The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1892-12-22
RAPID PROGRESS
In the Big Stone Gap,
Colliery Co. S. ST. +.
Work. : = Z
Eight and-a-Half Feet Of.
the Solid "Black
Diamond

| " .fsf
Comparatively few people are aware OF
the extensive developments that are 60
ing on in the immediate section known as
the Big Stone Gap coal field.
The Big Stone Gap Colliery Co., has
been doing its work SO quietly, aud in
such an unassuming manner, that even
the citizens Of Big Stone Gap fail to reals
ize the great benefit this large coal and
coke works will he to this, the metropo-
lis of the surrounding coal field.
This company has long and favorable
lease on 1900 acres Of the finest coal land
in The Virginia coal field. 1t is located
near the junction of the L. & N. and the
N. g. W. railroads, and can be easily
reached by both roads. The coal in which
they are now operating shows a solid vein
of * to ST., feet. The analysis shows
the coal for coaking purposes, to he SINH
lar and equal to the celebrated Councils
Vile and Pocahontas coal, the coke being
very high in carbon and low in ash
and sulphur, the ash being entirely free
from PHOSPHORUS.
Since commencing operations on the lst
Of last November, the company has drv-
eli 63 feet of the main entry, Is feet wide
and the full heighth Of the coal; thirteen
miners dwellings huve been built and the
company now has large force of men at
work quarrying stone to be used in con-
structing coke ovens. Roads have been
bnilt and the ground cleared up to acom-
modatc the first $50 ovens to he put in.
The company has commenced opening the
same vein 5000 feet north of.their pres
cnt opening and will also open up the
same vein on the west side of Powell's
river. which will be driven through the
Hagan Property to Guests river. Ma
chinery has been ordered to- he used in
crushing the coal that will so into the
manufacture Of coke Work on these first
250 ovens will be pushed forward as fast
as men and money can do it, and it will
not be long till C0nnellsyil:e and Poca-
hontns coke will have rival to compate
with that is their only admitted and rec
osnized equal in the Quilted States.
The Company already has market Of
fcred for its entire output Of coal and coke.
In conversation with Col. j. H. Allen, who
is president of the company, he said:.
''rhe Big Stone Gap coal field is GER
tainlya very attractive one to operators,
and in the good time which all coal men
are now looking forward to, il ought to
become, aud think will, very promi-
ncnt factor in supplying the coal and coke
trade of the United States"
The entire operations of the company
will give employment to 400 men. thus
giving Dorccster-the name Of The new
mining town-a population of 1000 to
$500 people. This increase Of population
so near to Big Stone Gap, VIII give to this
place a large and profitable volume of
trade.
Col. Allen said, There is no reason
why the same development should not ac-
crue to the Big Stone Gap coal field MS did
to the Pocahontas territory, the growth of
which has been truly phenomenal"
Col. Allen is coal and coke operator
Of long practical experience, and is highly
elated over the superior coal in this field
as compared with that of the section in
which he has heretofore operated.
When go ovens are completed tho COM
pany will be able to ship about 800 tons
of lump coal per day and will have an out
put Of go tons of coke.
Mr.. Horace +. Fox is superintendent OF
the company, and has his headquarters at
the MINES