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The Boom: Index

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Notes

table of contents
  1. Half Title Page
  2. Series Page
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright page
  5. Contents
  6. List of Figures and Tables
  7. Introduction: “The Wildest Boom That Ever Hit the West”
  8. 1 “Scientific Oil Finding:” Turner Valley’s Anticline
  9. 2 “The Formation of These Companies . . . Should be Stopped:” Speculation and the Newspaper Feud
  10. 3 “The Difference Between Poverty and Riches is Action!” Dreams and Reality of an Independent Oil Boom
  11. 4 “I’m Going to Go Through With It Even if it Leads to Jail:” George E. Buck of Black Diamond Oil Fields
  12. 5 “A City So Blessed Cannot be Checked:” Oil! . . . Sort of
  13. 6 Reign of the Charlatans
  14. 7 Boycotts, Consumer Protection, and Private Detectives: Responses to the Boom, from Voluntary Associations to the Pinkertons
  15. 8 Reforming Self-Regulation: Taming the Brokers and the Calgary Stock Exchange
  16. 9 Public Interest Versus Private Rights: Judge Alexander A. Carpenter’s Commission and the Big Boom’s Big Hangover
  17. 10 “I am Not Going Back to Canada:” The Law Comes for Buck
  18. 11 “A Matter of Public Concern:” The Lees Commission and Monarch Oil
  19. 12 “The Most Important that has Ever Been Tried in the Province:” The Trial of George Buck
  20. 13 “It is to be Regretted that Such a Scoundrel Should Escape Punishment:” Buck’s Appeals
  21. 14 Conclusion: Buck and the Boom
  22. Acknowledgements
  23. Bibliography
  24. Notes
  25. Index

Index

A

advertisements, 3, 4, 8, 95, 103, 194, 228; as cultural narratives of wealth, risk, and redemption, 7, 8, 10–11, 14, 73, 104, 119–120, 141–142, 168, 170–171, 213, 235, 238–239, 247, 252, 419–422; Calgary Daily Herald, 76, 111, 161, 187; Calgary Morning Albertan, 119, 131, 133–134, 161, 194, 197–198, 242, 391; Calgary News Telegram, 161, 194; progress, 7–8, 11, 12, 97, 102–105, 119–120; salvation narratives, 7–8, 11, 18, 94–95, 97, 102–105, 111–112, 117–121, 163–164, 166, 171–172, 180, 239, 420; Saskatoon Daily Star, 210; target the “small investor” and working-class, 63–64, 72, 95–96, 104, 117–121, 163–164, 180, 187, 239

Alberta: anglophilia, 240–241; conservatism, 12, 222; economy, 7, 13, 44, 61; laissez-faire capitalism, 12, 44, 148, 190, 296–297, 421–422, 429; liberalism, 13; limited government, 222, 296, 420

Alberta culture and oil, 12, 73, 96, 183, 218, 420

Alberta attorney general’s office, 276, 335, 340; alleged political motives of, 298, 310–312, 313; complaints to, 226–227, 229–230, 234, 255, 259, 270, 271, 274, 353; investigations, 227, 259, 262, 271, 280, 295; Pinkertons, 226–227; pressure on, 254, 327, 367–368; Trainor, Gregory, 271, 277, 298, 299, 301, 303, 304

Alberta exceptionalism: belief in mission, 7–8, 24–25, 72–73, 143; compared to eastern Canada, 73, 149, 168, 169, 170–171, 172; cultural identity, 11, 12, 33, 119, 124, 239, 420–421; “spirit of enterprise” and pioneer legacy, 73, 97, 103–105, 183

Alberta Liberal Party, 12–13, 216, 252, 356, 373

Alberta oil, 40; Admiralty, 10, 97; assumptions, 50–51, 78; automobile demonstration, 47, 48, 233; banks, 44; boosters, 11–12, 35, 47, 51, 56, 57, 65, 77, 83, 86, 89, 97, 102, 109, 121, 141, 150, 170, 217, 232, 252, 258, 271; bootstrap individualism, 12, 97, 172, 420, 422, 424, 426; democratization of wealth, 63–64, 72, 95–96, 104, 117–121, 158–159, 163–164, 180, 186–187, 239; economic saviour, 7–8, 14, 18, 83, 85–86, 94–95, 97, 102–105, 115–116, 111–112, 117–121, 163–164, 166, 171–172, 180, 239, 420; entrepreneurialism, 7, 12, 28, 33, 72, 120, 183, 218, 284, 420; faith in, 12, 15, 50–51, 64, 96, 102, 150–153, 166–167; independent producers, 96; investment, 11, 15, 40, 43–44, 253; laissez-faire capitalism, 44, 55, 82–83, 127; liabilities of, 80–81, 225; markets for, 51; national asset, 81; negative opinions of (see critics; knockers); potential, 5, 20; price, 48, 224; private sector development, 222; production costs, 40–41, 71, 223–224, 225; refining, 51; reputation, 13, 15, 176, 216, 252, 255–256, 356, 373; Royal Navy, 49; self-regulation, 44, 96; special qualities, 47, 48; transportation of, 51; US interest and involvement in, 46, 48, 49

Alberta’s oil culture: abundance and, 3, 10, 22, 73, 97, 425; advertisements shape/reflect, 95, 97, 101, 239; Alberta Oil Development Association, 82–86; American values, influence on, 46, 239–240; characteristics of, 95–96, 97, 102–103, 218, 239; choice, 55, 93–95, 119, 120, 271; “Christopher Columbus” analogy, 72, 77, 143; crusading impulse, 86, 233; destiny, 51, 72–73, 149, 152; dreams, 13, 53, 64, 65, 97, 102, 189, 191, 194, 238; entrepreneurialism, 7, 11–13, 17, 28, 30, 33, 46, 50, 55, 72, 74, 76, 78–79, 96, 101, 120, 152, 162, 168, 172, 174, 183, 190, 191, 218, 239, 246, 284, 348, 420, 424; faith, 2, 3, 7, 15, 33, 34, 35, 51, 56, 64–65, 68, 69, 72, 74, 79, 81, 97, 102, 119–120, 124, 142, 149, 183, 246, 301, 325, 360, 366, 397, 416; identity and, 85–86, 97;

Alberta’s oil culture (continued); independent producers, 55, 96, 99–102, 104–106, 117, 124, 131–132, 166, 169, 173, 202, 219, 229, 245, 246, 263, 417, 420, 424, 426, 453n4, 454n12; industrialization, 9, 12, 21, 47, 51, 53, 72, 73, 94, 104, 105, 167, 180; insulate against recession, 8, 11, 64, 73, 85, 91, 111, 151, 188, 340; intolerance of criticism, 3, 42, 84, 85–86, 232–234, 235–238; limitless resources, belief in, 50–51, 97, 424–425; local roots, 14, 29, 45–46, 49, 50, 56, 65, 78, 87, 99, 101, 102, 111, 152, 154, 156, 160, 163, 164, 170, 173, 174, 190, 191, 204, 238, 239, 246, 252, 344, 420, 421; modernity, 8, 12, 13, 95, 104, 106, 167; mythmaking, 13–15, 32–33, 50–51, 97; power of nature, 32–33, 74, 78, 97, 103, 118–120; progress, 95, 102–103; prosperity, 3, 8, 11, 12, 35, 61–62, 64, 73, 82, 85, 91, 95, 102–104, 111, 119, 151, 161, 188, 239, 340; religion and, 1–3, 149, 236, 420; rugged individualism, 33, 64, 97, 120, 168, 172, 422, 426, 453n1; strategic significance, 8, 10; strength, 101–103, 105; transformative qualities, 3, 8, 11, 102–105, 166; wealth and, 11, 12, 28, 73, 78, 79, 82, 84, 89, 96, 97, 100, 104, 119, 151, 153, 155, 159, 166, 188, 218, 236, 239, 423

