I^EPOI^fP 
 
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 ^fcON LANDS^i^ 
 
 I 
 
 In the Counties of 
 
 Wise and Buchanan, Virginia, 
 
 AND 
 
 McDowell, West Virginia. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PRESS . 'F VVII.I,IAM F. MURPHY'S SONS, 509 CHESTNUT STRF.ET. 
 
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 Glass_ 
 
 Book J4/ C f^^ 
 

REPORT ON LANDS 
 
 IN THE COUNTIES OF 
 
 AA^ISE AND BUCHANAN, 
 
 VIRGINIA, 
 
 McDowell, 
 
 WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Timber— Value, &c. 
 
 It consists, in its original forest growth, of white oak, chestnut oak, 
 black walnut, white walnut or butternut, poplar, hickory, maple, ash, 
 beech, gum, linn — attaining maximum size of twenty- five to ninety feet 
 to first limbs, girth three to eighteen Feet, and considerably more in 
 single instances with greatest perfection as regards strength and dura- 
 bility. 
 
 This is a matter of great importance in ship and boat building, and 
 in the manufacture of railroad cars and agricultural implements. 
 
 Lumber experts estimate the yield in board measure from 15,000 to 
 20,000 feet per acre from the deciduous hard timber in these counties. 
 
 I estimate that there is, of poplar trees to the acre that will square two 
 feet and upwards, at least, four, and as many more that will square 
 eighteen inches and up to two feet, and as many white oaks that will 
 square the same, and about one black walnut to four acres. There is 
 
also considerable of chestnut oak which I think will average, at least, 
 four trees to the acre that will square from eighteen inches to two feet. 
 The bark of this oak is valuable for tanning leather. 
 
 Up to the present time the timber is floated out of the streams in saw 
 logs, and either formed in large rafts in deeper water in lower parts in 
 the main streams or caught in "booms" and there sawed into lumber 
 for distribution to markets, down the Ohio Valley or by the Chesapeake 
 and Ohio Railroad and other railroad connections, via. Catlettsburg, for 
 the Eastern markets. 
 
 The logs (i2 feet long) are purchased by the lumber manufacturers, 
 delivered in any stream attaining floating depth at any freshet, at from 
 $i.oo and $2.00, according to size and kind of timber; or the timber 
 is purchased at the "stump," at the rate of gi.oo to $1.50 per tree, 
 according to the size and kind of timber, a stumpage value which must 
 materially enhance by the direct Eastern outlet which proposed railroads 
 will open up, viz : the Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, running from 
 Louisville, Ky., through these estates to Wytheville, Va., there con- 
 necting with the Virginia roads or with the branch road from Glade 
 Springs to Saltville, then with same line at Glade Springs and with its 
 branch (Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio) running from Jeffersonville to 
 Pennington's Gap. 
 
 Even on this low basis of the stumpage value, and on the moderated 
 yield, each acre will have an available value of at least, in timber, of 
 $15.00. 
 
 This productive yield has only reference to timber to be sawed into 
 boards or square timber, and does not include timber or wood in any 
 other shape, such as railroad ties, all kinds of cooperage stuff, ship- 
 knees, hoop poles, shingles, tan bark, (chestnut oak). With said rail 
 road outlet, this timbered region will readily be taken up by the lumber 
 trade on "Timber Leave" in large sections, and at higher rates. 
 
 A characteristic of these forests is the light undergrowth, or its entire 
 absence, a circumstance greatly facilitating the clearing and taking off 
 the timber, or preparing of the ground for planting and seeding, or for 
 fattening blue grass pastures. 
 
 Coal. 
 
 Coal exists in many and large seams, in almost horizontal position, 
 as bituminous and splint coal ; accessible above water level at many 
 objective points along the principal valleys, and their branches in fact. 
 All the Kanawha and New River coals are represented here, the seams 
 varying in thickness from three to fourteen feet. 
 
3 
 Iron Ore. 
 
 There is also large quantities of iron ore on these lands, as shown by 
 the outcroppings of large deposits, which show to be of a high grade. 
 These deposits are in close proximity to large seams of coal that can be 
 used in the manufacture of iron. 
 
