The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-04-04

This does not include tic coal conSuIncu NJ
Pittsburg, or the coal shipped elsewhere.
Quantity of coal mined during the
year 1864 at tho Pittsburg coal fields,
was rs, ,4G2, ,9GG bushels. Of which
amount 29,5ll,5G7 bushels, as just
stated, we're shipped down the Ohio
river. If to this latter quantity there be
added the coal mined at Pomeroy, Mason
City, Hartford City, Wheeling, and
other places on the Ohio river above tho
mouth of the Great Kanawha and below
Pittsburg, it will make, in round mum.
bcra, 10000, 900 bushels Of coal annually
shipped down the Ohio river by the
mouth Of the Great Kma'cha. Putting
this coal q. sixteen cents per bushcl, the
resul. is $4,000, 900, which is tho value
Of the coal trade per annum that passes
by the mouth of the kunawha, on its
way to Cincinnati and other markets
trade, moreover, that Is rapidly incrcas'
ing annually IN crtcnt, ratue and import
aHcc. Cannot a portion Of this vas
trade 10 drawn from the Monongahela
and Youghiogeny coal fields to the Coal
river coal fields? Does not the Kanaw.
ha coal basin (ncluding Elk and Coal
rivers) offer 10 capitalists greater induce.
ments for investments than the Pitts.
burg coal basin does2 \ comparison Of
the two will satisfactorily answer the
question
KANAwuA COAL FIELDS COMPARED WITH
THE plTTsBURG COAL FIELDS.
1( The Kanawha coal fields contuin
as good bituminous coul as the best
ughiogeny, and in addition thereto
superior splint and camel coal.
(2) The Kanawha coal fields are FAC
miles nearer to Cincinnati and Louisville
than the Allegheny, Mouongahcla and
Youghiogeny coal fields are. The latter
being twenty and thirty miles from Pitts.
burg. (Sco map to this rcport.)
(3) The "Quartcrly Trade Circular
for Sept, 1865, reports the valuo Of the
coal lands near Pittsburg, as follows:
Coal lnnds on the YOughoeeny' at $50 2So praere
hoAShuSio WV
" Allegheny 400
m near the Pen. Z. R.R. " $50
" near the city, SUI
whilst better coal lands on Coal, Elk and
Kanawha rivers can at this time be pur'
chased at prices far below such rates
prices varying according to the pro1
imity of the land to the rivers.
(l) The navigation Of the Ohio river
below Point Pleasant is, Of course, great
| " better than it is from Pittsburg down
to Point Pleasant. .'t.~-~> e. ="
(5) The navigation Of the Kanawh;
is no. obstructed like the upper Ohio
Frequently the Ohio at >Pi,tSburg ii
frozen over, whilst the navigation Of tho
Kanawha is not even obstrueted by ice
Furthermore, New river, the tributary
Of the Kanawha, rises IN North CToliaG
and runs from the south TO the north
and after q severe freeze the warm rain:
at the sources Of New river bring rise!
that FREQ the kanaWha Of ice, and Misc
free the Ohio river Of ice below Poin
Pleasant, whilst the Ohio river, ut fltts
burg, remains from two to four weeks
frozen over; or the navigation thereof
obstructed by ice. And this. breaking
up of the Kanawba ice is just when there
is the greatest demand for fuel in Gin
cippati, and Louisville-theroby ena
bling Kauawha coal to be shipped to mar
| ket fortnight earlier thanthe Pittsbure
coal. and at the very. time wheu fuel is
~ ost needed in those cities. .t..".
(G) The Kanawha coal fields are stu
atcd on what must be in time'a great
Highway for the trade and travel of the
Mississippi Valley to tho Atlantic sea
board. The vast and rapidly Increasing
trade of the Great West is seeking. new
routes for traasit to the cities Of the SET
coast. Il And the route through the ka
navha Valley has advantages over al
others in climate, grade Of road aud short
ac.s of di3apes. . The GoviQgton :ant
Ohio railroad is to pass through th,
K.nawha Valley, and this road is bat q
lextension to the Ohio river Of: of:Nirginiai