History of Western Oil Shale

ed from the Utah publication. Only the high lights are noted, and those wishing more details are recommended to obtain the Utah publication. Winchester reported in 1916, "Before petroleum was discovered in Pennsylvania, the Mormons dis tilled oil from shale near Juab, Utah, where the ruins of an old still can yet be seen." [A picture of a retort was shown.] There is little doubt that this was the first oil shale retort constructed in Utah. Alma C. Dalby of Levan remembered seeing the original retort about 1898. Cir cumstantial evidence indicates that the retort was con structed after the discovery (1854) of coal at Wales, Utah, and before the outbreak (1865) of the Black Hawk War. Hence, Winchester's off-hand statement probably was founded upon accurate information, though it is now little more than a legend. In a copyrighted booklet by J. B. Jenson, published in February 1921, the same photograph used by Win chester had" Salt Lake Mining Review" written across its face. Underneath the picture is the explanation, "Old Mormon retort near Juab, Utah, used by the Mormons 50 years ago." Both Winchester and Jenson are irritatingly vague in their references to this pioneer "retort" . After making the point that the retorting of oil shale was not new, Jenson said: "Lubricating oil was also produced from western shales in limited quantities in early history of Utah. An old retort used for this pur pose is still in existence near Juab, Utah." Similar statements in contemporary literature, all later than 1916, appear to have relied either upon Win chester or Jenson for their authority. Circular 41 conFig. 55-Photograph oj the Mormon retort taken by Dean Winchester, U.S. Geological Survey, 1916. (From U.S. Geological Survey.)