The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-02-19
RANDOM THOUGHTS.
BY THE EDITOR.

went to Wellston last Thursday. got off
the train at Milton Furnace. The day was mild
but the mud was deep and disagreeable. 1
round the furnace stack up, and the inwan
nearly COMPLETED. The boilers were hung to
the timbers supporting them but they were not
1nclosed with brick. The engine, blowing CYL
1nders, hot blast, and all the heavy castings
were on the ground. The frame building for
the hosting apparatus is up and covered went
up The stairs inside of it. 1 would go up to a
landing, then turn right about to the left and
up another flight, &C., until got level with the
top OF the Furnace stack, which stood a short
distance from the building was in. The Fur
mace is so feet high. From that elevation had
a fine view of Wellston. Milton Furnace is lust
south of the east and west county road where it
crosses the railroad, and on the east side OF the
railroad. The plat of Wellston commences i'm
medfately north of this cross road and there is
only wide street between Milton Furnace and
Wellston.
John F. Hall, superintendent of the coal shaft
asked me1f would like to go down into the
mine. OF course would, and he gave me an
oil-cloth overcoat, took my plug hat and gave
me soft low crowned hat. We stepped upon a
platform directly over the shaft. From the top
OF this platform wire rope as thick as mans
wrist went away up, and over a pulley then
down to a large drum, around which the rope
was wound A bell was rung the engineer
PuiAeu IeNer' the engine moved, the drum
began to turn and unwind the rope and the
platform slowly descended. Mr.. Hall had a
little tin lamp in his hand. He closely exam
1ned the sides of the shaft as we went down.
and discovering nail out of place in one of the
strips which guided the platform, he called
loudly to man above to see that il was re-
paired at once. AT a depth of rs feet the plat
form touched the bottom of the shaft and we
stepped on Into an entry, directly west and
won't to the end of it The hOf
wet in places, but as had on very stout heavy
boots, got along comfortably, only had to
walk stopped, as the roof was only about AZ to
feet high, and after time this manner of
walking became tiresome. The roof was slightly
aFcneo' and was very solid slate. The entry
was about feet wide and the great celebrated
Milton coal vein was on the right and on the
left. 1t was beautiful sight. 1t did not appear
10 vary an inch from four feet in thickness at
any place, and was as regular and level as a
parior moor. AT the end of the entry we turned
to the left, and reached another entry. Along
this entry rooms were turned, as it is called
that is, the miners bear in from the main entrv
and take out the coal. About ten men were at
ls work No coal is being stocked yet for the Fur
mace, but all that is taken out is sold found
several men with whom 1 was acquainted.
1here was Barney Geraty, an old subscriber to
the STANDARD. He subscribed for the STAN
= DARD for his brother in Kans There was
Sllas brook1nS, another old subscriber. who
Learned the printers trade in the STANDARD
-office when boy, some seven or eight years
ago. There was Thomas McKeever, whom 1
knew at Portland when boy, twenty years
ago. He also subscribed for the STANDARD
Ihe miners showed me how they got out the
coal. They dug out with a pick a small quantity
OF the coal on the top, next the slate. They
would bear in three or four feet, some distance
making space that mans arm could Just be
thrust IN. Then about two-thirds down from
the top they wouId drill hole into the coal
ABOUT lS inches deep. This hole was not straight
into the coal, but in angle of about As degrees
with the face of the coal in the direction of the
entry. cartridge containing about a pound
OF powder is showed to the end of the hole, and
lgnited by means of a fuse. Gene rally about a
hundred bushels of coal is loosened by blast.
al blast recently made was a squar lump of
coal weighing perhaps ton, which had been
HoFed out some two feet into the entry by the
force OF the blast These rooms were full of the
smoke of the powder, but IL was being drawn
out by regulating doors in the different entries
and cross entries. Mr.. Hall showed me how
by opening or shutting these doors he could
keep up proper circulation of the air through
out the mine. Where there was no smoke. the
air was pure, and the temperature delightful
being about 60 degrees. The coal is ralzed and
assorted, put into small cars, showed to the
shaft, and on the platform, which is raised by
the wire rope and the revolving drum, not only
to the top of the shaft, but to the pulley high
above, then run out over the railroad track and
poured into a.railroad ready for transporta-
ton.
Coming up took off my borrowed hat and
coat, and went home with H. F. (Franlx) Austin
for .dinner. His father-in-law and mother-in-
law' Mr.. and Mrs. James Phillips, board with