The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-07
Coal RIVER, w. Va, July l.

Coal RIVER, w. VA, July l.
write you from the great coal field
of the greatest mineral State IN the
Union. This, one of the youngest, OF
tn sisterhood Of States, promises to be-
come, through her vast mineral wealth
one of the NEST important have
been over portions of the great coal field,
and the more l see the greater is my
surprise. Well did Prof. Rogers, years
ago, declare that the developments of
coal in the valley of the Kanawha ex-
coed those in any other part of the
country. Prof. Jno. Lock, ofyour city,
eminent as geologist and scientist, made
a hurried reconnaissance through Sec
tons Of the Kanawha coal field, and his
published report speaks his high ap.
probation of this remarkable mineral
deposit.
The great hindrance to successful de-
velopment of this vast wealth has been
the difficulty Of transportation. The
larger coal deposits are remote from
navigable streams, except those imme
diateiy on the Kanawha river, on
which are the fine camel mines at Pey'
tona, and others, has to be slack
watered, but this is still inadequate to
the purpose At present it is so low
that it is comparatively useless. Rail
roads can also serve the purpose desired
This will speedily be done, and the
priceless treasures of West Virginia
unloosed from the bond of ages. The
great trunk line from East to West, the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, is rap
idly approaching completion, and a new
era will dawn upon Virginia. La,eral
roads will be made up Coal (surveys
having already been made), and up the
Guyandotte, Twelve-Pole, Sandy, &c
These lateral roads will open up mex
haustible mines of the finest Goals on
the continent; also iron, lumber, &c.
The Chesapeake and Ohio strikes
southwark from the mouth of Coal, and
comes bordering upon the Ohio at
Huntington, three miles below the
mouth of Guyandotte. | have been
over the entire line from the Ohio to
the mouth Of Coal, and can attest the
progress and superior character Of the
work. Its western division, from the
Ohio to the falls OF the Kanawha,
about ninety miles, will be completed by
early autumn.
At St. Adams, mouth Of Coal, the
nucleus for city has been laid. The
site is remarkably fine, high, dry and
picturesque. Considerable activity pre-
walls, and many new buildings are 60
ing up. Two locomotives enliven the
great scene on the Kanawha by scream
ing at the height Of their capacity.
Track-laying has commenced, and the
work goes bravely on.
Now that the Chesapeake and Ohio
IS reality, what do your citizens pro-
pose for connection ? 1t is high time
they were up and doing. The Licking
ton and Big Sandy is commenced.
The Chesapeake and Ohio has ad,
vanced largely, and Colonel Rupert, late
assistant to Mr.. Whitcomb, Chief En-
gineer Of the Chesapeake and Ohio, has
been selected as principal engineer Of
the Lexington and Big Sandy. The
Kentucky connection will go forward
Immediately, and Cincinnati must lose
many advantages if she fails to join
westward. This is the golden moment
Let your people be up and doing.
Whether the connection be made by
river or through Hillsboro matters not
but let it be made one way.
OBSERVER.