Alberta Oil Development Association (AODA), 82–86, 88–92, 96; Calgary Daily Herald, 83–84, 89, 92; Calgary Morning Albertan, 84–85; Calgary News Telegram, 89

American influence, 46, 239; cross-border legal and regulatory tensions, 45–46, 216, 234–235, 356; migration of US drillers and oil workers to Alberta, 39–40, 49–50, 169–170; influence of US oil culture and technology, 7, 35, 40–41, 119, 341, 343; parallels with Texas, 96, 245, 453n3; role of US investment capital and promoters, 50, 155–156, 158, 171, 213, 235; Standard Oil and Canadian fears, 97–101, 147

Anderson, Hugh, 226

Anderson, “Torchy,” 36, 154, 247

Anglo-Persian Oil, 9, 80, 106

anti-Calgary oil campaigns, 213, 216–217; Calgarians response to, 232–234, 235–238; Chicago Tribune, 235; Custer Weekly Chronicle, 235; Minneapolis Journal, 235; Oregon Daily Journal, 234–235; reasons for, 13, 60–61, 64–65, 168, 190–191, 216–217, 245, 421; Regina Leader, 231, 234; Robson, J.A., 230–231, 262–263; scope of, 238; Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 234; Toronto Daily Star, 168, 170, 172, 201; Victoria Colonist, 231

Athabasca, 97, 165, 197, 203

Athabasca River, 22, 39, 114, 115

B

bank clearings, 160–162, 229

banker, 43, 150, 151, 173, 185, 278, 316

bankruptcy, 4, 6, 136, 138, 260, 342, 352, 363–364

banks, 74, 153, 146, 151, 195, 204, 280, 282, 285; British, 43, 168, 244; Calgary, 173, 197; Canadian, 44; frozen account, 303; private savings, 154, 158, 173, 183, 241; prosperity, 150

Beattie, Harry C., 89, 138, 193–194, 197, 287, 288, 298, 381, 471n60

Beaty, Elizabeth, 2, 138, 194–196

Bennett, Richard B., 29, 133, 288, 341; Alberta Hotel, 342; Calgary Petroleum Products, 32, 34, 96, 448n32; Herron, William S., 424

Berkeley, Mowbray S., 48, 109, 271

Beveridge, Stephen, 76–77, 102; conflict with the Herald, 86–87, 88; Rocky Mountain Oil Fields, 110, 258

Black Diamond Oil Fields, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 204, 239; ads and promotion, 3–4, 6, 135–136, 198–199; Carpenter Commission, 287, 289–290; claims of strikes and stock manipulation, 7, 123, 141, 195, 196, 206–207, 210, 289; Coalinga Oil Syndicate, 2–3, 128, 133, 183, 192–196, 200, 207, 256, 287, 289, 462n12; Earl, Jennie, 182–183; financial difficulties, 3, 5, 123, 128–129, 136, 191–192, 287–288, 380, 390; International Supply Company, 5, 123, 128–129, 136–137, 192, 209, 211–212, 287–288; investigations of, 14, 227, 271, 289–290, 300, 370, 383, 398; lawsuits, 5–6, 134–135, 208, 287–288; press and public perception, 6, 68, 128–129, 196–197, 199–200, 212; “salting” well, 6–7, 123, 137–139, 209, 212, 390, 398; self-promotion and staged events, 200, 204–205, 242; stock, 4, 5, 146, 191, 193–196

Black, Brian, 9, 32–33, 97, 131

Black Diamond #1, 5, 129, 132, 134, 140, 176, 195–196, 198–199, 205–207, 209–212, 243, 287, 296, 303, 380, 382, 392–393, 416–417

Black Diamond #2, 195, 198, 208, 212, 242, 287–288

Black Diamond Press, 200–201, 235; Knowles, Vernon, 200, 227–228; Rose, Frank, 227–228

Black Diamond v. Carpenter (1916), 354, 365, 366, 367, 369

blue sky laws, 66, 189, 217, 236, 275, 287, 340, 355, 356, 419

boosters, 11–12, 35, 47, 51, 56, 86, 97, 102, 109, 121, 170, 217, 232, 252, 258; advertising campaigns, 7, 8, 10–11, 14, 18, 73, 94–95, 102–105, 111–112, 117–121, 141–142, 163–164, 166, 170–172, 180, 213, 235, 238–239, 247, 252, 419–422; Alberta Oil Development Association, 82–86, 88–92, 96; Calgary Morning Albertan, 48, 65, 90, 117, 150–151, 158, 159, 250–251, 271; Calgary News Telegram, 73–74, 78–80, 151, 232; Cheely, William, 141; Davidson, William, 57, 65; economic progress, 102; Frost, “Tappy,” 83; “Petroleus” op-ed, 78–80; Tucker, J.L., 1, 77, 95

Bow Island, 22, 32, 40

Breen, David, 13–14, 24, 28

Britain, 9, 60, 61, 66, 244, 256, 378 445n1; attempts to attract British capital, 251; Canadian investments by, 43, 61, 155; immigration from, 63, 176–178; oil suppliers, 9, 245; profits, 160; scepticism, 45, 167–168; Webster-Ashburn Treaty 316

brokers, 132, 155, 157–158, 160, 201, 228; aggressiveness, 184; boosterism, 172; Carlile, R.C., 207; Clark, Allan, 235–236; Clarke, Basil, 176–178; commissions, 192–193, 194; incentives, 207; licensing, 184, 186; office spaces, 158–177, 178; price discrepancies, 173–176; profits, 177–178, 207; qualifications, 183–184; self-regulation, 174; spaces, 183; stock sales, 195, 207, 229; women, 178–180

Brown, Joe, 50

Buck, Elizabeth Ada (Beaty), 1, 2, 128, 303, 310, 322, 332, 410, 412, 462n11; divorce, 414–415

