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Conservation and Survey Division

Historical Photographs, Set 3

Sets of Photographs(20 each)

Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4

Set 3 Photographs

No caption available. No caption available. Messrs. Wortman and Gidley working on "Metamynodon" beds, probably in northwestern Nebraska, 1892. The face of the man on the left is partially obscured by a bandana, no doubt for protection from the dust. This photo was taken during the early days of the Nebraska Geological Survey, under the direction of E.H. Barbour, when the duties of the geological survey, the state museum and the geology department were combined in one organization.

Messrs. Wortman and Gidley working on "Metamynodon" beds, probably in northwestern Nebraska, 1892. The face of the man on the left is partially obscured by a bandana, no doubt for protection from the dust. This photo was taken during the early days of the Nebraska Geological Survey, under the direction of E.H. Barbour, when the duties of the geological survey, the state museum and the geology department were combined in one organization.

Removing titp. skull.

Removing titp. skull.

J.P. Rowe works on titp. Skull, June 30, 1894.

J.P. Rowe works on titp. Skull, June 30, 1894.
In the 1931 photo, A.L. Lugn (from left), Harry Burleigh and a man known only as Miller are using a retractor to retrieve a section of 3-inch pipe stuck in some gravel when the hole caved in. This shows a rear view of the new Dempster rotary-hydraulic rig. The rig had a wooden mast mounted on a trailer assembly. The Dempster cost $3,600 and was used for nine seasons.

In the 1931 photo, A.L. Lugn (from left), Harry Burleigh and a man known only as Miller are using a retractor to retrieve a section of 3-inch pipe stuck in some gravel when the hole caved in. This shows a rear view of the new Dempster rotary-hydraulic rig. The rig had a wooden mast mounted on a trailer assembly. The Dempster cost $3,600 and was used for nine seasons.

Miller (from left; first name unknown), Harry Burleigh and A.L. Lugn lower the screen and casing into the hole drilled by the Dempster rig, 1931.

Miller (from left; first name unknown), Harry Burleigh and A.L. Lugn lower the screen and casing into the hole drilled by the Dempster rig, 1931.

A rear view of the rig showing the jetting attachment to the 3"-pipe and the whirler just behind the chain on the pull-down rig. Miller and Burleigh work on the rig.

A rear view of the rig showing the jetting attachment to the 3"-pipe and the whirler just behind the chain on the pull-down rig. Miller and Burleigh work on the rig.

A more distant view of the previous picture.

A more distant view of the previous picture.
Harry Burleigh (left) is pumping water into one of the two nearby mud pits. Miller (first name unknown) stands beside the rotary-hydraulic Dempster rig that is drilling a 3-inch test hole. In the mud pit, clay is mixed with the water to form a mud solution. The mud solution is then taken from the pit by the rig's suction hose and pumped down the drill stem. The mud solution is deposited on the wall of the hole and acts as a casing to help prevent cave-ins, as well as bringing the samples to the surface. This return solution flows into the second mud pit, where the cuttings settle out. The wooden table in the foreground is used to lay out samples for close inspection and record-keeping. Picture was taken in 1931.

Harry Burleigh (left) is pumping water into one of the two nearby mud pits. Miller (first name unknown) stands beside the rotary-hydraulic Dempster rig that is drilling a 3-inch test hole. In the mud pit, clay is mixed with the water to form a mud solution. The mud solution is then taken from the pit by the rig's suction hose and pumped down the drill stem. The mud solution is deposited on the wall of the hole and acts as a casing to help prevent cave-ins, as well as bringing the samples to the surface. This return solution flows into the second mud pit, where the cuttings settle out. The wooden table in the foreground is used to lay out samples for close inspection and record-keeping. Picture was taken in 1931.

Another view of the previous picture, 1931.

Another view of the previous picture, 1931.

Various vehicles used in the 1931 drilling project featured in the previous two photographs.

Various vehicles used in the 1931 drilling project featured in the previous two photographs.

The drill rig used in the above-mentioned 1931 drilling project.

The drill rig used in the above-mentioned 1931 drilling project.

In the early 1940s, Nebraska City had water-quality problems because the city obtained its water directly from the Missouri River. Nebraska City hired Henningson Consulting Engineers of Omaha to find a suitable water supply for the city. Henningson contacted CSD for assistance in the drilling of test holes. Ellis Gordon (third from left), CSD, was sent to the proposed site. A barge was hired to transport the drilling equipment to a small island on the Missouri River. The salary of the geologist and head driller was $129.17 each per month.

In the early 1940s, Nebraska City had water-quality problems because the city obtained its water directly from the Missouri River. Nebraska City hired Henningson Consulting Engineers of Omaha to find a suitable water supply for the city. Henningson contacted CSD for assistance in the drilling of test holes. Ellis Gordon (third from left), CSD, was sent to the proposed site. A barge was hired to transport the drilling equipment to a small island on the Missouri River. The salary of the geologist and head driller was $129.17 each per month.
Another photo from the Henningson Project, early 1940s.

Another photo from the Henningson Project, early 1940s.

The Henningson Project, early 1940s.

The Henningson Project, early 1940s.

Backing the drill rig onto an island in the Missouri River during the Henningson Consulting investigations, early 1940s.

Backing the drill rig onto an island in the Missouri River during the Henningson Consulting investigations, early 1940s.

Henningson Project, early 1940s.

Henningson Project, early 1940s.

Charlie Keech stands by the new Holemaster Model drilling machine. Tools and operating equipment were purchased in July 1939 for $3,681 and the 1939 3/4-ton Ford cost $750, Summer 1941.

Charlie Keech stands by the new Holemaster Model drilling machine. Tools and operating equipment were purchased in July 1939 for $3,681 and the 1939 3/4-ton Ford cost $750, Summer 1941.

August 1, 1941, near Cambridge, Nebraska. Charlie Keech operates the mud digger.

August 1, 1941, near Cambridge, Nebraska. Charlie Keech operates the mud digger.