Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-06-03
the coke that comes to the Pittsburg mar
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The coke industry IN west virginia II
not new one. For many years coke hai
been man anuiactured and has commanded 6
fair place in the markets of the world.
But the mining industry of Fairmont and
vicinity is not represented by the Montans
mine alone. The Gsston coal and coke
works, owned and operated by substantial.
ly the same parties as the Montana, is lo'
Gated one and one-half miles south OF Fair.
mont, on the west bank Of the West Fork
river. 1t is well equipped and well ar.
ranged mine. The average cal outpai
each month Is over 10, 600 tons,
Thirty coke ovens are In blast,
manufacturing quality Of coke similar to
the Montsna product Such Of the out.
put az is not consumed in the making oil
coke ia shipped to the Eastern markets
Baltimore and Philadelphia-and there
commands ready sale at remunerative
rates. The CASTOR Company have here a
practically inexhaustible bed Of the rich,
est mining coal Of the country.
Just across the West Fork river are the
works of the New England and Fairmont
Western Gas Coal Company, an enterprise
that probably
PROMISES MORE
for the development of the mineral re-
sources of the section than any other. The
principal s.ockholder Of the company is
Mr.. II. Y. Attrill, of Goderich, Canada.
Mr.. Attrill has been at great expense in
making preparations for the development
of his coal land, Of which he owns GOO
acres, lying along the east hank Of the
West Fork river. An independent railroad
line, TO connect with the B. q o.,
involving the bridging of the river
and an outlay Of some $4,000,
hiss been built and is nov in operation.
Owing to unfortunate legal complications,
work has been at standstill for some two
years past. 1t is now confidently promised
that the mime will be opened and will be
in full running operation before three
months passes Eighty coke ovens will be
built, part of the contracts for which have
already been let. There is every natural
facility for making this one OF the richest
and best paying mine works in the State.
Yet it is not in the development Of it's
own coal land that this company promises
TO do 30 much for the prosperity Of the
county. The extension Of its railroad line,
as the charter contemplates, will open a
region whose riches are yet untouched.
The great Bingamon coal county has no
superior in any portion of this or any other
State. To tap this rich mining section
h.s been one Of Senator Cam
den's pet projects for years. For
this, primarily, the proposed ex-
tension OF the Ohio River Road by way of
Middlebourne or New Martinsville, is to
be built. BY either route the destination
is the same, the Bingamon coal country.
Tue south ward extension of the New Eng
laud Company's line for but few miles
would penetrate into the heart of this
section. Here connecting with the Cam.
den Rroad, it will secure two outlets for
its coal and solve at once the great ques-
ton Of
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION
That has 80 long been the bugbear of Fair.
mont coal operators. How soon this enter
prise, as laid down here, will be consum-
mated is to some extent matter of con.
lecture. That it will not be delayed long
is settled fact. The o. r. C. extension
will be built. When that is done tho
intersecting line from Fairmont, establish
ing the convection with the B. & O., will
be question Of but few months.
But to return from the railroad to the
coal industries OF the section. On the East
side of the Monongahela river ara the
O'Donnell mines. Here from twenty-five
to thirty five men are employed regularly,
mining coal for the use of the b & o. Rail-
road company. At the foot of the incline
is o coaliDg station, from which B. & o.
engines are supplied. The same company
owns and operates the Aurora mining
plant ! miles North of Fairmont on the
line of the T. NJ. &. P. railroad.
How the same quality and character of
coal is mined, as in the mountain, although
no coke is manufactured. They employ
about the same number of men as are at
the O'Donnell works and with steady
and certain demand for the product from
the railroad company and annexed inter
ests.
OTHER COAL WORKS.
OF the old aud well established Central
and West Fairmont works it is hardly
necessary to speak at length. The West
Fairmont Company owns one of the best
mining tracts in the whole territory.
Their works are costly and laid out on
approved plans. About forty men are
employed in mining coal for Eastern ship.
msnt At present little or no coke is
burnt, but it is tho intention of the man
sgement to build new ovens and devote
their attention in the future more particu-
larly to this important branch of fuel pro.
duction. With the enlargement and i'm.
provement Of their plant, it will be one OF
the most valuable, as it is now one of the
oldest, Of the mining concerns of the sec
tion. The Central mines are operated by
Mr.. Oliver jackson, Esq. While not on
as extensive scale as some of its rivals,
the Central enjoys the well.earned reputa-
tion of manufacturing one of the best arti-
cles of coke that is pnt upon the market
There are ten coke ovens in operation,
besides large share of the coal output
shipped to the Eastern market.
or the coal industry in this vicinity IL is
necessary to say little. It's possibilities
are almost unlimited. They are more
readily recognized when we realize that by
far the greater portion of the coal interests
we have named have been built up within
the short space Of two years; that the ter
ritory is yet almost untouc ned; aud that
thousands of acres of the richest lands re-
main. 1t is not 8 rash prophesy to predict
that when, as will ineSitabIy be the case,
the great Pennsylvania Railroad Company
penetrates this region and furnishes the
operators q competing line, the Fsirmont
coal and coke fields will be more formid-
able factor in the worlds markets.