The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1903-02-18

ahead in every competitive test o.
its qualities.
The secret OF it's rapid advance
in public favor lies in the fact that
it is superior in every respect tc
any other coal on the market
The record made by it on the steam
trials of the various Government
vessels of the United States Navy
firmly establishes it's reputa ion as
a steam producing fuel.
Pocahontas coal has been en-.
dorsed by the War and Navy De-
partments of the United States
Government, aud also by the Brit
ish Government. the only coal
which enjoys this uniqneediAtiuo.
tion. The character of the coal is
semi bituminous, high in fixed car
bon and volatile matter and low in
sulphur and ash. Very important
considerations, and for calorific
power and quantity of residium, it
easily leads all Goals.
In preparing it for the market
every ton is required to come up
to certain standard, otherwise it
is rejected. Hence Pooahontas
coal is noted for its freedom from
slate and other foreign substances.
The coal of this field belongs to the
No. XII, or Lower Coal Measures
of the Appalachian basin, and is
all above water level.
The veins range in thickness all
the way from thirteen feet at Po-
cahontas, eight feet at Elkhorn,
and five and half feet at Vivian,
to five feet at Goodwill, which is
the thinnest vein mined in the
field.
The coal is mined on a royalty,
and the lessees own all improve
ments. In this field are many
hundred ceke ovens.
This coke is an excellent fuel for
foundries aud domestic purposes,
and is used to very great extent
in the manufacture of water gas.
Nearly every mile post along this
section of the road marks mining
operation, and at night the scene is
especially inspiring, as the fires
from hundreds of ovens mount up
to the sky, casting lurid reflections
against the dark bac1- ground of
the mountain side. aa
As the train rolls into Pocahon-
tas, that is just on the edge of the
coal field, and the last mine vanish
es in the distance, the wild rug
gedness of the mountains gives
place to broad, rich, meadow lands,
and for ten miles the train skirts
the edge of that famous agrioultu-
raj region of Tszewell county, Vir-
ginia. AS new scenes appear the
travellers interest increases. The
natural features of the landscape
are charmingly attractive, and pre-
sented as pleasing succession.
From st. Paul to Coeburn the
scenery is the finest on the Norfolk
& Western road. Here the train
leaves the Clinch river, after having
followed it's graceful weddings for
a number of miles, and enters a
small valley, remarkably unique in
the nature of it's surface.
The road runs parallel with a
high range of mountains, and in
the intervening space, which in the
natural order of things, would be a
level valley, is succession of small
hillocks, seemingly thrown together
in heaps, and of uniform size and
appearance.
A few miles further, the train
having assembled to considerable
height. the view is magnificent.
Far below, several hundred feet,
the river winds around the base of
the mountain, and then stretches
out for miles down the valley, till
lost to sight among the foothills on
the edge of the horizon.
This scene easily ranks with the
finest landscapes on the continent.
A run of several miles brings the
train to Bluefield, w. Va, the most
important city contiguous to the
Pocahontas coal field, which
though twelve miles away, is the
metropolis of the mining region,
and geographically it's gateway,
and here the trip is ended, and the
writer is grateful for the courtesy
shown by the employees in the
passenger service of this vast rail.
road system, and delighted to have
| x,,skraooal thasr ra-ark N bIo ,,ox.l.