The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-07-18

ara but little IN saying that no other
place is known, where, on an equal area,
so much, and at the same time so good
coal exists. Moreover it is very common
to find our beds exposed in the creeks
and branches. Be assured that they are
not found only by deep digging, but re
veal themselves by exposure to the sur
face.
Ore, of the brown hematite variety,
reveals itself on almost every acre of our
land, and in many places is so abundant
Is to nearly cover the surface with speci-
mems that will yield fifty per cent, and
even more, Of iron. No other variety
than the hematite has yet been discover
ed upon the Table, while, SO far as have
heard, none of it has been found in the
Tennessee valley along the base of Wall
den's Ridge. In certain localities it is
so abundant as to prevent the ground
from being plowed.
Information which l have obtained,
recently, leads me to conclude that a
portion of our county contains an inn
menso deposit of coal, similar to the
block coal of Indiana. 1t reveals itself
in creek, and l am informed that it is
in blocks with straight sides. This de-
pCsit, whatever it is, is an extensive one,
and is in the immediate neiahborhood Of
the richest iron ore yet found on the sur
face in this county You are aware that
the Indiana block coal is especially YaI>
liable IN the manufacture of steel If our
block coal has the same qualities, which
think not improbable, then we pos ess
unusual advantages for the manufacture
of steel, because Of the peculiar quality
and great abundance of our iron ore, both
minerals lying near each other The ore
b rs been subjected to a scientific test by
an experienced analytical chem list, who
pronounce it to be Of superior quality
for the manufacture Of the steel of
| commerce"
Besides coal and iron, we have found,
in this county, gold, silver, copper and
galena Whether they exist in quauti>
ties sufficient to pay for the working of
them is yet to be ascertained. So far as
regards silver, copper and galena, think
the probabilities are in favor of their be-
ing in paying quantities. On this point
| do not expect to be much longer igno-
rant
Limestone does not prevail in this coun
ty, as q rule; the principal formation be-
ing sand rock, but it exists in sufficient
amounts for all mechanical and manufac-
turing purposes for countless ages, and is
on our highest ground.
As to our timber, we have it in con,
siderable variety and Of great excellence
The various Kinds OF oak abound. Wal.
nut, chestnut, poplar, pine-both white
and yel!ow-are in considerable amount,
but not as plentiful os oak l have in
no part of the North found white oak, so
valuable for mechanical or manufacture
ing purposes, as is on this table land in
great profusion. No where else can be
found such bountifal supply of timber
suitable for ties and other railroad uses
1t has been, and Is, the habit of people
not intimately acquainted with these ta>
BILE lands to speak of them disparagingIy
Those who know the capabilities of our
soil speak and think differently In no
part of the United States do know of so
sGlubrious a climate as this The few
amongst us who have any form Of sick>
ness are simply paying the penalty of
some folly of their own; some fragrant
violation Of the laws Of life and health
| With US, health is almost the universal
rule any want of it, the exception. Ia
! this county are many vino came here
from some part CT the North, large pro
| portion of them with impaired health,
many of them unable to labor, who are
to-day robust and capable of performing
what would be called a good days work.
This improvement of health is not con
fined to either sex, but prevails as much
with one as the other.
Outsiders have spoken contemptuously
of the agricultural capabilities of our
soil, overlooking the fact that this count
~ has been occupied by hunters and not
skillful, enterprising and industrious
farmers, who called to their aid science,
improved implinents and machinery
People who carry the rife and live by its
products do not develop q country. Bat
eight years of life and observation in this
country have convinced me that what Is
fairly to be called good farming will make
this soil as productive as river bottoms.
Our soil is a sandy loan, with clay loan
subsoil 1t does not leach, notwithstand
ing the many reports to the contrary. Nc
soil feels manure quicker nor shows its
influence for a longer time than doet
this, and it is with US a conceded fac
that he who will be a really good farmer
on this table land will be amply reward
ed for his skill, enterprise and industry
Such are the results of our salubriou
climate that no man even suPposes tina
any portion Of his earnings will be needed
to pay doctors bills He makes no calcu
lation or appropriation for such . contin-
gency nor is there need Of his doing so
The formation here being sand rock WI
have water which is not surpassed in ex
cellence. Ia the entire county DO no
know of a spot in whioh is stagnaut wa
ter. Mosquitoes are as rare with US a
diseases. No person expects to be bitter
by them from childhood TO old age.
Our chalybeate SPRINGS are numeroul
and their waters possess wond cura
tive qualities. For several of the all
ments of MANKIND they are a specific.