| From the Fayetteville (N. C.) Observer |
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| January 8, 1863 |
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| Valuable Coal Field For Sale |
| The subscriber offers for sale the
Valuable Coal Field, known as "Horneville," and situated in
Chatham County, in the celebrated Deep River Coal and Iron Region of
North Carolina. It is 43 miles from Fayetteville, by Railroad, and
about the same distance from Raleigh. The first coal discovered in
North Carolina, was found upon this tract of land in 1849, when it was
purchased by five gentlemen, who obtained a Charter, a common seal and
stock book; and accepted the Charter in due form for the purpose of
commencing operations. At that time there was no river navigation or
Railroad communication to Fayetteville, and these gentlemen soon
thereafter moving to different sections of the country, and being of
entirely different occupations, could form no definite or concerted
agreement to work or sell until now. They now propose to sell, and can
give a clean and bona fide title, without any incumbrance
whatever, as no stock has ever been issued to the parties. |
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The "Horneville" Coal Fields are embraced in a
tract of land comprising about 450 acres, and it is estimated that
about 80 acres are underlaid with the 6 feet vein of coal. The balance
of the 450 acres afford a good quality of tillable soil for
agricultural purposes, abounding in timber and land of a highly
productive character.
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Supposing that there are 80 acres of this tract underlaid
with coal -- the vein of coal having been ascertained to be 6 feet in
depth -- each acre would yield 9580 cubic yards of coal, or 7295 tons;
which at $1 per ton, at the mines, would yield $29,180 per acre. But supposing
one-third of this to be wasted in various ways, (a large allowance)
there would yet remain $19,457 per acre of saleable coal. This
multiplied by 80 acres will amount to $1,556,560, and this, too,
independent of the remaining portion of the 450 acres.
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The facilities for getting this coal to market are at
present afforded by the Fayetteville & Coalfields Railroad {the
Western RR}. This
road is in operation at present 40 miles from Fayetteville to McIver's
Depot, about 2 miles from the Egypt Shaft; (the balance to that point
being already graded, and now under contract,) thence to the
Horneville Coal Field, about 2 1/2 miles, with navigable river
connecting the two last named points.
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A Railroad is also in course of construction from Raleigh
to these same Coal Fields {the Chatham RR} -- which will pass directly through this
property -- by which improvements coal can be forwarded by rail either
North or South. A ready transportation to market, it will thus be
seen, is already afforded by one of these Roads, and the other will be
completed without delay, as it is now under contract to men of
undoubted energy who are pushing forward the work with the utmost
dispatch.
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In reference to the quality of this coal, it may be
proper to annex the following extract from Professor Emmons' Report,
page 251, 252: "The combustion of this coal, and the ease with
which it can be ignited, are important qualities. It burns briskly,
with a brilliant and free combustion. It therefore gives a pleasant
and agreeable fire in parlor grates. In this respect I believe it is
not excelled by any coal now in market. It is well adapted to the use
of smiths, and it is invariably remarked by them that they wish for no
better coal. It is cheaper and more economical at 40 cts. per bushel,
than charcoal at 5 cts per bushel."
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Any one desirous of purchasing, will call upon or address
the subscriber, who is duly empowered to sell. He will take pleasure
in accompanying them to this valuable Coal Field and give all
necessary information and explanations. It is only 2 1/2 hours' ride
by Railroad from this point.
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W. T. Horne
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