The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-18

From the st. Peter Tfibun,

O. S. Bryant, Esq, of this place, g
practical geologist, who first announced to
the public, in 1862, the existence of coal
in the Redwood country, has just returned
from visit to that region, from whom we
learn that the examinations now made con-
firm him in his hitherto expressed opinion.
he found the mines in poor condition for
thorough examination, none Of them being
opened any more than cutting down Of
the slopes on the banks Of the Redwood on
the Minnesota, showing cross section of
the coal vein and slate local in decom-
posing oondition) Of about five feet This
whole coal section seemed to be perfectly
saturated with water, which had by some
means found its way down through the
roof of the strata, and for long ages, per-
haps, had been displacing the carbon and
depositing the heavier earthly and mineral
substances in its place, on the same princi-
pie that certain calcareous and siliceous
waters cause petrifactien in woody SUBJ
stances. This may have resulted from q
slide in the banks Of the river, dislocating
the coal measure, and exposing the coal
vein to the action of water.
Mr.. Bryant is of the opinion that when
the normal condition of the measure is
reached, which would be, in some places,
200 feet from the outcropping, the seam
will be found dry, and the whole space
from four to five feet containing species
OF coal of light character, called in Eng
land steam coal. This is its seeming char
acter on the easterly side of the Redwood,
extending towards Iowa On the wester-
ly side coal of q different quality seems
to exist, the specimens lying near the pre-
misses being apparently spongy and con-
tanning sulphate of iron, causing it to
slack in the air.
The center of the great coal basin, Mr..
Bryant thinks is west of Redwood towards
the Coteau de Prairie. But the whole
country west, north and south of Redwood
is underlaid with this mineral for a great
distance.
So important a discovery as coal in
Minnesota, as is now strongly indicated in
the Redwood country will no doubt be
thoroughly ventilated, and its extent, quail
ity and value ascertained. We hope to
hear further from Mr.. Bryant as to this
important matter, and other things of in
terest in the Redwood country.
We have received the following commu-
nicstion from VIM. @. Essler, proprietor
of the foundry in this place, who has given
the coal trial, and obtained the most sat-
istsctory results:
THE COAL TESTED.
Editor 81. Peter Tribune:
On my return from Redwood tested the
SsI taken by myself from the Minnesota
.nlliis, four miles from the town of Redwood,
IN the presence Of Charles 8. Bryant, of Saint
te!et, oy placing the specimens in black
snlth Jorge, on crate 80 arranged as to let
the All pass under it. In starting the fire ]
used charcoal. In ten minutes blast an iron
bar one inch in diameter heated to a welding
heat.
The coal seemed to run together at a high
heat, caused, as supposed, by the blue CLAW OF
other foreign matter having been carried into
the coal by water. with which the coal was
saturated. / should think that deener in tSs
mine where the coal had not been Injured hs
the water passing through it, the coal would
be much better. 1t seems to be a iioht go
resembling Camel coal
WILLIAM c. EssIAR
,.., 81 Peter Found.y.
St Peter, Aug. I, 1865.