Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-03-17
COAL IN WEST VIRGINIA
An interesting Summary That Is
Decidedly Valuable
OUTPUT OF DIFFERENT YEARS
Industry In This State Has De
veloped Wonderfully, Bringing
Great Wealth to the People.


trial progress of West Virginia would
be incomplete without reference to its
most tangible asset. coal.
While the state Is abnndantly rich
in oil. gas and timber, these resources
are but temporary compared with the
deposits of coal within the state.
1t is estimated that there are 10, 500.
900 acres OF workable coal within the
state, and allowing 1000 tnns as an
average for each sc there are -, 200,
900, 600 tons within the state which at
the rate of a yearly production of 10.
600, 600 tons would take 1,oS0 years 70
exhaust the supply.
At the present time there are zoo
operating commercial mines within
the stare employing 30, 900 employees
aud producing over 80, 600, 600 tons per
year. 1t is safe to say fully zoo, :
600 acres are under development. or
about 0 l2 ,,er cent ot the total 'area
OF coal.
Out of the So counties III the State
there are p in which coal miniug Ii
conducted on a commercial scale.
Reference TO the yearly pro uction
at ten year periods will show the
rapid growth { the industry
Ia 1868 the production was 4iGls
tons.
In 1873 the production wins G79, 900
tons.
In 1893 the production was 2.335. 80
tons,
In 1898 the production was 10 ,3s s55
tons.
IN 1908 the production was 30 3SI :
PAL tons.
In 1905 the productions esfiina ed
was 3D. 100000 tons.
The Pocnhontas coal field, Mercer
and Mcdowell counties. which IN 1876
was reported as having a bed OF coal
eleven feet thick WINS then given little
credit OF having a valuable coal, but
this has grow to be one Of the largest
fields within the State and during 1905
Mcdowell county produced 6,siO00o
tons and the development in progress
and IN contemplation will wilhin two
years add another miIlou tons I'd the
annual production.
The New River field continues to
expand and while all available drift
coal continguous 10 railroad facilities
has been developed. atteplion has
been directed 60 ~hafting Cor ihes~
v'tlu bic deposits and there are now
no les than dozen shafts h L9np
Cheek field ran-i ing in depth r. 10 40
10 100 feet
eavstte ounty leads in the number
mine and il second IN product on.
~ i G.iss 900 tons.
Prior 70 1905 Favette tins be3,dai Ne
list Of counties, excepting 1903 When
a strike affected Fayette's production
bnt McDo~ell has forged ahead and
the indications are that this county
viii continue indefinitely TO he the
banner county in coal production
Marion and Kanawha Counties are
now about even ia production. Marion
having 3, 2jl 900 and Kanawha 2 126. !
900 tons. With present indications that
Kanawlia ~ soon leave Marion in
it, wake
Hatriso1 county in fhe pa eight
years has increased its productions
ten fold and an annual tonnage ~
, $50, COO
Nnck r Mercer ana Mlngo are each
g"ei for IA annual prediction OF H.
100, 90 tons. with Indications favora-
. Tor Mingo and Mercer 20 largely
increase their productions.
Boone and Wyoming are twb coun-
ties yet to he heard from il sending
coal 10 market, but ten years hence
NAV see each producing a. much as
two million tons per year
That on coal has been the masking
Of our STATE no on9 will d-ny aud
prediction Of future re.ults Is difficult
Tor reason the cpnditions when
dominate the n rketing OF the pro-
duct.
In the operation Of the mnny mines
within the stsi taere is employed Il
variety OF ma lppaatieS many IT whom
have little of the MINERS skin. THIS
l. accounted for by reason Of the n lop-
ton OF the mining machinery which
takes the place OF the practical pick
miner aud has brought about a cundi-
tion that has in many localities de-
noralized the pick miner. and lie 90
protect himself, has adopted many nn-
SHE methods. snrt as shooting coal
off the solid AMI using excessive quAn-