f a * 335 m A DESCRIPTION 1 F OF THE W M INTERSECTED BT THE Chicago & Illinois River R. R BETIV 1]EN CHICAGO AND STKEATOR. I THEIR EXTENT, LIMITS, DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATION TO THE COAL TRADE OF CHICAGO AND THE NORTHWESTERN MARKET. BY C. D. WILBER, Inspector of Mining Lands. CHICAGO: KNIGHT & LEONARD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.'” 1873. . ? f. i C' TC . \ . i ■ 4 ] : r <° v ^m'4 . * A DESCRIPTION OP THE COAL LANDS INTERSECTED BY THE Chicago & Illinois River R. R. BETWEEN CHICAGO AND STREATOR. THEIR EXTENT, LIMITS, DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATION TO THE COAL TRADE OF CHICAGO AND THE NORTHWESTERN MARKET. BY C. D. W ILBER, n INSPECTOR OF MINING LANDS. , CHICAGO: KNIGHT & LEONARD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 105-109 Madison Street. .°L - 5-7 A DESCRIPTION OF THE COAL LANDS INTERSECTED BY THE CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER R. R. T HE Great Illinois Coal Field extends its northeastern bound¬ ary so far towards Chicago that 60 miles distance will reach valuable coal lands, having from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 inches thick¬ ness of coal at an average depth of 100 feet. This northeastern extension, or elbow, discovered and developed within the last ten years, places coal forty miles nearer to Chicago than LaSalle, which was previously the nearest source of Illinois coal. It is called the “ Wilmington Coal Field,” from the name of the nearest town at the time of making the discovery above referred to, being four miles distant from the coal limit or boundary. The Chicago & St. Louis railroad runs through the south¬ eastern portion of this coal formation, upon which a large and rapidly growing coal trade has grown up since 1867, when min¬ ing operations were actively commenced by the Chicago & Wil¬ mington Coal Company. The extraordinary profits realized by them induced other companies to enter the same field, until there are now nine companies mining and shipping coal chiefly to Chicago, where it is either used or distributed upon the various railroads radiating from the city towards the north and north¬ west. Nearly all of the “ Wilmington 99 coal, so called, in the market, is shipped from Braidwood, situated on the extreme edge or boundary of the coal formation. This shipping point now contains 6,000 inhabitants. In 1867 there was not a person living there nor a house in sight, excepting a few rude shanties; 4 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE and the tract of land, or a large portion of it, was purchased the year previous for $15 per acre. It is estimated that the Chicago & Wilmington Coal Company, and other proprietors, have made $250,000 by the extra value of the surface in city lots. MacFarlane, the author of a recent extensive treatise on the “ Coal Regions of America,” thus describes this coal field and its relations to Chicago: “ On the extreme northeastern border of the coal field (Illinois) in Grundy, Livingston and Will counties, the measures contain a single seam of coal averaging 3 feet in thickness, which is overlaid by a heavy bed of clay-shale or soap-stone, that passes upward into a sandy shale or sandstone. In the vicinity of Morris the seam is about 30 feet below the surface, and averages above 30 inches in thickness. Along the line of the Chicago & St. Louis railroad, from Wilmington southward for 13 miles or more, this seam has been reached at many points, and its prox¬ imity to Chicago renders this locality a very important one to the interests of that city, distant 55 to 65 miles. Being the nearest point to that city where available coal can be found on any direct line of railroad communication, the ease and cheapness with which it can be reached by shafts, varying in depth from 30 to 200 feet, and the superior quality of coal it affords, renders this a very valuable and important deposit. Although its heating power is less than the same weight of eastern coals, it makes a good steam coal and is invaluable as a locomotive fuel in this country.” The accompanying map shows the boundary or limits of the workable or valuable coal lands embraced in this limited coal field. This boundary has been drawn from observations and evidences as follows: 1st. A series of 85 tests including coal shafts now in opera¬ tion at Braidwood, Braceville, Gardner, Mazon and vicinity. (See list of tests.