St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-18
COAL IS THE THING
THAT THE GREAT NORTHERN PEo-
PIE ARE AFTER AT THIS
TIME.
Mr.. HILL HAS FAITH IN 1T.
INDEMNITY SCRIP LOCATED UPON
LANDS BELIEVED TO POSSESS
THE MINERAL.
SECRET OF A HALF-BREED INDIAN.
He Is Said to Know Where Coal
Which Has Been Tested Is to
BE Found.
Mr.. HILL HAS FAITH IN 1T.
SECRET OF A HALF-BREED INDIAN.

There only remains the discovery that coal is
70 be found in a considerable quantity in this
state to start Minnesota on an epoch of ad-
varcement and prosperity which will make
unanimous the opinion now held by many of
her loyal citizens that she is the greatest state
in the Union The existence of coal here, con-
sidered in connection with the almost limit
less supply of iron ore, must bring about COM
mercial conditions which now even the most
optimistic persons hardly dare look ahead to
or dream of. The necessity of shipping coal
from the East to this state being removed it
will be no longer necessary to ship the ore
East to the big smelters, for the crude arti-
Gle can then be advantageously manufactured
here and shipped away in the finished state
For some years past prospectors have
brought in reports Of the discovery of coal
beds in various parts Of the state but until
last fall nothing but a passing interest was
manifested. 1t transpires now that just before
winter set in half-breed discovered, after
scme little searching, a quantity Of what he
concluded was coal. He had it assayed, and
1t was pronounced by the analyst an excellent
quality Of anthracite coal. This man had
heard that James ]. Hill was in search of coal
In this state, and overtures were made to the
Great Northern president by which the latter
was to secure possession Of the property, con-
corning the exact location of which not word
was said beyond the fact that it was not far
from the line of the Northern Pacific road.
1t is stated pretty good authority that
negotiations went so far that contract was
forwarded to the railroad magnate, but was so
modified by Mr.. Hill that the discoverer upon
the advice of his attorney, who is a we'll
known Duluth lawyer, decided to drop further
consideration of the deal
The secret Of the location Of the coal field
has been carefully guarded, and the lucky man
has been advised that the only question as to
his making a fortune out of his discovery is
the extent of the field.
That Mr.. Hill has abiding faith in the pres
ence OF coal in the state is best shown by the
fact that in December he caused survey to
be made of township 60, range "a and located
nearly 5000 acres of Great Northern indemnity
scrip upon lands in the northern part of that
town. These lands lie almost in a solid block.
plorations show that at depth of ninety feet
an eight-foot bed of Ignite coal has been dis
covered at least in one locality.
President Samuel HILL of the Eastern Min
nesota said recently to the G o b that ex-
plorat1ons for coal had been made but that at
least for a time it would be impossible to
make public the result of the work
other parties, including one from Duluth
have made explorations in the neighborhood
OF this township, and with the return of good
weather, it is said, the search will be re-
sumed.