In 1873 Captain Issiah A. Welch was engaged to explore and prospect
for timber and minerals on the Wilson Cary Nicholas survey. He traced a
bed of coal down the Valley of the Bluestone River. Prospecting was done
on the following creeks: Mill, Simmons, Flipping, Crane, Widemouth, Rich
and Camp Creeks. Captain Welch lived with a Mrs. Henry Tabor below
Pinnacle Rock and rode horseback up and down the river. He had two helpers
who were paid fifty cents per day. The report contained some of the
following information:
307,200 square acres were covered in his report
Coal was found:
13 feet thick at Pocahontas
10 feet thick at Elkhorn
6 feet thick at Bottom Creek in McDowell County
An average of 6 foot thick was found for the entire surveyed area.
Deeds on record found by the railroad:
William H. and Mary Witten May 5, 1881
J.B. and M.E. Higgenbotton May 6, 1881
Andra S. Higgenbotton May 7, 1881
George P. and Elizabeth Bailey May 7, 1881
James K.P and E. B. Bailey May 7, 1881
Estill and Agnes C. Bailey May 7, 1881
Alexander J. and Hannah L. Bailey May 7, 1881
Leland and Rebecca Bailey May 7, 1881
C. M. and Martha White May 7, 1881
Eliza J. Mullens May 7, 1881
A. A. Belcher May 7, 1881
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