Frostburg mining journal. [volume], May 29, 1880, Image 2

About Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913

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MINING JOURNAL. 1
—— (
J. B. ODER, Editor. ,
rHOBTBPRQ, MD., MAY 20, 1880.
TEE CLEARFIELD SURRENDER.
The announcement made last week
that the Clearfield miners had prac
tically succeeded in gaining their
point was erroneous. Later and still
more "authentic” intelligence is to
the effect that they have practically
failed. In other words, after three
months of stubborn contest, involving
courage, loss and waste, they have at
last succumbed to the dynasty which
sways the sceptre of that region; or,
in still other words, they have at
length admitted they have no voice
in the matter of their own wages.
And yet more than this, they have
conceded that their Georges Creek
brethren must suffer with them, eith
er in loss of work or wages, after
these had so handsomely stood by and
sustained them. No doubt, however,
the exigencies which pressed these
poor men were overwhelming. They
saw their families suffering; their em
ployment slipping away into the
hands of strangers, and the State sus
taining and protecting the aliens in
stealing their livelihood. Not long
can the ordinary qualities of heroism
stand up under augmenting and ac
celerating pressures like these.
What should be said of the men
who undermined and supplanted
them, and of that style of law which
encourages such raiders upon the in
terests of citizens, and protects the
invaders T Ethically, neither are in
any sense justified, albeit there is a
plausible notion extant that for men
to take measures to care for them
selves is intimidation, but corpora
tions doing the same thing are merely
"asserting their rightt." We do not
for a moment believe in achieving any
movement by violence, nor in the
impeachment of public virtue which
is always providing to meet violeace.
It is often asked—is it right for men,
unwilling to work at a certain rate, to
prevent others from doing so ? On
its face it does not seem that it is.
But is it right, on the other hand, that
the under-price men should provoke
such hostility and give occasion for
conflict? In many senses, a man’s
employment, trade, profession, is as
sacred os his liberty as a citizen, and
unassailable by anything or anybody.
He knows, or ought to know, wheth
er his labor is paying him, or does the
under-worker know better ? Hardly;
yet the law assumes so much and pro
tects the assumption.
However, the troubles of labor
may be grouped together in this way :
Corporations work unitedly under
and through law; labor rarely goes to
law for charters for its organizations,
and is by so 'much debarred the im
munities so freely bestowed upon the
more cohesive associations of capi
talists. Corporations, as cited last
week, thuscommit depredations which
private or popular combinations do
not dare.
Thus it will ever be until working
men obtain that solidarity of senti
ment and action which with its very
weight will crush out treason in their 1
own ranks to their common interests.
No organization, however good in
aims or management, will ever affect
this until it embraces within its scope
all the intelligences and forces natur
ally interested. There must be no
material left outside of which “black
legs” can be made. Talk of succeed
ing against the consolidated power of
money while thousands in their own
ranks will sell their loyalty for mea
gre bribes 1 As well talk of evangel- 1
izingthe world while sinners multiply 1
and grow bolder! This, that, and the
other great thing, may be accomplish- :
ed, but there can be no strong organ- 1
ization so long as its subjects are dis
united.
In this connection and in conclusion,
we will add that the operators did
not defeat the Clearfield miners. It
t vas the men who stole from them their
employment /
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
OPENING STREETS.
Mr. Editor ;—That there a num
ber of streets in our town that should
be opened out all agree, but a differ
ence of opinion obtains amongst our
citizens as to who should bear the ex
pense thereof. Some assert that a
duty in this respect has long been
shirked by certain property owners
who sold their lots at high figures
and represented to the purchasers
that the streets upon which they were
situated would be extended to other
streets, and that consequently they
should be required to fulfill their
agreement.
The late town council, however,
saw proper to pass an ordinance pro
viding for extending certain of these
streets at the town’s expense. It is
apprehended, however, that they i
now, as individuals, will be required :
to give some better reason to the pres
ent council than the mere passage ef 1
the ordinance, why the latter should
execute their command, before it is
done. Citizen.
