal Company,
Feb. 19, 1890
Report to the Stockholders of the Texas & Pacific Coal Company, Feb. 19, 1890.
2
14
Texas & Pacific Coal Company, Mine No. 7,
1894-1907
2
15
Coal Analyses,
1897-1903
Report by Regis Chauvenet & Brother for Texas & Pacific Coal Co. l, March 31, 1897.
2
16
Texas & Pacific Coal Company, Mine No. 9,
1899-1911
2
17
Rock Creek,
1901-1902
Report on Rock Creek Coal & Fuel Company Property, October 17, 1901. Letter from Gordon to Marston, July 31, 1902, regarding same. Report on Rock Creek "and many other fields," dated 8/13/02. "Map showing area of coal lands," removed to Oversize Box 347, Folder 3.
2
18
New Castle Coal Field,
1903-1908
Report on New Castle Coal Field dated March 14, 1903. Also includes observational reports made during 1908 in Young and Clay County.
2
19
Young County Coal Field,
March 14, 1903
2
20
New Birmingham Iron Property,
February - March 1907
Description of New Birmingham Iron Property, Cherokee County, Texas, February 28, 1907, includes 1890 report of same. Report on New Birmingham Iron Property, Cherokee County, Texas, March 1907. Map of New Birmingham removed to Cartographic History Library Drawer 67/5, Acc. No. 2000-177.
2
21
Report on Colorado River Coal Field, Coleman County, Texas,
March and June, 1907
2
22
Report on Independence Mining Company's Property, Phelan, Texas,
April 29, 1907
Includes telegram from Marston to Gordon.
2
23
Explanation of Plan for Future Mines,
June 5, 1907
2
24
Prospecting Report: Coal Field Northeast of Strawn,
Sept. 19, 1907
Accompanying hand-drawn map,
Strawn Coal Co's Lands, 15″×17″, undated, removed to Oversize Box 347, Folder 3.
2
25
Report on Gertrudes (Jack County) Coal Field,
November 20-23, 1907
2
26
Report on Ramsey Bituminous Shale Deposit, Ten Miles North of Palo Pinto, in Bluffs on Dalton's Ranch,
January 15, 1908
2
27
Report on Brazos River Coal Field,
Sept. 9, 1908
2
28
Price of Coal Delivered to Points in Texas,
Jan. 27, 1908
2
29
Report on Murray Post Office, (Young County), Coal Field,
July 16-19, 1909
2
30
Report on Young and Stephens County Coal Field,
August 4, 1909
2
31
Report of Dolet Hills Lignite Deposits, Mansfield, De Soto Parish Louisiana,
Nov. 1, 1909
2
32
Report of 2nd VP and GM, W. K. Gordon on Regal Oil and Gas Company Properties, Tulsa, Okla.,
December 1911
Includes accompanying correspondence.
2
33
Report on Linden, Cass County, Texas Iron Ore Deposits,
May 26, 1912
2
34
Report by W. K. Gordon, on Asphalt Deposit, Post Mountain, Burnet, Texas,
May - June 1913
Report dated May 29, 1913. Includes hand drawn maps.
2
35
Report of Prospecting Operations, Thurber Gas Field,
Nov. 9, 1914
2
36
Reports under cover letter from J. A. McDowell,
September - October 1916
Several reports under cover letter from J. A. McDowell, President, Empire Gas & Fuel Co., to E. L. Marston. Report authors: E. E. Yingling and Dean Stacey. Letter dated Oct. 18, 1916.
2
37
Report of Texas Coal Company's Property, Hughes, Oklahoma,
November 17, 1916
2
38
Report on Discovery, Prospecting & Development of the Thurber Oil and Gas Field,
March 25, 1917
With cover letter to Marston.
2
39
Report on a Reconnaissance Examination of the Prospective Oil-Field at Ranger, Texas,
November 1917
Report by Frederick G. Clapp. Cover note to Joe A. Bartles, Dewey, Oklahoma.
2
40
Progress Report: Texas & Pacific Coal and Oil Company,
September - October 1919
Report dated October 22, 1919, prepared by Harrison & Eaton.
2
41
Report on Mrs. John C. Griswold's Ranch, Webb County, Texas,
May 8, 1920
Accompanying map,
Map of the Shaw Ranch, Webb County, Texas 13″×18″, undated, removed to Oversize Box 347, Folder 3.
2
42
Cross Sections to Accompany Report on Northern Coahuila.
June 5, 1920
Folded diagram on vellum, 21″ × 36″.
3
1
Estimate of Returns of Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company Properties in Ivan, Eliasville & Crystal Falls Districts,
November 1, 1920
3
2
Inspection Trips to Argentina,
December 21, 1920
Report written in letter format addressed to Joseph C. Baldwin.
