Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-06-04


lMpoRrANT DISCOVERY OF FUEL.-W {
have reliable information OF the recent dis
covcry at Buffalo Gap, eleven miles west OF
Stanton, Va, Oh the line OF the CHESAPEAKE
and Ohio railway, Of VEN oil pure anthracite
coal some nnc feet in thickness. 1t has long
been known that inexhaustiblc deposiis OF
lr0n ore existed in this region but they were
only worked very slightly before the war, on
| account Of the scarcity Of the proper fuel. -
This discovery OF anthracite within a half mile
of the great line OF railway which will soon
connect the Ohio with the James by the
shortest route Is a matter Of the greatest in
tcrc>t tn Washington Richmond and Norfolk,
all If which cities are now obliged to draw
upon Philadelphia for their supplies. It, will
also stimulate the exploitation OF the iron
mines IN that region, and the development oil
the Two deposits will necessarily add immense
" 10 the traffic al the Chesapeake AID Ohio
aml Orange and Alexandria railways The
former, II will he remembered, lntrrScciS the
latter al charlottesville IN lis progress east
ward, and then both use 4 common track from
that point Ia GOrlOHSvilIc, whence the thrSa'
p,'akr and Ohio branches oil to Richmond,
AID the Orange aud Alexandria proceeds
mthward, through Culpeper, Orange, aud
Manassas, to Alexandria. IL will bc seen that
cars laden AT the mines can he hauled Ia
Lynchtu,G. Richmond, Alexandra, anil
Washinrt0n without transhipmcnt of freight.
ihc work on The Chesapeake and OHIO road
westward from Covnpton is progressing very
rapidly to White Sulphur Springs, IN Green
blirr caunly Ia which place 1t will be com
prIcd ty the 18th instant. In view OF all
these facts. the Importance ct this deposit 81
coal Ia all the adjacent country can hardly hf
over c>t mated. -Nt. Int.
A llUGE CATAMoUNT. About ten days since,
MIR. WrlIiam Shine residing IN powell's Fort,
at the base at the range OF mountains forming
the western boundary of that valley, had ooca
sion to 90 to the top of the ridge immediately
in the rear of his house, and did not return
until nightlall. A. he was picking his way
along the PERCEPTIONS sides Of the mountain,
with his rifle loaded, in his hand, no heard a
rustng behind him, and turning around, he
saw pair OF glowing eyes, burning upon him
with iiXility and sparkle that cannot be de-
scribcd, and moving towards him with the
seemingly involuntary motion of the spider
when stealing uron his prey. 1t was we'll for
Shipe that he turned 50 suddenly, and raised
his piece 20 promptly, for, although the beast
was still hugging the ground, his head was
erect for the fatal spling. A click, ship re-
polt, leap into tho air, and heavy thnl
upon the ground, ten or fifteen steps distant,
and our mounancer was standing over proba-
bly, the largest leopard-cat ever killed in this
county. He Weighed nearly one hundred
pounds, was beautifully marked with black
spots, upon Groyish white skin as delicate
and firm as velvet. and was doubtless one OF
the finest spec; mens of his kind living; but oh,
what mrrderous claws-two inches in length
Of GU re--wcro concealc within those elegantly
padded feet. Perhaps tho best idea can be.
formed Of his size from the fact that when MIR.
Shipe, who is man of over six feet in height,
wishing to test his weight by lifting, took him
by the hind legs, drew them up and over the
top of his head, and the animal stiIl huns upon
the ground -ShmaWa!Qoh HcroH. !