 Two of the principal seams, or rather ledges of iron, are on what is 
 known as "The Big Ridge," in Wise County. Two of them are 
 located on Indian Creek, in Buchanan County. 
 
 These iron outcroppings would be near the line of the proposed 
 railroad. 
 
 The Soil. 
 
 The size and kind of timber is sufficient to tell the strength and 
 depth of the soil. 
 
 A dark, deep, humous earth, the product of accumulated and decayed 
 vegetable matter from ages, perceptibly deeper on northern exposures, 
 covers the whole of these lands— river flats and uplands alike, which 
 renders them of almost equal productiveness. 
 
 This rich top-soil is underlaid by a sub-soil of an argilaceous clayey, 
 calcareous and sandy composition ; the one or the other of the con- 
 stituents predominating at different localities. 
 
 The loamy soils, composed of clay and sand mixed in about equal 
 proportions, and containing twenty to twenty-five per cent, of calcare- 
 ous, feruginous, vegetable and other matter, are the soils of the land. 
 
 The superior fertility of the upland soils explains the great size of the 
 timber that grows upon them. 
 
 Mica. 
 
 There is a vein of this valuable mineral in the vicinity of Indian 
 Creek, as can be seen by a sample that I took from a ledge on a small 
 branch of the creek which empties into it about four miles from its 
 mouth, at or near the dwelling of David Tiller. 
 
 Manganese. 
 
 I was informed by a Mr. H. W. Beaver that there were large deposits 
 of Manganese on the estate in Buchanan County; but I did not get to 
 see the outcroppings, as it was so far in the forests, (the estate being 
 almost an unbroken wilderness), and my time being limited, and Mr. 
 Beaver being acquainted with the mineral and a reliable gentleman, I 
 have every reason to believe it to be as above stated. 
 
Salt Springs. 
 
 There are two Salt Springs on this estate, one of which is at Sand 
 Lick, on the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy, which empties into the Big 
 Sandy seven miles above Piketon, Ky., and one at the mouth of Indian 
 Creek, on the same river. 
 
 During the war the people made all the salt they used from these 
 springs ; the water is said to be full as strong as that from the springs at 
 Saltville, Washington County, Va., (the salt being much stronger,) from 
 which is manufactured annually 700,000 bushels of salt, and paying 
 handsome dividends on a capital stock of $1,000,000. 
 
 I think these springs could be made to pay a large return on a liberal 
 investment. 
 
 Rivers. 
 
 These estates are well watered by the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy ; 
 the Louisa Fork ; the Pound Fork ; Crane's Nest Fork ; the Tug Fork, 
 and all of their numerous branches and creeks, many of which are as 
 large, or nearly so, as the main branches, all of which are large enough 
 to float timber into the main branches, at any of the periodical rises, 
 which transport rafts to the Big Sandy, which empties into the Ohio 
 River at Catlettsburg, Kentucky. 
 
 Adaptability of Wise County Tract. 
 
 The tract in Wise County, of 220,000 acres, is well adapted for all 
 kinds of farming, as well as for grazing. At and around Wise — or 
 Gladeville, as called by people — there is a plateau of vast extent, ex- 
 tending nearly east and west for upwards of twenty miles, varying in 
 width from two to five miles. This beautiful plane is covered with the 
 choicest of timber, and is also underlaid with large deposits of coal and 
 iron ore — the iron ore so pure that it can be used in the shop direct 
 from the mines — the coal so free from sulphur that it can be used to 
 work iron, and burns freely in an open grate. There is also another 
 plateau, known as "The Big Ridge." In this tract, which extends 
 also into the tract in Buchanan County, varying in width of from one 
 mile to three, extending in about the same direction as the other for 
 something like fifteen miles. On this plateau there is also plenty of 
 coal and iron. The extension of the " Chattaroi Railway" from 
 "Peach Orchard," Kentucky, to " Imboden City," or Pennington's 
 Gap, will run to Gladeville or Wise Court House, then to Imboden 
 City via this large plateau, giving a direct eastern outlet from the west 
 
by a through Hne 140 miles nearer the seaboard. There is also a pro- 
 posed branch of the Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio to start from a junc- 
 tion near Jeffersonville, Tazewell County, Virginia, which runs through 
 this tract via the smaller plateau to Gladeville, then via the larger one 
 to Imboden City. These two lines once built (and one or both will 
 surely be built at once ), the value of these lands will enhance very much. 
 