3
3
Inspection Trips to Argentina,
January 14, 1921
Report written in letter format addressed to Joseph C. Baldwin.
3
4
Inspection Trips to Argentina,
December 1920, January 1921
Handwritten draft of report addressed to Joseph C. Baldwin on Inspection Trips to Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, December 1920, January 1921. With handdrawn geological rendering of the Zona Carrizal dated Feb. 11, 1921. Includes two telegrams, Baldwin to Lindop and Lindop to Baldwin, January 1921. Includes brief geography of Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.
3
5
Report of Oil and Gas Prospects of the Argentine South America,
December 1920 - April 1921
Alternately titled:
Report to Joseph C. Baldwin, Chairman of the Executive Board, Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Company, April 15, 1921 and Report on Inspection Trips from Bahia Blanca, Province of Buenos Aires and Gobernacion de Neuquen Rio Colorado to Rio Deseado, Pampa, and Santa Cruz, to Joseph C. Baldwin, December 21, 1920. A series of six reports bound together reflecting W. K. Gordon's opinion on oil and coal prospects during his visit to South America from October 1920 to March 1921. Contains 28 photographs taken during the trip. 1) Neuquen Oil Field, December 21, 1920; 2) Rio Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz and the Oil Field of Comodoro Rivadavia; 3) Mendoza Province Cochueta Oil Field, January 18, 1921; 4) South of Bahia Blanca, along the Atlantic, East of Bahia Blanca, January 30, 1921; 5) Marayes Coal Field, San Juan, February 8, 1921; 6) Coal Field of Tome, Chile, on the Pacific Coast, February 28, 1921. Related maps: Mapa Comercial de la America del Sur, undated, removed to Acc. No. 2000-174, to be classified; Plano del Rio Negro y partidos de la Prov. De. Bs. As., undated, removed to Map Annex Drawer 102/4, Acc. No. 2000-173.
3
6
Report of W. K. Gordon, of Trip to South America During 1920 and 1921,
December 1920 - April 1921
Copy of report without photos.
3
7
Status of Joint Operations,
January - September 1921
Various Reports on Crude Oil Runs: Daily, Daily and Monthly, Monthly.
3
8
Report of Florida Oil & Gas Prospect,
December 1, 1922
3
9
Report on Leases and Oil and Gas Holdings of the Texas & Pacific Coal Company in Eastland, Stevens & Palo Pinto Counties, Texas,
undated, ca. 1918?
Series IV.
Agreements,
1918-1919
0.3 linear ft. (17 folders)
Arranged alphabetically. Contractual agreements with various companies and individuals for oil lease or purchase rights.
3
10
Indiahoma Refining Company,
November 23, 1918
3
11
Livingstone, Henry S.,
May 2, 1919
Includes related correspondence. Accompanying map,
Livingstone Structure, September 12, 1918, 13″ ¼″ × 14″, removed to in Oversize Box 347, Folder 3.
3
12
Markham, John, Jr.,
April 17, 1919
Includes related correspondence (telegrams).
3
13
Mid-Kansas Oil and Gas Company,
May 1918
Agreement dated May 1, 1918.
3
14
Mid-Kansas Oil and Gas Company,
June 1, 1918
Agreement dated June 1, 1918.
3
15
Mid-Kansas Oil and Gas Company,
October 1918
Lease ownership details.
3
16
Mid-Kansas Oil and Gas Company,
February - March 1919
Two separate agreements dated February 28, 1919. Includes letter from R. D?. Berry to Gordon dated March 4, 1919.
3
17
Moorman, Cull C., John M. Ghoulson, and E. N. Dorsey,
December 20, 1918
3
18
New Jersey Company,
January - March 1919
Proposition No. 2, March 4, 1919. Other lease information with financial figures dated January - February 1919.
3
19
Pierce Oil Company,
January 17, 1919
Includes related correspondence, letter from W. T. Griswold, geologist, to Gordon, January 4, 1919.
3
20
Prairie Oil & Gas Company,
January 20-21, 1918
Includes memoranda on
Kemp and Guieverson and Tentative Acreage selected by Mr. Kelsey.
3
21
Sinclair Gulf Oil Company and LaSalle Oil Company,
September 1918
3
22
Steiner, R. L.,
January -May 1919
Agreement with Warren Wagner and R. L. Steiner, February 1919; agreement with R. L. Steiner, May 6, 1919. Includes correspondence between Steiner and Gordon, and correspondence and telegrams between Gordon and J. E. Butler. Also, a stockholder information pamphlet on the Steiner Oil Company imprinted with a plat map.
3
23
Sun Company,
August 24, 1918
Includes
Schedule A with physical lease descriptions, financial details.
