The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-31
Frank Nelson, Jr., and AssO- ciates BuyOVer 5000 Acres
 From the Bryan Estate
LARGE AMOUNT WILL BE
 SPENT IN DEVELOPMENT
I,ocoted In Jefferson and Walker Coun- ties-Is Regarded as Best Large Body of Available Coal
 Lands on Market

Announcement was made yesterday that the Bryan coal lands, in Jefferson and Walker counties, had been purchased by Frank Nelson, Jr., of this city and as- sociates The land purchased is familiar to almost every industrial man in the Bir- mingham district and comprises between 5000 and 5000 acres of probably the most valuable coal lands in mineral Alabama. The price paid for the property was not given out, but 1t is generally admitted to be about $500,000.
 The land which changes hands was orig inally purchased 20 years ago by the late Joseph Bryan, who died nearly two years ago in his home at Richmond, Va. He selected the acreage years ago as being the best, in his opinion, of the mineral district Since that time 1t has been held by him, and only his death made it possible for this land to be sold. It is stated that the late MT. Bryan con sidered the property worth at least $10O,- GOO, but no interests were willing to place such a sum in the property at that time.
 Some of the acreage which changes hands does not bear the higher character of coal found in other parts. But it is said the great majority of the coal is as good as any in this state.
 It was announced by the purchasers authorized agents that the property in- cluded three coal mines known as Burn well, West Pratt and Somerset mines.
 The mines are now operating and have an estimated tonnage of between 1500 and 2oOO tons of clean coal per day. At the mines are washers and other mine fix lures. including mine homes, all being in- cluded in the transfer to be made in the next few days.
 Nearly 1OO,o0OOO0 Tons
 The property has been examined care fully by mineral experts and 1t is claimed that the veins of coal will yield between "a, 5,OOO,o GOO tons and 1Oo.OOO,oOo tons of coal before they will have reached anything near the limit of the imprisoned coal ton mage.
 It was stated yesterday that the new owners, who are among the best known developers in the Birmingham district. will spend a great deal of money in get ting the property up to the maximum de- velopment to which they are entitled. While nothing authorized was given out it is said the improvements will cost near the s1,000,0O0 mark before they have been completed. None of the details for the vast work of improvement have been out lined yet, but the assertion that the new owners will spend a vast sum was given out with positive assurance.
 Deal of First Magnitude
 When the improvements are com pleted it is generally understood that this transfer will take rank as being among the largest deals made in coal lands in the state. The sale itself is one of the first magnitude although recent sales have been made of great CT acreage. The new owners believe the lands to be among the best in the south and that the unworked veins will produce a greater tonnage than perhaps any mines in Alabama.
 The Bryan lands, as they are known, were the sole remaining coal lands in this state with any past reputation that were for sale. This deal puts the entire known coal property of this dis trict in the hands of men who are in the coal developing business and who are not in the deal for speculative pur- poses.
 Handled By Jonathan Bryan
 The deal for the property was made through Jonathan Bryan of Richmond, Va, one of the best known men of that state He has been here for sev- eral days, but is now at home. He held a conference while here with the prospective buyers but at that time no final decision had been made in regard to the sale. It is expected that MT Bryan will be in touch with the local owners in the ultimate development of the properties as he is very much in- terested in this city and district. MT. Bryan is already heavily interested in Birmingham real estate, owning sev- eral buildings in the city
 His father, the late Joseph Bryan, who picked out these lands so many years ago. was firm believer in this district. He was an active director in