Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-06-04

eral terms, but its magnitude and great inn
portance is not SO generally known. The
improvements now going on in these re-
gions, and the deveopements recently |
made, are however already attracting the
attention Of capitalists and others, deslrous
Of making investments. When we reflect
that only few years since the operations
of the Schuylkll region were looked upon
with apparent Indifference and doubt, we
ought not be surprised that some little
doubt may be expressed in regard TO the
future operations of the middle coal region,
which, like the Schuylkill region, is des,i-
ned in very few years, not only 10 realise
the expectations of the most sanguine, but
greatly to exceed them. In regard to the
character of these coal fields, we have the
opinions of practical geologiss and engi-
neers, who say that 'the general order,
range and qualification being so uniform
and undsturbed, 60 far to prove that no
fmH Of any consequence will be found
within its limits" r. c. Taylor, Esq, in
his geological work refers TO this coal re-
gion as the most regular in proportion 10
its magnitude OF all the coal basins in Penn
sylvsnla.
The Philadelphia & Sunbury rail road
now rapidly progressing, running from
Sunbury through Shamokin, Mt. Carmel
and Ashland, where it connects with the
Mine Hill extension to Pottsvile, also in
progress of construction, is the great artery
that is now giving life and activity 10 all
the operations in the great mineral region,
through which it passes.
r This road commences at Sunbury at the
junction Of the north and west branches Of
the Susquehanna and extends to Shamokin,
the western boundary Of the coal region, a
distance ofnineteen miles, by easy descend
ing grades, in the direction OF the tonnage,
to this place. From Shamokin the road
passes through Mount Carmel to Ashland,
a distance of about IS miles, where the
= road connects with the Mine Hill extern
> sion, traversing between these points con-
tinuous coal fields Of the finest coal in
Pennsylvania, embracing every variety oil
anthracite coal, white, grey and red ash,
suitable for the smelling of iron, or for do
meStic or other purposes.
From Ashland, the Mine Hill extension
also in progress of construction, extends tt
Schuylkill Haven, distance of about %
= miles, where it connects with the Reading
rail road, forming an outlet for the Eastern
IS portion of the region, by that road.
. From Mount Carmel, where some OF the
y finest coal veins of the region are being
opened, a rail road Of ten miles in length
n of easy grades, is projected and about TO be
- constructed, TO nterSect the Cattawissa raj
. road.s This road, with its connections will
8. the Lehigh s Easton roads, will give thos,
- valuable coal fields access TO the New Yorl
- market, the distance from Mount Carme
to that city, being only one hundred an,
i thirty miles, by the above route. Their,
can be no doubt but that New York will il
> future receive large supply of her lue
from this source. For the supply of he
steamers no superior coal for this purpos
st can be found.
e, AT Sunbnry the markets Of the We,
'e Branch OF the Susquehanna, the points be
y, tween that place aud Baltimore and on th
De Juniata, all can be supplied, either by th
public improvements, or the various raj
Us roads diverging from this place, now in tn
ne course of construction, viz the Susquehan
W ma rail road which connects this place b
er rail way with Baltimore and intrrmediat
'ir points The Sunbury and Erie road,
m, which the great Lakes will be supplied wit
ne anthracite coal from this region, cheap,
ty and more expeditiousy than from any otl
nt er source. According to the letter OF D.
vid Longneckrr, Esq, President of ii
nix Philadelphia and Sunbury rail road, 10 II
or President OF tie Sunbury aud Erie roa
Die coal can be furnished at Sunbury for 81 !
Ter per ton, and delivered at Erie at an actu
'X- cost OF 81 per ton, as back or return frcigI
les which at 81 per ton, the selling price
me Erie, where ii usually sells at SO and {
i've per ton, leaves an actual profit of s 80 p
TO ton, making on one million of tons, Ia IA
- estimate Of the annual lake trade,) a Gle
ia profit Of Sl,500,000, or 10 per cent. on
ign capital OF 10 millions of dollars.
as The rail road from Sunbury TO Danvi
aSe when completed, will open market
the immense consumption of coal, at t
iron works Of that place, which is estimat
ere at 100000 tons per annum.
'0'' In addition 10 all this, we must add I
W. great lumber trade OF the Susquehanna
wv large portion of which will be direct
~. over this road, on its way TO market, as W