Buck, George E.: advertisements, 131, 134, 194, 197–198, 212; appeals and final release, 397–403, 407, 411–413; automobiles, 4, 127–128, 306, 308, 311, 314, 323, 338; Beattie, Harry, 193, 194; Black Diamond #1, 198, 209, 243; Black Diamond #2, 198; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 123, 146; Black Diamond Press, 209, 235; Calgary Daily Herald, 199, 207, 210–211, 298–299, 314, 323, 331, 332, 336–337, 380, 391, 395; Calgary Eye Opener, 140–141, 143, 207, 210, 332, 377, 380, 388, 398, 411, 412, 420; Calgary Morning Albertan, 140–141, 143, 207, 210, 332, 377, 380, 388, 398, 411, 412, 420; Calgary News Telegram, 139–140, 199–200, 209, 298, 300, 331, 373, 391, 401–402, 406; Carr, Clara, 414–415; Chewelah Basin Oil Company, 413–414; Church of Christ, 127; Clark, Allan, 192–194; Coalinga Oil Syndicate, 128, 192–193; commissions, 192–193, 194; competition, 207; Crandell, E.H., 129–130, 209; criminal trial and appeals of, 376–392, 398–402, 407–409; Cunningham Craig, Edward Hubert, 197; divorce, 414; dreams, 197; Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 242–243; Earl, Jennie, 209, 288, 303, 311; early life, background, and religious convictions, 1–2, 124, 127, 132–133; escalating legal troubles and flight from Calgary, 5–6, 133, 135, 207–208, 287–288, 303, 310–311; evades subpoena, 288–289; evangelical mission of, 1–2, 124, 127, 199, 395; extradition battle in the United States, 306–311, 313–315, 318–321, 324–326, 330; financial instability and the “salting” conspiracy, 3–7, 191–192, 209–210; financial problems, 3, 4, 5, 6, 191–192; Hayes, James, 6, 211, 213; International Supply Company, 123, 129, 192, 209, 211; legacy and impact, 14, 355, 419–420; life after the boom, 413–416; Martin, “Frosty,” 192, 198, 209; McGillivray, Alexander A., 271, 289; Natural Gas and Oil Record, 128, 134, 185, 242–243; Oil Finding, 128, 197; Phillips, “Tiny,” 192, 198, 209, 211–212; preacher, 127; promoter, 4, 128, 199, 205, 210–211; promotional tactics and public persona, 4–5, 14, 127–128, 196–197, 416; real estate, 128; Regina Leader, 200–201; Rice, Garnet, 210, 211; Ritchie, J.M.D., 205–206; rumours, 196, 199, 206; sales agents, 196; Smith, Fred, 192–194, 197–198; stock manipulation and media control, 191, 193–194, 197, 199–200, 204–205, 207; stock sales, 193–194, 197, 207; Spokane, 299, 413; Texas, 306, 308; transition to oil promotion, 2, 123, 128, 146, 192–193, 197; trial and conviction, 336, 378, 380–383, 385, 390, 393–394; Tucker, J.L., 199–200, 212; United Oils, 131–135, 192; Vancouver Daily World, 196–197, 205, 242–243; Wolverton, Grant, 133–134, 207–208; “Wildcat Christianity,” 2, 124

bucket shop, 61, 64, 168, 183, 186, 348

C

cable tool rig, 35–38, 51, 80, 246

Calgary, 30; exceptionalism, 78–79, 80; opportunities, 178; real estate boom, 28, 50, 181; reputation, 13, 65, 125, 176, 216, 218–219, 238, 265, 273, 296; unemployed, 61, 63, 150–151, 238, 240, 247; United States, 46

Calgary Board of Trade, 44, 53, 65, 221, 226, 232–233, 237, 244, 256

Calgary Daily Herald, 6, 46, 54, 69, 75, 83, 106, 127, 147, 183, 185, 221–222, 236; advertising, 76, 111, 161, 187; Alberta Oil Development Association, 83–84, 89, 92; banks, 162, 173; Beveridge libel suit, 86–87, 88; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 128–129, 132, 140, 288, 416; Buck, George E., 199, 207, 210–211, 298–299, 314, 323, 331, 332, 336–337, 380, 391, 395; Carpenter Commission, 272, 276, 290; conditions at Turner Valley, 36, 47–48; coverage of Dingman discovery and boom, 140, 150, 155, 158, 161, 173, 180–181, 187, 241–242; critics, 65, 69–70, 71–72, 73, 76–78, 82, 84–85, 103, 109; Cunningham Craig, Edward Hubert, 106, 109, 113, 116; Dingman, Archibald, 34, 41; Dingman #1, 47; ; establishment, 56–57; Flotations series, 68–71, 76–77, 81, 88, 109, 116, 117, 128–129, 169, 285, 452n34; Frost, “Tappy,” 233; Herron, William S., 26, 149; letters to the editor, 53, 70, 71, 88, 240, 254, 280, 357, 365; Lees Commission, 354–354, 365; Monarch Oils, 343, 350; role in oil boom and speculation debates, 61, 64–66, 68, 70–71, 76–77, 81–82, 84, 88; Rose, Frank, 229; rumours, 46, 237; Short, James, 472n3; Sifton government and regulation, 254–255, 262–263, 292–293; speculation, 64, 68, 81, 235, 238; stock exchanges, 249, 257, 266; stock quotations, 176; vision of oil, 54–55, 61, 65, 150, 154; women investors, 178–181, 182

Calgary Eye Opener, 59–60; advertising, 143; criticizes the Herald, 71; criticizes the oil industry, 236–238, 249, 258–259

Calgary Morning Albertan, 6, 7, 41, 46, 47–48, 50; advertising, 119, 131, 133–134, 161, 194, 197–198, 242, 391; Alberta Oil Development Association, 84–85; Black Diamond Oils, 128–129, 131, 133–134, 140–141, 195, 199, 205–206, 210; Buck, George E., 140–141, 143, 207, 210, 332, 377, 380, 388, 398, 411, 412, 420; Calgary Petroleum Products, 46, 48, 88, 149; Calgary Police Force, 184–185, 186; Carpenter Commission, 271, 275, 276, 283, 286–287; Cheely, William, 141–142, 192, 344–345, 358, 364, 383, 393, 398, 402; counter “flotation” articles, 71–72, 128–129; Cunningham Craig, Edward Hubert, 109–110, 117; Davidson, William M., 55–58, 85, 117, 140–141, 150, 271, 286, 361; Dingman, Archibald, 41, 47; Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 186–187, 242; editorial stance and advocacy, 49, 57, 450n1; establishment and characteristics, 10, 57, 161; Frost, “Tappy,” 339, 361, 365; Liberal Party, 87–88; May 9, 1914, article, 143, 192, 344, 377–378, 382–385, 392–394, 398–400, 402, 404, 406–408; Monarch Oils, 341, 343–344, 362; nativism, 84–85; “Oilberta” cartoon, 89, 91; promotional activities and civic boosting, 48, 55–58, 65, 85, 89, 90, 117, 140–141, 150–151, 158, 159, 250–251, 271, 286, 361; regulation, 222, 263; Ritchie, J.M.D., 205–206; role in media debates and feuds, 54, 65, 71–72, 76–77, 82, 84–85, 90, 99–100, 128–129; Rose, Frank, 228; rumors, 46, 199, 203, 207, 210, 295, 349, 352, 359; Sale of Shares Act, 356–357; Short, James, 472n3; Standard Oil, 99–100; stereotypical “oilman,” 55; stock exchanges, 173, 186–187, 257, 266; speculation, 55; women investors, 180, 182

Calgary Natural Gas Company, 30, 31–32, 36

Calgary News Telegram, 54, 55, 58, 71, 77, 141; advertising, 161, 194; Alberta Oil Development Association, 89; Alberta’s exceptionalism, 73; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 123, 139–40; boosters, 73–74, 78–80, 151, 232; Buck, George E., 139–140, 199, 298, 300, 331, 373, 391, 401–402, 406; Carpenter Commission, 277, 286, 290; challenges critics, 172; criticisms of the Herald, 71, 73; Devenish, Oscar, 150; Dingman #1, 100; Dunn, Bird W., 349; independents, 55; Lees Commission, 353, 355, 360; letters to the editor, 71; Monarch Oils, 347; Oil Protective Association, 234; “Petroleus” op-ed, 78–80; regulation, 215, 219, 238; rumours, 209, 228; Standard Oil, 99, 100; Tryon, Charles, 123, 139–140, 387, 404

