Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-08-15
The Coal Daposlt IN Augusta.


THE WORLD TO LOOK INTO-A WAY TIC
BRING THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY R9
Mr.. j A. Partridge, civil and mining en-
gineer, lately in the U. S. Government ser
vice is, with his wife, making summer
trip through the Valley. MI. Partridge
has had wide experience in mining Goa
and iron in Pennsylvania. Learning that
on his trip he had taken in and made a brief
examination of what are popularity known
as the Dora coal fields, a representative OF
the VINDIcAToR called on him to get his
views On their valne.
Describing the course Of his route, which
in length pretty well covered the coal field
region named, MI. Partridge said he was
surprised to find the external evidences OF
anthracite coal SO abundant.
| What is its character and quality asked
the reporter.
MI. Partridge said as a general thing it
was like the Pennsylvania deposit OF an
thracite. He had never seen an analysis OF
it, but-and that was what had attracted
his attention to 1.-THE had been told at Har-
risonburg that specimens Of it analysed had
shown from 50 to 90 per cent. OF fixed
carbon. Such coal as that would be very
valuable. At Briery Branch he had seen
a superb specimen of the cOal-lt had
| the peacock OF irridescent quality, which
in coal found elsewhere is considered an In
dication of great value. 1t is certainly a
coal deposit that should be looked into by
capitalists. The county Of Augusta Oh the
city of Staunton could do no better work
than to make an appropriation OF say
$4,000 to 900 to uncover this deposit
and let the world see it. When it is once
uncovered capital will not be long in taking
hold of it and in building railroad to it,
too. The specimens shown him on his trip,
from the Dora mine, were white ash, and
higher up he saw q specimen OF red ash.
The red ash is the easier burning coal and is
what is called up North the Lackawanna.
The white ash is what is called there the
Lehigh.
In simply riding over the route from the
coal fields to Staunton, MI. Partridge said
he thought a railroad could be built to the
fields from here at 800 900 mile. That
part from Staunton to Middle River would
be the most expensive. In Southwestern
Virginia many much more difficult roads
than this are built by the Norfolk & Wes-
tern for it's feeders, and the Chesapeake Il
this as a feeder if it were satisfied that the
coal deposits of the Dora fields were valua-
BILE. The Valley of Virginia badly needs
anthracite coal at a cheaper rate than it
gets it now. Such a field as this with coal
veins from to feet wide, one of which
he had been shown, would be a source Of
immense wealth to it if developed. The
moment, Staunton OF Augusta, OIL any OF
their people uncover this coal and give the
world reliable statement Of it's value, that
moment capitalists can be found to come
here and construct a railroad to it. All
capitalists want to know, is that it is q safe
investment, and it would pay the people
here to make the examination. Augusta
county is one of the richest counties in the
State and with this wealth added would
make her still higher. MI. Partridge said
that while he had made no examination of
the Dora coal fields, further than an eXter-
nal one, yet he felt sure that with the pos
sibilities opened up by the evidences he saw,
few neighborhoods in the land would be
content to let these possibilities remain I'M
tried, when 1t could be done at so small a
cost. 1t might be that the few thousands
spent in ,uncovering these deposits may
be the germ from which a railroad and
millions of wealth may spring.
Do you think the Cumberland Valley Ry.
will come up the Valley? asked thereporter.
In reply, MI. Partridge said that if the
citizens of Augusta county clearly showed
there was anthracite in the Dora fields, by
uncovering it, they would find they would
not have to ask a railroad to come this way,
but would find that the railroads would ask
them.