The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-31
GOOD COAL LIES
UNDER CANTON.
Efforts Are Now Being Made to
Develop It.
NEW LEASES ARE TAKEN UP
And Railroad Connection VIII be Secured
Immediately- --Important
Developments Are
Expected.

Though not generally known, 1t Is
nevertheless a fact. that underlying
Canton and adjacent territory, there
Is q source Of wealth which II devel-
oped would make the capital Of Stark
county one Of the chief coal centers Of
the State Of Ohio. The wonder has
often been expressed. II there were good
veins Of coal at Massillon to the west.
and at different points on the north,
east and south Of Canton, why there
should not also be found underlying the
territory CONTIGUOUS to this city just as
thick veins and as good quality Of coal.
For some reason. however, but very
little has deem done looking toward
the development of the bituminous
wealth that practical coal men know
needs but the drill or the shaft to re-
veal.
About three years ago William Crone
and Michael Barnhart, Of Reedurban,
took lease of the coal and mineral
rights under the lands Of George w.
Hildenbrand and Martin Fierstos, Of
Plain township. The land comprises
one hundred acres, each owning fifty
acres. The property lies just 2A miles
north of Canton. Some time later
Crone sold out to Mr.. Vanderbosh,
capitalist Of Chicago. who has, 1t
Is understood, interested other Chi
cago capitalists in the enterprise.
Hearing that something was likely
to develop soon, News-Democat rep
resentative called on Mr.. George Hill
denbrand and inquired as to what had
been done. Said he:
Yes, we have leased our land and
there has been prospecting enough
done to. show that there is an excel
lent vein Of coal there. Eight or ten
test holes were sunk and the develop
ments were such as to lead to the
sinking of a shaft At the depth of
seventy feet vein of coal five feet in
thickness was found. 1t is Of excellent
quality. A barrel Of it was sent to
Chicago and 1t was thoroughly ana
lyzed and tested. The parties interest
ed were well pleased with the quality
"There has been some delay owing to
little disagreement among those as
sociated in the scheme, but there Is no
doubt that they mean business. The
lessees in their lease agreed to pay SO
much year until the coal was devel-
oped, and IL cents a ton royalty for all
that they took out.
"The end of the year is just up for the
lease and I today received a letter
from Mr.. Vanderbosh at Chicago, en-
closing the annual payment to renew
it. AS far as am concerned, it would
not make any difference If they would
surrender the lease, for other parties
would like to have 1t. I should Like
to see it developed"
When asked IL he knew anything Of
the building of a railroad switch to his
land, he said he did not. The shaft
sunk is about one mile from the w. G.
l.. e. r. r. and about one and three
fourth miles from the c. T. & V. Ru-
mors have been current that Chicago
parties have been negotiating with the
railroad companies for the construc-
tion Of a coal switch to the mouth of
the shaft and have been looking over
the ground to pick out a feasible route.
There is no doubt that the enterprise
Is about ready to go forward, and II
1t does it will prove Of inestimable
value to CantOfis business interests
The development Of this tract would
lead to the opening up Of shafts at a
number of nearby points. for the vein OF
| coal is not confined to that tract Of one
hundred acres. 1t doubtless underlies
every farm in that vicinity, and may
extend under and on all sides Of Can
/ ton.