Calgary Petroleum Products, Ltd., 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 27, 31, 34–37, 38, 42, 43, 44, 46–47, 88, 117, 120, 123, 146, 148, 156, 179, 191, 202, 203, 207, 343, 423–424; accused of fraud, 232; automobile demonstration, 47; Calgary Morning Albertan, 46, 48, 88, 149; Chapin, O.S., 132; Cunningham Craig, Edward Hubert, 49, 115; Dingman, Archibald, 48; drilling costs, 169; Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 244; shareholders, 180–181; stock price, 154, 167, 176, 201, 202; sues Herron, William S., 147

Calgary Petroleum Products #1. See Dingman #1

Calgary Police Force, 44, 49, 184–185, 186, 217, 219, 225–226, 465n28; Calgary Morning Albertan, 184–185, 186

Calgary real estate boom, 28, 29, 50, 61, 63, 70, 102, 126, 128, 130, 133, 158, 177, 247, 270; difference with oil boom, 64, 70–71, 82, 151, 169, 181–183; Langner, Jullian, 270, 278

Calgary Stock Exchange, 13; incorporation and purpose, 44–45, 54–55, 265; decline and suspension, 207, 253–254, 256–257, 422–423; formation and early operations, 45, 168, 173–174; resumption 424; self-regulation, 44, 168, 174–175, 254, 256–257, 265, 266

Canadian economy: bank clearings, 160–161, 162, 229; British capital, 43, 61, 155, 167–168, 241, 256; domestic capital, 173, 190–191, 231–232, 239, 251, 420–421; foreign investment, 43, 45, 61, 100–101, 155, 167, 171, 173, 239, 251–252, 253–254; investment capital, 13, 15, 39, 43, 74, 191, 221, 222, 257, 264, 423; metropolis-hinterland thesis, 95, 453n3; National Policy, 22; private sector investment, 64, 99, 100, 164, 186, 421; recession, 8, 61, 83, 160; role of government, 13–14, 81, 100, 222, 236, 252, 254–255, 421–422; role of natural resources, 21–22, 43, 97, 103–104, 166–167, 236; US capital, 45–46, 50, 61, 155, 171

Canadian Pacific Railway, 22, 24, 26, 35, 57, 60, 64, 77, 98, 125, 126, 146, 148, 154, 159, 182, 181

Canadian Western Natural Gas, 22, 32–33

Carpenter, Alexander A., 270, 271–273, 274–278, 283, 286–287, 290, 292, 294, 340, 353–354

Carpenter Commission: establishment and mandate, 270–272; investigation and findings, 275–277; legacy, 292–293, 295, 340, 354–355, 370, 422; legal challenges, 271, 287, 290–292; press coverage, 271–272, 275–277, 283, 286–287, 290; Western Canadian Oil Company, 270, 277–278, 280–285. See also Black Diamond v. Carpenter (1916)

Cheely, William “Bill” Winbourne, 124, 141–143, 149, 171, 349, 359–361, 364, 376–377, 382–384, 386–387, 392–393, 405–406; May 9, 1914, article, 143, 192, 344, 377–378, 382–385, 392–394, 398–400, 402, 404, 406–408; Monarch Oils, 344–346, 349, 358, 478n17

Church of Christ (disciples), 1, 127, 128, 395

Clark, Allan, 235–236; Buck, George E., 192–194

Coalinga Oil Syndicate, 2–3, 128, 133, 182, 183, 200, 287, 289, 462n12; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 2–3, 128, 133, 183, 192–196, 200, 207, 256, 287, 289, 462n12; Buck, George E., 192–194; market manipulation, 192–195, 207

collapse of the boom, 244–247

Coykendall, M. Arthur, 321, 324–327, 328, 329, 330

Companies Ordinance, 217, 218, 219–220, 221, 230, 259, 260, 291, 353–354, 406, 468n33

Coste, Eugene M., 22, 32–34, 35, 50

Crandell, Edward Henry, 129–131, 137, 139, 140, 141, 209, 301, 302, 305, 382, 387, 410, 412, 420

critics: eastern Canada, 149, 168, 169, 170, 172; external, 43–44, 167–169, 245–246; geological, 70, 75–76, 81–82, 110, 113, 165–166, 220, 246, 253, 255; market, 165–166; regulatory, 168, 232, 245, 253, 356; reputational damage, Alberta, 15, 65, 213, 216, 231–232, 245, 253–254, 296; United States, 75–76, 156, 169–170, 216, 235, 245, 356

Cross, A.E., 32

Cross, Charles W., 271, 277, 313, 314, 331, 334, 353, 373, 399, 421

Cuddy, Alfred, 184–186, 220, 221–223, 226, 264, 266, 461n76; and Buck, George E., 298, 299; wildcatters, 220

Cunningham Craig, Edward Hubert, 1, 4, 30, 48–49, 105–111, 449n6; background and expertise, 1, 96–97; cautious assessments and warnings, 109, 113–116; consulting and endorsements, 106–107, 109–111, 113–116, 253; impact and legacy, 96, 99–101, 103–106, 197, 244, 253; Oil Finding, 1–2, 106–108, 110, 128, 197; public statements and media coverage, 99–101, 103–106, 109, 244, 253

curb brokers, 13, 64, 168, 174, 176, 177, 180, 184, 186

D

Dabbs, Frank, 24, 25

Dakota sandstone, 17, 18, 22, 27, 113–115, 131, 140–141, 196, 198, 206, 259, 363, 383

Davidson, William M., 420, 472n3; background, 57–58, 71; beliefs and ideology, 56–57, 99–100, 236, 450n1; civic and oil industry boosting, 57, 89–90, 117, 140, 150, 271; rivalry with James Hossack Woods, 54–55, 65, 71–72, 85, 88, 92; The Morning Albertan newspaper, 55–58, 85, 117, 140–141, 150, 271, 286, 361

Dawson, George W., 22

Devenish, Oscar, 5, 47, 65, 77, 131, 132–135, 145, 150, 173, 251, 300, 363

deportation, 240, 315, 320–321, 324–330

Dingman #1, 30, 36, 37, 41, 43, 49, 50, 147, 205, 352, 424–425; Calgary Daily Herald, 47; “doctored” well allegations, 231–233, 253; Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 244; quality of oil from, 47, 49, 81, 148–149, 153, 156, 170, 224, 253

Dingman, Archibald W., 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30–31, 34–35, 41, 44, 46–48; Calgary Petroleum Products, 71; Herron, William S., 32–34, 120, 132, 146–147, 458n1

Dingman, Charles, 36, 149

Dingman, Claude, 36

Dochuk, Darren, 124, 455n2

Dominion of Canada: extradition and international relations, 315–318, 320, 335–336; Geological Survey of Canada, 17, 21–23, 24, 26–27, 31, 81, 109, 113–114, 220; jurisdiction and control of resources, 41, 91–92, 172, 217, 260–261; petroleum regulations, 38–39, 45, 59, 91–92; regulatory role and limitations, 21, 43, 45–46, 92, 98, 220, 236; Royal North West Mounted Police, 86, 217, 225, 298, 376; “specialty principle,” 316, 321, 376, 410

