Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-04-12
IGNORANCE or NATIVE RE-
SOURCES.
In an elaborate paper on the coal out
put Of the United States, Bradstreers,
some time ago, had this to say:

In an elaborate paper on the coal out
put Of the United States, Bradstreeps,
some time ago, had this TO say:
his believed that previous records Of coal
production IN Texas must be littie better than
gueascs. The coal delds OF Texas are not de-
/ velopcd More progress was made last year
thin ever before. The coal Is mainly OF recent
| formation. and has been discovered In various
parts OF the slate, particularly along the Rio
Grande. but thus far none has been shipped the
product being mAlnly used In the Immediate
locality OF the mines some excellent veins
are reported at various points, but not on
scientac authority and none have been
thoroughly developed. Several railroads are
now taking hold OF the matter, and are testing
tho veins along their lines, but no official re-
norris have thus far been made Coal is largely
received from the Indian Territory, aud a large
quantity Is shipped to Galveston from England,
as well as Philadelphia and Baltimore. There
has never been a state geological survey Of
Texas, and there i no state geologist; there
fore reports heretofore have been incomplete.
Many Of the so-oalled coal mines Of Texas con
tain only Ignite. Tho above refers more par
tlcularly to the southwestern portion Of the
state as the coal veins OF the Indian Territory
are said 70 extend into Northwestern Texas
particularly that portion OF the state known as
the Panhandle. Several valuable veins are
reported to exist there. bat have not yet been
developed.
The above will be admitted by every
one who has taken enough interest to in
quire about or personally investigate
this matter to be very nearly in accord
ance- with the Facts. 1t lacks very much
of beng credltabe to the state that the
records Of her coal production should be
little better than guesses. But this is
not at all singular when it is con
sidered that there IS au almost
utter lack Of any reliable informa-
ton regarding the extent and locality
of the coal fields, aud the character of the
deposits That there is a vast area In
North and Northwestern Texas contain
ing this useful mineral Is generally be.
lleved, but as yet only few mines have
been worked and those on small scale.
The county OF Montague undoubtedly has
many rich seams producing coal which is
perhaps greatly superior to that aug along
the Rio Grande, but no scientific author
ity has compared the various specimens
with 4 view to determining their relative
value. The Montague mines are merely
cited for example The same veins I'M
doubtedly penetrate the earth for many
miles, and out-croppipgs in scores Of
counties attest the abundance Of this
great gift Of nature.
The necessity for more thorough ae-
quaintance with our coal resources is ob-
yious. II Is hoped in the near fut-
ure that those manufacturing interests, so
essential TO the growth and prosperity Of
Texas, will spring up all over the state
One OF the chief conditions Of the estab-
llshment of such great industries is an
abundant supply OF cheap fuel. 1t Is true
that the adjoining Indian. Territory can
be drawn on for supplies, Since it has i'm
mense beds, yielding very fine quality,
but if as good coal can be had on this
side of Red river, there will be no need to
so beyond our own doors. The shorter
the haul the cheaper Il can be laid down.
"Texas has no state geologist." The
| utility OF such an officer has frequently
been pointed out. The mineral forma-
tionS of the state are as yet but dinly
understood. That they are of variety
OF richness and extent almost unequaled
In America, has been admitted BY com.
petent judges. 1t takes high skill and
long-continued toll to go over such vast
scope Of country and snalyze, examine
and classify what Mother Earth has kept
hidden In the dark and dreary reeesses of
Aer subterrsnean depths for these many
centuries. But it is well worth the
doing. Such a work Il would be the high
| province of state geologlst to execute.
Under the impetus the creation of such
an office might give to the development Of
the special product mentioned, the i'm
portation of "black diamonds" TO Texas
from England or PENNSYLVANIA might come
to be considered quite SIS unnecessary an
act of transportation as the carrying OF
Goals TO Newcastle"