The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-12-01

We have frequently within year been
shown specimens Of pure camel coal loHnd
in different parts of our county, and scien-
tiic gentleman, fully competent to the task,
has promised US an article on the subject,
assuring us that he could demonstrate the
existence Of such coal in the Ncrmilion re-
gon, the La Sale basin, and otter localities
in unlimited quantities This opinion is full
~ borne out by the following article which
we find in the Chicago Press Of last Satur-
day, aud to which We give place, in antici-
patton of something fuller on tho subject
promised us hereafter;
DISCOVERY OF CANNEL CoAL-W are now
in possession of such information as leads us
confidently to believe that "A large deposit oil
camel coal has been discovered IN our state,
which, from its location, may be easily
made available for this markets We were
favored with call a day or two since by
Mr.. Murray kirkpatrick, the owner OF coal
lands upon the Big Ncrml on in La Sale
County, who presented us with some hand
some specimens Of camel coal, tabcn from
the town of La Sale ana some twelve from
Ottawa. Some Of the specimens are quite
equal to the breckenridge coal in appear
ancc, and give out Il large, brilliant flame IN
the crate, as We have found by practical
trial.
As we have before shown, il is a common
thing to find small detached deposits of can
mel in association with btuminous coal at La
Sale and several other places in Northern
Illinois. but now we think We may safely
announce that it has been discovered in Suili-
cient quantity to meet any demand that may
be made upon it for fuel and manufacturing
PURPOSES There are two continuous veins
from which the specimens before us were Ia
ken, both uhutIlaJiHp " 'vry ~"l""I'Ia '"'''
of btuminous coal, the first some fifteen,
and the latter some thirty feet, and both
gradually sinking towards the centre OF the
basin, which finds its lowest level under the
bed of the river. Where the first vein be
gins to crop out in the bluff it is only about
an inch thick, but tracing it in its descent
for about seventy rods, it gradually attains a
thickness OF twelve, twenty and twcnly-siX
inches. TO the bottom Of the basin is some
eighty rods further, and the presumption is
until the point is reached, though shaft
would have to be sunk to a considerable
depth todeternnc this point. The lower
vein of camel, 50 far as it has been traced,
is from twelve to fifteen inches thick, and OF
a more solid structure than that lying above
it. That also gradually increases in volume
as it dcsccnds, and seems to be continuous
over the whole area Of the basin. The spc-
cimens from the first vein have been more or
less affected by long exposure, while those
from the latter are as firm and compact as
ebony, and susceptible Of as fine polish as
marble.
Mr.. kirkpatrick informs us that he has
made no attempt at mining camel coal in
large quantities, but he would be willing 10
contract for the delivery Of thousand tons
in this city, If an order 20 that extent should
be given. Dr. Norwood, the State Gcolo-
cist, made thorough examination Of the
locality few weeks since, and expressed
the opinion that camel coal existed there in
abundance and Of excellent qualify.
The stratum Of bituminous coal oYcr,ay-
Ing the seams Of camel is about eight feet in
thickness, furnishing about six feet Of coal
Of good quality, which DR.. Norwood pro.
nounccd fully equal if not superior 10 any
other deposit in Northern Illinois,
Here would seem to be a very promising
field for the cuterprsiug capitalist, and #
the statements made TO Us in relation TO II
are correct, our city and the whole state
have a deep interest in the development Of
its resources.