Drilling: costs, 37, 40–41, 43; crews, 39, 50; challenges and limitations, 37–41; Geological Survey of Canada, 22, 220; jurisdiction, regulation and oversight, 2, 38, 42–43, 220, 223, 227; safety and technology, 36–40

Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 156, 240, 242–244

E

Earl, Jennie L., 5, 182–183, 193, 195, 205, 209, 288, 303, 313, 445n3; auto accident, 311, 314; investor, 182–183

Edmonton, 40, 57, 128, 189, 220, 221, 241, 271, 327, 330, 424; Appellate court, 290, 360; attorney general’s office, 298, 308, 319, 320, 324, 325–326, 331, 335, 337, 409; brokers, 203; Carpenter Commission, 271; crime, 125, 226–227; Dingman, A.W., 30–31; investing, 153–154, 164–165; McDougall, J., 29; McDougall-Segur Exploration company, 30; Nicholson, J.D., 304, 306, 312; oil prospects, 241; penitentiary, 394, 411; Pinkertons, 227; Police force, 126–127; unemployment, 63

Edmonton Bulletin, 56, 242, 262, 361

Edmonton Journal, 10, 46, 57, 154, 190, 274, 419; advertisements, 164–165; boosting, 10; Calgary Petroleum Products, 46–47; Carpenter Commission, 273; Cunningham Craig, Edward Hubert, 116, 164–165; investments in Alberta oil, 253; Monarch Oils, 343; regulation, 262–263, 273, 283

Edwards, Robert Chambers “Bob,” 59–60, 71, 93–94, 143, 156–157, 222, 249, 258–259, 292–293, 299, 420

Elder, William, 35, 36, 46, 131

entrepreneurialism and risk, 11–12, 50–51, 67–68, 70, 119–120, 121; bootstrap capitalism, 11–12, 97, 119; independent oil man ideal, 12, 55, 95–101; mythmaking and personal branding, 3–4, 6, 14, 110, 135–138, 143, 194, 196–197, 237, 341, 352; public debates on risk, morality, and market freedom, 54–56, 64–65, 71–72, 167–168, 185, 215–218, 230–231, 234–235, 238; risk-taking and financial desperation, 3–4, 6, 66–67, 136–138, 154, 169, 186, 190–192, 219, 277–278

environmental and economic impact, 10–11, 39, 62–63, 83, 94, 238–239, 247; conservation, 39, 424–425; economic inefficiencies in production, 37–38, 40–41, 102, 169; long-term effects on Alberta’s reputation, 13–15, 213, 245, 252–254; Turner Valley flaring and resource waste, 424–426

energy transition, 8, 10–11, 12, 72, 73, 80–81, 103–104, 158, 166

extradition, 286–297, 306, 310, 312–318, 320–321, 324–329, 331, 333, 335–338, 340, 374–376, 378–380, 382, 384, 393, 398–402, 404–410; “specialty principle,” 316, 321, 376, 410

F

federal-provincial dynamics, 217, 251–252, 269–271, 317, 320–321; dominion control of natural resources and mineral rights, 38–39; federal petroleum regulations, 38–39, 45, 59, 91–92; jurisdictional gaps and loopholes, 217, 317, 320–321; provincial limitations on oversight, 217–218, 219–220, 222–223, 252, 275, 291–292, 317, 340–341

fraud and deception, 13–14, 124–125, 172, 206, 246, 254–255; fabricated narratives, 194–195, 197, 352, 393–394, 406; insider dealings, 61, 66, 175, 192–193, 266, 270, 275–276, 281–282, 285–286, 344, 384, 393; misleading advertisements and claims, 3–4, 135–136, 197, 207, 222, 237, 259, 279, 360, 385, 393–394; salting and staged discoveries, 11, 123, 137, 138–139, 211–212, 216–217, 300, 340–341, 352, 363, 391, 393–394, 420; techniques and motivations, 6–7, 61, 66, 123, 137–139, 175, 191–192, 195, 197, 218–219, 220, 226, 266, 275–276, 285–286, 302, 325, 341, 344, 358, 380, 394, 398, 399, 405

Frost, Thomas Alfred Presswood “Tappy,” 68, 69–70, 83, 89, 102, 243, 244; eastern tour of, 232–233

G

gender and class dynamics, 12, 13, 56, 64, 96, 160, 163–164, 180–182, 220, 234; class-based access to oil wealth, 55, 64, 78 100, 119, 142, 159, 163–164, 204, 220, 232, 234, 239; imagery, 102–103, 105, 163–164, 171, 189–190; social mobility and entrepreneurial aspirations, 159, 160, 163–164, 180–183, 239; women’s roles in investment and leadership, 160, 178–181

geology and technology, 1, 21, 24, 26, 30, 106–107, 108, 128, 197, 246, 251, 383; cable tool rig limitations, 36, 37–38, 51, 80, 246; geological surveys and expert opinions, 114–115, 220, 252; Turner Valley’s anticline and subsurface complexity, 17, 19, 36, 37, 139, 246, 253

Geological Survey of Canada, 17, 21–23, 24, 26–27, 31, 81, 109, 113–114, 220

Georgeson, William, 124, 132, 204, 349, 420; Americans, views on, 239–240; business interests, 342, 348; Chapin, O.S., 360, 363; Cheely, William, 395; Coste, Eugene, 342; Dunn, B.W., 343, 345, 349–350; faith in Alberta oil, 183, 366; libel lawsuit, 340, 344, 365, 367–370; Lees Commission, 341, 357, 358, 359–361, 365–369; market manipulation, 341; Monarch Oils, 341, 342, 393; Moodie, James, 348, 352, 353, 361, 362, 363; press statements, 346, 351–352, 358–360, 366; Public Inquiries Act, 367–368; reported oil strike, 344, 346, 347, 348, 364; reputation, 342

Gray, Earle, 11, 21, 28

Gray, James, 13, 15, 46, 90, 123, 125, 289

Great War, 15, 241–242, 244–245; alters view of government’s role, 252; collapse of investment capital, 61–62, 253–254, 255, 264; decline of exchanges and investor confidence, 255–257, 264–265; failure to attract imperial contracts, 103–104; strategic importance of oil, 103–106

H

hard times, 61, 63, 83, 86, 102, 103, 151, 158, 161, 197, 239; collapse of the Western Land Boom, 8, 61–63, 157–158; decline in economic activity, 8, 61–63, 112, 158, 238

Hayes, James, 5, 6, 7, 206, 211–212, 382, 390, 392

Herron, William Stewart, 15–29, 30, 77, 232, 419, 420; advertisements, 111–112, 119–120, 121, 239; Alberta Oil Development Association, 83, 89; amateur geologist, 26; ambition, 28; booster, 149, 251; Buck, George E., 131; Calgary Daily Herald, 26, 149; Calgary Petroleum Products, 34, 35, 120, 132, 147, 424; Carpenter Commission, 277, 286–287; cartage business, 25; cooking demonstration, 32–33, 448n32; Craig, E.H. Cunninigham, 113; Dingman, Archibald W., 32–34, 120, 132, 146–147, 458n1; Herron-Elder Oil Company, 83, 176, 230; mineral rights, 28, 34, 146; Pennsylvania oilfields, 24, 27–28, 447n17; Pinkertons investigation, 230; rental payments, 423

