Reports of coal in the North Fork

A fine vein of coal was reported in correspondence to J. E. Gaylord, Esq.,  president, Butte City, in 1892. E. J. Matthews, Columbia Falls manager, Northern International Improvement, Co., described message from Robinson as reporting coal as perfect clean, solid and no slag or foreign matter whatever.

He said they were within 60 inches of the cross cut and had not reached the foot wall. This is the vein he and Miller had struck before coming out, and they estimated they were 20 feet from the large vein.

Two men left Columbia Falls the previous day by horseback by the McDonald Lake Trail for Coal Camp. Matthews reported they took in 20 pounds of powder, all they would take. They reported this road good with only four or five miles of snow, but dangerous in crossing North and Middle forks, if water rises at all. In the past five days the river had risen five inches in the first days of April. It was anticipated if the weather remained warm, water will continue to rise gradually. 

The old North Fork Trail would not be passable for three or four weeks. Considerable work will need to be done on the trail and crossings built over Canyon and Big Creeks.

Two weeks later, Matthews reported he was sending coal samples from different veins in Coal Creek and the river.

Another letter from Robinson told of the coal vein in his tunnel is 9 feet 6 inches thick. The first 5 feet 6 inches was a solid body of coal, free from slag. In the next four feet, there were four strats of clay from one inch to two inches each. He was not positive at the time of reporting if he was through the vein. Robinson thought he was about 15 feet from his vein showing in the tunnel run.

Two men traveled to Columbia Falls the next day, reporting traveling on the trail with 20 inches of new snow. There had been a severe storm in Columbia Falls, with several inches of snow at the same time in mid-April.

Robinson returned to Coal Camp to continue work on the tunnel. McKay let him have one of his men. Matthews explained his letter was sent to Coal Banks by George Hawkins.

Size of the mirror to go over the back bar in the Hotel Gaylord was topic of another letter. It was explained the mirror should be beveled French plate, about 5 feet by 10 feet and, by all means, framed in tamarack. 

Another Columbia Falls project, the bridge, was making very satisfactory progress. There were about 20 men working on it. They had not yet received a bill for the iron for the 60-foot span, but would in a few days. It was explained the saw mill was running 13 hours per day in order to give timbers as fast as they called for them. 

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.