Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1901-09-12
Olyantle Coal Deposit


Perhaps the largest body OF coal
that has ever been discovered In the
United States in the last twenty years
Is that on the state boundary between
Washington and Oregon. This great
body OF coal land Is located In Asotin
County, Washington, and Wallowa
County. Oregon, and is easy OF access
by way OF Asotin, the county seat ot
Asotin County, thence by way OF Ana
tone to Hanson's Ferry on the Grande
Ronde River, which is the dividing line
between the two states at the point
mentioned.
This body OF coal crops out at points
very close together for distance OF
twelve miles on either side OF the river
and there are thousands OF acres that
have been fled upon under the home
stead laws, that now show fine coal
prospects. There are other thousands
of acres that have been covered by
local men with coal land deciaratory
statements, and still other land that
has not been covered at all, but which
show strong coal measures. This
body Of coal Ia Ignite OF fine quality,
improves and changes to bituminous
at greater distances from the surface.
There are also many indications OF
natural gas and oil, but no prospect
ing has been done for either. In the
coal deposits the local men have run
several tunnels and sunk shafts
through twenty feet of solid coal. In
fact have found so much coal that but
little digging was required to get It.
There Is no question but that the de-
posit is a very large one. These coal
measures are fifteen miles from the
mouth of the Grande Ronde River.
This river is not navigable, but the
Snake, into which II empties, has q
regular line OF steamboats, running to
the mouth of the river, and the mat
ter of getting this coal to market
would require the building OF road
for fifteen miles to connect with boats
at the mouth of the Grande Ronde.
However, it is probable that q rail-
road will run through these coal fields
in the near future, as they are on the
route mapped out by the Burlington
for reaching the Coast, where the best
possible grades can De secured down
the Grande Ronde River. The Oregon
Railway and Navigation Company has
already run its preliminary survey
through this coal region, and 1t would
appear, that the day Is not far distant
when snug little fortunes may be real
ICED by those who may have the good
judgment to get hold OF properties In
this district, either by purchase or
original location. Indeed the differ
ence in price at which 1t may now be
bought from the government over
that which must be paid for II as soon
as. the railroad is completed, would
mean 100 per cent profit on the invest.
ment.
The act of March 2,1S7S (Coal land
law) requires the payment OF ten dol
lars per acre, il the land is over fifteen
miles, and twenty dollars per acre II
the land is fifteen miles or less from
completed railroad.
There seems no doubt but that the
Burlington system in extending Its
line to the Coast will pass down the
Grande Ronde River, and through the
center of this immense deposit. There
is fine timber. gold and silver, agricul-
tural and grazing lands In this imme-
date vicinity and the natural resourc-
es afforded by this particular section
could support a community of ten
thousand people without any connec-
tion whatever with the outside world.