The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-11-14
PICKS ARKANSAS 10 WIN.
Advises 7 pung Men TO Grow Up WIN
Arkansas On the Eve OF
neNelnpment.

rifory u? Arkansas to settle H.
said Prof. G. +. Y. CaraCristi, the
noted mining expert, at The ST.
4 harles hotel last night, says the
New Orleans Pieaynne. "Aikan.
<as is hound to develop into one
of the most important mineral
commonwealth in the union IN a
few years, while the territory,
with it's valuable coal deposit
will broaden out and become "a
second hOnauza."
Mr.. Caracristi stated that he had
no particular objects III view III
expressing himself as he did about
the promised wealth of Arkansas
and the Indian Territory. lie
gave the facts as they exist, and
after careful examination Of the
conditions. The prospects for get
ting ineXhaustible iron ore IN the
Traveller state are extremely en-
couraging, and from the observa.
tons he has made there he has no
hesitancy in stating that Arkansas
will soon be producing more iron
than the whole state of Alabama.
He gave it as his opinion that iron
can be mined in Arkansas for 81
per ton, compared with $3.50, the
cost of taking a ton OF iron ore
out of the ground in Alabama.
This alone shows a marked differ
ence, which is sure to prove a
Sighly important factor IN the IRON
mining industry of the world.
"In the next decade Arkansas
and the Indian Territory will
make the greatest advancement
of any state in the unlon," resumed
the wel.known mineralogist. "The
state will go forward with its iron
fields. while the territory has suf-
ticient coal to supply all the rail
roads in Mexico ana the west for
sears TO come.
"a bright, intelligent fellow has
all the chance in the world III
those states. The place is not
now cougeSted, as many other
commemorative are, hence the
opportunities. Personally, | think
the future very bright, and all it
will take to develop Arkansas
vast natural resources will be Il
pttle time and capital"
Prof Caracristi said, in speak
ing of the coal interests Of the
Indian Territory, that there are
NOW thirty.six coal mines, produc-
aug $4,000 tons Of coal daily.
There is a series Of three seams
underlying the coal in the coal
field, the bottom OF which gives
coal equal to the best Pocahontas
bituminous fuel, with fixed
carbon of y per cent. and over.
There is a low percentage of ash,
aud very little sulphur, in the ter
ritory product. The carbon de.
posts in the lower seams runs as
high az 81 per cent, which is much
higher than the general run OF
Goals.
The Indian Territory coal field
lis located in the immediate vicinity
of McAlester, and extends over
,Oue.tifth Of the eutire area Of the
terrltory, or about 5000 square
miles, q part ofwhich is not entire
Us coal, One of the principal
SHINES. yielding 10000 tons a day,
IL located at Buck, which was
sIamed after Colonel Buck, former.
Nv OF this city, but who is one OF
the largest coal miners IN that see
tion. Prof CaraCristi remarked
that Mexico, now largely nm
developed. as well as Texas aud
the other states in the West, are
mainly dependent on the Me.
Aeslrr coal field for their supply,
The coal from this district can he
shipped cheaper and far quicker
TO any place IN the west and
Mexico than from any mine IN the
country.
Prot, Caracristi recently made n
scientific examination OF the re-
ported coal fields near Mudru,
ia, At that place he failed to
mud any satisfactory indications OF
coal deposits, but he did come
across Ignite, He expressed the
opinion that coal will never he
mined NJ Mindeu, M the soil only
contains Ignite, which can be
marketed with proht for gas.
producing purposes, but other
wise the cost of mining It viii be
too great 10 put It on the market
IN competition with bDtumlnons
coal and fuel oil, lie said the
Mlndeu product viii make excel
lent gas, aud can be taken ont OF
the ground at comparatively lltIe
cost It is only available for
manufacturing Illuminating gas AZ
81 viii haye ~ he sold TOO ChrHplN
TO compete with coal, the high
price Of mining putting the louis
ANA liguite far ont of reach of the
consumer