The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1882-04-29
GREAr cOAL nEps NEAM LAREpO.


L
tcon, Galveston Ncw.I
The importance of the question rs to
where the future supply Of fuel must
come frem to meet tho vents of the
great State Of Texas, is the only expla
nation TO he offered for burdening the
columns of the NeUs with this lengthy
article II is well known fact that the
mesquite wood is the principal fuel used
by large portion OF Northern and
Western Texas, but it is not so well
known, however. but true, nevertheless,
that the acids liberated in the combus.
ton of this wood, act most injuriously
on iron, rendering it worthless in very
short time, comparatively speaking,
and the annual cost TO Texas in rcplac-
ing stoves and steam boilers destroyed
MS indicated amounts TO hundreds of
thousands Of dollars, to say nothing OF
the increased liability of boiler explo-
sions by its use. Hence, the develop
ment of coal beds in Texas must solve
the problem as TO this future supply Of
fuel, and with the purpose of publish,
ing to the world n true statement of the
coal supplies near Laredo, your CORES
pondent visited the section of the coun-
try where the coal beds are located and
spent some time in personal inspec.
ton of the coal mines already opened,
besides taking notice of the evidences
which go to indicate the extent of the
conl veins.
THE LOCATION.
In travelling up the valley of the Rio
Grande from Laredo, ut point twelve
miles distant, chain of hills is reached
which extend up the river probably
twenty five or thirty miles At dis
lance these hills present no peculiar
feature to attract the attention of the
casual observer, but when once among
them there are. many peculiari'ies pre-.
sented to the eye of the close observer,
chief among which are the numerous
depressions and cavities in their sides
and along their SUBMITS, which could
we'll be explained by supposing that
the earth had sunk at these spots iuto
great caverns beneath and this expla
nation is supported by observations
made further on-where the road passes
between the foot of these hills and the
Rio Grande river. Here fine view of
the geological formations is presented
in their almost perpendicular sideo
Many of them rise to an altitude of pos
sibly thousand feet, and here many
of those depressions just spoken Of
connect with gulches that run down to
the waters edge, and in the beds of
these close inspection will show great
m Uses of coal ashes, and the conclusion
is readily reached that in long ages
past these coal-beds became ignited,
and for no telling how long
SEA or FIRE
ragged among these gloomy hills until
an opening was made, through which
the Rio Grande poured its waters, and
| saved to Texas a wealth that can not be
estimated until we take into considera
ton the extent and quality, breadth
and length and thickness of the vein of
camel coal that crops out now all along
the face of these hills for twenty five
miles up the Rio Grande river. For
many years reports have come in that
specimens of coal had been found in
this region, and the untutored shepherd
has told the wonderful story that while
watching his tlocks among these lonely
hills he fed his camp fire with
ROCKS THAT BURNED,
and yet but passing Thought was given
the subject, and lands which contained
all this wealth have, until recently, been
changing owners at % cents per acre,
and but few months ago 1000 acres
of Webb county school lands, in the
very heart Of this coal deposit, were
sold at 81 90 per acre, to be invested
in United States 4 per cent. bonds.
But u change has come over the spirit
of our Dreams. A little more than "A
year ago steel bapds began to stretch
across the unsettled frontier that sop.
arated this Rio Grande valley from the
wealthy aud populous regions to the
north, and in advance of them came a
little why man.iu physical stature, but
in brain power, nerve and energy "A
very giant.
Elk Governor A. @. Hunt, of Colorado,
soon after his arrival took in the whole
situation, and at once set to work pros
pecting in these regions TO find where
these rocks that burned had their habi-
tation; and last April, one year ago,
leased from two OF our citizens, Mrs.
Reiugio Benavides and O. NJ MELON
nell, all tho coal beds that might be
found on the San Tomas tract OF land
fronting ON the Rio Grande. twenty
seven miles above Laredo, and contain.
ing about fifty thousand acres, for fifty
years. He is to give the lessons one.
third of the profits arising from work.
ing the mines In addition TO this lie
has purchased twenty-six thousand acres
in bis own. right, which, with the San
Tomas tract, virtually gives him con
troll OF all the coal beds in this region.
Having secured the San Tomas tract.
work was at once commenced, about
the 18th Of April, 1881, to open up the
GREAT SAN TOMAS
mine, and up TO December last Gov
Hunt had spent about 500, 90 Of his
private funds in its development A
personal inspection OF this mine was
the main purpose Of your correspond
ent, which was fully accomplished be-,
fore returning. Within less than one
hundred feet Of tho Rio Grsnde, and
Just twonty-seven miles above Laredo,
"a graded one section Of the Rio Grande
and Pecoa read, aud Immediately over
the roadbed a coal chute Is constructed
that h intended 10 deliver the coal di.
reotly into the cars Al this time ID 4.
emptiei into wagons at tho rate oi
thirty tons per day. Ascending a lad
/ dor 10 a height OF thirty feet tho top of
this chute u reached. aud irom here d
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