*) These tests have been made mostly under the superintendence of A. J. Matson, whose work has always been confirmed by shafts. They were made in all directions, north and northeast, west and northwest, south and southwest from Braidwood. The average thickness of the coal stratum is 3 feet and 3 inches, * See Appendix B. I ‘ CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 5 with black slate roof, and occasionally sandy shale and sandstone. In the vicinity of Braidwood the average depth of shafts is 80 feet; at Braceville 100 feet; at Gardner 160 feet. On the edge of the basin the coal appears much nearer the surface. 2d. We find that Braidwood is located near the northeastern edge of the coal basin. In going one mile east the stratum rapidly rises, loses its roof and then disappears. 3d. From Braidwood south, the line passes one-fourth to one-eighth of a mile from Hook’s, Conklin’s and Wilson’s shafts, as shown by tests. 4th. From Braidwood northwest the line is so sharply defined that one-fourth mile distant from workable coal, tests show that the roof is wanting and in most cases the coal has disappeared. 5th. As we go southwest from Braidwood, along the line of the Chicago & St. Louis railroad, the coal stratum is found at lower depths, as above stated, until at Dwight, after boring 500 feet, no trace of coal was found. 6th. Following the boundary on the north side, we find that, at Goose Lake, coal exists only in patches, or small basins from one to three acres, more or less, and is often found within twenty feet from the surface, showing that the persistent or uniform body of the coal deposit lies southward. At Morris the same phenomena occur, where most of the coal has been worked out, as the ruins of scores of old “ gins ” or “ whins ” bear witness. 7th. On the southwest side, towards Streator, and in its vicinity, we find that the coal stratum suddenly disappears as we go north from Streator, and is found only in uncertain pockets. We are, therefore, obliged to say that this coal field is very limited, and is confined to a few townships and portions of town¬ ships, instead of underlying the whole country, as was and now is generally supposed. If the facts above recited were known and appreciated among the present owners of these lands, they could not be purchased for less than $250 per acre; and the day is not far distant when every acre of tested coal land in this field will be priced at $500 per acre. 6 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE It is a fact not generally recognized that the best coal lands are found on the border of the large coal fields or basins. Thus, in Ohio, the Briar Hill coal field is the extreme north and northeast portion. The Big Muddy coal of Illinois occurs along the southwestern portion of the great Illinois coal field; while the Block coal field of Indiana occupies the eastern and southeastern portion of the same field. The coals called “Wilmington,” “Gardner,” “Braceville” and “ Mazon ” are found on the northeastern border of the same general coal region. All these are known as the purest and best American bituminous coals. It would, then, follow that, in order to find the best coal of any country, search should be made on the borders of the great deposits. The following analysis of Western coals are presented for careful examination. They were made by the State Chemist, Dr. Joseph A. Sewall, of Bloomington, Professor of Chemistry in the State Normal University; and demonstrate the superiority of the coals under consideration: ANALYSIS. 1st. Kewanee Coal. Specific gravity. 1.261 Loss in coking. 43.1 Total weight of coke. 56.9 Moisture. 6.0 Volatile matter . 37.1 Carbon in coke. 49.9 Asbes. 7.0 - 100 . 100 . 2nd. La Salle Coal. Specific gravity. 1.2672 Loss in coking. 43.7 Total coke. 56.3 —- 100 . Moisture. 7.8 Volatile matter. 35.9 Carbon in coke. 52.3 Asbes. 4.0 ' —- 100 . Tbe vein has thin streaks of sulphuret of iron running in all directions. CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 7 3rd. La Salle Coal. No. 2. Specific gravity.1.2989 Loss in coking.46.9 Weight of coke. 53.1 - 100. Moisture. 4.5 Volatile matter. 42.4 Carbon in coke. 40.3 Ashes. 12.8 - 100. 