p. 21

19

There are a few reasons why this property is the
most desirable of any now before the public.—First,
the roof of this vein is of strong slate and soap stone,
and the floor is of hard fire clay, 6 inches in thickness,
underlaid with a 6-inch vein of coal, and it is a rare
occurrence that props are necessary to keep up the
roof—the floor being solid, there is no danger that it
will ever rise and obstruct the passage in the entries.
The floor often rises in veins where there are large
deposits of fire clay, and it is frequently found abso-
lutely necessary to employ a large gang of men to keep
the floor down, so that the coal can be taken out.

It is an established fact, and every practical miner
will endorse this statement, viz: that coal mines hav-
ing five to six feet veins, are the most economically
worked of any. The men can take out more coal, the
mules can transport the pit cars with more facility,
and the coal can be delivered at the shaft in better
condition than it is possible in a three or four foot vein.
There are many objections that could be stated against
working thin veins, but it is not necessary to state
them here. "A WORD TO THE WISE IS SUFFI-
CIENT."

Cost of Shaft with all the improvements mentioned in Pros-
pectus, is....$275,000
Cost of 75 more Railroad coal cars, making 100 in all, about
$750 each....56,250
Coast of 45 more Pit cars, making 72 in all, would be about,....1,750
Cost of 15 more dwelling houses, making 24 in all, about,....6,000
Fitting up yards, office, etc., in Chicago, about,....11,000
—
$350,000