The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-06-19
sQCRESS TO EASTERN
KENTUCKY Coal mines
lnteasiting Article by Judge Wilson. Of
Lexington, After Visiting This Section.
ny Judge Samuel M. wIlson.l

(By Judge Samuel M. Wilson.) !,
To condense within reasonable lin.
Its all OF ones Impressions Of the ex.
cursion into Eastern Kentucky, which
took place on May 29-3l is practica
impossibility. Most OF those who com
posed the party were from Fayette
Woodford and adjoining counties
while few came from Louisville, and
all made the trip under the leadership
and chaperonage of gentlemen from
other states.
Considering the trip as a whole, the
Impression which overtops all others
Is the perfection with which the ar
rangernents for the outing were made
and the absolutely faultless way in
which these arrangements were car
ried out. BY unanimous consent, the
chief credit for the entire success OF
the trip from every standpoint must
be accorded to Mr.. Graeme Turnbull,
OF Baltimore. the energetic, resource
fal and gracious representative Of the
Consolidation Coal Company.
From one OF his intimate friends on
the trip. we learned that Mr.. Turnbull
IL not without experience in handling
functions like this and that his mark
ed success In managing such an affair
has been long since recognized and APP
preciated. Paranthetically, II might be
said that II seemed to detract In no
way from the aforesaid reputation OF
Mr.. Turnbull that he announced at the
delightful dinner served at Fleming. on
the evening OF Saturday. May 80, that
he would undertake. to do anything
but make a speech. and that he posi-
lively declined TO do. In a gathering
OF forty diners, where there were some
thirty mine after-dinner speeches de-
liyered. his difiidence about speech
making clothed him with sort OF
unique distinction.
Three CLASSES in Party.
Composing the party OF forty or
more who left Lexington on Friday
night May 20, were men OF three class
es--men who have long been thorough
~ acquainted with that section OF Ken
lucky about TO be visited, others who
were not unacquainted with Eastern
Kentucky, and others still who were
making their maiden trip into that rich
section OF the State. Not only TO these
who sow the Elkhorn coal fields for
the nrst time, but to others whose
privilege II had been in times past to
travel through that part OF Kentucky,
must this latest excursion have prov
ed an impressive revelation OF what
has already been done and even more
OF what promises TO be done in that
region within the near future.
The thought, In varying forms, was
frequently expressed by members OF
the party and admits OF no question,
that the resources and riches OF the
timber lnnds and coal fields, OF which
the towns OF jenkins, McRoberts.
, Fleming, Raymond. Hemphill and
Wayland are the center. absolutely
Transcend belief The marvel OF IL is
that we kentuckians OF the Blue Grass
have been so slow to appreciate the
untold mineral wealth OF this particu-
lar section and so inexcusably back
ward In taking hold OF the present and |
prospective development OF its vast
wealth.
II any such natural resources of tim
ber coal, oil and gas had been dis
covered In Alaska. South Africa, or |
Siberia, II would have been compare
lively easy 10 raise force OF at least
two hundred thousand armed Ken
mckinns to hazard their all In uncal-
culating explorations and exploitation.
Excuse for Lagsard Enterprise.
True II IL, and this much, perhaps,
may be said by way OF excuse for our
laggard enterprise In that direction.
. that much good money has been
thrown away by KentuclUans in years
past through improvident speculation
In mountain lands. A considerable
amount OF money was SO wasted dur
ing the boom times OF the early nina
ties, when a number OF i'll considered
ventures attracted Investment, and
even those who had placed their money
providently were overtaken and ruined
by the panic. In some localities the
feud spirit has also had its deterrent
effect.
Other large sums OF money have
been lost from time TO time through
bad titles to land. which was in itself
valuable and more than worth what il
cost the investor. When one considers
the careful, systematic and thorough
manner In which the later corners into ,
the same field have persisted IN clear ,
ms and perfecting their titea, I can I
not be denied that those who threw !
tlleIr money away In times past hal I
only themselves to blame 70" their I
luAses.
outside capital, on large sca!c,
furnished principally from B1itimoie, r
Philadelphia, New York taad other I
money centers OF the East has been
enlisted to further the development q Il
ne ttnl properties In this pAr'ic ,kr 4
r+sioi,, but the iect should not be icst a
: SHIT of that n lvige share of thu crrs!t n
fr the presen. advanced stac of d. n
V 4, pment Is due to Kentuckilrs. r.
Unstinted Praise Due Mayo. o
To the late lamented .shn q. q. a
Mayo, whom his associates have pro- Il
nounced "the first and only great bust v
ness genius Kentucky has produced II
must be given unstinted praise for v
bringing together under one control q
he vast acreage of coal and timber D
ands which until recently were held
'or the most part by the Northern
HEALTH PAST FIFTY 4 I !