Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-07-11
Coal For The Comstock.
THE ONE THING NEEDFUL
FOUND AT LAST.
A VISIT TO THE GREAT COAL
MINE IN LYON COUNTY.
OVER 100000 TONS ALREADY
IN SIGHT.
SUPPLY PRACTICALLY mex.
HAUSTIBLE.
A GREAT WORK QUIETLY PRO-
CROSSING.
FOR A MARROW.
GAUGE RAILROAD.
WHAT CHEAP COAL WILL DO
FOR VIRGINIA CITY.
PROSPECTS FOR A MARROW.
GAUGE RAILROAD.
WHAT CHEAP COAL WILL DO
FOR VIRGINIA CITY.
From the Virginia Chronicle, July 9th.l


are to be relied on, is only second in
importance to the bonanza. In 1862
some shepherds while drinking in
the creek in Ell Dorado canyon few
miles beyond DEVILS Gate, had their
curiosity aroused by a brownish
black substance, which cropped up
in the bottom. They carried speci-
mems to town, where it was declared
to be a species of coal. Messrs Kelly,
Orozier and O'Brien located claim,
organized company, and upon sink
ing a shaft discovered considerable
body of the mineral. In 1868 yard
was set up on the Divide, and it
seemed for a time that Virginia
would be freed from the heavy tax
of wood. The great expense of haul
ing, however, soon discouraged the
owners of the mine, and upon their
yard being destroyed by fire, they
abandoned the work.
A LIVE COMPANY ORGANIZED.
The fact that coal had ever been dis
covered in Ell Dorado canyon almost
passed from mind, and nothing fur
Their was done to develop the mine
until April of last year, when the
Virginia City Coal Company, COM
posed of r. NJ. Daggett, President,
NJ. Lynch, Superintendent, James
Kelley, C. C. Stevenson and James
Kelley, Trustees, was organized with
a capital stock of sl,OO0,O00. The
work of sinking the shaft and run
ming drifts for prospecting purposes
was begun with vigor, and has gone
forward ever since. The develop
ments have been of such nature
that there is no reason TO doubt the
existence of gigantic coal field.
Three levels have been opened. The
chief work has been done on the
second and third. The lower level
is down $50 feet, with drift running
due south $50 feet, with cut off of
400 feet, making a sort of fork. The
whole distance is through solid
mass of coal.
THE AMOUNT OF COAL IN SIGHT.
On Tuesday last Chronicle re-.
porter visited the mine and made a
careful examination. The course of
he vein is southeast and northwest,
with pitch of 20 feet in the hundred.
The width is in some places as great
as fourteen feet, but lessons to about
eight in others. The average width
is about ten feet. (The Mount Di-
ablo mine, woich produces such vast
quantities of coal has a vein OF
scarcely three feet in width.) An
other drift is being pushed forward
with the most promising indications.
On the second level there is drift
of 80 feet, with an incline Wine
running down through the vein $50
feet to the lower level. From the
lower level (where length of about
700 feet has been developed) the
pitch of the vein gives about 900 feet
to the surface. Calculating the width
of the vein at 10 feet and the dis
lance to the surface 900 feet and 20
cubic feet to the ton, it is found that
3l5,555 tons of coal are already
secured. No diminution of the vein
is shown at any point. Every drift
or winze that is run tends to demon.
strate that the deposit is practically
inexhaustible. The company could
with present facilities take out zoe
tons per day, but wagon hauling is
so expensive a mode Of Transports
ton that it would hardly pay. Their
engines are, therefore, devoted tc
ascertaining definitely whether the
dimensions of the deposit will justify
the expense Of railroad.
AoEoLoaIsT's OPINION OF THE MINE,
Professor Denton visited the mine
in December last, and pronounced
the vein inexhaustible. The coal he
declared brown Ignite, and from the
geological character of the ground
assured the Superintendent that at a
greater depth coal of a better quality
would be found. His prophecy was
justified month later, when OH
sinking the shaft for the purpose OF
opening another level, firm black
coal was struck. Water drove the
workmen out, however, and the
company have determined to pros.
rect the upper works thoroughly
before going deeper, The Chronicle
reporter bore off with him section
Of a tree turned into coal which had
been taken from the stump. 1t Il
hard, black and lustrous. Colone
Lewis, the coal expert, has also beef
at the mine, and his decision as +
the extent and prospects of the de
posit agree with those of Professo
benton. Professor Frank Stewai
also made an examination and ell
dorsed the opinions of the othe
scientists.
A SECOND VEIN DISCOVERED.
in making the excavations for th