The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-12-02
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY. DEC. ., 1929.

WoRcEsTER Coal MINE. A friend having
inquired of US, through the columns of the Nor
'oich Courier, respecting the present state and
prospects of the Worcester Coal Mine, we
make the following statement for the benefit of
him and such others as are DESTROYS of informa-
ton on that head
During the summer and autumn of 1923, an
opening was made into the mine. about 12 feet
in width, and of an average height of about
feet. descending into the earth at an angle of
about 80 degrees with the horizon WhAn ahis
opening had been advanced about 60 feet in
depth, the quantity Of water, necessary to be
removed by pumping. was so great that it was
believed it would be more economical, to draw
it off by subterranean drain. The coal, al
ready taken out, it was believed, would supply
the demand till such drain could be complet-
ed, and the further working of the mine was
suspended for that purpose, and il was suffered
to fill with water. The operations which had
already been commenced at the foot of the hill,
below tho mine, were now prosecuted alone,
and horizontal drain was advanced as fast as
circumstances would allow. This was neces-
sarily slow operation, as the excavation was
entirely of rock, and but one man could con-
venienty work at blasting and picking it out /;
though additional help was employed in carry
ing it away after il was detached 1t has been
carried forward till we understand, it has APP
preached SO near below the opening in the
mine, as to draw off the water therefrom
tha in fha cka In
quence Of the abating Of the waters" opera
tions have been renewed in the mine, for the
supply of the demand for Goa! for the ensuing
winter.
OF the coal, taken from the mine the last
season, we understand that several hundred
tons were sold we believe, at SO per ton, de-
livered at the mine. In its general character
and properties, it very nearly resembles the
Rhode Island coal, but ignites more readily
than that does. There is considerable differ
ence in the quality of the coal, some veins be-
ing better than others; but the whole appears
to improve as the opening is advanced farther
into the hill. The quantity in the vicinity is
believed TO be comparatively inexhnustible. A
small opening was made two years since at
another place, not far distant from the mine
now worked, where coal of a fair quality was
found, and the indications were uncommonly
promising. The work, however, has been sus-
pended at that place, from causes which it is
not necessary here 10 detail, but which, it is
hoped, may, before long, be removed. Coal
has been found at other places in town, one OF
which is in the village, and it is believed that
the bed is very extensive. The advantages,
however, which the places above mentioned
possess for draining the water, over any other
known locality of the coal, are SO great as to
prevent others from engaging in competition
with thoIn, at present.
The coal was used through the last winter
in Thomass Coffee House, in the Worcester
Brewery, and in the New England Company
Manufacturing establishment in Grafton, and
in several other places, where it gave good sat
isfaction and, we believe, that, in few years
it will be extensively used in the vicinity al
though the reduction, which has taken place in
tho price of fire wood, will, undoubtedly, tend
TO retard the iime
The article on " Christianity in tho East y