The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-23

The Bozeman Chronicle says: The
coal industry in Montana is rapidly as-
Stunning an important position among
the industries of the state. According
to statistics furnished by the bureau OF
labor, statistics and industry there
We're mined in Montana during the year
ending June 80, 1898, 1857, 427 tons of
coal, valued at the mines at 81, 1870, 0S4.S7
Employment was afforded to nearly
verted into coke. producing 72,600 tons
of coke valued at s295,0o
The output of the mines shows
gratifying increase over past years, but
is yet far below the quantity needed to
meet the present demands of the state.
It is a conservative estimate that dou-
Bile the production of last year would
not furnish the amount of coal con-
sumed in Montana for domestic, steam
and smelter purposes. and the demand
will increase as the population increas
es and the mining industry grows. The
coal consumed in Montana is, in a great
part brought from without it's boun-
diaries and every one will welcome the
coming of the day when Montana will
supply all the coal used in Montana.
This time may not be far distant. The
extent of the coal fields of the state has
long been known and their development
has been prevented by lack of means of
transportation. This difficulty has been
overcome, in part, by the construction
of railroads to the coal fields. Thus the
branch line along Clarkes Fork affords
means of shipment of the product of
the mines at Gebo and Bridger and an
extension is practicable into the Bear
Creek coal fields. The Rocky Fork
mine at Red Lodge continues to be a
large shipper and the great plant at
Carbonate on the same line will soon
be in full operation. These mines are
all in Carbon county, and they turn out
coal of superior quality, which will
replace, it is believed, the Wyoming
coal now used so extensively in the
smelters at Butte and Anaconda.
The construction of the Yellowstone
railroad along Trail creek opens up a
most promising coal field almost at our
door, For domestic purposes the Trail
creek coal is unsurpassed, and before
the year is over the product ,of these
mines should find ready sale through
out the state. Another large coal field
will be rendered accessible when the Vel
lowstone railroad is extended up the
West Gallatin to the lower basin. The
Chestnut mine maintains it's large out
put and at Mountainside is mine
which may attain equal Importance In
other portions of the state are import
ant mines and undeveloped coal fields,
but it appears probable that most of
the coal to be used in Montana in the
future will be mined in the counties of
Carbon, Clark and Gallatin. When the
demands OF the state are supplied and
there is a surplus production, Montana
coal may find market as far east as
Fargo, if a fair freight rate is given.
The future Of the coal industry In Mon
tana is very bright, the operators are
making fair profits and the miners are
receiving good wages; the state is be-
ing enriched by the keeping at home of
money that formerly went abroad ev-
cry industry in a community near a
productive coal mine is benefited by its
operation. The successful development
of the coal fields of Park and Gallatiu
counties will result in increased bust
ness to BOzeman and Gallatin county