CHAPTER X. 



cover an area so g 



nil 



THE COAL-FIELDS SITUATED ALOXG THE EASTERIS* BASE OF THE' 



EOCKY :^ODNTAINS. 



These Deposits are all of Tertiary Coal, or Lignite. — They cover an enormon 

 Area.— Coal-fiolds near Denver. — Coal-fields beneath ** Pineries," fift 

 miles farther South. — Those near Caiion City and about the Heads of tho^ 

 Huerfano Eiver. — Croppings North of Eaton Pass. — Large Deposits ixA 

 Vermejo Caiion, and other gorges leading into the Yalley of the CanacI 

 Eivcr. — Deposits of Copper, Iron, Silver, and Lead Ores. — Yaluable Gold- 

 -washings in the Taos District. — Eapid Growth of the ^Mining Eegion an 

 earnest of future prosperity to New Mexico. 



The tertiary coal-fields of tlie Eocky Moimtain system 



)ossible5 from tlie 

 partial examinations wliich have Lccn made here and tli( 

 along tlie slopes of the mountains, eitlier to map out their 

 limits or to come to any fair conclusion as to what arc 

 actually the richest localities. JSTot taking into considerati 

 the country north of Denver, there are many fine coal vein 

 to he found in the mountains west of that city. 



Our geologist, Dr. Le Conte, visited two of the mo 

 important of those at present opened. 



I. Murphy's, on Ealston Creekj twelve miles from Denve 

 This vein is 16 feet thick, and free from slate. The coi 

 is sold at the pit's mouth for foiH dollars per ton (I2s 

 and is extensively used for fuel at Denver. It hm^ns freely 

 •^^-ith a luminous flame, and gave, on analysis — 



Fixed carbon 



55-31 



J 



YolatHe matter 29-07 



Water 117 



Asli 3-92 