Hovis, Martin, 35, 36, 50

Hume, G.S., 21

I

immigrants, 61, 63, 95–96, 125, 182, 239; Clarke, Basil, 176–178; nativism, 238, 240

infrastructure; pipelines, 14, 26, 32, 33, 141, 98, 113, 165, 342; railroads, 44, 51, 95, 104, 151, 155, 204, 225; railways, 2–3, 128, 133, 183, 192–196, 200, 207, 256, 287, 289, 462n12; refineries, 47, 51, 55, 74, 77, 80, 81, 98, 99, 100, 104, 147, 152, 167, 245, 252, 450n12; roads, 36, 40, 186, 223, 246; storage, 39, 51, 165

international dimensions: challenges and extradition of Buck, George E., 297, 315–316, 321–322, 327–328; global oil production and strategic importance, 9, 43, 79, 106; international capital and foreign influence, 43, 45–46, 61, 155–156, 171, 239–240; international perceptions and media coverage, 12, 71, 169–171, 213, 216, 235

International Supply Co., 4, 35, 40, 50; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 5, 123, 128–129, 136–137, 192, 209, 211–212, 287–288; Monarch Oil, 342, 343, 360

investors, 15, 197; Calgary Petroleum Products, 180; education of, 68–71, 76–77, 81, 88, 109, 116, 117, 128–129, 169, 285, 452n34; losses incurred by, 194, 226, 247; protection of, 55, 216, 234, 245; small investors, 64, 72, 78, 163–164, 220; warnings to, 64, 66, 216, 217, 220, 231–232, 234; women, 177–183, 187

K

“knockers,” 81, 201, 208, 235, 314, 419; definition and characterization, 12, 54; geologists and experts, 110–111, 113–114, 116–117, 169–170, 237; government officials and regulatory bodies, 187, 208, 231; reactions to the “knockers,” 1, 71–72, 77, 83, 85, 172, 232; Calgary Daily Herald, 78–79, 89; Chicago Tribune, 235; Custer Weekly Chronicle, 235; Minneapolis Journal, 235; Montreal Gazette, 110; Natural Gas and Oil Record, 6; Oregon Daily Journal, 234–235; Regina Leader, 231, 234; Seattle Post–Intelligencer, 234; Toronto Daily Star, 168, 172; Victoria Colonist, 231; Winnipeg, 232

Knowles, Vernon, 200, 220, 227–228

L

Langner, Julian, 110, 270–271, 278–286, 420, 455n35

Lansing, Robert, 335–336, 374–375, 378, 400, 408

Laramide Orogeny, 20

Lees Commission: challenges and scope, 340, 355, 364–365; formation and mandate, 340, 354, 365, 367, 370; legal challenge and impact, 340–341, 356–357, 365–366, 369–370, 422; Monarch Oil Company hearings, 357–365

legal and regulatory failures, 191; calls for reform and delayed intervention, 4, 13–14, 67, 123–124, 190, 217–220, 225–226, 245, 275–276, 421; jurisdictional ambiguity, 217–218, 220, 225–226, 251, 261–262; lack of oversight, 168, 174–175, 183, 220, 275–276; litigation and discovery, 270–271, 279–283, 283, 285, 291–292, 296, 316, 321, 339–340, 354, 397, 404, 407; self-regulation, 11, 44–45, 56, 83–84, 173, 175, 234, 254

legacies: cultural and social, 7, 11–12, 54, 97, 120, 129, 239–240, 293, 419–420, 425; economic, 13–15, 61, 161–162, 167, 175, 187, 191, 252–253; individual and personal, 13, 123–124, 132–133, 141–142, 207–208, 270, 283, 296, 311, 358, 361; legal and institutional, 14, 123–124, 217, 252, 255, 271, 291, 316, 321, 340, 355, 357, 369, 378–379, 398, 400, 404–405, 407, 420–422; national and imperial, 9–10, 45–46, 91, 100–101, 166–167, 261; political and regulatory, 13–14, 252–255, 291, 294, 421–422, 424–425

local capital and speculation: Calgary, 54–55, 60–61, 64, 71–73, 74, 145, 153, 156–157, 424; Edmonton, 153–154, 165, 203; impact, 103, 150–151, 155, 158, 161–162; land rushes and ticket trading, 49, 66, 168, 185, 285; public participation, 7, 10–11, 154–155, 157–158, 178, 180, 183, 420; Red Deer, 203–204, 349

Lord’s Day Act, 185–186

Lougheed, James A., 29, 34, 120, 128, 133, 448n32

Luxton, Eleanor, 29, 186, 241, 255, 447n25

M

Mahan, Alfred Thayer, 9

Martin, Walter Randall “Frosty,” 4, 35, 50

McDougall, David, 2, 29–30, 186, 303

McDougall-Segur Exploration Company, 2, 10, 29–30, 42–43, 49, 80, 108, 115, 117, 147–148, 169, 182, 186, 191, 203, 209, 227–229, 236, 358, 449n62

McGillivray, Alexander A., 71, 113, 129–136, 185; appeals Buck’s conviction, 384, 397–398, 402, 404–406; background of, 289; Carpenter Commission, 271, 290, 297, 298, 365; legal strategies, 271, 289–290, 378, 379, 383, 384, 386–388, 391

McLaws, William Henry, 34, 390

McWain and Miller Detective Agency, 307, 308–310, 312–313, 317–318, 320–325, 328–330, 331, 337–338

McWain W.A. See McWain and Miller Detective Agency

media and messaging: advertising strategies, 97, 100–105, 119, 131, 136, 163, 187, 194; editorial conflicts, 71, 77–78, 82, 84; film and popular culture representations, 8, 10, 91, 94, 95, 101, 103, 105, 118, 152, 153, 163, 164, 170, 190, 201, 224; media ethics, 46–47, 225–226, 228–229, 237, 361, 383; media resistance, 168–169, 172, 216, 231, 234, 236–237, 354; newspapers as promotional tools, 83, 95–96, 140, 142, 161, 198, 200, 232–233, 385

mineral leases, 28, 42, 49, 180–183; acquisition and value of, 1–3, 28, 49; challenges and exploitation of leases, 91, 115, 343; Dominion revenue from, 49; Earl, Jennie, 182–183; Fitzgerald, Jennie 182; legal and regulatory aspects, 38–39, 66, 69–70, 91–92, 152, 168, 200, 220, 261–262, 276, 285; lottery system for, 49, 184–185

