Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-25
For the Spectator.
Coal Lands in Bath County.
BATH ALUM SPRINGS, March 2Uth, $50


IMessrs. Editors My attention has just beer
called TO an ANONYMOUS communication in the
Spectator of the 18th, in relation to the repor'
of the discovery of coal in Bath County.
When the press is to be used to contradict
nv report previously circulated, it should be
done by those quclifed to do so; who know
what they write about who have no selfish OBJ
iect in circulating different report than the
one already promulgated. 1t will be evident 10
even casual reader of the article referred to-
that the writer of it is interested in some way
which does not appear in his communications
Why does he not he give his name! Is he too
modest? By no means; for his presumption is
maliciously marvellous; and no modest man could
assume so much as he His name will give q
KEY, which will very easily unlock both his as
sumption and his geological presumption Does
he know the course of the "coal range" in Vir-
ginia? Dors he know the difference between a
"coal basin" and wash BASIN If so, there
is no trace of snch knowledge in his commune
cation.
This prodigy of geological wisdom starts OFT
with the remark, which is by no means original
with him, that "Falsehood aud misrepresen-
tation seems to be the order OF the day." and
unfortunately for him he has given us the evil
dence of the truth of his own remark, both as
to ''Falsehood" and misrepresentation" He
SAYS there is not the least foundation for the
report that coal had been discovered in Bath
county Is this truth or a 'taLSeho0dI p
Hear his proof! lie was born and raised within
mile of the place! This is logic and proof with
vengeance! Was he "born" geologst p
Has he even been "raised" with knowledge to
decide in such matters The birth of many
persons, is the only fact in their history worthy
of record But he says he has tried this cele-
brated coal" How did he try it? Did he an
alyze it? Does he give you the result OF such
analysis, and thereby prove that it is "black
slate 2" No! He put q pice in the fire, and 10
it would not burn. Did he ever put hait-a-
peck on the fire at timer Did he ever take
the trouble to cut into the bank through the
'out crop" to the real coal2 Not he. Though
"6o,n" and :satsed" almost on the vein he new
err took that trouble. lie knows that neither
he nor any one else ever expended fifty cents to
test the value of the coal until | ordered it to be
opened, and we have not cleared the 'o1t crop"
yet
1t is u fact, which if your correspondent allu-
ded to by me, reads, he may know, that by far
the greater portion of discoveries in coal have
been made by scientific men, under the very
nose of the precious creatures who were born
and ''faised" within far less than "mile and a
fourth" of the most valuable coal veins. Where
is the Virginia State pride of the man, who
from purely selfish motives would retard the
glorious march of the "Old Dominion 2" Does
Bath county need no spur? Is there no space
for Improvement there9 Shall few selfish and
land -grasping "Rip Van Wrinkles" keep back all
Improvements
The second paragraph in the article under
review rolls up the curtain on new scene. he
says the report out the discovery of coal in Bath
is ''to get up land mania to palm OIL parcel
of acorthles8 land &C." Now this is decidedly
rich! He advertises the community that the
lands in the vicinity Of his oacn farm are WORTH
less And, then, . sublime benevolence he
would caution "innocent persons at distance!
Would he not like to have small slice OF this
aoorthleSs land9 Does he not pretend to claim
some of this very soOrthless tand? . shame
where is thy blush? Just such men and just
such actions have been for years. throwing their
dark shadows across the shining pathway OF
Virginia's onward progress. A few such men
NAV keep whole county back for years; and
prevent by conspirG 5ies of various kinds the
prosperity, and enrichment of its citizens. But
their doom is certain If they will stand in the
path of the car of progress they will perish by
their oWN act and none will rise to call them
blessed All such persons are their o~n worst
enemies for all improvements in their vicinity
would increase the value of their own estates
ten-fold. They remind me of that class OF the
ancients, who ''would not enter heaven them
selves, nor allow Others to go in.
In conclusion, let me just say, that entertain
no unkind feelings to the acriter of the article al
luded to, whoever he may be. only feel sor-
nv to see men so blind to their own rSat and
true interests.
The report Of the discovery of coal in Bath
county is true. To what extent 1t may yet be
worked is matter which leave fer time to
unfold. Not being ashamed of my name, nor a.
fraid to sign, and to hold myself personally re-
sponsibly in amy form for every word have
written. l remain Yours Respectfully,
GEORGE F. GORDON.