4th. Streator Coal. Specific gravity.1.2265 Loss in coking. 46.7 Weight of coke. 53.3 - 100. Moisture. 7.5 Volatile matter. 39.2 Carbon in coke. 45.8 Ashes. 7.5 - 100. 5th. Morris Coal. Specific gravity.1.259 Loss in coking... 45.5 Total weight of coke. 54.5 - 100. Moisture . 9.0 Volatile matter. 36.5 Carbon in coke. 47.8 Ashes. 6.7 - 100. 6th. Wilmington Coal. Specimen from Goose Lake Mine, north side coal field. Specific gravity.1.2165 Loss in coking. 47.95 Total weight of coke. 52.05 - 100. Moisture. 4.00 Volatile matter. 43.95 Carbon in coke. 49.15 Ashes. 2.90 - 100. 7th. Diamond Mine. Wilmington coal; shaft, three miles northwest of Braidwood. Report of the result of analysis of specimens of coal from the Diamond Mine, Grundy county, Illinois. 8 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE Specific gravity. 1.2975 Parts in 100: Water. 6.983 Ashes. 5.972 Total incombustible matter.. 12.955 Coke. 53.377 Ashes. 5.972 Fixed carbon. 47.405 Volatile matter.. 39.642 Total combustible matter . 87.047 Summary: Diamond Mine. Water. 6.981 Ashes. 5.972 Hydro carbon. 39.642 Fixed carbon. 47.405 Total.100.000 In three specimens I found a trace of sulphur in one, in the other two no trace whatever. Diamond Mine. Analysis No. 2. Result of analysis of coal taken from mine two and a half miles north¬ west from Braidwood station: Specific gravity.1.2976 Parts in 100: Water. 7.013 Ashes. 5.287 Total incombustible matter. 12.300 Hydro carbon, or volatile combustible matter. 39.761 Fixed carbon. 47.939 Total combustible matter. 87.700 100.000 Fixed carbon, plus ashes=coke. No trace of sulphur in three specimens examined. JOSEPH A. SEWALL, M. D., Analytical Chemist. State Normal University, Aug. 14, 1873. CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 9 In describing the quality of these coals nothing can be more satisfactory than the following results of experiments made by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in 1866-7, under the direction of Robt. Harris, Esq., General Superin¬ tendent, viz: One ton Kewanee coal (mined at Kewanee, Chicago, Burling¬ ton & Quincy Railroad, 130 miles from Chicago), 2,240 lbs., drew a train of cars 57 miles. One ton of Wilmington coal drew the same train over the same track, starting from the same point, 75 miles, giving to the Wilmington coal an advantage of 30 per cent. The experiment of C. F. Jauriet, Superintendent of the Loco¬ motive Department, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, gave similar results, but in a different form, viz: “ One pound of Wilmington coal converts 7 to 7J- lbs. of water into steam; while one pound of Kewanee coal converts 6 to 6^- lbs. of water into steam.” Mr. Jauriet also states “that the ‘ Wilmington’ coal leaves no clinker on the grate bars, which makes a difference additional in its favor of 50 cents per ton for locomotive use.” Compared with Illinois and Western coals generally for loco¬ motives, it stands first on the list. Certificates for this statement can be had from all railway officers familiar with the use of Western coals. The attempt to convert this coal into coke has been made a complete success at the coke-ovens of the Joliet Iron and Steel Works, at Joliet, Illinois, where it is now largely used in the smelting furnaces. It is also extensively used in some of the iron establishments in Chicago, and will come into general use as soon as arrangements can be made for its extensive manufacture.* In rolling mills, large quantities of this have been and are now used in a raw state, or direct from the mines. It answers this purpose as well as any of the Eastern coals. It was first tried at the Wyandotte Iron Works, near Detroit, in 1866. After a series of careful experiments, Capt. E. B. Ward, the well known pro¬ prietor, made the following statement, viz: “ The discovery that the Wilmington coal will re-roll iron as well as any coal in Amer¬ ica adds millions of dollars to the value of that coal field.” * See Appendix A. I 10 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE In June of the same year he bargained for the purchase of 2,500 acres of these coal lands, and was prevented from conclud¬ ing the purchase by the destruction of his rolling mills in Chi¬ cago, in June, 1866. The price agreed on was $110 per acre, cash, including