The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-01-29
The Coal Pits Of Cheste field Coum.
I'D Difficult Undertaking .Sscresyistiy Accom-.
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IcoasrsposDrscr or THn aIcaxosD pAnr Drsp.rcn
BrAcrHrarH PRS, Jau,y u. ls5s


BIAcKHEarH PRS, Jan'y n, 1s5s
7o aie Editor Of Hs Dispatci Allow me to beg
the favor Of requesting you to insert In your valua-
BILE paper account Of cur success in tapping the
water In the old Etna pit, which was accomp pished
yesterday morning about 10 o'clock.
You will, as well as myself be glad to hear of
this achievement, when detail to you the many
difficulties We have had to surmount during our
search FOR those abandoned works, Of which no
practical data had been preserved to guide any
subsequent works which might al proaeh then.-
This has not been the only source 0f difficulty with
which We have had to contend: slave owners an
pretending danger. have more than once removed
their hands, at times when their services would
have been Of the greatest importance to the Com
pany, which has subjected TO great inconve-
nience and loss; well as the great auaptity of
water which had to be raised from the mines as
much as $50 tons per day for considerable period
with such means as was in our possession, besides
producing fair quantity of coal, appears more
than an ordinary task. Aud frequently, when
hands could be got other difficulties still more OBJ
jectionable. presented themselves; from the i'm
pending danger they supposed to exist, slaye-own-
ers could not be induced to engage their hands
without first effecting an insurance upon them
aud, as accidents from similar causes have of late
occurred, when life has been sacrificed, which no
doubt, has greatly intimidsted Insurance Sompa-
MES taking risks hands similarly circumstanced
as those who have suffered on a previous occasion
However. we have been so fortunate as to effect
communication, and ascertain, beyond doubt their
ed off during TIE advance of the drifts, and by bo-
ring, which has been continued several feet u ai-
vance of the works for several months which is
the only precaution we could make use Of and |
am glad to say, by that means alone, the desired
end bas been attained.
The apprehension of danger from water, which
has hitherto been an objection to hands working at
this place, being now removed, can now recon-
mend our pits as perfectly free from any disaster
of that nature, notwithstanding the doubts which
many have had of our ultimate success.
am fully aware that time has not erased from
the minds of a large portion Of this community the
fearful results which attend collery inundations
aud would simply say, for the information of the
public, that as regards any objection to our mines
on this subject that the point of supposed danger
is now passed, and by the plishment of which
we will be enabled to increase our production of
coal to at least 100000 bushels annually which
will certainly be of great Importance in promoting
the common good of this vicinity, and might, in
other respects, induce capitalists to make an ad.
vance for the search of coal, in situations in this
district, where little or no research has been made
whereby an abundant supply of coal light be got,
without onr customers depending for their wants
on the importation of coal from the anthracite re-
gion of Pennsylvania.
am. sir. yours respectfully,
Tl lTtyv