The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-12
Rto.. ETC.. ETC.. ETC.. EtO.

On Thursday the Consumers Coal Company
inaugurated the original and useful system of
visiting their cOlliery accompanied by number
Of invited guests. Among those present we
recognized many Of the moneyed men of our city,
men who were eminently qualified to judge of the
nature of such an enterprise as the Consumers
Company, and who were capable of discerning
the bogus from the true. The great advantages
OF such an excursion must be palpable to oil. BY
personal visit the stockholders are enabled to
inspect their lands, those contemplating the pur-
chase of stock to buy understandingly, and the
general people kept posted as to the true nature
of the undertaking.
BY personal inspection by disinterested and
honest men the real worth of every such enter
prise could be made known. To those who are
bona fde companies the plan Will appear adYan-
tageous, and be adopted 20 the bogus the system
will be held in dread, and no such corporation
will risk the careful scrutiny of the puOic eye.
Ats in the morning we left the Reading depot,
and proceeded on our route towards Schuylkill
county. The morning was rainy aud warm, and
BID Iaif - gtYe us most unprOpitous day for
such an excursion.
But when the lofty hills Of Berks and Schuyl-
Mi were reached the day had cleared, and tho
sun shone respondent on the rejuyenaJed earth
We entered the long tunnel so well known to
those familiar with the Reading road. The SKY
was cloudy and rain falling. When we emerged
fiom the subterranean cavern VIC seemed 10 have
entered a new world. Tho flood OF sunshine
dazzled the eyes 80 lately kept in darknessj the
sky was clear; and paradise succeeded the
murky atmosphere from which we had just
A little higher, and we came where no rain had
fallen. The earth was almost puched, and the
blessing Of o most perfect day was youchsAted to
the tourist. SO often, 10 speak in a mOrlzing
strain, are those fears we anticipate changed into
blessings and the dark way apparently prepared
by faie found only to be the tunnel winch leads
10 q blissful world.
Il is unnecessary for US to dwell upon the incl
dents Of the upward trip--the bleak hills, the dow
ing Schuykll, the binding coal dust, are al well
known to our readers.
The only difference existing between this ex-
euTsiOn and the ordinary mode of travelling
must be found within the train and not with tho
external scenery. The preparations for the eNpe-
dition were under the control Of Mr.. W. Savery
Tor, who has our thanks for the courteous man
ner In which be fulfilled the OnerOu5 duties OF
his station. Mr.. TorT is well known 10 all our
citizens for the urbane and gentlcmanly manner
in which he conducts such enterprises rs the
present, end it is useless 10 mention that the
whole affair was great success. His name was
guarantee for such a cOnsummauOn.
To Mr.. James Lynd, President OF Select Council,
and also OF this company, too much credit cannot
be assigned for the dignihed manner in which he
filed the post of head OF the excursion Mayor
Berry was also renowned among the tourists tor
his polite attention 70 their wants.
EMr. +. M jones, one Of the most active officers
OI the Consumers Mutual Coal Company, was
Alss noted II his energy and successful apility in
conducting the excursion TO It's successful JeFmi-
nation.
After five hours pleasantly spent on tho road
we reached the mine which is the property Of The
company. IL is located about one hundred miles
from the city, and is one OF the nearest situated
of all the coal regions.
just before arriving at the mine we passed 0
large hill, in fact small mountain Of powdered
coal siOut gentleman seated near us, upon
seeing this, exclaimed, IN a tone OF indignation
show we are deceived IS think thaE those
men in town make us pay such rate OF increase
because there is scarcity Of c3u!' This new
theory Of the advance Of prices was loudly echOed
by several superannuated ladies who were Withia
AZ last we reached the mines and were initiated
into the mysteries Of mining coal, and preparing
IL for market.
The first thing that our eyes fell upon was
copy of The TELEGRAPH. Upon questioning
we were informed that IL was about the only
paper taken in that part OF the country. we iell
rs If we had met an old friend.
The mine is an old established one, and con
sists OF TWO shafts, leading ia different directions
The manner In which these shafts are laid Il
simple. A place for commencing being selected
several large drills are commenced, at which
powder Is inserted and a blast ensues, causing
the hole 70 become deeper. This Is continued c
the depth Of several hundred feet at an angle O
about eighty degrees, or nearly perpendlcular
But the shortest way Of explaining the system Il
TO give our experience down IN the bowels OF the
earth.
A small car capable Of holding six persons, Is
placed upon the track, with three powerful chains
attached, which arc gradually payed out by means
Of powerful engine. On irst entering the car
we lay fiat upon the bottom of il; but when we
commenced the descent, without changing OuI
position, we found ourselves standing erect, the
whole position of the cars being changed; Slowly
we commence 10 disappear-tRe crowd above
Kindly offering TO take OF our wills and give
last messages TO our relatives.
Gradually the little lights which were attached
70 the caps of the miners in the upper world fade
away the opening by which we descended nov
sppears no larger than q mans hand, now dis
ifpsafe altogether. We are in the lower world
hlsSus hlheSus seems very near the rocks sweat great
yons arops the air is filed with moisture and
aicn,a,anS9elh mouth with coal. Suddenly our perpen-
~, svs, 9eiSent was stopped little OIL lamps shone
shaft. 'S '0aSAeo Ihe DoIg0m Oi 'he
=. nsIe 1u eoinmenees level road of nearly a mile
ln ength--a mile Of road al several bpn3red Sset
beneath the earth. train ~ sa,,ias saa ~ oS'
dragging some cars loaded win enat a i StLfosi
empted, and We MI the cara eisanst sno 0yla l. =
nicely Of all their dust Half an koar h, ,m ,nSl, ~
10 the mines. Here the work Is active With ~,
and shovel and blast, the dark diamond n ~
fracied from the bed where, ages ago, amid AZ,
conYulsi0n Of q terrified nature, Il was deposited
HeEe where we stand, In the dark dampness