commissions. Compared with the Indiana block coal, for steam purposes, after 100 experiments, the Wilmington coal was rated at 10, while the block coal was only 7, in performing the same service. As a steam coal it is unsurpassed, and, considering its cheap¬ ness, unequaled by any other coal in the West. In grates, stoves, or furnaces, it burns with a clear white flame and entirely consumes, leaving only 5 or 6 per cent, of ash. It is almost entirely free from sulphur. The only fact urged against it is that “it burns rapidly,” which is the same as saying that a bushel of this coal weighs 75 lbs., instead of 78 or 80 lbs. Every effort has been made to depreciate Western coals in comparison with the Eastern soft coals. Capitalists, Eastern coal companies, and transportation com¬ panies have united in this crusade, and have paid hireling geolo¬ gists and chemists thousands of dollars to write down our coals, in order to secure and enlarge the demand for Eastern coals. But the triumph and success of our Wilmington, Braceville, Braid- wood, Gardner, Mazon and Streator coals is now assured, not only beyond controversy, but beyond competition; and this vic¬ tory has been obtained solely by merit and prices. Based upon these facts, viz, the extraordinary quality of these coals, and their complete adaptation to all purposes, their proximity to the Chicago market, and, by the Chicago system of railroads, their easy and rapid distribution to the North and Northwest, it is certain that the mining and shipping of these coals will soon reach enormous proportions. However fierce the struggle is now, or may become, in order to keep the Hocking Valley, Massilon, Walnut Hill, Briar Hill or Pittsburg coal in demand in this market, the result is sure to come, viz: that the “Wilmington coal” will supply nine-tenths of all the orders for soft coal until this coal field is exhausted. The Wilmington coals are mined only 60 miles from Chicago ; Hocking Valley 360 miles ; Briar Hill 400 miles; Pittsburg 475 miles. It costs at least $5.00 per ton by rail from Pittsburg; CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. ‘11 $4.50 from Briar Hill, and $4.25 or $4.00 from Hocking Valley. Now add to these $2.50 at the mines, including coal and costs, and we have $7.50, $7.00 and $6.75 as cost in Chicago, against $3.25 or $3.00 per ton as cost of the Wilmington coal in Chicago with the same rate per ton per mile. It is impossible for any railroad to haul coal for a less rate than 1£ cents per ton per mile, and distances from Chicago can never be less. The Wil¬ mington coal can he put on the cars at the mines for $2.50 per ton, and delivered in Chicago for $3.50, with as much profit as can be made for the above named coals at $8.00 per ton. Little need be said farther in favor of a class of coals 400 miles away that must he sold for $8.00 per ton to make a living profit, in competition with a class of coals as good for all pur¬ poses, only 60 miles distant, and offered in the same market at less than $4.00 per ton. A few persons will purchase a favorite coal, no matter at what price, as suits their fancy, just as they would huv a favorite brand of flour or wine. But the laborer, •j ' manufacturer, railway agent — in short nine-tenths of our citizens — are hound by the law of economy and can have no choice. We can not better illustrate the increasing demand for coal in the West than by introducing the following table, showing The amount of coal received at Chicago during each year from 1852 to 1872 inclusive: 1852 . . 46,233 1863 . . 284,196 1853 . . 38,548 1864 . . 323,275 1854 . . 56,755 1865 . . 344,854 1855 . . 109,576 1866 . . 486,193 1856 . . 93,020 1867 .. . 546,208 1857 . . 171,350 1868 . . 658,234 1858 . . 87,209 1869 . . 799,000 1859 . . 131,204 1870 . . 887,474 1860 . . 131,080 1871. .1,081,472 1861 .. . 184.089 1872 . .1,216,548 1862 . . 