Miller, John “Long John.” See McWain and Miller Detective Agency

Mitchell, John W., 27

Monarch Oil Company, 121, 346, 350, 352, 364; alleged oil strike and promotion, 203, 204, 229, 236, 344–349, 358–359, 362, 478n3, 17; Calgary Morning Albertan, 361; Calgary News Telegram, 347–348, 349; Carpenter Commission, 272, 341–342; Chapin, O.S., 132, 346, 358, 359, 363; Cheely, William, 344–345, 360; declining fortunes and mounting doubts, 342, 350–352; Dunn, Bird W., 343, 358; founding and initial business strategy, 341–343; Georgeson, William, 204, 239, 340, 342, 348, 358, 360, 366, 369; International Supply Company, 342, 343, 360; investors, 347; leaseholds, 343–344; Lees Commission, 339–340, 353, 357–358, 360; Moodie, James F., 348, 352–353, 361, 363; Morfitt, James 348, 355; motives for a false oil strike, 344, 347, 349, 350, 358; Natural Gas and Oil Record, 204, 351; Olds district, 165, 202, 204, 279, 349; Public Inquiries Act (1916), 340; recapitalization, 344, 350, 351; share price, 121, 176, 202, 259, 343, 344, 348, 351, 352; Vancouver Daily World, 359

moral hazard, 217–218, 222, 275, 276

N

Natural Gas and Oil Record, 6, 169; advertisements, 105; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 128, 137, 196, 199–200, 212, 229; booster, 77, 94–95, 151–153, 163–164; brokers, 183; Buck, George E., 128, 134, 185; Coalinga Syndicate, 128; Dominion mineral leases, 93; Duke and Duchess of Connaught, 243–244; exposé of Woods, 77–78; Great War, 25; “Greatest Magnet,” 153; Herron, William S., 147; investors, 186, 191; “Scarecrow,” 151–152; “Small Investor,” 163–164; Stephen Beveridge libel suit, 86, 88; stock exchanges, 175, 176; stock prices, 202; telegram to Southam, 89

National Policy, 22

nativism, 239–240

Nicholson, John D., 304–307, 312–315, 317–340, 373–377, 386–387

Nickle, Carl O., 37, 420

O

oil culture, 7, 8, 11; advertisements, 8, 33, 91; Black, Brian, 131–132; competition, 132; construction of, 12, 33; Intolerance of criticism, 90–92; rule of capture, 132; self-regulation, 13, 45

Oil Finding (book), 1–2, 49, 106–108; Buck, George E., 126

oil industry: California, 9, 28, 48, 50, 79, 101, 109, 116, 117, 119, 131, 135, 147, 149, 152, 165–167, 169, 173, 190, 183–184, 2 24–2 25, 237, 258; exploration and geological context, 9–11, 20–21, 26, 46–47; global scope, 9, 10, 55, 78, 80, 94–95, 111–112, 421; Kansas, 9, 70, 108; Ohio, 50; Oklahoma, 9, 48, 50, 119, 308; Ontario, 21, 43; Pennsylvania, 21, 24, 27, 40–41, 48, 50; salvation, 8, 83; technology, 39; Texas, 9, 37, 50, 51, 96, 119, 45; US, 9, 49–50; wealth generation, 8, 11, 12

Owens, Clarence A., 50, 88–90, 259

P

Pennsylvania, 8, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 30, 35, 37, 40–41, 48, 50, 75, 79, 100, 108, 109, 146, 258, 307, 326, 345, 447n17

Phillips, Albert Parker “Tiny,” 4, 35, 50

Pinkerton’s Detective Agency, 218, 227–228, 230, 262, 421

populism, 12, 13, 22, 98, 100, 105, 163, 265; civic religion and the myth of the independent oil boom, 7, 65, 67, 76, 98–99, 119–120, 124, 158, 171, 238, 251, 349; mistrust of elites and monopolies, 45–46, 63, 76, 98–101, 174, 232, 237–238, 265, 280

prostitution, 64, 125–127, 185

public trust and disillusionment: breakdown of self-regulation, 60–61, 64, 90–91, 234, 291–293, 355, 364; consequences for investors, 175, 191, 226, 235, 247, 249, 254–255; direct losses from fraud, 4, 14, 191–192, 229, 270, 280, 282; false claims, Buck, George, 3–4, 123, 138, 142, 194, 196–197, 199, 211, 206, 390; false claims, other promoters, 66–68, 103, 117–118, 149, 216, 222, 287; growing doubts, 75–76, 109, 112–113, 116, 167–168, 235; investor losses, 194, 226, 247; systemic financial risks, 65, 70, 169, 252–253

Public Utilities Act (1915), 262–263, 271

Public Utilities Commission, 217, 255, 263–264, 355, 357, 422

R

recession. See hard times

Red Deer, 164–165, 203–204, 273–274, 289, 343

regulation, 42, 251, 261; federal, 21, 38–39, 43, 45, 59, 91–92, 217, 261; King George Hotel 187–188; provincial, 217–218, 219–220, 222–223, 230, 255, 262, 269–271, 275, 296, 340, 354–357, 421–423. See also Companies Ordinance; Public Utilities Commission; Sale of Shares Act (1916); Sale of Shares Act (Manitoba)

regulatory and legal reform, 252, 296; Carpenter and Lees Commissions, 270–272, 275–277, 287, 290–293, 295, 340–341, 354–367, 369–370, 422; government actions, 230–231, 247, 252, 255, 354, 421–422; need for, 12–14, 205, 218, 225, 238, 255; Public Utilities Commission, 255; Sale of Shares Act (1916), 255, 355–357, 422; Georgeson v. Moodie and witness privilege, 255, 355–357, 422; Great War and, 252, 421–422

Ritchie, J.M.D., 205–207, 377, 404

Rockefeller, John D., 51, 55, 97, 100, 120, 150, 189, 453n4; as inspiration, 190, 194

Rose, Frank, 227–229

rotary rig, 38, 222, 246, 416

Royal Navy, 9–10, 49, 106, 113, 166, 245, 445n15

Royal North West Mounted Police, 86, 217, 225, 298, 376; Nicholson, John D., 304

rumour, 4, 1, 22, 46, 213, 236–237; motivation for, 200, 210, 229, 237; oversight, 238; Standard Oil, 42; transparency, 237

S

Sale of Shares Act (1916), 255, 355–357, 422

Sale of Shares Act (Manitoba), 231, 263

Sanders, Colonel Gilbert E., 86–88, 185; brokers, 184, 256, 264–265, 266; Buck, George E., 135, 287; Rose, Frank, 228; prostitution, 185

Sayre, A.J., 34, 44, 47

Schmidt, John, 1, 11, 40, 212, 308; Beveridge libel suit, 86; Buck, George E., 127–128; Cheely, William, 478n17

Segur, Ira E., 2, 29, 77, 83, 96, 101, 113, 147, 213, 449n62

self-help, 230–231; advertising ban, 231; anti-Calgary oil campaigns, 232; Calgary Board of Trade, 44, 53, 65, 221, 226, 232–233, 237; Calgary Stock Exchange, 13, 44–45; Oil Protective Association, 234; Oregon Daily Journal, 234–235; Regina Leader, 231, 234; Seattle Post–Intelligencer, 234; “Tappy” Frost’s education campaign, 232–233; transparency, 237; Victoria Colonist, 231

Shaw, Joseph T., 226–228, 230, 297–298, 301–302, 305

Sheep Creek, 25, 26

Sheep River. See Sheep Creek

“shooting” oil well, 345–347, 349–352

Short, James: background and assignment of Buck’s prosecution, 297–298, 472n3; initial strategy and difficulties, 305, 321, 334, 373–374; fraud case and conviction, 376, 378–380, 383–387, 388–393, 395; appeals and the Supreme Court of Canada, 397, 398–400, 402–403, 404–407, 410–412

Sifton, Arthur M., 222–223, 224, 297

Sifton government, 14, 217, 231, 254, 255, 262, 263, 267, 270, 271–272, 275, 278, 292, 355, 370–371, 421–422