 On the tract I estimate not to exceed 25,000 acres, owned or claimed 
 by squatters. 
 
 In concluding this report, I beg to say that I have been looking up 
 timber lands for the past year, and must say that of all the tracts that I 
 have traveled over, and after traveling over these particular estates over 
 two hundred miles on horseback, that they contain the finest timber, 
 the greatest number of trees to the acre, the best seams of coal and 
 other minerals ; are the best farming lands, and are better located for 
 shipping timber than any that I have yet examined, and I can safely 
 and conscientiously recommend this property to any one wishing to 
 invest money in timber lands, as a paying investment. 
 
 F. M. GARDNER. 
 
 Grundy, Buchanan Co., Va., November 7th, 1881. 
 To Whom it may Concern : 
 
 We have read Mr. F. M. Gardner's reports on the timber, coal and 
 other minerals on a tract of 239,000 acres of land in Buchanan County, 
 Va., also a tract of 220,000 acres in Wise County, Va., and from what 
 we know of the country, having lived in the country all our lives, and 
 being civil engineers and surveyors, do not hesitate to say that all of 
 his report is substantially true, to the best of our knowledge and belief. 
 We further state that, if the estate in Buchanan County was resurveyed, 
 that, without doubt, it would survey, by horizontal measurement, at 
 least 275,000 acres instead of 240,000 acres, which is the number of 
 acres in the survey which placed it on the tax list for which it is now 
 taxed. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 J. BALDWIN, 
 
 Surveyor Buchanan Co. 
 H. W. BEAVER, 
 
 Civil Engineer and Surveyor. 
 
Grundy, Buchanan Co., Va., November 7th, 18S1. 
 To Whom if may Concern: 
 
 To the best of our knowledge and belief, we do not think that there 
 is over 20,000 acres of the estate in Buchanan County, and 25,000 
 acres of that in Wise County, Va., known as the Miller lands, that is 
 claimed by legal occupants or S(}uattcrs. 
 
 J. BALDWIN, .S. B. C. 
 
 H. W. BEAVER, C. E. &- S. 
 
 State of Virginia, Buchanan Count v, fo 7vit : 
 
 This certifies that I am well accjuainted with Jacob Baldwin, of this 
 County; that he is now the County Surveyor of Buchanan County; that 
 he is a competent Surveyor, and a gentleman of good judgment, and 
 worthy of the confidence of all. 
 
 I am also well acquainted with H. W. Beaver, of this County, and 
 can say that he is a gentleman of fine character and worthy of the con- 
 fidence of all ; that he is a Civil Engineer and Surveyor, and that he 
 took the Census Report of this the (Garden District), last year; and 
 that his judgment in anything pertaining to surveying land, timber, &c., 
 is good. 
 
 Given \mder my hand and seal of Buchanan County Court, this the 
 tenth day of November, A. D., 1881. 
 
 Signed, 
 CsEAL.] JOSEPH HIBBITTS, Clerk. 
 
 Wise, Wise County, Va. 
 
 The facts embraced in the foregoing statements are true to the best of 
 my knowledge and belief. 
 This November 5th, 1881. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 T. G. WELLS, 
 Late Clerk Wise County Circuit Courts. 
 
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT MADE TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA 
 OF THE GEOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE, OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, BY 
 WILLIAM B. RODGERS, PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 Farticiilar/y relating to that part of the State bordering on the Clinch 
 and other rivers, in the Counties of Riissell and Tazeiveli. 
 
