Arizona silver belt., 1900-06-14
THE COAL FIELDS.
Early Discoveries in Stanley Buttes Capitalists now Turning to
 this Favored District.

am informed that coal was first discovered in Graham county by lieut Stanley, m whose henor Stanley Butte the highest mountain peak ln the sd- Jacent territory, Is named, Tn 1851. It was not, however, until 1881 that work was begun, when few venture some men built large adobe house, which is still standing, and began to explore for the black diamonds. A couple of lonesome graves there all overgrown with cactus, tells how faith fully they stayed, The many aud long continued efforts of the people of the county to have this land segregated, Logun's survey and his mysterious disappearance, aud the hnal acceptance of the survey--is history,
 A few weeks ago 1t became known that capitalists in the east had been interested Tn the exploration of these coal deposits, and on May 2I, l nc cepted an invitation to visit tue camp, and am able to give the readers of the Bulletin an account uf the work up to date,
 The Coal Fields consist of three ba- sins the upper. middle and lower. The upper basin lies at the head of Deer creek, which empties into the Gila river, and must not be contounded with the Deer creek which flows south and empties into the Arayaipa This basin comprises about 5000 acres and extends from the divide rim two and Il half miles west.
 About two miles below the upper basin, the middle basin begins and ex- tends for about five miles, and then begins the lower basin, which extends, practically. to the Gila river.
 Dr. W. B. Philips, n civil engineer of large and varied experience, has charge of this exploration work, and through his courtesy l was enabled to acquire the embodied information.
 One of the original prospect shafts has been utilized, but as the roof was in bad condition 26 feet has been filled up. From this point drift was run 20 feet and then the incline resumed. This incline is down about 10 feet, ex- posing 46 inch velu of fine coal It Is good coal; Iu fact, l never saw bet ter, and l am quite well acquainted with the bltumInous fields of Penusyl- vauia. It does not contain quite so much volatile matter us some eastern coal, but stlll 1t Is fine coking article. Dr. Philips tells me he can take out n car load per day from the present vein.
 A new shalt has been begun a short distance west of the above aud Is down about 10 feet: this IS intended to cut the vein at this point.
 All the coul, SD far us present in- .dications show, lies between limestone which overlies all the mineral bearing rock peculiar to the country east of Hawk canyon aud ahnttiug the Coal Fields about a mile west oi said canyon being separated by ridge of limestone rich in fossils. l secured some fine specimens of coral. trilobites, etc
 What more may ba learned regard ing the geology of this conutry must be left to future investigations, which will be carried on with the diamond drlll. which will be in charge of MT. B. Frenzel, of Pittsanrg, Pa. who has but recently returned from South Af- rica where he has been exploring for gold for European capitalists. He ar rived week ago.
 I will mention. for the benefit of l those as ignorant as myself, that the | diamonds used in the drill point, are Brazilian black diamonds, or bort; as hard and fine as the white gem stone, i and costing at present prices, S5 40 carat. A carat, l think, Is about four grains, troy This would be trife over S7, zoo per ounce. It takes eight of these stones to set drill.
 If nothing unforeseen occurs boring will begin this week, and from indica- tions and measurements, Dr. Philips expects to strike the vein at about l5O feet. This boring will begin at q point about one-fourth of mile west of the present shaft, in the upper basin,
 From the best information l can se- cure, a railroad to the upper basin IS an assured fact, if sufficient body of coal can be found; but Dr. Philips Is and just "hopes. Spec sl correspondence of the Bulletin.
 BITTEN BY A MONSTER.