218,423 1873 (estimated). .1,500,000 With this yearly rate of increase and growth of the Chicago market, we estimate that Chicago will receive for the year 1880 six millions of tons of coal. This amount is independent of the immense distribution of coal in northern Illinois, northern Iowa, northern Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota, which are now so completely intersected by railway systems, that coal can be 12 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE carried by cars within easy reach of every person. What this amount is now, or will become in ten years, it is not easy to determine. During the last five years the demand on all coal mines, on the northern border of the Illinois coal field, has been three times the supply. The coal operators have used every means, in anticipating this demand, by providing new shafts, more miners and extra cars. The demand, notwithstanding, con¬ stantly increases, so that only one-third of the orders are filled. It will continue to increase in an arithmetical ratio until coal shall be the principal fuel used throughout the Northwest. The States of the Northwest not producing but consuming coal are Wisconsin, Minnesota, northern Iowa, and also north¬ ern Illinois, and have a population as follows: Wisconsin in 1860 liad “ 1870 “ Minnesota in 1860 “ “ 1870 “ Iowa in 1860 “ “ 1870 “ Illinois in 1860 “ “ 1870 “ This demand is based upon the economy of coal over wood as fuel, both for steam and domestic use. The ratio of cost between coal and wood is as one to two — namely, each locomotive uses 2-j tons per day; each family of five persons will consume 5 tons annually, between the parallels of 38° and 42° north latitude — that is, one ton for each person. That this demand will soon reach millions of tons, and com¬ mand many millions of dollars, is certain. That it will be sup¬ plied from the nearest coal fields is also certain. It is equally certain that the largest portion of this demand must be supplied from the coal field now under consideration, provided that trans¬ portation is made both cheap and competent.* The amount of coal contained under one acre is nearly 5,000 tons. Now, allowing 1,000 tons waste, each acre will yield 4,000 tons of marketable coal. The area of this limited coal field may be estimated at 120,000 acres, containing 480,000,000 tons of coal. The amount mined out at the various mines in Braidwood and 775,881 inhabitants. 1,854,670 172,023 439,706 674,913 1,194,020 1,711,951 2,539,891 * See Appendix C. CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 13 vicinity, including the coal sold to supply the surrounding country, was 300,000 tons in 1870. For the year ending Decem¬ ber 30th, 1873, it may be estimated at 500,000 tons; and for the year 1880, 3,000,000 tons will he mined and carried away. It should he inferred from this that no first-class coal mining company should be established in this field with less than 1,000 acres, or 4,000,000 tons of coal. The value of coal stocks depends not only upon dividends, but their permanence also. At the present rate of mining, two to three acres per week are mined out. The demand for 1873-4, being estimated at 3,000 tons per day, or 300 car loads, will exhaust 222 acres in one year. It is reasonable, therefore, to say that in seven years, or in 1880, 1,000 acres will be exhausted or consumed by the various companies for that year. It will be seen, also, that it is much better to purchase these lands at $200 to $300 per acre than to work them on a royalty of 15 cents per ton, or $600 per acre. It is certain, too, that the royalty will soon be raised to 25 cents per ton, or $1,000 per acre. Mr. Daniel Small, of Wilmington, has received from the C. & W. Coal Company $40,000 since 1866, on a lease (at 15 cents per ton) of 160 acres, which is not half exhausted. In five years more he will have received $80,000 from a tract of land which, in 1866, was offered to the coal company at $100 per acre. This coal field, separated from the great body of the Illinois coal field, and lying so near Chicago and the vast area of densely- peopled country to the west and northwest of Chicago, bears a close resemblance in position to the Briar Hill or Mahoning Valley coal deposit in Ohio, which is reached by rail at Youngs¬ town, 69 miles from Cleveland, Ohio. While this excellent coal has had much to do in making Cleveland the most important city in Ohio, in sustaining her vast system of iron-works, we may notice, also, that the demand for coal, which was insignificant fifteen years ago, has now assumed immense proportions. The lands in this coal region, as soon as they are proved to be under¬ laid with coal, are valued at $1,000 per acre. The royalty is 75 cents to $1 per ton. It is thus easy to demonstrate that the Wilmington coal field, having such advantage of position, affords more encouragement to capital and mining enterprise than any other in America. 