The Lusk Free Lance, September 24, 1931

Independent Refinery Here is Incorporated

Lusk has, during the past week, added what promises to be an asset to its stability as one of the most progressive towns in the state, with the incorporation of the Lusk Oil and Refining Company, which to date is composed only of prominent local business men. Articles of incorporation were filed with the secretary of state at Cheyenne last Friday, and local filing was made with County Clerk Frank W. Chambers on Monday.

The company is headed by J.W. Seegrist, independent local gas dealer, as president, and Don C. Taylor, secretary treasurer, who, with J. Henry Deetjen make up the initial board of directors. John F. Harkin is acting as agent for the new company.

The refinery of the Lusk Oil and Refining company is located about a quarter mile east of this city, and the skimming process is the method used in extracting gasoline and other products from crude oil. With the present equipment, gasoline, kerosene tractor distillate and furnace fuel are the extent of refining possibilities, but it is anticipated by the officers of the company that further refining will be dealt in if and when the demand for such products warrant.

Several thousand gallons of crude have already been run through the plant in five or six tests and the results have been very satisfactory. The still is of 2,000-gallon capacity, and may not be of sufficient size if the orders for its products keep coming in. The company already has a number of orders for gasoline, and other fuels, and these orders are expected to increase steadily.

Large storage tanks are to be installed within the next week or two and if the demand for production becomes too large for the plant to handle, additional stills will be erected and placed in operation. It is understood that the lowest grade of refined material - furnace fuel, is very suitable for road oiling, and a substantial market has already been found for this by-product. The crude being refined here is from the Osage oil field.

The company is capitalized at $50,000 and the par value of the stock is $10.00 per share. No stock is for sale, however, at present, it is understood.

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The Lusk Free Lance, July 9, 1953

"ANNOUNCEMENT.....

I wish to announce to the people of Niobrara County and surrounding vicinities that I recently purchased the interests of the W.H. Hitz estate in this business and am now sole owner and operator of the

INDEPENDENT REFINERY AND STATION

Jennings Ruffing , Owner and Operator

Just east of town on Highway 20."

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The Lusk Herald, July 16, 1953

Jennings Ruffing Now Sole Owner of Ind. Refinery

Jennings Ruffing has purchased the interest of the late W.H. Hitz in the Independent Refinery and Station Located just east of Lusk on Highway 20.

Ruffing and the lat W.H. Hitz were partners in the business since 1945 until Hitz's death recently and the purchase is made public in an advertisement on another page of this issue. 

The announcement is also made that the Independent Refinery has now taken the franchise with the Sioux Oil Co. to sell the Sioux petroleum products. The Sioux Oil Co. has its refinery located at Newcastle and is now recognized as a major manufacturer of oil products. The Newcastle Sioux Oil Co. operates primarily in this region serving Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado and North Dakota. 

A few Niobrara citizens are known to be stockholders in the Sioux Oil Co. and one local man is a member of the board of directors.

The station will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Lawrence Crofutt and Gerald Crofutt are employed with the firm. Gerald has operated the plant for several years and will continue top operate the local refining plant. Mrs. Jennings Ruffings will serve as bookkeeper in int business.

The structure housing the business has just been painted and fixed and new Sioux Oil Co. arrowhead signs installed recently so that the appearance of the business has approved.