New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-26
COAL-FIELDS IN [OUA.
IMMENSE DEPOSITS ALONG THE DIES MONIES RIVER
RICH BEDS OF CAMEL COAL.

IMMENSE DEPOSITS ALONG THE DIES MONIES RIVER
RICH BEDS OF CAMEL COAL.
lrRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
DEs MONIES, Iowa, Feb. 22.-ComparaGyely
superficial investigation long ago showed
tnnt the eoaI-neld OF Iowa covers an
acbusets; and the developments of the last ten years
have made it evident that the real wealth which under
lies the soil Of the State is scarcely known Every
u.ntn discoscs some new find, " richer, broader and
more valuable. The cOafed already extends far boy "nd
the limits fixed by geoogss. The building of railroads
has developed much Of this, by pOughing through bluffs
bills anu valleys. Observation ana investigation have
shown that the valley of the Des Moines River from
Fort Dodge to Ottuwa distance OF over 100 miles, Is
n region of almost unlimited wealth. In Marion County
for many years, specimens OF crude copper have
occasionally been found weighing from two TO twenty
pounds aud also potter's clay and sandstone
Of peculiar color aud quality, and limestone
Of superior quality. 1t has several times been proposed
20 build railroad through this section, but the obsta-
ces were too obdding and the roads constructed
away from valley over the praires At last, how
ever las been established that which was so long mere
-peou alton 1t has been the subject OF much marvel
thai there should be built three roads along Des Moines
and Raccoon rivers, at heavy cost for construction
The reason is now becoming apparent Nearly two
wears 20 scientific men made thorough explorations
here for coal and other mineral deposits They traced
TO this valley the central point OF al loWas treasure
Il vvs at once decided 10 build O railroad through IT,
cost what it might. During the last six months the
road from Abba To this city has been delayed by heavy
emitting through miles of red sandstone. But by this
work the wealth which lies there has been disclosed
Veins of coal aggregatng fourteen feet in thickness were
cut through the upper layer being three feet thick the
second four feet and tho lower averaging SIX rect thck
and At depth of ninety feet below the surface During
the winter farmers In that section have supplied them
selves with coal by simply pryinS 1t out Of tho cuts
along toe roadway -, . .,-,
What utO owes b. stratum OF cahnel cva Ot superior
"n,ltv Iuis coal has frequently been found IL other
faes In this valley. but IL depUsltt IN pockets
when coon gave oul This Is the first discovery Of a
stTntllcd measure Of camel coal OF any magnitude
The measure if about five feet lIcl the upper pcrlon
" Hlusabury" aud fully equal 10 that found In Pehnsyl
vault The lower portion Is Of Jet COLOR dense, breash
with litho-fruclure, burns with ID bright name, the
htumeu ouziug It burns and giving of a odor
senb g that burning rubber. There ID no cnker or
into small cubes. which
r1ain their shape until the bunen OF the coal IA con
cubes when taken luto The myers quickly
crnah into ne Lite ash, entirely Tree 1rU gil TX
sInltion made by sas company SHOWS IL 20 DO iUva
| uuur for their use, while for burning In gIates
| II has no superior. The discovery, therefore,
! is remarkable one and IL believed 10 DC
| onlV one Of several yet Ia follow IN this val
lev aud along this road every rod OF which runs along
Inc Des Muines ana haccOon Rivers and over coal Tor
more than hundred hfty miles, thus insurlig
heavy traffic at the start From ILLS ciy nOrth~os INC
track stretches away the luIuriant wheatands OF
| Dakota and Minnesota; and nsrthward 70 Southern
Miuuesota The fuel question Of that section Is settled
Iowa 60 distributed there at tho cost VI trans
portaiOn, aided 10 tne cost at Inc e wnob Is HOln
~ % TO ii 80 per ton the During the past year
thr rent Chicago trunk line COMPANIES nave purciasrd
of coal lands In THIS yaey, mus IL
suring themselves all abundant supply Of IueL