THE STREET COMMITTEE.
Frostbueg, May 27, 1880.
Mr. Editor: —The late rain has
amply shown by its effects upon the
streets and gardens of our town that
too little attention has been given in
the past to keeping open the natural
and artificial outlet's for filth and
water.
Btone, rags, paper, weeds and other
debris can bo seen lying in the gut
ters of the town at most any point,
and on the street, in front of stores,
to be washed into sewers by the first
rain. The result is that property
owners are threatening to sue the
corporation for overflows and it
would seem to be also in order for
the corporation to sue itself for dam
ages done to its own streets from the
same cause.
It is to be hoped that the new
street committee will not delay in
having our streets and gutters cleans
ed as they should be.
ON IEE WING.
May 20, 1880,
Found me at the weigh scales of the
Midland mine belonging to the
Hampshire and Baltimore coal com
pany, They were bound on one cor
ner by the T rail of the tram road
connecting with them. Had the rail
moved back and scales balanced. I
paid attention to a number of trips
coming down the plane. The track
is in bad condition, causing the min
ers to lose a large portion of their
coal by falling off the cars. The Su
perintendent promised to have it put
in repair.
May 21.—Visited the Miller mine
operated by the same company. All
the coal in this mine above the water
line is mined out. There is a slope
900 feet in length driven down below
the above mentioned line, the coal be
ing hoisted up by a stationery engine
located inside of the mine. Found
the ventilation good. All timber
supplied to the misers and heading
roads all safe. I noticed a number of
the jprops had become decayed in
some of the rooms whore the miners
were working, and the roof being
bad, I called the attention of the
boss miner to the fact, and he prompt
ly gave orders to have them replaced
with fresh ones. The remaining pro
visions of the law are carried out at
this mine.
Inspected the Midland mine be
longing to the same company. Found
a number of miners engaged in draw
ing pillars where tie top coal was
down and the slate not propped. I
was astonished to find miners so re
gardless of their lives as to be found
working in such places. Informed
them of their danger and requested
them to leave. Any company that
will ask men to work in such danger,
in case of accident, I will hold re
sponsible under the law. The Su
perintendent informed me that he had
ordered them to leave it. The min
ers state, howe rer, that they had been
ordered to take the coal out. If the
coal is so valuable that it has to be
gotten out of such places, let (hem be
timbered and made safe. The ven
tilation of this mine is good and the
timber section complied with.
May 22.-Inspeoted what used to be
one of the most extensive mines in
the county, namely; the Pompey
Smash mine, belonging to the Consol
idation coal company. This mine is
nearly worked out; only a few men
being employed drawing stumps on
the main heading. When they are
out, good bye, old Pompey. Let me
here quote the words of the poet in
respect to the village of that name:
So when I am wearied with waudTiugs all
day,
To thee, my delight, in the evening I
come;
No matter what beauties I see in my way—
They were but my visits, but thou art
my home.
The majority of the miners employ
ed in this mine are working in what
is termed by miners a horse-shoe
heading, running up through the
workings of the old Hoffman mine,
for the purpose of mining out a few
acres of coal in the above mentioned
mine. As I entered this heading I
met a number of miners coming out
on account of bad air. I was not
surprised at this, having learned be
forehand that the air was not good
in this portion of the mine. On pen
etrating through every working place
I found the air was unfit for man or
beast to breathe, thus fgiving the
miners just cause for complaint. The
heading roads want to be timbered to
make them safe for travel. I have
informed the Superintendent con
cerning this condition of affairs.
With my personal knowledge of this
gentleman in relation to such circum
stances, there is no doubt in my mind
that he will talk plain English to
some parties and have things put
right at once.
I next inspected the Hoffman Slope.
