The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-12-05
MONTANA COAL.
The Recent Purchase Of q Vein and the
Owners Intentions.

A recently inaugurated industry for
eastern Montana is that of coking, and
the Rocky canyon coal is, so far as the
Maxey mine is concerned, to be deprived
OF its bitumen, sulphur, or other extran-
eous or volatile matter The property is
situated in Rocky cany a few miles
east of Bozenlan on the Northern Pacific
railroad, and was last week Sold to Mr..
Maxwell, an experienced gentleman in
the matter Of the quality Of coal, its min
ing, its sale and its usefulness.
Mr. Maxwell paid for the mine $4,000.
The purchase was affected through gen
tleman residing here who informs rs
that it is the intention Of the bayer to
coke the entire product of the mine nm
less the local demand VIII compensate
him more fully than the returns he can
receive by the production and shipment
of coke. The mine is situated about
three-fourths OF a mile from the railroad.
The coke ovens will be built adjoining
the track and tramway or branch of
the road built to tn mine in order that
its product may be put abroad the cars
with little or no difficulty.
This mine is the one which it was re-
ported and generally believed Mr.. Chascr
an English capitslist purchased, without
title, for sum equivalent to that paid by
Mr. Maxwell. The Englishman's pur-
chase, it seems, failed to mature. The
property is regarded as one of the most
valuable in the northwest. Whether
under the present management it will
add to Montana the important industry
to be demonstrated. bat as the purchaser
is gentleman of extended knowledge in
coal mining, we have abundant reason to
believe his present intentions, which
contemplate preparation this winter and
the employment of a large force in the
spring will be carried out.
Our informant also mentioned that
Mr.. Maxwell was DESTROYS Of purchasing
from Messrs Sloan, Black, Ferguson and
Mcintyre the veins owned by them on
the range near the Mountain House,
some eighteen miles from Bozelnan.
There is well defined vein fourteen feet
in width, and the quality of coal is also
excellent, but the owners prize their pos
sessions so highly they are beyond the
reach of investment al present.
Near by the vein purchased by Mr..
Maxwell is the Chestnut mine. now the
property of the Bozeman coal company,
entire product of which has been con-
tracted for by Mr.. Thompson, of the
Northern Pacific, for term of five years, :.
The coal from this mine is not alone used
for the engines on the road but large
shipments are made along the line east
and west. AS the supply is not equal to
the demand we understand portion of
the output of the Maxey mine will be
contracted for shipment, provided the
present owner can realize sufficient to
remunerate him. 1t was the intention
of the Bozeman coal company, according
to the superintendent OF the mine, to
screen the coal and save the screenings
for coking purposes, but it appears the
demand has been so much in excess OF
expectation that all the output has been
put on the cars and shipped.
Eastern Montana coal, especially that
on the divide and on Rocky Fork, is of
better quality than is generally known.
When direct connection between the
great fuel-consuming centre of Montana
and the Gallatin valley is had, the rail-
road company will be able. to ship at less
expense a better quality of coaOthan is
at present obtainable and at lower prices
than now obtained.