Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-24
A Strange Statement.

A Strange Statement.
THE PROCESS OF THE FORMATION OF ANTHRA-
CITE COAL DISCOVERED IN THE INDIAN
RIDGE SHAFT
We have before US now on our table specl
mep which is oue-halt anthracite coal and the
other half solidi6ed sediment that four years
ago was all soft sediment. For over four years
there had been 10 use in the Indian Ridge
shaft of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal
aud Iron Company, this district, wooden pipe,
about six inches in diameter. made OF inch
boards nailed together, which served to carry
water from one of the rings in the shaft to a
lower level.
The rings are boxes around the sides OF the
shaft which catch the wafer coming out the
rock, slate or COAL and are put 10 to prevent
the water from falling down aud making reg
ular shower bath of the shaft. At the ring 10
question large spring 10 the slate, about thir-
ty feet below the Primrose vein, had been
struck, the water from which is apparently as
pure as crystal. Some four months since it
was found that this wooden pipe had become
40 copeed with the reddish brown sediment
that is deposited by all mine water that the
open space in it was not more than two lnchcs
in diameter, and not large enough to carry of
the water from the ring. Consequently new
with the sediment adherDg to Its sides, was
left standing. The water was then turned into
the new pipe aud cut off from the old one,
which is some fifty feet or more 10 length.
o. Friday last. after remaining ln the shaft
without auy water passing through 1t for over
four months, the greater part of this old pipe
was taken out, aud when broken open
the wonderful phenomenon presented It
self that the sediment was gradually chang
ing into what appears to be anthracite
coal. About halt och Of the inside OF the
sediment lining the pipe had changed into
coal, and the remainder was also gradually
changing, the ouy portious OF the sediment re-
naming quite soft being that part deposited
first and next the sides Of the pipe. A cross-
section of the pipe now shows commencing at
the centre first circle OF about half an ioch 10
diameter surrounding the two-inch opening re-
maiuiug 10 the pipe, then circle OF sediment
partly turned into COAL and then the sediment
10 its natural state aud the sides of the pipe
The surface of sediment which was exposed to
the action of the atmosphere has charged hrst
and the same influence or chemical comblna-
,iops which had changed its nature we're grad
uay operating on the rest OF the sediment.
The process OF formation is plainly seen 10 the
sediment next that already turned into coal
Samples of coal taken from the pipe have
been tried on the blacksmith fire at the colliery,
and it makes an exceedingly hot IRE, but bclog
of softer nature nature than the natural an
thracte it cliukers badly. fortunately there
are any quantity of samples of this wonderful
formation, and those who are unwilling to be-
lieve without themselves seeing and touchlog
can be accommodated. There is no keely Mo
tor business about this discovery. A section
of the pipe about sixteen feet long has beeh left
standing iD the shaft to see what results Will
follow 10 the next SIX months or year. Sam
ples have also been sent to General Peasants,
at Pott.villo, for examination, and We suppose
the public will soou have the opinion OF gentle
men qualified to Judge on this surprising for.
NATION but if anthracite coal will form from
sediment deposited by mlne-uater when expos
ed to the action of the atmosphere under Ger
tain conditions for a period as short as four
months, what becomes of all the pet theories or
the biologists and mining engineers on the sub
ject? How about the great heat, the millions
OF years of time, and tremendous pressure
which, according to the various theories OF the
heretofore accepted authorities, were necessary
to account for our deposits of the foest and
best fuel yet found ?-Shenandoah Herald.
THE VIRGINIA BAPTIST HISTORICAL SocI-
ErY.-The bill now pending before the Geno-
raj Assembly to charter the Virginia Baptist
Historical Society names the following geutle-
men as corporators: Messrs. j. B. Jeter, ).
r. Garlick, j. L. NJ Curry, Chas H. Rylaud,
+. NJ. Latham, Thomas S. Duuaway, Johu K.
Bagby. H. II. Harris James A. Haynes,
Thos. Hume Charles B. Fleet, John W. Nc
Gown, VIM. S. Pcniok, James |. Borum, 5.
J. Hoff, Wm. 5 Bland, j. B. Lake, James
A. Davis, R. L. I. Besle, John h Nuon,
Joseph A. Turner, w. K. d. Moncure, james
NJ. Broadus, j. H. Newbill, A. B. Clarke, u.
g. Potts, Robert Williams Colin Bass, VIM.
H. Gwathmey and j John f. Tanner
LQ G. WASHINGTON, who insulted MIR.
Townsend, one of the members of the commit
tee of which he is clerk, is protege OF L. Y.
e. Lamar. Washington is clerk of TWO CON-
mittees. Mr.. Hutton, Of Virginia, Demo,
crat, and an ex rebel general, the chairmao OF
one of these committees will not tolerate
Washington since his ruthanly conduct to Mr..
Townsend but L Lsmar cleaves to him. The re-
suit is the necessity of appointing another
clerk for Mr. Huntons committee. In this
business Mr. Lamar does no, appear quite the
chivalrous and couciliatory gentleman hat he
is conconsidered by bis admirers.- Worcester
(.uass.) Spy.
OUR FIFTY CENT JAPAN TEA-We
~ have just received another lot of this hne
favored Tea 1t has been pronounced superior
IN flavor to the celebrated fifty cent Tea OF
Washington city by. persons who have useo
both. We invite those persons who have been