Skinner, T.J.S., 34

Southam, William, 57, 84–85, 88, 92

speculation, 11, 13, 28, 44, 45, 54, 55, 64, 65, 68, 70, 72, 76, 97, 100, 111, 117, 153, 157, 168, 172, 181–183, 186–187, 213, 219, 223, 231, 235, 238, 239, 245, 252, 263, 283, 350, 450n1; Dingman, A.W., 47, 48, 71, 265; incentives, 187; mineral rights, 109, 261; protection of consumers, 266, 355–356

speculation and investment culture, 10–11, 19, 55, 61–62, 64–66, 93, 100, 169, 190, 216, 245, 450n1; curb brokers and bucket shops, 60–61, 64, 157–158, 176–177, 183–186, 189; small investors and working-class participation, 55, 64, 72, 117–119, 154–155, 159–160, 163–165, 186, 235; stock exchanges and trading practices, 44–45, 168, 137–175, 201, 264–266, 422–424; women in oil investment, 177–183, 187, 424;

Spokane, 85, 158, 201, 202, 207, 415, 416; advertisements, 202, 213; anti-Calgary oil campaign, 234; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 207, 211, 213; broker, 201–202; Buck, George E., 299, 413; Calgary Petroleum Products. Ltd., 201; importance, 171; investment, 156, 171, 213, 347; Ranlett, W.H., 460n66; rumours, 213

Spokane Daily Chronicle, 213, 228; Black Diamond Oil Fields, 211, 213; Buck, George E., 413; Buck, Kathleen, 413; Georgeson, William, 239–240; Langner, Jullian, 279; Monarch Oils, 347; Rose, Frank, 228

Spokane Press, 413

Spokane Spokesman-Review, 171

Standard Oil, 41, 42, 50, 55, 74, 79, 82, 96–101, 160, 147, 148, 165–166, 174, 343, 421, 424

stock certificates, 5, 155, 158, 161, 181, 191, 219, 226, 236, 249, 264, 282, 284, 289, 423; printers and, 155, 158, 161, 249

stock exchange, 44; Calgary Women’s Oil Exchange, 178–180; Eureka Women’s Oil Exchange, 178; Mason, Blanche, 178–179; unchartered, 168; Woollard’s & Company, 178; Wolley-Dod, Annie, 178–179; Women’s Oil Brokerage Company, 178

stock market manipulation: artificial scarcity and price inflation, 4, 66, 76–72, 117–119, 137, 194–197, 344, 346; consequences and aftermath, 14, 169, 213, 229, 245, 253–254; exploitation of lax regulations and investor psychology, 64, 66, 175, 190, 210, 213, 217, 229, 280–281, 285–286; painting the tape and staged rallies, 191, 207, 237, 257, 266

stockbrokers: emergence and prevalence, 15, 61, 146, 157–158, 176–178, 254; practices and perceptions, 61, 64, 67, 169, 173, 175, 184, 219–220, 258; provincial interventions, 255–256, 263, 355–357; regulation efforts and challenges, 45, 173–175, 183–184, 254. See also Buck, George E.; Georgeson, William; Rose, Frank

Supreme Court of Canada: overview of Chief Justice Sir Charles Fitzpatrick’s court, 397, 402–403, 407; George Buck’s appeal, 379, 397–398, 402, 404–407; Ruling and implications, 407–411

surface rights, 43, 66, 69, 91, 134–135

T

Texas, 9, 26, 32, 48, 51, 141, 306, 453n4

Thompson, George Marshall, 54, 55, 58–59, 71, 72–75, 80–81, 92, 151, 199–200

Trainor, Gregory, 271, 277, 286, 297–305, 323, 327–328, 352–353, 355, 358–359, 361–364

transparency, 66, 173, 190, 220, 237, 245, 255, 267, 340, 355

Tryon, Charles Elmer, 58, 123, 139–140

Tucker, J.L., 77–78, 199–200, 212, 351; advertising, 95; Black Diamond Oils, 199–200; booster, 1, 77, 95; Buck, George E., 199–200, 212; Devenish, Oscar, 77; Dingman, Archibald, 77; exposé of Woods, 77–78; Herron, William S., 77; Monarch Oils, 351; Segur, Ira 77

Turner, Tom (detective), 228

Turner Valley, 11, 29, 42; cable tool rig, 37–38; conditions, 36; drilling costs, 37, 40–41, 223–224, 246; formation, 19–21, 22; geology, 17–20, 26–27, 32, 36; natural gas, 41; production, 11; production costs, 41, 51, 220, 246; railroads, 51, 104, 151, 151, 204, 225; reserves, 17; roads, 36, 40, 186, 223, 246; rotary rig, 38

U

unemployed, 61, 63, 150–151, 152, 238, 240, 245, 247, 260

United Oils, 117, 131–135, 176, 192, 202, 203, 207

United States: as global power and source of oil industry expertise, 9, 22, 28, 29, 50, 99, 101, 131, 170–171, 239–240; investment and promotional activity in Alberta, 35–36, 40, 45–46, 50, 155–156, 171, 179, 213, 347; US media skepticism and warnings, 232, 234–235; flight of George E. Buck to and extradition from, 301, 303, 305–311, 313–315, 318–321, 324–326, 330, 334–335, 400, 414; 477n96. See American influence; anti-Calgary oil campaigns; Canadian economy—US capital; critics—United States

V

Vancouver: investment and capital flow, 30, 166–167, 173, 213, 233–234; newspaper coverage and public perceptions, 158, 171, 196, 232, 236, 242, 279; stock exchanges and brokerages, 174–175

Vancouver Daily World¸ 116, 149, 158, 196, 203, 205, 242, 256, 359

voluntary organizations, 44, 218. See also Alberta Oil Development Association

W

wages, 40, 177–178, 181

Wall, Paul J., 325, 327–333, 378, 398, 399, 404–405, 408

Ware, John, 26

Western Canadian Oil Company: Carpenter Commission, 270, 277–278, 280–285; formation initial operations, 117, 251, 277–278; involvement of Langner, Jullian, 278–283; financial struggles, 279–280;

Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, 20

Wichita, 297, 306–310, 312–315, 317–338, 340, 395

wildcat, 13, 213, 219, 220, 229, 232, 234, 236, 237, 356, 421, 424

wildcat Christianity, 124, 424

wildcatters, 14, 84, 117, 131–132, 169, 184, 213, 219, 220–221, 230, 234, 454n12

wildcatting, 71, 77, 173; deceptive practices, 117, 197–198, 212–213, 237; definition and distinctions, 50, 219; financial misconduct and tactics, 137–138, 143, 168, 191–192, 217; impact on investors, 70, 220; lax regulatory environment, 123–124, 168, 190, 218–219, 221, 356; skepticism of, 14, 168, 213, 231–232, 235, 356

Wilson, Woodrow, 326, 334–335, 477n96

Winnipeg: financial and investment connections, 30, 233; newspaper coverage and public perception, 232–233; regulatory actions and opposition to Calgary oil, 187, 227, 230–231, 275, 318

Wolverton, Grant S.: Black Diamond Oil Fields, 5–6, 133–134; Buck, George E., 5–6, 133–134; Devenish, Oscar, 133–134; Grant S. Wolverton v. Black Diamond Oil Fields et al. (1914), 207–208, 288–289

Woods, James Hossack, 54–55, 56–57, 60, 64–65, 71–72, 73, 74, 77–78, 84, 86, 88, 89, 92, 103, 238, 450n1

World War I. See Great War

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