New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-21
COAL FIELDS IN MICHIGAN.

DISCOVERY OF MINES on THE RIFLE IIvER-THElR
VALUE TO RAILROADS AND COPPER MINERS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
SIR: Thirty miles north of Bay City the
Rifle River emptes its waters into Saginaw Bay after
running in soutleastery direction for some rs miles
through the counties of Ogemaw and Bay 1t is rapid
stream deep and pure with high banks for part of the
way This region is covered with pine trees and every
year from eighty to hundred million feet OF pine logs
pass between its shores into the extensive booms at its
mouth This section of the State has been greatly dcyel
oped during the past three years the Jackson Lansing
and Saginaw Railroad which pushes its way through the
northeastern part of the state reaching terminus at
Sheboygan. opposite Mackinaw. Some time in November
last Ira Bennett former resident of Mauch Chunk,
PENN while walking along the banks of the river found
in various places deposits Of coal and communicating the
fact TO Messrs. Culver and Sovereign men largely
gagged in the numbering business here they at began
mining in scientific way the nature of the season
would permit keeping all information regarding the dis
covery to themselves. They secured the title TO about
5000 acres of land and as soon as the snow melted away
procured the services of several experienced miners
bought drilling apparatus and went 10 work On March
- last vein OF coal zig feet thick was found only
IL below the surface Under this there five
feet of black slate and below the slate vein of coal pig
feet III thickness The machinery was then moved Iar
ther down the stream and Il feet below the surface
pany Immediately began sinking smart IL Feet square
After excavation through clay and slate the VEN was
camel coal. and free from sulphur From the shaft Is
tons OF coal have been mined and sent "a specimens 10
their FORCES and railroad engineers in their engines The
coal found 10 burn freely and 10 be exempt from
smoke and sulphur.
The discovery considered of much impor-
lance that at the request of many capitalists and
business T. j. JOY, President of the Michigan
Central Railroad, dispatched Thursday last special
train the miues. About 100 business men OF the
Saginaw Valley awaited themselves Of this opportunity
inspect the mines. One by they descended into
the mine, and with pick in hand mined every
man for himself. and brought to the sur
face specimens of the coal All seemed con
vinced that the discovery was Of great importance
miles square of territory nave been inspected
since the Company began sinking their shalt ana coal
has been discovered OF like quality and value Prof
Wnchel state GeOOgst in his late report declares that
the coal formations OF the state extend into OccmaW
County the north. westward TO the east line OF Clare
County south Livingston County, and east TO the bay
shore of Bay County II the coal ieds prove of great
extent there will he revolution the coal traiilc OF
Michigan. The Michigan Central and Michigan Southern
Roads, together with their various tributaries, now OBJ
tain coal from Southern ONO and Indiana Before
many months pass perhaps the mover sight MAJ 20
seen OF coal trains going southwark instead O1 NORTH
ward heretofore. Michigan, which has the richest
iron ana copper the world, perhaps be en-
abei 20 carry smelling works within lts own borders
railroad will undoubtedly bc built from the Jackson,
ansug and Saginaw Railroad to the ports of laws ana
AlDena thus giving outlet 10 the coal fields at these
u0nts on tie lake rs well NJ Bay City for the terror
Ran ('ifL Mich May 10, 1873. EDWARD HILL.