14 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE All the conditions of success are combined, or can be com¬ bined, in this coal field, to an extent not known in any other unoccupied coal field in the world, viz: 1. A good quality of coal. 2. Sufficient in quantity. 3. Cheapness of mining. 4. Regularity of production. 5. Cheap transportation. 6. Good market. Enough has been done already to thoroughly develop these lands, both by shafts and tests, so that capital is now secure in investments. These lands are now regarded and valued at $300 and $400 per acre by the companies already working them; and as fast as they are worked they yield $600 per acre, as before stated, with 15 cents per ton royalty. In addition to the value of the coal, the value of the surface should also be considered. The entire body of coal lands inter¬ sected by the Chicago and Illinois river is a continuous series of farms, most of which are in a high state of cultivation with valu¬ able improvements. They are worth, as farms, $50 and $60, now, per acre; and will be worth $100 per acre as soon as the railroad is finished. The crop of hay is, in many instances, 2^ tons per acre, worth $18 per ton in Chicago. With the immense mining population which must soon be subsisted from farm products, the surface value of these lands will be greatly enhanced. The companies already organized in this field are as follows : 1st. The Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Company own 2,240 acres, and have a capital of $2,000,000. They have five shafts in operation at Braidwood, and two at Streator. They own also 500 coal cars. » 2d. Union Coal and Iron Transportation Company own 560 acres, and work two shafts. The product is shipped chiefly to the Joliet Iron and Steel Works and to Chicago Rolling Mills. This company is owned by A. B. Meeker & Co. CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 15 3d. Wilmington Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company —Diamond Mine — own 1,000 acres and 50 cars; capital, $500,000; two shafts; daily product in winter, 200 tons; daily product in summer, 150 tons, from one shaft, the other not yet finished. 4th. Star Coal Company have a lease on 240 acres; work two shafts; royalty, 15 cents per ton; capital stock, $50,000; winter, daily product, 300 tons; summer daily product, 150 tons. 5th. Kings’ shaft, formerly “Braidwood Coal Company;” capital, $40,000; have a lease on 200 acres; product, 100 tons per day in winter; in summer, 50 tons per day. 6th. The Kankakee River Company own 600 acres, hut have not commenced operations. 7th. At Braceville there are two shafts: Augustine’s 800 acres, and Bruce & Co.’s 320 acres, just finished. 8th. The Gardner Coal Company work one shaft at Gardner, Illinois. The Chicago & St. Louis railroad is a single track from Chicago to Wilmington (53 miles), and has a steep grade of 55 feet per mile, rising toward Chicago from the Kankakee river. The coal trains average 20 cars per train, or 200 tons each, requiring four to ten trains per day, varying with the winter and summer demand. On a railroad whose heaviest grade does not exceed 20 feet per mile, one locomotive can haul 60 cars with nearly the same cost as 20 cars on the Chicago & St. Louis railroad. Taking the shipments for the year 1873-4 at 1,200 tons per day, over the Chicago & St. Louis railroad, and allowing only 300 days for the year, we have 360,000 tons, upon which $1.40 per ton is charged by the railroad company. This amounts to $504,000 on a line less that 60 miles in length. If, therefore, it is true — and it is here proved — that the Chicago & St. Louis railroad, with a single track, excessive grades and poor equipment, actually receives money enough to pay for the entire road every two years — or over $1,000,000 — I 1G DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE we hazard nothing in saying that the coal traffic on the line of the Chicago and Illinois river will amount, in freight receipts on coal alone, to a sum sufficient, each year, to pay the cost of con¬ structing the road 60 miles, from Chicago to Mazon, the center of the coal region. Respectfully submitted, C. D. WILBER, Inspector of Mining Lands. CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. 