The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-29
Department Notel
EXPLORATION FOR COAL AND IRON-LET-
TER OF DIR. A. GREGG, OF SAN SABA,


EXPLORATION FOR COAL AND IRoN-LEr'
TER OF DIR. A. GREGG, OF SAN SABA,
TO COMMISSIONERS sPAIGHT.
We have been permitted to copy the
following letter, written by gentleman
of wel-knOwn scientific attachments and
eminently practical views, on topic OF
great and urgent Importance to the
whole state. This letter Will attract the
more serious attention of all those who
have at heart the development of the re-
sources Of The state. from the assurance
which the position of its author, both pro-
fessionaliy and financially, abundantly
gives, that his suggestions are not inspir'
ed by any motion personal to himself:
SAN SABA, Texas, December Il, 1881.
Col \. W. Spaight, Commissioner OF Insur-
ancc, Statistics ana History, Austin, Texas;
DEAR SIR respectfully suggest that
the attention of the legislature at the APP
preaching extra session, be called to the
urgent necessity of making provision for
the organization OF one or more corps, for
the purpose of making. as early as practI-
cable. a geological examination of certain
portions of the state where coal and iron
may reasonably be expected to exist in
paving quantities.
The rec tnnOitering party should be
composed Of one geolOgisl, in charge,
one assistant geOlOgisi, two labOrers, and
one cook-in all, five persons.
Outft-One ordinary two-horse wagon.
two good mules, with harness; two
Texas ponies, with saddles, saddle pOck-
equipa&e and supplies for five persons,
one month.
TOOIs-Two picks, two miners picks,
two shOvels. two sledge-hammers, two
spawlin@ hammers, two crOw-bars, six
steel wedges, with feathers; one ke@
blasting powder, with fuse four hand
drills. three blocks, and one hundred feet
of One-inch rope; two iron spoons and
two tamping rods.
Geological ami meteorological imple-
ments and chemicals, to be selected by
the geologist in charge,
Instructions to the geOlOgist in charge
should be explicit, and to the effect that
nothing he permitted to interfere with
the pursuit of the principal object of the
expedition, VIZ. the search for coal and
iron, the collection and preservation of
specimens of coal, iron and other min
erals, together with fossil remains of ami
mails and vegetables, necessary to deter
mine the geological age of the deposits
in which these valuable substances are
found. Whilst the search for coal and
iron should be the principal object OF the
Reconnaissance, still, deposits of minerals
of minor Importance, such ms silver, cop
per, lead, gypsum, kaOlin, steolite, graph
tie, slate, marble, etc., etc., should, when
found, receive suitable attention; and
facts, such as can be collected without
materially interfering with the main OBJ
jects of the expedition, should be ecord-
ed land specimens procured to aid in sub
segment geological surveys which Will
doubtless be made at a future date.
That part OF the state which, in my
Judgment, should first be examined for
coal especially, lies between the Colo
RADIO and the Red rivers, beginning on
the former at the mouth OF Pecan bayou,
in Brown county, and extending on Il
line to the mouth of the Little Wichita,
in Clay county, including strip OF coun-
try westward of this line, one hundred
miles wide.
Within this district out-croppIBgs of
coal have been found in the following
counties, viz: Coleman. Brown, East
land, Callahan, stephens, Young, Jack
and Haskell.
Ores of iron exist in Coleman, Throck-
morton, Young and Archer counties.
Great deposits of gypsum are foun
along the western borders of this district.
Rich copper ores are found in Clay,
Archer, Wichita, WIlbarger and Haskell
counties.
The first work of the geologist should
be Il careful examination of the rocks and
fossils, 10 ascertain the true geological
are of formations examined. And if the
true carbonlferous formation should be
found to exist to any great extent, be
may then, with confidence, look for true
coal Of good quality. But in the absence
OF the coal measures, coal of any but a
very inferior quality is not likely to be
found.
Iron ore of.cood quality is often found
in close proximity to good coal, mutually
l., lao xFstlr nF
The Texas and Pacific railroad company
has made borings at different points OIL
the line of its road, which passes through
this district. Access to the records kept
by the engineer would give much valu-
able information as to nature of deposits,
etc. That company might be willing to
make test borings with their diamond
drills, at any points upon their lands
where a reasonable prospect of finding
coal could be assured by the geOlogist.
Private individuals also, might be in.
duced, at their own expense, to sink
shafts or drift, upon veins to develop
them, upon the recommendation of the
geologist.
A contir gent fund should be placed al
the disposal of the geologist in charge. to
enable him to employ additionallaborersa al
times, and to secure the services OF guides
who are acquainted with the country
ais, etc.
The southern portion of the district
might be examined in the early spring,
leaving the more northern portion until
the summer and fall months.
There are other portions of the state
which could be profitably examined by
other parties, similarly organized. This
work is much needed. and the lit is
accomplished the more benefit Will he de-
nhpli.
ent servant. a. GREGG.
Commissioner Spaight has received
statistical returns from 104 organized
counties and from five unOrganiZed with
So organized counties to hear from. Re-
turns are coming in rapidly and the com.
missioner anticipates very full returns.
Article 4249, Revised Civil Statutes, re.
quires every railway company in this
state to make an annual report to the
comptroller, showing the operations OF
the road for the year ending on the first
day of October. The report shall state:
l The capital stock and the amount
actually paid in.
=. The amount expended for the pur.
chase of land, for the construction oil
the road, for buildings and for engines
and ears, respectively.
3. The amount and nature of its In
debtedness, and the amount due the cor.
poration.
4. The amount received for the trans
portatiou of passengers, OF property, Of
the mall, and from all other sources.
3. The amount OF freight, specifying
the quantity in tons. of vegetable food
other agricultural products, manufac.
lures, merchandise. and other articles.
6. The amount paid for repairs, en-
gines, cars, buildings and salaries re.
speetively.
Z. The number and amount of diyi
dends, and when made.
8. The number of engine houses and
shops. of engines and cars, and theil
character
0. The number of miles run by passen-
ger, freight and other trains respectively
10. The number ofmen employed, anC
their occupation.
IL. The number of persons injured IL
life or limb. and the cause of such in
juries.
u. Whether any accidents have arisen
from carelessness or negligence of any
person in the employment of the corpora
ton, and whether such person is retained
in the service of the corporation.
Is. The sale of lands donated by the
state, and the quantity remaining unsold
Ans corporation falling to make the
above report is liable 20 penalty OF one
thousand dollars, to be sued for in the
name of the state.
The following railway companies have
failed to comply with the above article
and the attorney general has instituted
suit against them in the courts at Hous
ton, Waco, Longview and Tyler: Hous.
ton East and West Texas, Texas an6
St. Louis, Texas Western Narrow Gauge
Longyiew and Sabine Valley, Houston
and Texas Central, Texas Central, and
Waxahachie Tap.
The Rose cooperative association,
Patrons of Husbaadry, filed a charter yes
terday. The Office of the association will
be at Giddings, and such other points in
Lee county as may be selected. The
capital stock of the association is put at {