The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-01
VAST WEALTH LIES
. IN COAL FIELDS
Bright Future for Southwestern
Virginia and Eastern
Kentucky.
MARVELLOUS DEVELOPMENTS
Building OF New Railroads Opens
Up Hitherto Neg
lected Regions.
MARVELLOUS DEVELOPMENTS
Especial to The Times-Dispa.ch.l


Sergent. KY, April 3o.-Alre ady the
inflow of millions OF dollars of capital
into the mountainous region OF East
ern Kentucky and Southwestern Vir-
GINA have resulted in a hum OF in
dustry and of busy, busting activity
in their coal and timber fields, second
to none in the etire south, yet. withal,
the sections contiguous to the border
Of the two great States-kentucky and
Virginia--are almost in their initial
developm ents. and just what the future
OF this section will foretell is very
near past comprehension.
Six or eight years ago some far
seeing PENNSYLVANIA capitalists came
into the section of Wise county, Va.
east of here, after the completion OF
the Louisville and Nashville and the
Norfolk and Western. two great trunk
lines into the county, and began to
exploit in the coal resources, then
thought to be of little value. Of that
county-the then pauper county OF the
Old Dominion. In a little while the
riches OF the coal fields OF the county
spread broadcast, and capitalists from
all over the country were attracted
to It's hidden wealth. These came and
invested largely in the holdings.
In little while various coktng coal
plants were established and put In
operation over the county. while nu-
merous short-line branches of rail-
road had penetrated almost every nook
and corner Of the county: To-day Wise
county presents almost network OF
railroad lines, all laden to their full
limit with freight from Its industries,
consisting principally Of coking plants.
lumber manufactures, brick plants and
handle factories.
Cforera pfoneer amOnc the cooking
coal plants of Wise county, where the
Virginia Iron. Coal and Coke Com
pany holds forth. was among the first
plants to begin operation. Callahan
Creek, tributary OF Powell River.
offered inducements to the Wenfz syn
dcate. of Philadelphia, for, indeed, It
was rich in boundleas coal veins, rang
ing from five to nine feet in thick
ness. with virgin forests teening on
dollars was Immediately expended by
these shrewd Pennsylvanlans.
StoneEn Springs Into Existence.
Stonega as a result, thereafter
known as the boom mining town OF
Southwestern Virginia." sprang into
existence on the headwaters OF Cal
lahan Creek, q few miles from the
Kentucky border, and it was the frs,
plant In the county to begin shipping
Oval pTOduCdSt, dllilOhl AIoll lis iIlAt1hl
shipment. It Is a fact, as the leading
coling experts admit to-day, that
! Stonega coke is the best that is pro-
| duced In the Wise county field,
| A few days ago a telegram sent
out from Chicago stated that as by
product. coke made at Stonega, in
! the Virginia field was very satisfac-
tory, ana was perhaps the best IN
| existence.
In the leading markets OF the coun.
try Stonega coke is current to-day al
| s2,s5 to s2.65. and there Is little over.
| production of the product from
Stonega, a factover which the Stonega
promoters should feel elated. Within
twelve months the Virginia Iron, Goa
and Coke Company had opened mine.
and built large plants at Imam, Osaks
and Rhoda. making four plants OF
Callahan Creek, all reached by TIL,
Iterstate Railroad out from ap
i palachia. where connections are mad,
with the Southwestern and the Louis
4 VILE and Nashville. Last year the In
terstate completed It's road alongside
the Louisville and Nashville to Norton
twelve miles away, where connect
Ing link is made with the Clinch Val
A ley dlyisionsof the Norfolk and West
ern, terminating at Norton, making al
4 Important connection BY the com
plation OF this connection the Yir
] ginia 4 ron, Coal ID end Coke ssornpanI