17 APPENDIX A. Joliet, III., August 11th, 1873. Prof. C. D. Wilber, Inspector of Mining Lands: Dear Sir: I have been experimenting twenty years with Illinois coal, to manufacture a coke having the qualities requisite for the reduction of iron ores. During this period I have been told repeatedly by the “ Wise Men” that “ I would never see a ton of iron made with Illinois coal or coke.” After trying to make coke from Illinois coal in all the kinds of ovens in use, both in the United States and Europe, I succeeded, in the fall of 1872, in making a superb article of coke from the “Wilmington” coal, with a batch of twenty-five ovens, of Prussian invention, erected at Joliet by A. B. Meeker, Esq., President of the Joliet Iron and Steel Works. The first experiment to smelt iron ore with this coke was made, in the fall of the same year, at the Brighton Blast Furnace, Chicago. After using 1,300 tons of coke of my first manufacture from the Wilmington coal, I received from Joseph Torrance, Esq., Superintendent of the fur¬ naces, and now General Superintendent of the Joliet Iron and Steel Works, the statement that this coke produced an excellent quality of pig-iron. The coke made from the mines at Braidwood, Braceville, Gardner and Streator was nearly uniform in quality. Ten tons of coal or slack weighed to the ovens will yield from 45 to 50 per cent, of coke, and no coking coal in the United States can show a higher rate per cent. These facts, now daily proved at the Joliet Coke Works, where a large number of ovens are employed in making coke which is daily consumed in the blast furnaces, are a positive assurance that, in or near this coal-field, will be one of the great iron manufacturing centers of the world. Why should we longer ship the Lake Superior ores to Pittsburg, Youngstown, Newcastle and Cleveland, at a cost of $6.00 to $7.50 per ton for freight on iron ore, and then ship back the pig-iron, rails and bars to Chicago and the West at a cost of $8.00 per ton more, with a commission of $5.00; making an extra and needless cost of $21.50 per ton, which the Western consumer is now obliged to pay? It requires four feet square of ground to raise one hill of corn, which is worth one cent in our Western market. The coal contained under the same surface is worth $6.00 in Chicago. So that it will take 600 years of farming and corn-raising to equal the mining product or value of the same area of land. Yours truly, JAMES WATSON. 18 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS ON THE APPENDIX B. LIST OF COAL TESTS Made by Matson and others upon the Coal-fields situated upon AND ADJACENT TO THE LINE OF THE CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RlVER Railroad. Number of Test. Sec¬ tion. Township. County. Depth in Feet. Thickness of Coal in Feet and Inches. Remarks. 1 25 Felix. Grundy ... 41 3 feet. 2 26 tt tt 64 3 “ 3 it tt tt 70 3 “ . And good roof. 4 35 tt tt 100 3 “ 5 i 1 ti tt 101 3 “ 6 36 tt tt 65 3 “ . Rays. 7 it tt tt 60 3 “ . Shorts. 8 tl tt tt 62 3 “ 9 1 It Braceville. tt tt tt 101 Q9 3 “ ) q tt { Diamond Shaft, No. 1. 10 11 fct it tt 100 s “ :::\ 8 tests and 2 shafts. 12 2 tt it 101 3 “ 13 12 tt it 90 2 ft. 2 in. 14 13 it ti 98 3 “ 3 “ 15 15 tt tt 95 3 feet. 16 25 tt ti 100 3 “ . James’ Shaft. 17 26 ti tt 101 3 “ . Augustine’s Shaft. 18 34 it tt 140 3 “ . Mazon’s Shaft. 19 4 Greenfield. tt 160 3 “ . Gardner’s Shaft. 20 24 tt it 70 3 “ . Willson’s Shaft. 21 30 Wilmington... Will. 45 3 ft. 3 in. 22 tt it tt 49 3 “ 3 “ 23 31 11 tt 60 3 feet. 24 it ti ti 40 3 “ 25 tt tt tt 40 3 “ . Brown’s Shaft. 26 tt it tt 40 3 ft. 2 in. 27 32 tc tt 42 3 “ 3 “ Carroll’s Shaft. 28 it tt it 60 3 “ 4 “ .. Adams’ u 29 33 tt tt 56 3 “ 3 “ 30 ti tt tt 40 3 feet. 31 3 Reed. tt 43 3 “ . Miller’s Shaft. 32 ti ti tt 35 3 “ 33 tt tt tt 50 3 “ 34 it tt tt 48 3 “ 35 4 ti it 65 3 “ 36 it tt tt 35 3 “ . Glenny’s Shaft. 37 4 bet. 4 & 9 . tt 62 Faulty, 2 small veins. 38 5 ti tt 63 3 ft. 3 in... F Shaft. 39 tt tt tt 65 3 “ 4 “ II & S Shaft. 40 ti ti it 72 3 feet. Star Coal Co. 41 it ti tt 70 3 ft. 2 in... B Shaft. 42 7 tt tt 79 8 “ 4 “ G. Shaft. 43 it it tt 72 4 3 feet. 44 tt tt tt 73 3 3 “ 45 tt ti ti 115 3 ft. 6 in... Eureka Shaft, No. 1 . 