The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-06-12

OUR MINERAL WEALTH.-Under this
. caption the Osceoia ReUeilLe of the Sd inst
dlscourseth as follows:
The western slope of the Anegheuies was at
one time in our past history considered the
cent developments have shown that PennsvI-
wanna $ richest deposits of mineral wealth are
buried beneath the surface OF rough and
rugged wilds.
So little importance has been attached TO
tempt was ever made to record its early history.
No stirring details OF bloody battles fought
win the rod-skin braves on these mountain
slopes thrill the patriotic heart of the hisrori-
cal reader, and even tradition, the million
Iongued :rumpeter OF doubtful heroes of more
favored places, sings no song of honor to
vive the forgotten glory of departed warriors
peaceful, pleasant little town.
The mineral area of this region includes
within its limits Ciearfield. Centre and Cam
bria counties, embracing all the territory be-
tween Clinton and Somerset. Indiana and
Jefferson. adjoining. are also mineral counties,
but our purpose, at present. is TO notice the
mineral resources Of Clearfield county in con-
nection with Centre and Cambria.
"A series of articles on the carly history of
the latter county, written by r. L. Johnston,
an able and well known representative Of the
Cambria county bar, appeared may wears ago,
and attracted considerable attention from The
pubic from the fact that the writer dwelt to
some extent on the dormant wealth hidden in
the hills of the mountain county Later
articles appeared In the EbenShurg press, from
writer at Fallen Timber, who fulIy described
the enormous and extensive deposits of min
erai wealth In tho northern part OF Cambria
and southern portion of ClearfieId. Later de-
Nclopments go to. prove that this portion OF
Ciear1eId county is not less favored in mineral
articles refer. The coal and iron fields OF Cam
Drla county, being fully developed in the vi
cinity of the Cambria Iron Works at Johns
town, necessarily attract more attention than
could De expected from our comparatively un-
developed resources. But our unlimited coal
deposits are being operated as rapidly rs cir
cumstances will justify, and IL is found that
our coal Is equal, If not superior, to any other,
Dotn IN quality and quantity, and s rapidly
Supc[ccGlns the coal of other regions. Several
hundred car loads OF our coal being daily
sent TO market, and yet, the demand is steadi-
~ increasing, and will continue to increase
jong after all other coal fields in the State have
become exhausted.
Our county is not ONLY rich in coal but
abounds.tn large deposits OF iron which, like
me coal form almost continuous beds from
johnStown, in Cambria county, to Karthaus, in
the lower part OF Cleariicld.
Many years ago, Ashland Furnace was built
on Ciearhcld creek. near Chest Springs and
having been operated several years produced
iron or good quality, but the cost Of trans
porting the metal across the Allegheny noun
ialn on wagons, proved too expensive, and the
business was abandoned.
At Fallen Timber, on Clearfield crock, q large
body Of iron ore was opened about seventeen
years ago and a few miles mn n trihntarT 81 n
point two or three miles from the present ter
minus OF the Bells Gap railroad, there is q
Ncn OF ore fourteen feet in thickness. SpCci-
mems or IRON are found along the entire length
OF Clearfield creek and on all its tributaries
Dut at present. the owners ind no use for It,
hed ochfe' Dre Cay, ana specimens of brown
marble are found throughout the whole eX-
tent OF the Clearfed coal and iron regions.
Lime is also found, but in limited quantities.
The coal interests are attracting most atten-
tion at present, and our town is the scknowl-
edged center of all operations in that business
HoutzdalP on the Moshannon Branch road Is |
a now and hOuriShing town. populated chiefly !
by miners, and Moshannon Banks, Beaverton
and Sterling are important mining points. The |
new Brunch road leading from Sterling is des-
Tined 10 develop new and immense deposits of
the most valuable coal, and other branches will
soon extend into other aud equally extensive
coal regions.