The original length of this slope was
1,200 feet and is now known as the
upper-lift, having a large number of
miners employed drawing back pil
lars. The ventilation is first-class
the old rooms all timbered with fresh
props, thus making it safe for the
miners engaged drawing the pillars
and taking out a large percentage of
coal. This slope has of late been
sunk 1,900 feet deeper, making its
total depth 8,100 feet. This 1,900
feet is divided into three lifts. This
work is being opened out on the most
approved plan known to the science
of mining, namely, the double head
ing system. These headings are be
ing rapidly drivin ahead; three shifts
of miners are employed in them,
which causes some smoke to lay that
cannot be easily avoided. But there
being no such word as fail in the ven
tilation of mines in the creed of the
gentleman at the wheel of this com
pany’s affairs, this will all come right
in due time. I found some portions
of the headings wanting timber to
make them safe and I always consider
ed trap-doors without trappers a fail
ure. The miners get all the timber
they want at these mines, and all the
provisions of the law are carried out.
May 24.—Inspected the Blaen
Avon mine belonging to the Blaen
Avon coal company. This mine is
more extensive than I had supposed.
Found the ventilation good, and min
ers supplied with timber; heading
roads all safe. The condition of this
mine is generally first-rate. One
feature is presented here not before
met in this region, viz ; Taking out
the bottom coal of both rooms and pil
lars. Inspected weigh scales ; found
that the weight taken for the empty
car was too much, and arranged with
mining boss to take 1,300 lbs. per car,
which I think is just. Also, found
the scales binding on one corner by
the rail which connects the tramroad
with scales. Mining boss promised
to have it repaired during the after
noon of same day.
May 25.—Visited Midlothian mine
of the New Central coal company.
Found grades in this mine extraordi
narily heavy, sand and ear-shoes hav
: ing to be used to bring down the
loaded trains. On account of these
heavy grades the timber is thrown
down an air-shaft at the face of one
of the headings and distributed from
that point to the miners. In the in
side rooms of one of the headings I
found timber scarce. Let me here
i explain the cause , The vein varies
moie in height here than in any mine
I have traversed during my travels,
the variation being from eight to ten
feet. The timbsr, brought from the
aforementioned air-shaft, is piled up
at the mouth of this heading; the
drivers are then required to throw it
in the cars and take it to the miners,
not knowing the height of the
vein at tho particular destinations of
the timber. They sometimes take an
eight foot prop into a place requiring
tsn, which is of no use to the miner
working there. To remedy this in
convenience the boss minir asks the
miners to select the timber of the re
quired length for the respective places
from the pile, marking them with
number of tho check, and he pledges
himself to see them delivered whore
they belong. This I think entirely
reasonable under the circumstances
of the case. Found tho ventilation
of this mine good ;'heading reads all
safe, and the mine generally in excel
lent order. Inspected the scales and
found them taking a little too much
weight for the empty car; adjusted
them and left believing tho piovis
ions of the law are complied with.
May 20.—Inspected the Ocean
mine of the Consolidation coal com
pany. Penetrated this mine to its
farthest extremity and found it had
tapped the old Hoffman mine dip
heading, which was abandoned some
years ago on account of water. The
water being drained off’, the coal thou
abandoned is now being worked out.
The vein is worked up to tho slate,
thus taking the whole of the breast
coal, and I was surprised to find the
degree of safety which has been at
tained by the present mode of mining
this coal. Tho miners here ceern to
be thoroughly posted in regard to
this method of mining tho big vein.
As they proceed with their exoava
vations a hole is dug in tho rib side
near the top of the vein for tho use of
the end of a cross-bar, a good prop
being placed under tho other end,
and tho slate being strongly support
ed by wedges driven over the cross
bar. This is done at Intervals of ev
ery three feet, making it, by the ex
treme care exercised, quite as safe as
any other mode of obtaining security.
