The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-04-26
EXCELLENT COAL INDICATIONS

For number of years It has been
common knowledge that indications OF
coal existed in the immediate vicinity
of Oroville, on both sides Of the Okla
hogan valley, yet so far no extensive
research has been made to determine
whether the deposits were of suffici-
ent extent to make the extraction OF
coal profitable. In a small way diff
ferent individuals have done some
prospecting at various places where
signs encouraged the effort, but that
prospecting has been confined entire
ly to the surface, as the operators have
never had sufficient capital at their
command to go to any depth and satis-
factorily settle the question as to
whether the veins are of sufficient
size to justify extensive working.
Probably J. w. Seward has gone
farther in the way of exploration than
any other one person who las investi-
gated the coal indications, at least, so
far as we can learn, he has given
more time to prospecting than any
one else, although the extent of his
work has been confined to very
small area. Mr.. Seward has applied
his Investigations to some cropping
veins in the neighborhood Of the
Similkameen falls, only short dis
tance west of town. Here the indica-
tions of coal are very pronounced.
Several small stringers are exposed,
and Mr.. Seward has followed the
stringers in short distance. That
he has not pushed development is
owing to his lack of means to carry
on the work. Some of this coal was
given a thorough test by one of our
local blacksmiths, A. S. GroulX, and
he has no hesitancy in declaring that
for blacksmithing purposes the coal
every respect as good as any that he
can buy in the market.
The small veins from which these
samples of coal were taken dip to the
north toward the range OF high hills
that border the Similkameen river
Mr.. Seward is trying to make arrange
ments to secure we'll drill and sink
some 500 feet beyond the oatcropping.
Figuring on the trend of the veins he
believes he will be able to reach the
coal at a depth of 100 feet. UnfOr-
tunately he is handicapped by the
lack of means, although it would re-
quire only a comparatively small sum
to drill a hole on the ground selected
to the depth required. The PROPOSE
ton Is such an attractive one that 1t
would seem that he should have little
trouble securing the small cash back
ing necessary to make the expert
ment. Should he strike a vein only
two or three feet thick, even If neces-
sary to go down 300 feet, the deposit
would pay a royal return on the in
vestment. This would especially
prove to be the case should the coal
at depth continue to contain the ele-
ments making it superior black
smith coal, as that quality of coal
commands the highest price of any
coal on the market.
1t Is not necessary to dwell upon
the Importance producing coal mine
would prove to be to Oroville, espe-
cially if this deposit so near the town
should prove to be producer. AS a
contributory factor in town building
a coal mine would be more valuable
than a gold mine, besides being a
blessing to the whole upper country
by providing class OF fuel that is
becoming hard to get owing to the
great demand on account of the war
1t is to be hoped that MIR. Seward will
be able to secure the necessary capital
to carry out the experiment he has in
contemplation.