3
24
Sun Company,
February 1919
Includes copy of letter from J. Edgar Pew to E. L. Marsden [sic], dated February 1, 1919, and
Memorandum for Mr. Begg. Two copies of agreement dated February 19, 1919, one with handwritten changes.
3
25
Wagner, Warren, and R. L. Steiner,
February 1919
3
26
Western Keoughan-Hurst Syndicate,
April - June 1919
Includes related correspondence and telegrams.
Series V.
Oil and Coal Drilling Logs and Field Notes,
1889-1945
0.6 linear ft. (14 folders)
Arranged in two subseries.
Subseries 1. Oil Field Drilling Logs,
1915-1918
Arranged numerically by oil well number.
4
1
Oil field drilling log,
January 1915 - March 1916
Oil Well #1 through Oil Well #50.
4
2
Oil field drilling log,
September 1915 - June 1916
Oil Well #51 through Oil Well #100.
4
3
Oil field drilling log,
March - September 1916
Oil Well #101 through Oil Well #150.
4
4
Oil field drilling log,
August 1916 - March 1917
Oil Well #151 through Oil Well #200.
4
5
Oil field drilling log,
February - August 1917
Oil Well #201 through Oil Well #250.
4
6
Oil field drilling log,
June 1917 - March 1918
Oil Well #251 through Oil Well #300.
5
1
Oil field drilling log,
October 1917 - June 1918
Oil Well #301 through Oil Well #336.
Subseries 2. Oil and Coal Drilling Logs and Field Notes,
1912-1945
Arranged chronologically by earliest date in log.
5
2
Drilling Log,
April 1912 - March 1913, May 1916, September 1916 - June 1918
Eastland County Field Prospect Work by Texas & Pacific Coal Company, E. Niccoles, Driller, Holes no. 5 - 19. Arranged in original order.
5
3
Thurber District Prospecting,
1913 - 1915
Thurber District Prospecting, E. Niccoles' Prospecting. April 1913 - November 1914, May - October 1915. Typed copies of reports and oil sample analyses.
5
4
Logs of Mexico Wells,
July 30, 1917
Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico.
5
5
McDonald #1,
March 1923 - August 1945
Ledger used as oil well drilling log, entries on pages 86-91 dated March - July 1923, entries on pages 13-22 dated June - August 1942, March 1943, October - December 1944, February 1945. Account ledger used as drilling log contains: Drilling log for Conway #3, dated 1942; Conway #4; Long #1, dated Oct. - Dec. 1944 and Feb. 1945. Entries on pages 13-22. Pages 1-12 missing, remainder of book blank.
5
6
Oil Well Drilling Log,
July 1936 - October 1948
Bound ledger used as log of various wells, also contains news clippings and notations on inside cover.
5
7
Oil Well Drilling Log,
June 1938 - February 1942
Bound account ledger used as a drilling log, includes hand-drawn maps showing well locations. Cover of book mended with part of a cloth map denoting oil well ownership. Cover completely separated from contents.
5
8
Field notes and clippings,
1889-1913
One-inch bound volume, 54 pages contain technical sketches, survey notes, and information on coal mines; remainder of book blank. Photocopies of clippings.
Series VI.
Business Records,
1888-1925
0.1 linear ft. (13 folders)
Arranged chronologically. Contract draft, pamphlet, financial statement, minutes, oil lease descriptions, memoranda, ledger entries, article reprint and clippings, undated map key.
5
9
Contract draft for railwork,
June 5, 1888
Working copy of contract draft with the Georgia Pacific Railway Company containing construction specifications. Original in Folder 10.
5
10
Contract draft for railwork,
June 5, 1888
Draft of contract with the Georgia Pacific Railway Company containing construction specifications. Fragile.
5
11
Pamphlet, Office of the Texas & Pacific Coal Company, Fort Worth, Texas,
January 12, 1889
Information for the prospective employee. (Two)
5
12
Financial Statement,
August 15, 1896
5
13
Verbatim Minutes: Meeting of Texas Committee on Coal Production, National Council of Defense, Hotel Worth, Fort Worth, Texas, August 20th, 1917
5
14
Oil Lease Descriptions, Ranger Field,
January 8, 1919
Two copies.
5
15
Oil Lease Descriptions, Stephens County - Wayland and Gunsight Fields,
January 8, 1919
5
16
Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Co.'s Notable Operations in Petroleum,
December 1919
Clipping of article from Oil Trade Journal, pages 70-71.
5
17
Memorandum, Vulcan vs. TPC&O Co.,
January 1920
Outline of progress of legal case, August 1919 - January 1920.