In drawing back the pillar a prop is
placed under the end of the bur
which eaters the rib as before stated
thus keeping the timber secure to the
slate. From what I could see of oper
ations here I judge there is as much
coal per acre taken out here as at any
other mine in the region. The men
are liberally supplied with timber;
the ventilation is good, the air being
supplied from the Winter’s shaft
which was aforetime used to ventilate
the Hoffman slope and Pompey
Smash mine, and which is undoubted
ly the best air-shaft in the county, it
being properly timbered, the air
course leading from it likewise, with
locust props, A locomotive will be
placed in this mine at an early day,
there being a good track already in
side for its use. There can be ne im
pediment to ventilation, as the air
coming from the shaft will supply the
miners first, and then drive the smoke
and steam directly to the ventilating
furnace. Inspected the scales and
found all correct. Returning, how
ever, out of the mine I found enough
black damp along the heading to ex
tinguish the lights, oozing from old
rooms. The mine boss promised to
have the old brattices re-clayed and
new ones put up where required.
This black damp was very annoying
to the drivers, and to miners going to
and coming from work.
Thomas Brown,
Mine Inspector.
LON A CONI NO ITEMS.
Rev. Me. Powell, of Frostburg,
preached in the Presbyterian Church,
of this place last Sunday evening.
Hanekaup & Ryan, contractors on
the Georges Creek and Cumberland
railroad, have a large number of la
borers employed grading the road.
The demand for coal from this re
gion makes a demand for wives. There
have been several weddings this
month and a number “docketed" for
next month.
[Why didn’t our correspondent give
us the cases disposed of, and especially
the “docket” prospective?—Ed.]
The merchants of this place have
sold more goods this month than they
have in any one month for a number
of years.
The entertainment in Reohabite
Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday
nights for the benefit of the M. E.
Church was a success financially.
John Watson, aged 19 years, a
driver in Big Vein mine, was instant
ly killed Thursday by a fall of roof
coal. He was a member of Lincoln
Lodge of Good Templars.
GENERAL ITEMS.
Tne suspension of the Reading
railroad company, announced Friday
of last week, was a disaster of consid
erable magnitude. The Journal
of Gomnlerce makes some remarks
on the lesson of the failure which are
worth giving. It says :
The coal combination was the last des
perate expedient to float a sinking con
cern. The Reading Railroad was the mas
ter ot the coal ring. There would have
been no restriction of output and no at
tempt to force up the price of coal but for
the leadership of the Reading Railroad.
Coal consumers can now see to what they
have been paying tribute. They have
been taxed to supports company long ago
bankrupted by extravagance and folly.
Had it been managed with ordinary pru
dence and sagacity there would have been
no need of a coal ring to make up by ex
tortions from the public for the lack of le
gitimate and honest earnings. Ail rings,
whether organized by railroads or by gas
or coat companies, have a similar origin.
They are the confessions of the incapacity
of companies to compete for and secure
their fair share of buslpoas in a regular
way. They arc cll'orts to over-readi cus
tomers by cunning and foico when there
is a deficiency ol brains and integrity in
the management. All pools go the same
way—to the bad—at last. They all break
up through mutual ticachcry.
Miscellaneous Advertisements.
LOOKOUT FOR THE
Boot, Shoe, Hat and Cap
II M I* OIiUJH,
IN Rank building, opposite St. Michael's
Church, Main St , Fiostburg, Md.
All who want anything in the line of
Nhoes, of the best and finest quality;
Shoes of thebest and heaviest make; Shoes
for poororrich,young oroki; Shoesforall,
no matter what their occupation or profess
ion. ISootMfor Men; Boots for Ladies;
Roots for Children; Boots for all. HatiS
for old mid young. TRUNKS, VALISES,
&c., —all at fair prices, should go to
WILLIAM THOMAS.
Tifßootßand Shoes made to order. Re
pairing neatly aud promptly done. Leather
and Shoe Findings on hand. [Apr 18
WEiUTEUK JIAKVLASD
IRON WORKS
U. YT. PAUL,
Manufacturer of
Steam Engines and Boilers
Allkindsof Iron and Brass CASTINGS
PLOW POINTS, STOVE BACKS
and GRATES, Pipe and Fittings
for Steam, Water and Gas at
I’AOIOKY PRICES.
