OF WEST VIKCINIA. 



23 



stone 14 ft. ; shale 3 ft. 8 in. ; coal ^\ in. ; sliale 1 ft. 10 in. ; coal 1 ft. ; shale 10 in. ; 

 coal 8 ft. 3 in. l^ot far from this on Courtney's run, a tributary of Robinson's run, 

 we find the following section on Mr. Davis' property : Shale ; coal, slaty, 1 ft. 9 in. ; 

 shale 3 ft. 5 in. ; coal 4j in. ; shale 1 ft. 10 in. ; coal 1 ft. 1 in. ; shale 10 in. ; coal 8 ft. 

 8 in. On Kobinson's run, nearly three miles from the river there are several deserted 

 openings which give a section very nearly like the last : Limestone 14 ft. ; shale, dark, 

 2 ft. ; coal, slaty, 2 ft, ; black shale 3 ft. (3 in. ; shale very bituminous, 10 in. ; coal 1 

 ft. 3 in. ; shale, very bituminous, 1 ft. ; coal 8 ft., exposed. 



The variations of this bed are better marked in this district than in any other 

 known to me. Along the eastern outcrop it has but one layer of coal and one of 

 shale, the latter being occasionally absent. On Scott's run we find two additional 

 layers of coal, Avith intervening shale ; on Courtney's run a third layer is added, Avith 

 shale ; while on Robinson's run the two upper layers of Scott's run are together, the 

 thin 4 in. lying directly upon the lower one, but distinct from it, the two amounting 

 to 1 ft. 3 in., as above given. 



The quality of the coal from this seam A^aries so much at different banks that no 

 positive general statement respecting it can be made Avith safety. The coal is usually 

 soft, very bituminous, and cakes readily upon the fire. Where not too pyritous, it is 

 an excellent gas coal, for which purpose it is extensiA^ely mined at Fairmont. From 

 that point Pierpoint & Watson have shipped to the east about 40,000 tons per annum. 

 Were proper means of transportation afforded, this firm could do three times as much; 

 but the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Co. evidently seeks to discourage coal mining west 

 of Cumberland, as it neglects or refuses to provide enough cars to accommodate the 

 business. The coal shipped from Fairmont rates hardly so high in the eastern 

 markets as that from Connellsville in Pennsylvania. 



]^orth from Fairmont to the Pennsylvania line the coal has been Avorked only 

 for domestic use. I^o railroad opens up the country, and the Monongahela as a navig- 

 able stream is too uncertain an outlet. One is surprised to learn that this whole 

 section is an unknown land to capitalists, that coal adds no A^alue to property, and 

 that farms Avith tAA^enty-scA^en feet of coal, have been offered for sale at tAventy dollars 

 per acre, Avithin a year, Avithout finding a purchaser. Under such circumstances 

 there has been no inducement to experiment. There can be no doubt, however, that 

 at two or three banks, near Morgantown, as well as at other localities, the Pittsburgh 

 seam yields a A^ery superior coal for gas and coke. This will soon be of considerable 

 value, as tAvo railroads connecting Avith the Pennsyh^ania Central are in course of 

 construction toward MorgantoAvn, and preliminary surA^eys have been made by U. S. 

 engineers, Avith a a^cav to the immediate slacking of the Monongahela. 



