The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1884-03-22
THE FUEL SUPPLY.
The Excellence and Quantity Of the Bull
Mountain and Rock Greek Coal
Billings Favorable Situation.
BY J. C. ISAACI.

ia defining Gne CentcrS Ol import
ant industries. England's manufact-
ures, which make her great among
nations, are dependent on her coal
fields more valuable than gold.
The secret of Pennsylvania enor-
nous wealth is her anthracite re-
gions in connection with good and
cheap transportation. The loca-
tions Of our large foundries, mills,
and manufa ctories are considered
in this connection. Thus coal
ranks in importance with the pre-
cious metals, yet while SO important
it is dependent on transportation;
therefore the two problems are
nearly always associated.
In referring to our great highway
the Northern Paciiic-we find
the eastern end drawing from the
forests and Iowa coal fields; while
the Pacific end must go to tide
water at Seattle and Goose bay.
The source Of supply as indicated
probably will remain in the future.
Dakota aud Missouri divisions are
using the miserable earthly Ignite
found near Mandan, only tolerated
while awaiting a remedy. Yellow
stone and Montana divisions pre-
sent a most satisfactory showing,
with a frir grade of Ignite at
O'Fallon creek, also near Miles City
at Tongue River Butte, also across
the river from Miles at Sun creek,
where occur large areas reserved by
the government as coal land, which
latter is also true of Rosebud creek,
near Forsythe. The Northern Pa
ciic Coal Co. s mine near TT. Keogh
has supplied these division with a
low grade Of Ignite since the con-
struction of the road. Among other
numerous veins in the locality may
be mentioned Beeman mine, near
Hathaway station, of four to six
feet Of fair Ignite coal, which repre-
sents a strata stretching to the
bluffs across the river; but the
fields that occupy commanding i'm
portance are the immense deposits
lying northeast Of Billings, at Bull
Mountains, in one uniform vein
averaging say II feet, and undorly-
ing an area of $4,000 acres, while
careful exploration has determined
100000 acres of coal bearing coun-
try. The quality of the coal here
has been thoroughly tested and
classcd as high grade lignlte similar
to Evanston: This lower tertiary
bed is rich in bitunen, very free,
burning with a clear fame, no
very little ash, an uncom-
monty good ''steaming' coal, osily
worked and presents a good drain-
age. Veins also occur near Bill
ings on east side of the river, one
Of four feet at Jim Farrell's, eight
miles west, which partakes of the
properties of Iowa coal-clean, non
clinkering; and on the Crow reser-
vation eight miles south. Also,
tributary to this place is the Rock
Greek coal near Clarke's Fork, which
though among the oldest disc vered
deposits, is perhaps the least under
stood and developed On account of
the uncertainties attending the
opening of the Grow reservation; it
certainly is an uncommonlv good
product Of clear coal. Unprejudiced
government blacksmiths, three years
ago, we're emphatic in pronouncing
it a superior article Of forge coal
deposits of six and seven feet occur
which have been partially develop
ed by jim George yankee jim,
Matt Black, Jim Gourley and others.
The Summit coal near Bozeman is
an exceedingly rich product from
the lower coal measures, but so
5halcy and crumbliug in character
and dirty in burning as to make it
undesirable as a fuel; the quantity
is limited. On the Missoula divi-
sion near Deer Lodge is a small
vein of good coal.
In connection, it is interesting to
note that the valuable Rocky
coal deposits are Ignite,
and occur on the east slope follow
ing the northwest and southeast
trend of the range, as at the valua-
bic tertiary beds in southeast Colo
RADIO, Rock Greek and Carbon on
The Union Pacific, Bull Mountain
md Rock Creek on the Northern
Pacific, Shonkin and Belt Creek
lear TT. Benton and Ft. Shaw, and
he tertiary beds of British America.
This resume will reveal such facts
Is an increasing quantity and i'm
orovement in grade of coal from
he particularly poor lignitS near
Bismarck, better though not good
It Miles, still better near Forsythe,
good and in vast quantities at Bull
the very best blacksmith
md cooking coal at Rock creek in
he Clarke's Fork region, and then
he deterioration to the broken
;haley and dust GOALS Of the sum-
nitnear Bozeman. From this may
We not infer that we are settled near
he great fuel supply of the nations
lorthern highway, with chance
OF future greatness.
1t is reported that Gen. Rosser
Who visited Washington as the rep
esentative of a syndicate of capa-
lists interested in a canal across the
[sthmus Of Panama at Nicaragua,
;alled at the department of State
or letters to the Nicaragua govern
nent to say that he was the only
authorized agent of a reputable
He was informed that
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