The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-08
AN EEL DORADO AT OUR DOORS.

1t is somewhat remarkable fact that
although the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
is now within eight months Of its compile
ton, no movement has been put on foot by
the moneyed men Of Richmond to secure at
least portion of the enormous wealth which
this great road will develop at once in the
region of the camel and splint Goals of Ka-
nawha. We are informed that English
men, New Workers., New Englandcrs, Bal
timoreans, Cincinnatians, Chicagoans and
other live men are quietly buying up coal
lands within easy distance of this road at
prices varying from five to one hundred
dollars per acre, containing more coal
per acre, and that more accessible,
than the Pittsburg or Cumberland mining
lands which range at from $500 to 81 900
per acre. We are assured that there are
vet to be had, at from three to ten miles
from the railroad, thousands of acres that
will yield from $4,000 to $4,000 tons of
camel and splint coal to the acre, at an
average price Of ten dollars.
Now why should not some of our Rich
mond people at once unite and form COM
pany to purchase five or ten thousand acres
of these lands, and work the mines for the
supply of this market, if nothing more p?
These Kanawha mines require no expcn-
sive machinery for working. The coal is
in great horizontal seams, with only dip
enough to drain the mines. Therefore, no
pumping 70 hosting machinery will ever
be needed. Carts, trucks and cars can be
run into the seams and loaded by the
miners, and then be drawn by mules to
the railroad train, and there dumped into
the cars. The highest estimate put on the
cost of mining does not exceed one dollar
per ton.
We understand the railroad company
will contract to carry coal at not exceeding
one cent per ton per mile. 1t is about two
hundred and ninety miles from Richmond
to the coalfield; call it three hundred, ant
the cost of transportation to this city will
be but So. Allow dollar for royalty ant
contingencies, and we have a total of s.
per ton for coal delivered here. Camel is
worth SIS in New York-sometimes al
high as s22. Splint coal is so rich in car
bon and free from bitumen that experienc
shows that two tons of splint equals il
value three of bituminous coal. This be
ing so, it must, and will to large extent
supplant bituminous coal, even at the sam
relative price.
But Richmond's consumption would b
trihing compared to the trade that must b
supplied here. These superior Goals will b
shipped from here to the extent of million
of tons in very few years, to supply tn
Atlantic cities, ocean steamers, and tn
United States navy. Then these lands
now purchased at ten dollars per acre
will command hundreds of dollars per acre
We only call attention to this importan
subject that the Richmond people ma
move in the matter in time to share som
of the enormous profits that must flow frol
the immense mine of wealth which thes
Kanawha lands offer. If our people d
not move in this direction, and that yer
speedily, somebody, more enterprising tina
ourselves, will step in and snatch til
golden opportunity from us. The Chess
peake and Ohio railroad is q vine of oil
own planting, and shall others gather tt
most magnificent fruits Of its bearing
Let the men of capital in our city, al
those who have the influence to comman
it, move at once in this matter, and Sc
that we gather some of the fruits of oil
own past enterprise.