, 1886-07-01
The New Coal Discoveries Near Douglas
Special Correspondence of Il LEADER.

son, contains a medley of misstatements
respecting the coal find at that point. AS
the matter is of general interest to Central
Wyoming, and Of special Importance to
the citizens of Douglas, present and pros.
p%ective, a true history of the discovery
and explorations made there is due the
public and parties directly interested.
Mr.. +. w. Hamilton and myself made
the discovery OF coal at the new townsite
on the 18th of February, being in camp
there at that time. Our attention was
first attracted by seeing huge blocks of
coal lying on the sandbar of the Platte
river near our camp on Antelope creek.
We examined the river bank for a long
distance, and then went up the various
gulches running back from the river.
Everywhere we saw un~mistakable evil
dences of coal veins, and in several places
found the coal itself. Fire clay, black
shale, sandstone and ironstone were prom
inent indications over the whole area ex
aminel. We soon began to sink a shaft
near the river, and found, at the depth of
a few feet, a narrow seam of shay coal
The river rising soon after, flooded our
shaft and we were compelled to go back
on elevated ground for further operations,
and finally had to obtain machinery for
deep exploration. We had our tools and
machinery hauled by wagon 1870 miles,
and from this time en- employed from four
to six men, with the necessary teams, and
vigorously p~rospected the tract adjoining
the townsite of Douglas. We were fortu-
nate in securing as foreman an able coal
expert and engineer from Pennsylvania
Prof. Bair. Shafts were sunk in four
different places, at depths varying from
65 to 100 feet. The first solid seam Of
good coal was struck at sixty-five feet
after penetrating a heavy strata OF sand
stoi q The vein Was from three and onc-
half 10 four feet in thickness, and the coal
was Of the purest and best quality. l
have had two analysis made of the coal in
this formation; n at Burlingame's
chemical laboratory, Denver, and one by
Prof. Smith. of the Boulder smelling
works, both pronourcing IL rery superior
coal. The same coal and VEIN Tere pene-
trated at three other points at a greater
depth.
MIR. johnson complains bitterly about
this enterprise, claiming that somebody's
rights were invaded-that the coal was
inferior and the veins narrow-that we
were cheeky spectators, etc etc. The
injustice and falsity of these assertions
will be easily perceived when the motives
of this immature journalist arc laid-bne.
1t seems that johnson has made a home
stead fling on the north east corner Of the
own site. Taken as agricultural land he
would pay for it at the rate of sl.25 per
acre. As coal land it would cost him $40
per acre before the railroad reaches it and
$50 per acre thereafter. Our demon
s~tration puts Mr.. Johnson's tract into a
class as coal ldndsi Hiac lilac lachrimac;
hence this wall. He would rob the gov
eminent of s.. rs or sls.75 per acre of its
rightful value, and assails us because we
have uncovered his little steal. Mr..
johnson is a novice in journalism, or he
would not attempt to decry legitimate en-
terprise even if it interfered with his pri-
vate schemes. If we have benefited our
selves VIC have a right to the fruits of our
discovery, labor and expenditure.
Further than hat we have
accomplished two gratifying results :
We have saved the government
$50, 1000, and upwards by adding to the
value of its deficient lands-and We have
assured to the citizens of Douglas a per-
manent and cheap coal supply at their
own doors which can never be controlled
by monopoly. This latter is a point OF
infinite importance and will do much to
make Douglas what it is destined to be
the Pittsburg of the West. The Platte
river here is l natural base of manufac.
turing operations for the surrounding re-
gion. Douglas will seon have its rolling
mills, smelters and oil refineries. Three
railroads converging here will establish
their repair shops and supply depots. Ii
will be seen at once that the paramount
question of capitalists will be the exten'
and cheapness of the fuel supply. In 9
deeper sense it concerns the poor man, a.
there is no wood in the immediate vicini'
ty, ond the fuel tax is always a greater oil
less burden to every family. Here nc
such burden will be felt.
A word to Mr.. johnson in conclusion
/ believe he is a recent graduate Of the
Sun office. He is yet young and fresh.
While he was skirmishing around SOM
district school house, playing marbles and
reading dime novels, the writer was doing
pioneer work in this wilderness, spending
years of time and thousands of dollars foi
the development of our mineral resources,
and atrocious as it may seem 10 him, try.
ing to help myself. A true journalist will
respect the labors and rights OF others,
and he will try to tell the truth. Ii Mr.,
johnson will reform in these matters, he
may yet have a future, to which the un'
designed will contribute his best wishes
/. S. BARTLETT.
W. N. Hunt the druggist, has sold =
great deal of Chamberlain Collie, Cholera
and Diarrhea Remedy and has handled
it for years. he not only recommends il
tor homoI comnlo;nt hut nou,tivalv ouar