Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-04-29
NASHVILLE:
MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND THE FUTURE WITH
REFERENCE TO STONE COAL: BY II sAf-
FORD, State GsOlogisL


roads built It would be almost our only desidera-
tum. A full supply would begin era with
U.S. it would give new life 70 all branches Of indus
try new manufactures, new openings for capital
and labor would develop themselves spontaneously
all around Us. Give Us coal--Ghsap, good eOsl--and
our fortune Is made.
Can Middle Tennessee, then, notwithstanding past
failures, look for an ample supply Of this sl-impor-
tant element of prosperity and wealth! We an
SWer, unhesitatingly, she can. The assertion may
appear strong to some, yet We believe that, Witain
twenty years, almost all, if not quite all the towns
Of this division Of the State will use coal freely
even for domestic purposes. There can be no ques-
ton as to the demand for it. Most Of them would
be glad to get it even now. We all know how it is
with wonderfully thriving metropolis, Nashville
the cry for years has been, more coal! more coaIn
What is true of Nashville, is true to some extent
Of neighboring towns. We desire the coal, then,
although hitherto we have failed to get it.
There is, however, new era about to dawn upon
US. We may not see its full height for one year, or
two years; nevertheless, ii will soon come In other
words, we believe that within few years the sup
ply of stone coal will be equaltO our wants. In
order that our faith may be strengthened with refer
ence to this matter let Us look for at the
position, extent &C., of our beds, and then call to
mind the channels opening for the introduction of
coal.
In the first place, there is one feature peculiar
and promising in the geographical relations that
Middle Tennessee sustsins to Che position Of our
coal beds We live in a basin. The coal beds run
nearly half way around US, and situated in hills
and mountains high above us. It appears as if
Providence intended that, in His own good tine,
the coal should for down into the low lands for
consumption The same thing is true Of the val
ley Of East Tennessee with Knoxville as its centre.
Hereafter in another article we shall speak Of East
Tennessee in this connection.
Taking Nashville as a centre, the coal beds occur
within distance Of one hundred miles at least in
three different directions, viz: the southeast, the
east and the northwest. In fact, excepting con-
siderable gap north Of US, the coal lands may be
regarded as forming a ssmicircle around Nashville
having radius Of about one hundred miles. These
lands, as we have already said, are high above US
and it follows that all railroads built used for the
transportation of coal will have their heaviest grades
descending towards central Middle Tennessee. 1t
viii require no extra steam power to bring the coal
to our DOORS Put it upon the railroad and it will
At that in this matter, nature has favored
us and that thus the cost Of transportation will be
diminished.
But here we may be asked-Is there certainly an
abundance Of COED coal reserved in the mountains
for Us? To this too we answer, unhssitatngly, yes
We have seen it, and therefore know. In the Geo
logical Report Of 1866, we say: Our coal, Of
good quality is at least equal in the aggregate to
= solid stratum eight feet thick and four thousand
four hundred square miles in extent; Or in other
words, equal in volume to a 5od bloch Of coal eight
feet hgh, t,rsnty miles t0ids and hundred and
trsHty miles long," From this we have now moth
ing to take back II any thing it is much below the
rue amount. Since it was written, we have carried
our investigation much farther, and the quantity
increases upon US. Among the numerous important
objects kept in view, in the prosecution Of the geo
logical survey, not the least has been to determine
definitely the amount and varieties of stone coal.
This had never been done. The State was compare
lively ignorant Of her own resources and wealth in
this respect. We desire to know what de-
pend upon; where we can obtain Goals for especial
uses; where our gas Goals our steam Goals &C., lie,
audS in word to know all the facts in reference to
Tennessee Goals that will have practical bearing.
We will simply say, at present. that the results will
be very satisfactory, far more than We had antci
pated. Within two years we shall, perhaps, be able
to report fully and finally upon the localities, posi-
ton, amount, varieties and especial uses Of our
Sosls-n
Having thus spoken Of what nature has done for
us, &C. it remains in the second place, to refer to
what we are doing for ourselves. At the present
time there are three or four channels open and open
ing through which coal will be brought to US.
First in order, is the Nashville and Chattanooga
Railroad. This viii become a most important coal
road With her branches she will furnish a large
part Of the Southeastern andcentral parts of Middle
Tennessee, with fuel This she has done to q limited
extent. What she has done, however is no measure
Of what she will do. The coal this road brings has
been taken from the Sewanee, Racoon, and other
7siHes near the line Of the road. The companies,
however, working these mines have but just COM
menced operations. We could not expect them to
food the market st once. The Sswanee company's
road yet finished What coal they have brought
from the mountain has been taken from little knobs
temporarily worked. Ina short time however, it
may be ten or twelve months, but nevertheless in a
short time they Will be able to commence in earnest.
We have great confidence in their ability to do sn
they nave promised lhere Is neither lack OF COAL
nor lack Of enterprise on their part.
Again, we may begin to look for 'up-river " coal
with more confidence than heretofore. Several COM
panies have recently been formed for the purpose Of
making the supply from the upper Cumberland more
reliable It is probable that some Of the most seri-
Gus obstacles in the navigation of the river will be
avoided, and that thus the uncertainty connected
with the reception Of coal from this quarter will in
good part be removed The river counties will have
the benefit of this source of supply.
In the third place the Henderson road will, in a
short time open another channel for the introduction
of stone coal This road promises much and we
D. reason why she viii be able to fulfill her
promises. She connects Middle Tennessee with the
Southern extremity Of the Illinois coal-feld. Where
We thus tap it there is abundance Of coal Again,
the same ooal-fed will yield US her fuel as she has
already done, to some extent by means of the Ohio
river and the lower Cumberland The BELL coal is
from this region. Recent companies have been or
gained for the working Of other mines in the
region that also propose to bring coal by water.
large part Of Middle Tennessee will doubtless use
coal broughtth from Kentucky, by the Henderson
road and the rivers
Finally with all the facts before US, the favorable
position, &C, Of the coal itself and the many chan