The hydraulic press., 1859-12-10
Has California Good Coal Mines.

reports of coal discoveries which the news
papers publish, the question might be at
once answered in the affirmative No doubt
numerous indications of coal have been
found, but they have not proved to be the
out groupings of extensive deposits The
existence Of such indications, however, in
twelve or fifteen counties Of the State, and
widely separated from one another is a very
hopeful sign In the early days, when every
body was almost exclusively occupied in the
search for gold, it was not thought profit
able to risk money and time in search of
any meaner mineral; but latteriy the local
tiles where coal indications are found have
been, or are being, carefully investigated
In some instances, deposits have been found
if we may believe reports, extensive enough
to afford large supplies for use, and Califor-
mia coal has already become an article of do
mestic traffic. According to one journal
there were on exhibition at the State Fair
two blocks of native coal from the mines of
Alexander & Co., Niagara Creek, Amador
county, thirty miles from Sacramento. The
mine, it was said, covers an area of three
hundred square miles This is very pos
tive statament, but it lacks circumstantial
evidence of its correctness. If there really
is in our State mine of good coal covering
an area of three hundred square miles, the
fact is worthy of demonstration.
Not long ago the San Francisco Times
stated that an excellent article Of coal was
being used in that city from mine in Ala
media county, not many miles from Oakland
The place is known as Hill Dale, and the
mine had been morked for nearly three
months. 1t belongs to Messrs. VIM. c. and
Geo. S. Israel. One hundred tons, or more,
OF the coal, had been used by steamers,
foundrics and -four mills, and found to an
swer admirably. The next coal mine from
which samples have been taken into market
for sale, is that of Mr.. Hoefner, of Buck
eye Valley, Amador county The Ledger
was informed that the stratum was extern
siye and was being Systematically and prof
itably worked. The owners had established
a depot in Sacramento, where they were
said to be selling large quantities. Btu
mncus coal, according to the Petaluma
Journal, has been found in Sonoma county
by Mr.. Coleman, an experienced Penn
sylvania coal miner, who was led to seek
fer coal in the place where he found it by
| observing the springs to bear every indica-
ton of being in close proximity to coal beds
This is the only instance in which the va
riety is stated, though all the specimens are
affirmed to be of excellent quality. The
latest report Of a discovery we find in a re-
cent number of the Yreka Uaion-since de-
| ceased. According to that paper coal
mine had been discovered by DR.. F. G.
Hearn, at point about twenty miles from
Yreka, on Willow Creek, where five veins
cropped out of a hillside, one above the
other. The specimens brought to town
burned extremely well for outcroppings, and
company of nine gentlemen had been
formed to test the deposit and work it if it
proved valuable.
Now all these reports come very direct
and positive, from first sources, but still
they lack full confirmation, and hardly war;
rant the belief that one extensive coal mine
has yet been discovered in the State. We
believe, however, that such discovery
will be made, and that the above indications
Iyor ray,f abnr ND fnI
vestigation. The Importance to the State
OF large coal deposits can not be estimated.
They would prove ultimately of more value
than her gold mines, do more to stimulate
"a anufactures and to retain at home the
vast wealth that now goes abroad. Coal
has become great power in urging forward
modern civilization, in science, manufacture,
the arts, and fer the promotion of human
comfort. It's commercial value among the
minerals is only exceeded by that of iron,
and the country that possesses it in abun-
dance is sure to become great and prosper
Gus.
The annual coal product Of Great Brit
ain, at the mouth of her mines, is worth sew
enty-f millions of dollars-considerab
more than our annual gold cropi The pos
session of coal mines would be OF especial
value to California, in connection with her
rich placers of the precious metals and her
vast forests of superior timber. We think
the matter of sufficient Importance to war
rant the Legislature, if it does not order
thorough geological survey, in employing
competent person to investigate the coal in
dications Of the country, and submit an elab-
crate report.
DEL NoRTE.-This furthest north Califor-
MIA county is seldom heard from; it is -four
ishing and excellent one, however. The
Crescent City Herald reports the completion
and full operation of large grist mill in