Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-25
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE "JoURNAL"
Letter from Rambler.

Starting at Milton, you pass several thrifty
looking towns, the most important of which.
perhaps, is Danviilc, where the well known
Mountain Iron Works are located, and where
one of the best country papers, the american,
is printed-Dr. Brewer being able editor,
and his son, who is associated with him, su-
| perior printer. At Rupert station the Blooms
burg x Lackawanna Railroad to Scranton di-
verges, and Immediately east of this point, the
North Branch of the Susquehanna, which is
deeper and less swift than the West Branch,
| is spanned by substantial bridge. Not far
beyond commences that succession of short
| curves and high trussle-work, which have, to a
great degree, aided in making the Catawissa
Railroad known far and near. OF the curves,
it is related that a traveller, seeing locomo-
tive approaching at swift speed, was no little
surprised to find, on rushing TO the door, that
it. was the iron-horse which was drawing his
own train. For the truth of the story, will
not undertake to vouch but that the Cata-
wissa is a crooked road, any one can affirm
without fear OF successful contradiction.
There are six of the bridges alluded to. They
| average, it is said from so to 1856 feet in
The mountain being cut up by narrow defiles,
around some Of which it wonld be impossible
to run train even if a track were laid the
only thing that could be done to span the
gorges with bridges, which at their immense
| elevation, look as If a very slight breeze might
| topple them over, and give the inmates of the
| cars marked tendency to nervousness, espe-
ci..1ly fba tl,.
time it reaches the middle of the structure.
THIS, however, with the varied romantic seen
e,y of the mountain, (Mahanoy, pronounced
Nav haw -noy,) keeps your mind awake and
and your attention fixed, rendering journey
interesting that would otherwise be .stedious as
twice told tale.''
The eastern slope of the mountain is not so
steep or rugged as the western. 1t lacks also
| in interest, until you reach Tamaqua, which
is located in the great coal region, in the
| northeastern part of Schuylkill county. Hav-
ing half day of idle time, a friend volunteer
ed 10 guide and accompany me TO one of the
burning coal drifts, of which you have doubt
less read. After leaving the outskirts of the
town, walk of half an hour through vast
scope of scrub-oak, brought us to the line of
the drift. We struck it at poiut where the
fire had ceased to burn, but where the evil
dence Of its destructive power were plainly
visible. Large holes, or rather chasms, caus-
ed by the cavng-in of the earth above were
numerous. AS we passed from one o another,
going east, little smoke here and there made
its appearance. Next Il sitting sulphurous
odor filled the atmosphere then more smoke
could be seen, and fnall. at a distance of
near mile from where il started, bright,
glowing fire, fervent enough to melt iron,
could be discerned on the north side of
the chasm, into which large trees had fallen,
and, in some instances, were partly burned up.
For many yards either side of the line of
the DRIFT, the scrub-oaks were killed by the
heat underneath, and, taking everything to-
gether, sight is presented 10 the beholder,
which will not soon be forgotten.
There are various opinions and theories in
regard to the origin of the fire. 1t is certain
however, that it commenced, some five or six
years ago, in a pit belonging to the Little
Schuylkill Coal Company. At first it was
thought to be matter of trifiing Importance
but soon it became apparent that unless spec
Oily checked, the quantity and value of coal
which must inevitably be destroyed, would be
immense. Various expedients were resorted
to for the purpose OF extinguishng the de-
vouring element. The water of the little
SchuyikiIl was forced through iron pipes into
the pits, but produced no apparent advanta-
geons effect. An experiment of applying gas
also failed. The company were, therefore,
quite willing to enter into contract with a
smooth -topgued fellow, who agreed to ssput
out'' the fire for Sc 900 or get no pay. What
particular plan of operation he adopted, has
escaped my recollection nor is it of any i'm
portance, for the only thing he succeeded in
accomplishing, was to ''put out of the way a
large number of baskets of champagne, with
which he was wont to regale himself and have
a good time generally when visited by those
Immediately interested in his labors. The
aggregate amount expended in attempts to ar
rest the progress of the fire, l was informed,
would probably be $50 900.
Night coming on, we started towards town,
which we reached just as twilight was giving
way to darkness, a little wearied it is true,
but with we'll sharpened appetite, which en-
abled us to do ample justice TO our suppcrs.
Should auy one of your readers get favorable
opportunity for visiting this burning hill, he
will not regret, 1 predict, the fatigue that he
will necessarily experience in walking over its
rugged surface. Yours, RAMBLER.
AN INTENDED FRAUD.-A very ingenious
piece of villainy, and of dangerous charac-
t,,-a,