The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-05-12

f.. F. Are. there any other principles Of the
Democratic party which you can give me
any information? .g4
D. None at present. ,sss-
THE IRON AND COAL INTEREST OF
INDIANA. f9 G#
From the Indianapolis Journal. t
Indiana is just awakening to partial rea'i-
zation of the immense wealth that lies imbed>
ed within her area. The discovery OF vast beds
of coal in aud near Clay county. and the recent
action of capitalists towards unearthing the
rich deposits is generally known to the citizens
of the State But the peculiar quality OF the
coal, and it's great value to those engaged or in-
terested in the manufacture of iron, has been SO
lately demonstrated, that brief history OF
what has already been accomplished, and also
what is projected by capitalists of this and oth-
er States will prove interesting to the people
generally.
1t is a well-known fact among all iron mong
ers that the iron ore of Lake Superior. is by far
the best discovered in this country. Ohio and
Pennsylvania have drawn largely from the in
exhaustible supply of its mines for several years
past, and now Indiana having by practical tests
satisfied herself that with Clay county coal and
Lake Superior ore she produce iron of the
| best quality, second to none in the market, and
by large saving in distance of transportation,
at much less cost than either Of her sister States
| Already there are in the State q number oil
smelling furnaces. rolling mills, nail factories,
etc., ID operation, and several new companies
are organized, building their WORKS and prepa>
ring to commence operations during the conn
ing summer. 1~ass
Capital to the extent of over three millions
of dollars is already invested in the coal mining
and iron smelling, and millions more can be
profitably employed. Chicago capitalists who
always have an eye open to the welfare and
growth of their marvellous city, Gas well as ths
interests of their own pockets) have organized
several large companies and are now erecting
their furnaces.
Ten thousand men are now employed in the
coal mines, and the facilities for bringing togeth
er the great productions of nature, coal and
iron, could not be surpassed.
railroad is now completed from the irol
mountains to Escanawba, on Green Bay, dis
tance of sixty miles. The ore is there drop
ped into vessels, and one days sail brings it t.
Michigan City, port now being opened at tn
head of Lake Michigan, and the only harbor il
the State of Indiana.
The citizens of this place and vicinity, wei
aware Of its great natural position and the i'm
portance of harbor to the people and CONNER
cial interests of the State, two years ago organ
ized company for the building and improve
ment of it's harbor. Two hundred THOUSAND
hundred and twenty thousand has already bee
expended. The general government also hav
ing become impressed with the necessity an
value of a harbor at that point, have appropri
ated $4,000 which, together with what ha
already been expended will complete and es
5 tablish one of the best and safest harbors o
Connecting at this point is the Michig a.
Central Railroad, running from Detroit to Chi
cago; also the Chicago, New Albany and Louis
Vile Railroad, the latter running the entir
length of the State. forming connections wit
| all the great East and West lines, terminate
on the Ohio River opposite Louisville. A
Greencastle it connects with the Terre Haut
and indianapolis Railroad, which passes direct
ly through the coal region which lies about
miles from its junction with the Chicago an
Louisville Railroad. There is also the Plym
outh, Peru and indianapolis Railroad which
completed to La Porte, twelve miles from Mich
igan City, and which will soon extend its line
the remaining twelve miles, thus giving it
terminus on the lake and forming complet
line for the transportation of the coal and ir0
ore. 1t will also be the means Of supplying t
the rich farming country Of Northern Indian'
though which it passes, lumber, shingles, sal
lime, plaster. etc., besides giving the farmers a
outlet for their grain and other productions.
The best qualities of timber and wood ca
be found in endless quantities within six mile
Of Michigan city, while the prices suitable fe
the erection of iron works, factories, ETC., al
far below those at any other point offering tn
I same facilities. s4 -. ..
One large iron company has purchased yer
: valuable property bordering on the harbor, an
shipped over its docks 5000 tons of ore durin
the season Of 1867. They have now one fu
mace in operation at Lawton, Michigan, and pr,
pose to soop commence the construction Of al
other at Michigan City. se
From the foregoing facts, it can readily
perceived that Indiana is entering upon ne
era Of progress and growth, and is destined e1
G long to take rank among the fist manufaetul
; ing States Of the Union.
The total debt Of Chicago, as set forth in Ii
Mayors message to the Common Council,
$65oO,ooO. aaI3sex s. sa,'
. Forty five streets In Chicago, azgrsSating 2
miles In length, are to be paved with Niciaolso
i pavement this summer. lsa# 20
/ | L.. "a