The Indianapolis journal., 1902-11-09
President ID. NJ. Parry, OF Indianapolis
Southern Road, Receives Report
of Alabama Experts.
VALUE MAY REACH $100,o00,0 900
FORTY-INCH VEIN OF COAL Is ALSO
LOCATED.
Wealth Of Ore Lies Along Right Of
Way of Indianapolis Southern
Mr.. Parry's Statement.

Iron ore experts from Birmingham, Ala.
who have been quietly prospecting in
southwestern Indiana and especially in Sui
livan county, have made reports to off,
cials of the Indianapolis Southern Rail-
road that iron ore of a very superior quail
ity and in immense quantities exists along
the line of the projected road. Not since
the discovery of natural gas in Indiana
has any discovery of natural resources
been of more Importance for the future de-
velopment of the State. The possibilities
of this discovery are believed to be almost
lmitless.
Their written report will be ready for SUBJ
mission next week and their verbal report
leaves no doubt that the ore is of very
pure quality and practically inexhaustible.
The value of the deposits is placed at not
less than 500 10000. The experts say that
the ore is purer than Alabama ore found
near Birmingham, and that it will assay
from 60 to 20 per cent. pure Near these
deposits are veins of coal, which is almost
pure charcoal, and which, the experts say.
can be used for smelling purposes without
coking, thus causing a large saving in the
manufacture of iron and giving manufac-
turers special advantages over those in
other sections of the country where ex-
pensive coke ovens must be maintained
The discovery is due entirely to the pro-
lection of the Indianapolis Southern Rail-
road, which is chartered to run from In
dianapolis almost due south to Rockport.
Spencer county. A branch of the road
will be run from Bloomington, Monroe
county, through Greene county into Sui
livan county, the primary object being to
tap the coal fields of these counties and
to supply the indianapolis market.
IRON FOUND.
1t came to the knowledge of the directors
of the road a few days ago that there were
evidences of iron deposits in Sullivan and
other counties, and three experts at Bir-
mingham, Ala, were employed to go
through the fields and to make tests. These
tests were not confined to the company's
right of way, but extended beyond IL to
either side and the result is the discovery
of vast deposits of ore almost unprecedent-
ed in purity. In addition to the coal de-
posits which, ii is believed, may be utilized
for smelling without expensive coking
machinery, deposits of limestone have also
been found, and it is the opinion of these
experts that these will prove formidable
rivals OF the building stone in Lawrence
and other counties. The samples of the
iron that have been assayed show that
there Is practically no admixture of sui
phur and the same condition Of freeness
from sulphur is found in the coal veins in
the immediate neighborhood.
1t is true said President ID. NJ. Parry,
of the Indianapolis Southern Railroad
Company. that valuable deposits of ore
have been discovered in Sullivan county,
but we are not fully advised as yet regard
ing their extent, although 1t is known
that they are enormous. Sixty days ago
we employed three experts from Birming-
ham and their report will be submitted to
us within the next ten days. While We do
not know what the details of that report
will be, do know that the ore has as
sayed remarkably well. running from 60 to
20 per cent. pure. and that the indications
are that the ore Is inexhaustible. In addi-
ton To this ore. there has been discov-
cred, forty-inch vein or coal which is
almost pure charcoal. and IL can be util-
ICED for smelling the ore without coking
The experts have informed us that the
ore is "A much better grade than that near
Birmingham. Ala. and the discovery Is