Also,Steam Pumps and Gas Machines for
making GAS from PETROLEUM and
GASOLINE put up ready for use.
Z3T Estimalesfurulshed on application
Decls-y
nuofsimitu
IKON WORKS!
FROSTBURG. MD.
THOMAS hTpAUL & SON
MANUFACTURERS OF
NARROW GViCIE
locomotives
Static ary and 1 01 table Steam Engines
and Boilers, Saw and Grist Hills,
mine machinery, Cur Wheels and all
kinds ot Iron and Brass Castings, Steam
Pumps, Wrought Pipe and Fittings lor
Steam, Water and Gas, at market prices
Buildings Heated by Steam. School
Desks—Soper’a Patent, ol all sizes. Re
pairs 01 Machinery promptly attended to
ftb3
Great Revolution
IN DRV GOODS !
NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY Y GOODS
And B. STERN <fe CO.’S 18 THE PLACE
TO GO.
pQ All-wool black CASHMERE only 48 Nrt
M HH *—• cents a yard. Wf
CL S. AU-wool CASHMERE in all the lead-
OUU ln K B *yles and shades at 50 cents a yard.
[V] ■ "2 ” W Remember that these goods are ALL- 'ZT
jj < | ftj U1 WOOL, and a great bargain 1 f) ,
Z ■ 5 r\ A new lino of superior finish yard-wide
H | I"" 1 1 0 CASHMERE at 35 cents a yard. (fft
■3 ■ A large lot of black brilliant! ue AL- H 11 J
t-J € 5 _ K PACA at 25 cents, worth 85. M f V M
I ■ M r Handsome SPUING DRESS GOODS > fT) V J V 3
r ■ ■ “j (H at 10 cents a yard. S 3 x*3 m
Cj <] n rrj Stylish DARK DRESS GOODS, onlv ft > ‘
CQ O 0 U 10 cents a yard. g M .
[x] ■" "I '-p O Novelties in Dress Goods 3 rr, L \Jr~l
Or y *rt at 112 L0 > 12L 15, 18 and 20 cents per yard. Q > Y MaL. L_
& VICTORIA, PACIFIC, and INDIA > C,
D LAWNS, at 10 and 12| cents per yaid. C j U
vjj ft >s Having bought largely before the ad- g V'
*3 vance, we offer DOMESTICS at LESS h |—t. J? _
H J' 1 CQ q g than manufacturers' prices. (—f- J Hjj
„ y r r . i--i 1,000 pieces of the very best dark rg\ pj
O UCf CALICO down to 7 conls.
Yard-wide MUSLIN down to 7,8, and 3 . . i , W
r/} _ Kj rt 81 cents—the very best. s t*
I rn ffl r ’I H Our stock of m ' I O
S * 1 " PQ m Tickings, Checks, Cheviots, Flannels, o MH l_j O
M IH Drills, Sheeting Muslins, Pillow Mus- § * rj|?;
t“* _„ > M q lins, Nainsooks, Cambrics, Percal- M UJ Q
Ha-, ines, Ginghams, <fcc„ <k„ &c., * lL
. rj Fh HK. is truly woyoerful i g n y—A M
C_j ■ 1 r. ~ and for sale at prices considerably below 3 S -rS.
m dffllL r "”’ -an™ z C A & a
fx] tj L Large line of TRIMMING SILK in ill 0 “
_ _ Qj r_j cn the new and stylish shades, at exceedingly h
S VI n n X low prices. g V—j} { ) QQ Q
ZT j W y Good and lieavy TABLE LINEN at 28 2 VJ J. wj* ZZi
O 1. a r Cj cents; better qualities at 35,40,45 and 50 „ C 3
rf) UJ W cents; fine DAMASK TABLE LINEN m
Ptl-* 111 QJ and TURKEY RED at very low prices.