 The western section of Virginia is characterized throughout by geo- 
 graphical features of great simphcity. The loftiest hills rise in gently 
 swelling outlines, and no very prominent peaks tower in acute and rag- 
 ged lines, to denote that the strata have been subjected to violent, con- 
 vulsive and upheaving forces. Everything bespeaks it to have been, at 
 one time, an expanded plain gently tilted from the horizontal position, 
 so that its surface and the beds of rock beneath, decline with a slight 
 but very uniform depression, very generally towards the north-west to 
 the valley of the Ohio. 
 
 The form, direction and character of both hills and valleys, give evi- 
 dence that its inequalities of surface were caused by the furrowing ac- 
 tion of a mighty devastating rush of waters, which by a rapid drain- 
 age scooped out enormous valleys and basins in the upper strata, the 
 remnants of which are consequently traceable across the widest val- 
 leys, from hill to hill, holding the same elevation, thickness and incli- 
 nation to the horizon. It is from this deep excavation of the strata by 
 natural causes, combined with the other important circumstances of a 
 nearly horizontal position, that we are to draw our estimate of the 
 prodigous resources of a mineral kind possessed by the region before us. 
 
 Whatever valuable materials lie included in the strata of the district — 
 coal, salt, oil, limestone or iron ore, the horizontal position alluded to 
 keeps them near the surface, or at an accessible depth, over enormously 
 wide spaces of country, while the trough-like structure of the valleys, 
 and their great depth, exposes the edges of many of these deposits to 
 the day, under positions in which mining is the easiest imaginable, and 
 with an extent of development not less accommodating to the researches 
 of the scientific geologist than bountiful to the wants of the community. 
 Coal is also found, though in less considerable seams, along the valley 
 of the Clinch River. Near Tug River it is very abundant. 
 
 On the Big Sandy the exposure of coal is one of the most extensive 
 and valuable anywhere in the United States; and here, from its imme- 
 diate vicinity to the Salines, its practical usefulness has been tested on a 
 wide and profitable scale. On the other rivers in this portion of the 
 West, the beds of this mineral are frequently brought to view, and in 
 
fact no better general description can be presented of its extent than 
 that it is ah-nost continuous with the vast beds of sandstone, which 
 spread in nearly horizontal plains over nearly the whole of this broad 
 region. 
 
 A simple enumeration of the strata here exposed will furnish an illus- 
 tration of the resources of this corner of the State, well calculated to in- 
 spire astonishment and exultation. Upon a stratum of valuable iron 
 ore, not less than fifteen feet in thickness, there rests a bed of sandstone 
 upon which reposes a coal seam three feet thick ; above this another bed 
 of sandstone, then a two foot vein of coal, next sandstone, then another 
 coal seam of four feet ; again a stratum of sandstone, and over it a seven 
 foot vein of coal ; over this a heavy bed of iron ore, and crowning the 
 series, an enormous coal seam of from fifteen to twenty feet in thickness. 
 
 There is no point of view, however, in which the immeasurable riches 
 of this region are rendered more obvious to our minds than that of the 
 uniform and continuous structure which has already been described ; for 
 it is in these widely spreading strata of sandstone that nearly all the 
 boundless treasures of this country are enclosed, and the continuous 
 character exhibited by them gives the strongest possible assurance of a 
 like uninterrupted extension of the various beds of valuable materials 
 which they include. In this view, how magnificent is the picture of the 
 resources of this region, and how exhilarating the contemplation of all 
 the happy influences upon the enterprise, wealth and intellectual im- 
 ])rovement of its inhabitants, which are rapidly to follow the successive 
 development of its inexhaustible mineral possessions. In a country 
 where the channels of nearly all the principal rivers have been scooped 
 out in part through beds of coal, where some of them are paved with 
 the richest ores of iron, and where the very rock itself, the sterile sand- 
 stone of the cliff, is enriched at certain depths with abundant stores of 
 salt, what more is needed to fullfil the happy and glorious destinies that 
 await it than to awaken enterprise to a due appreciatiou of the golden 
 promises it holds out, and to direct industrious and active research to 
 the thorough investigation of the character, position and uses of the 
 treasures it contains. 
 
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