The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-04

Fire Clay, 9 feet.
At this point the boring was discontinued,
TIM result being sufficiently satisfactory.
GEOLOGICAL POSITION OF THE MINNESOTA
COAL FIELD. :.
The coal bearing rocks lie on the lower
silurian rocks, conforming to the latter in
dipping towards the southeast. Presuming DR..
OWENS to have been correct as to the outcrop-
ping of mountain limestone on the Upper Des
Moines river, indicating that the coal measure
is cut off in the north part of Iowa, the coal
bed of Minnesota SO far as Mr.. EAMEs' exam
nation has extended, would seem to form an
anticlinal axis with the Iowa coal fields, andl
be part of an Independent coal basin in
central Western Minnesota, rising in the
Northwest and extending, continuous Goa
field to the Red River of the North, passing
by the head of the Minnesota River The
coal measure is certainly developed on the Big
Cottonwood, and, if it were probable that Or.
OWENS was in error, it would be considered
continuation of the Iowa coal field, dipping
towards the northwest, rising towards the
Minnesota River where the uplift of granite
occurs and passing IN the same course at the
foot of the Coteau du Prairie, and thence, the
whole coal field gradually rising, towards
the northwest outcroppings on the Red River
and its tributaries and to the west.
TIE BIG COTTONWOOD HIvEE.
Barges, loaded with coal, can be hoated down
the Big Cottonwood in high water, and the
examinations made the past winter. when the
water was very low resulted in the opinion
that at comparatively light expense, the river
might be made available for barge navigation
for the whole season.
WHAT coal. WILL DO IN MINNESOTA.
Not to extend the limits of this article, we
must omit more than reference to the results
upon all branches of industrial art, and the in
crease of prosperous wealth to our State which
may reasonably be expected from this discOv-
cry ofcoal within such convenient distance of
our city. The iron ore of Lake Superior and
the coal of Minnesota, we may hope, will
unite at st. Paul to build up here great iron
trade. Lack of fuel we may believe, will no
longer be bar to the full occupying of our
fertile prairies Out of these two results, or
either of them, will come better prospects for,
and quicker building Of our railroads, an in
crease of mercantile wealth and population,
and consequent prosperity to merchants and
farmers. That is what this coal discovery
promises to do for Minnesota.
With this grand result to his nine months OF
careful survey and arduOus labor, the people
OF Minnesota will readily acknowledge their
debt OF gratitude to Mr.. EAMEs, and the honor
In which they should hold his name, for the
discovery he has made the value of which
Is beyond estimate, for coal will do more
to develop the resources of our young
State than could all the gold of Idaho. The
gentlemen whose liberal enterprise has con-
trlbuted so largely to the accomplishment of
this proof that valuable coal beds exist within
our State, are also deserving a full share of
credit, and we shall be glad to learn that each
and all receive in time the moneyed remunera-
ton and reward evidently sure to follow their
present success in prospecting.
WHEN THE WORK COMMENCES
The company, organized as above. have So.
cured several thousand acres of land selected
by Mr. EAMEs, and he is to proceed with a
party OF laborers, by the first Of next week to
commence active mining operations on the Rio
Cottonwood 1t is the intention of the con9'
many to deliver as large quantity of their coal
as possible the present season at the st, PamI
leyee. The first barge load is promised by the
fourth of July.