46 tt tt tt 88 3 “ 6 “ .. “ “ No. 2 . 47 8 it ti 79 3 “ 3 “ . C Shaft. 48 tt it tt 82 3 “ 3 “ .. E Shaft. 49 tt tt tt 76 3 feet. Star Coal Co. 50 tt tt it 80 3 “ 51 it tt tt 74 3 ft. 10 in.. Old Eagle Shaft. CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RIYER RAILROAD. 19 LIST OF COAL TESTS —Continued. Number of Test. Sec¬ tion. Township. County. Depth in Feet. Thickness of Coal in Feet and Inches. Remarks. 52 9 Reed. Will. 68 3 feet. 53 tt tt tt 107 No coal... Fault. 54 44 tt tt 38 1 ft. 8 in... tt 55 10 tt tt 50 Some coal, not reliable. tt tt tt tt 56 15 11 tt 90 57 17 tt tt 84 3 ft. 2 in. 58 tt tt t. 92 3 feet. 59 18 tt tt 86 3 “ 60 19 tt tt 91 3 “ 61 28 tt tt 110 No coal. 62 it tc tt 92 3 feet. 63 29 tt tt. 89 3 ft. 2 in. 64 30 tt tt 78 3 “ 4 “ 65 66 32 tt tt 85 3 feet. 4 Essex. Kankakee. 49 1 ft. 10 in. 67 6 tt tt 94 3 feet. 68 8 tt tt 57 3 ft. 2 in. 69 It tt 11 Gregson’s Shaft. 70 tt tt tt 63 2 ft. 10 in. Hook’s Shaft. 71 tt tt tt 75 No coal. 72 19 tt tt 65 3 feet. Conklin’s Shaft. 73 74 6 Reed. Will . 79 3 ft. 3 in... H Shaft, 31 Wilmington... tt 78 3f.4i.fo4f. Diamond Shaft, No. 2. 75 33 Felix. Grundy ... tt 110 3 feet. And good roof. I 11 bed of creek, 30-foot bank 76 77 6 Braceville. 3 ft. 9 in... 27 tt tt 110 3 feet 78 9 Greenfield. tt 192 3 “ 79 13 Mazon. tt 49 3 ft. 2 in... 40 feet of rock. 80 81 tt tt tt 47 3 feet. tt tt tt tt 34*35 tt tt 92 3 “ 82 83 84 85 86 27 29 32 tt tt tt Wilmington... “ N.W. 14 “ N. E. J4 “ S. E. 14 tt Will tt t • tt 65 3 “ No coal. No roof. No coal. No roof. State of Illinois,) County of Cook. \ I, Charles D. Wilber, Inspector of mining lands, and from 1858 to 1865, Secretary of the Illinois State Natural History Society, do hereby certify that I have been for fourteen years officially connected with the develop¬ ment of the coal-fields of Illinois; that I am thoroughly conversant with said coal-fields, especially with those in Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and LaSalle counties. That I am personally cognizant of the tests hereinbefore noted, and know the foregoing statement to be correct in all particulars. C. D. WILBER. Chicago, August 5th, 1873. 20 DESCRIPTION OF COAL LANDS. APPENDIX 0. Table showing the receipts of coal at Chicago for the year ending Dec. 31, 1872, from all routes: Received by Lake.500,000 tons Chicago & Northwestern R. R. 12,036 “ Illinois Central R. R. 63,731 “ Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R.. .. . 21,926 “ Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. 26,520 “ Chicago & St. Louis R. R. 233,450 “ Lake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R. 5,270 “ Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne R. R. 70,924 “ Pittsburg, Chicago & St. Louis R. R.208,022 “ Chicago, Danville & Vincennes. 74,669 “ Total, 1872.-.1,216,548 “ We quote the following from the Chicago Times of Dec. 2, 1872: “The amount of capital invested in the coal trade, in expensive machinery at the mines, in the employment of labor, in miners’ wages, in coal cars, vessels, buildings, dock-yards, stock on hand, etc. etc., is enormous. Competent judges place it at $6,000,000. It probably exceeds that amount. The trade is constantly and rapidly increasing. What the future will be no one can tell or scarcely imagine. That it will be stupendous no one can doubt. (From the Chicago Times, Aug. 6.) Surrounding Pittsburg are 120 coal mines, which give employment to 8,000 miners. The amount of capital invested in these mines is over $15,000,000. The number of acres of coal land under development is 30,250, which command from $500 to $1,500 per acre, according to location and quality. The total receipts of coal in Pittsburg for 1872 were 4,233,274 tons. In 1871 the receipts were 3,722,524 tons, giving an increase in 1872 of 510,750 tons over the product of 1871. Pat>Kai € (H-W-ltlm-il: SHOWING THE Kvlnston OF THE jc Chicago to str£ PEKAL carpi* ary L/ry. ppejs. Ail still JLa I* oBT MICAGO ilaywoud .I.l n il w -I. n .,11 klin Qf LyonsPlO. AVVst Lyons 1 ; owners (>ro / o W »-*4 . .. A u rota iprm$s >L«kf ZuLtintl cmoiit fejfidpa Hom e wood [Ubficht She rid a JC L1ET atteponJ 'Dayton Coodnow M ORRIS Caalmaci ier Sfa. VIlaw Head IPO - PeWok I— ;ive ’■ Inmcntif •STREATQR enr^ Blackstor Nevada Blackstoite 'AL-r'cT^' ollins St Apne ptSE r/lr' =*“ - ' eht H i 1 • — 1 cd