Connecticut western news., 1871-08-18
DAVIS ORE BED.

A branch of the Conn. Western railroad, is to be extended into the Davis ore bed, a distance of about one fourth of mile
 The grade is such that train of loaded cars will run of their own accord from the mine to the main railroad track, and it is supposed that horse can draw back the empty cars. A similar arrangement has for several years been in opperation at one of the coal mines in Pennsylvania. A plat form is attached to the rear end of the rear car, on which the horse rides down from the mine, and the animal seems to enjoy this boy like sport of riding down hill and drawing back the vehicle, and often vol untarily takes his place on the platform. The annual yield of this bed now reaches from 2,0oO, to l5,OOO tons of ore.
 It is said that the mine was discovered by James Holmes, Welch minor Judge Church in his Centennial address says that Thomas Lamb built forge in Lime Rock, as early as 1734, and supplied it with ore from this bed, ao1s6ch aoas oaoned 6y ASna. AS Lamb was the first New England man who settled in the town, having emigrated from Springfield, Massachusetts, and re- ceiyed several grants of land before the sale of the town, and built his forge only fourteen years after the first white inhab- liant came here, it is reasonable to suppose that he was the owner of the land when this Davis bed was discovered. It was subsequently purchased by Philip Hen drick, and the bed was for some years known as ''Hendricks ore bed" Hendrick was Dutchman, who came to this town from Red Hook, ill New York state He died very soon after purchasing the ore bed property, and it was divided equally among his five children. Subdivisions have since beer made, till the shares now amount to 1900, of which, the decen- dants of Saml Forbes, who early became Q proprietor of the mine, now own over 400. Jacobus Davis subsequently, purchased the farm containing the mine, and portion of the mining interest, hence the name "Davis ore bed" The present proprietors of the mine, about 30 in number, have formed themselves into a joint stock company, under the name of the ''Forbes ore bed Co.,, and now employ about 60 men, and over 80 horses, in excavating and bring ing the ore and de6ris to the surface.
 The mine is now about 75 feet deep from the original surface, and is entered by cir cuitous roads upon the plan of the inclined plain. A 30 horse power engine is en- ployed in draining the mine, and propelling the machinery for washing the finer DOT tions of the ore. The entire business of the mine is now conducted in very me- thodical and systematic manner. It has been suggested that this branch of the rail- road may finally be extended, till it reaches the ore in it's natural position, and the steam shovel, or excavator, may be employed, not only in this, but other mines. We are told that an effort to use these implements in an iron mine, is soon to be made in Duchess county, N. Y. which, if success full, must materially facilitate the opper- ation of mining. Tunneling or under ground mining has never been resorted to in this vicinity. Open mining requires the removal of such immense quantities of earth, that it would seem that the steam excavator is especially adapted to, this method of mining, and if successful it must result in saving vast amount of both manual and animal labor. wish to cor rect the statement in the article in the NEWS of recent date, of the charter of the town being given in 'l772." It should have read TAI. D.