New-York tribune., 1874-01-03
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
A GREAT COAL CORPORATION FORMED.

AGREAT COAL CORPORATION FORMED.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE wILKEsBsRRE, HONEY
BROOKE AND IETrGH COAL COMPANIES.
During the past few weeks preparations
have making for the consolidation Of several OF the
aargest coal companies Of the country and II is
pected that by the close OF the present month all the
arrangements will have been completed and the new
board Of officers duly elected TIE combination will
consist OF the Wlkesbarre, Homes brooke and Lehgh
Cnal Companies, and will probably be designated "The
IAh,qh and twilkesbarre Coal Company" The Lehigh
Coal Company is the oldest anthracite coal-mining
organization this conntry. 1t lis than 50 years
old, having been formed in 1898. It was organized Tor
Tho purpose thinning the rich coal fields in the Lehigh
valley Its original capital was small and It's coal fields
were by no means extensive. All its lands were in
Iennsylyania- Its possessions steadily increased,
however and subsequently, possessed tract OF nearly
IsooO in the eastern section OF the State Soon
after the Lehgh Company was formed second organ
txatOn sprang into existence, known as the Lehigh
Navigation Co. 1t formed for the purpose Of
navigating principal tributaries the Lehigh River
indeed all the important streams in the Lehigh Val
hey The Lehigh Navigation Co. was made up largely
Of wealthy capitalists Of this State and PeDnsy
Only two three OF the stockholders owned stock In
both companies yet after short existence, the two
companies we're consolidated under the name OF the
LAhigh Coal aud Navigation Co. Even after their COM
binaton the business OF the two companies was for
long time Of small dimensions. and in the year 1884 40
years after its organization, the company mined and
transported only LOG 600 tons OF COAL
The Wilkesbarre Coal and Iron Company, which was
organized only few years had in its possession
tract of land extending south from the town Of Wilkes
barre the susquehanna, the central portion OF
Lnzerne County. The lands of the Wilkesbarre Com
therefore located to the north of those formerly
controlled by the Lehigh Company. The Company had
large capital, amounting 10 nearly S,O0O0oO, and Its
property included about 5000 OF coal land besides
come thousands Of OF timber lands. number OF
tile lesser companies OF Pennsylvania have been
merged the Wilkesbarre since 4 orsnnnattVn' ana
has come 10 be very powerful corporation ,o..
Honey brooke Coal Company was chartered in 1864
fsnsiye covering about 100000 acres and nearly
all located IN Luzerne and schuyll Counties 1t after
wards obtained control OF about 1000 in the Wyo
ming Valley belonging 10 the Lehlgh Coal aud Navga
on Company. and other teids IN the same
vicinity Less than four weeks ago the HoneybroOke
Company completed ITS purchase OF the Lengh Coal and
Navigation ,Compdpys lands, ano the Lehigh Cclnpa
Dy virtually ceased TO exist, tnVugh it.st TeetNesa
royalty FOR its leased lands.
Numerous smaller companies have at various times
been absorbed by these more powerful organizations.
and detailed history of the various changes o the last
Few years would prove exceedingly complicated.
Tie new Company however, will comprise these three
companies with all their Tributaries, ana viii begin busi-
with q capital Of Sl0O ,0o0 - -
The stockholders OF the Central Railroad OF NewJer
ty VIII ee largely interested in the new orgspzahop
though that Company will not be merged IA the coLnb
Nation The close relation which Will he established
however. will probably give to both the advantages OF
single corporation.
The new Company Will possess remarkable facilities
Jor transportation 10 the East III VIII nave agencies at
Boston. Providence. NewHayen, and other large cities
IN New-Engand 1t is estimated that the amount OF
coai theu VIII amount 10 loNoOO tuns per anhnn OF
which amount the old Lehigh Companys lands Will
yield 10000 tons the HOneybrOoke. with its Newport
Hanover ana Plymouth sections, l2O 900 tons; and The
Mnkesparre, 100000 tons The Presidents of both the
Homes brooke and WilkesbarTe Companies is Charles
PARISH, who will doubtless retain the same position
when the consolidation shall have been made. The d
reetors OF the Honey brooke Company Charles Par
isb, J. b. McCTeary j. Taylor johnson. j. B. Johnson
e. Tower, samuel Bonnell, ir and a. L. MumPer.