The Coal That Wasn't: A Town’s Brief Hope for a Mining Bonanza
A newcomer to Seattle claims to have found a vein of coal in the hills, sparking local excitement before the details vanish into silence.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
An important discovery has been made by one of our townsmen which, if it proves upon farther development as good as anticipated, will make the future of our town and county beyond all doubt. Clay Fruit, who has recently moved into town, finding time hanging heavily on his hands, has made frequent exploring excursions into the country, and Tuesday evening about dusk he brought into our lap a lump of coal, an excellent specimen of kignite. He was accompanied by a Pennsylvanian, who unhesitatingly pronounced it the genuine article. If the vein is thick enough to work it will undoubtedly prove a bonanza to the people. Mr. Fruit feels very much elated over his good fortune, but of course will keep the matter quiet until further developments are made. We were unable to learn the direction or distance from town the find is located or whether on government or railroad land. We always contended that the resources of our country were great, and trust Mr. Fruit will put on a force of men who will supply the town with the much-needed fuel.
Another important and valued benefit for the town is the striking of an inexhaustible supply of water in the railroad well near the pump house. The hole is about 12 feet deep, eight feet square, walled with scantling. The water comes in through gravel and is pronounced by the railroad company as being one of the best wells along the line. It is capable of furnishing 500 gallons per hour with no decrease of water in the well. Water works, lawns, sprinkled streets and many other advantages accrue.
In an era before Seattle’s massive hydroelectric projects and reliable natural gas infrastructure, the city was desperate for local fuel sources to power its mills and homes. This story captures the speculative fever that often accompanied early Western development, where every hillside was scrutinized for gold, silver, or coal. Today, as Seattle grapples with green energy transitions and the legacy of industrial pollution, the irony is palpable: we no longer need to dig for coal in our backyard hills, but we are still searching for sustainable resources.
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