5
18
Statistical Review of Mid-Continent Field From 1912 To 1920 Inclusive,
March 30, 1921
Article reprint from National Petroleum News, by Mowry Bates and Bernard H. Lasky, March 30, 1921.
5
19
Memorandum, Oil and Gas Prospecting,
November 14, 1921
Highlights oil and gas prospecting from 1912 to June 1921.
5
20
Ledger entries,
1923-1925
Odd pages removed from ledger, entries dated 1923-1925, include transactions for Waggoner Well #1, Breshear Well #1, and others.
5
21
Map Key,
undated
OS347
1
W. K. Gordon, Sr., Artifacts,
n.d.
Drafting instruments in black case lined in green velvet: five compasses and accessories, 11 pieces of a 12 piece set (1 piece missing). 9 ¼″ W × 7/8″ D × 4 1/8″ H.
OS347
2
Poster, Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Co., Notice to Mine Employees,
September 9, 1921
OS347
3
Maps,
1918, undated
Plat map, undated:
Map of the Shaw Ranch, Webb County, Texas, 1″=1 mile, hand notations, Jno. C. Griswold, Gibbs Bld., S.A., Tex., 13″×18″.
Map, undated: Hand-drawn,
Strawn Coal Co's Lands, 15″×17″.
Map,
Livingstone Structure, September 12, 1918. Livingstone Structure: Geological Map of H.S. Livingstone lease on C. J. Harrell Properties. Nine Miles North of Eastland, Texas, Sept. 12, 1918. Scale 2000′=1 inch. 13 ¼″ × 14″.
Map Showing Area of Coal Lands, Rock Creek.
OS347
4
State of Texas, Certificates of Appointment,
1913-1924
Certificate, June 11, 1913, W. K. Gordon's appointment to Texas State Mining Board, 14″×17″; certificate, March 17, 1915, W. K. Gordon's appointment to Texas State Mining Board, 14″×17″; certificate, February 16, 1917; W. K. Gordon's appointment to Texas State Mining Board, 14″×17″; certificate, September 6, 1924, W. K. Gordon's appointment to Texas State Mining Board, 14″×17″.
OS347
5
Sketches,
1937-1947
C.I.O. Sitdowners, pen and ink sketch, April 8, 1937, by W. K. Gordon, 12″×15″; The Ko'Ko's Nest! pen and ink sketch, April 10, 1937, by W. K. Gordon, 12″×18″; Majestic Theatre, pen and ink sketch, January 17, 1947, by W. K. Gordon, 8 ½″ × 13″; Interrupted Bridge Game! mixed media, undated, 10″×15″.
OS347
6
Statement Showing Comparison of Salient Features in Different Joint Agreements,
January - February 1918
Measures 13″×16″.
OS347
7
Table, attachment to letter - Gordon to Marston,
June 24, 1913
Table describing geology of prospective oil well drills. Two pages. 14″×17″.
OS347
8
Table,
undated
Table containing lease designations in three pages, 14″×17″.
Materials Removed List
Five maps from the W. K. Gordon, Sr., Papers have been moved to the Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Library due to their large size.
Erath County: Thurber Coal Field, Thurber and Mineral City, undated. 5′9″W × 36″L. North and East Boundaries of Coal Field. Map Annex Drawer 101, Acc. No. 2000-176.
Ranger: Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Co., a plat map of Eastland County, Ranger area, showing ownership and leases with handwritten notations. 58″L×43 ½″W, scale 800′=1″, ca. 1918-1920. Map Annex Drawer 101, Acc. No. 2000-175.
Mapa Comercial de la America del Sur: Serie Pan-Americana, or New Commercial Map of South America, in red case, folds to 9 ¾″ × 13 ½″ × 1″, on cloth backing. Opens to 63 3/8″L × 44 3/8″ W. Chicago: Rand McNally, ca. 1920. Scale: 1″ = 80 miles. Excellent condition, W. K. Gordon's gift to son, W. K. "Billy" Gordon, Jr. Acc. No. 2000-174, to be classified.
Plano del Rio Negro y partidos de la Prov. De Bs. As.: Carman de Patagones - Villarino y Bahia Blanca, ca. 1920, plat map with handwritten notations, inside front cover signed and dated: "W.K. Gordon, Buenos Aires, Nov. 26/20." Bound map folds to 5 ½″ × 8 ½″, opens to 42 ¾″ × 32 ¼″ (binding is completely separated from map). Cloth tape at folds, fragile condition, some tears. Map Annex Drawer 102/4, Acc. No. 2000-173.
Map of New Birmingham, Cherokee County, Texas, Issued by The New Birmingham Iron and Improvement Co. of Texas, Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., Engravers, ca. 1891, 16 1/8″ × 19 3/8″. Cartographic History Library Drawer 67/5, Acc. No. 2000-177.