The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-12-20
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JUNCTION, SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 1862.
THE CASH MUST INVARIABLY ACCOM-.
PANY LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE SMOKY FILL
A Geological Survey of the State.

Geological Survey of the State.
That Coal exists in great quantities on the
Smoky Hill River, has always been reported by
travellers and hunters, who have passed through
that region Of country since it has been used as
thoroughfare to the Rocky Mountains by the
white race. Mr.. H. T. Green, Superintendent Of
| the Smoky Hill Expedition of 1860, has laid
down on his map large tract of country in the
neighborhood of Big Creek, as Coal producing
| region and says in his Report that the soil
in the vicinity OF this creek is allrvial, and is
covered with thick growth of buffalo grass.
An abundance of Coal is found in this region,
and up to this point groves Of fine timber line
the banks of the streams ernp.ying into the
Smoky Hill. The country is capable of support
ing a large population, and at no distant day,
where now roam the wild Indian and the Buff
falo, will be heard the sound Of the church bell,
and the busy hum Of civilization"
Big Greek emptes into the Smoky Hill, on its
northern bank at about one hundred and thirty
five miles from its mouth.
At Cedar Bluffs. twenty FIVE miles east of Big
Creek, and on the south side of the river, bed
Of Coal, two feet and half thick, which has
been since discovered, some wagon loads of
which we have lately seen in our city, and it
has been pronounced an excellent article by
connosseurs and mechanics who have tried it.
Reports of other beds, and occasionally a speci-
men come to us from various localities on the
same stream, as also on the Saline. These re
ports are sometimes doubtless exaggerated as to
the quantity of Coal seen at a particular place,
not through righteousness or desire to deceive,
but from mistakes arising from the carboniferous
character of many of the states and shales lying
contiguous to the Coal stratum ITSELF but still the
accounts are SO numerous and never contradicted
that there can remain no doubt of great amount
of Coal existing there.
Being lately in the vicinity of Big Creek, in
company with Messrs. r. S. Miller, of Abilene,
and r. c. Calkin, of Salina, we examined some
of the Coal beds there. We found four of them,
one the bank of Big Creek, itself, and the
others about ten miles this side of it. The Coal
stratum in them all, was about two feet in thick
ness, while the strata of slate Immediately super
imposed upon and underlying it, were highly
with Coal
The strata lie in the following order;
Soil;
Drift
Limestone
Slate
Limestone;
Slate;
Coal
Argillaceous slate
Slaty sandstone
Compact sandstone.
Having no proper tools for digging with us
We had no means of judging of the quality of the
Coal except on the surface and there it is very
similar to the Cedar Bluff variety, though in two
Of the beds it seemed to be superior, rot having
as much Of the Ignite character of the former, |
but more of the bituminous.
1t is to be regretted that we Were unable to
nature of the country am convinced |
That Coal exists there in nexhaustible quantities.
Kansas possesses in many different portions of
her territory. a rich and valuable treasure in |
mineral products, such as coal, iron, lead, and |
salt, and other useful minerals, and among our
population are energetic and enterprising men
enough TO develop her resources. But to be |
developed they must first be known, and sys
ematic geological survey Of the State is the best
'Ho Az ioSe liiS ohiy way " AAohS ehSh PAoPSiy
known. The war is at present the allabsorbing
opic of public attention, and the taxation conse-
iuent upon it rests heavy upon US, that we
Ill feel unable and unwilling to increase it; but
night not our State Legislature initiate the
Example of the General Government, which,
while it is carrying on c war expensive in of
blood and treasure, does not neglect her internal
and The welfare of her people
Though such survey might seem out of place
low, and unnecessarily burdensome, still it
would soon pay for ITSELF and our posterity, as
we'll as ourselves, be benefited by it, as soon as
,ur national difficulties are over, and the revenue
derived from the Smoky Hill Coal Beds would
most probably pay large share, if not the whole
If the expense of the survey.
Nv. SEYMOUR
II The Printers of Leavenworth contemplate