■ ■ nj d An unusually large assoatment of VA- ■ ‘ .
•wTi W LENCIENNES, BRETON and BRO- F"
Z VI 0 CADE LACES, HAMBURG EM BRO ID- i— * Mit
1 y fyt ERY and INSBHTINQS, CORSETS, /HS rm
■•33 rH ! GLOVES, at prices low enough to aston- x w
Jlj | .sh everybody. ..
So, bear in mind, we want you to give us a chance BEFORE you buy one garment, or spend one dollar for
Clothing, Dry Goode, Notionj, Boots, Shoes, Hats, &0., &c., &c.
R STFRN CO Main Street,
FOR SALE!;
A CERTIFICATE entitling the holder
to Four Years Tuition in Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pa. Any one desiring
a course of lour years or loss, in one of the
beat Colleges In America will do well to
Inquire at the JOURNAL OFFICE,
Dee 7-lf Frostburg, Md. _
Wili.iam Brack. Bknj. A. Richmond
Brace & Richmond,
A 7 TORNE YS AT LA W.
OfflccNo.4 Wasblugtou street,
CUMBERLAND, MD.
WILL be in Frostburg regularly every
Thursday. June 30-
Dissolution,
Fuostiutuo, Md., May 17, 1880.
rpilE firm of LOGSDON & ROBINSON
I is tins day dissolved by muturl con
. sent. ELIAS LOGSDON,
WM. H. ROBINSON.
The undersigned will continue the bus
iness ON A CASH BASIS U the same
place, and settle all outstanding business
of the firm He asks for a continuance of
a share of public patronage.
May 22—8 t ELIAS LOGSDON.
A El Pi A U D I# Stops, 8 Set Reeds, 2
U IBM Mil Uknrc Swells, Stool, aud
w.*™—lmh Hook, only s!>B. PIAN
OS, Stool, Cover and Book $2lO to
SI3OO. Illustrated Catalogue Free. Ad
d css DANIEL F. BEATTY, Washlng
l u, N. J.
Good Agout i Wanted to Kell Kidpath’s
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
An Agent iu Bridgeport, Conn.,told 70
copies, ami slopped; another Agent was
’ appointed m the same (own, who sold lilO
; copies, and he stopped; we then appointed
' another Agent, who lias sold, up to date,
over 300 co its, all n the Ci.y of Bridgc
> poll. It is the best one-volume History
of the United States published. Plenty
of Territory still open, Address, for
1 Descriptive Circular and Terms-, PHIL
. LIPS & HUNT, Subscription Book De
partment, 805 Broadway, N. Y.
MALT
W UNFERMENTED
IJwiTbitters'
TRADE MABK
|k MALT AND HOPS ,’^k
r I 'HERE is do greater Bloou-Pdbifv
-1 iNo and Lifk-Givino PniNCiPtus In
tlir world of medicine than MALT BIT
TERS, prepared by tlie MALT BITTERS
COMPANY from Unfermented Malt and
Hups, It is a Perfect Renovator of fee bio
rud exhausted constitutions. It enriches
' the blord, solidifies the banes, hardens the
muscles, quiets the neivos, perfects diges
tion, cheers the mind, aud vitalized with
new life every fluid of the bodv. It is so,
because it strikes at the root of all debility
—ENFEEBLED DIGESTION aud IM
POVERISHED BLOOD. Sold every
where. [May 8-4ld 1 1
> “THE”
Hardware, Woodenware
STOVE DEALER
Respectfully solicits a call and exam
ination of his large and well assort
ed stock of
Hardware, Woodenware,
Tinware, Heating and
Cooking Stoves, the
Eenowntd Arlington
Pumps, Powder, Guns, Revolvers,
Lanterns, Pine Table and Pocket
Cutlery,House Furnishing Hard
ware, Riding and Driving
Whips and Horse Blankets.
FRANK C. BEALL,
Deo 20] FKOSTBTJBQ, Turn