, 1876-12-02
SEATTLE COAL MINES.
AfROSS TWO LAKES TO THE
SOUND.
sshrTls's GREATEST HOME INDUSTRY.

Accepting the courtesy of Seattle
superintendent W. H. Taylor, in the
extension to us, of pass to the Seat
tie mines; bright and early, we took
the train and were soon jogging to-
wards Lake Union. A ride of about
three quarters of mile brought us
to the lake where cars and locomo-
tive, were run aboard of the steamer
Lena Grey, and We were soon forg-
ing towards the other end of the
lake, to the portage, which connects
by bands of iron, the lakes Union
and Washington. Arriving at the
portage ride of about ono hundred
rods brought us. through a dense
forest, to
LAKE WASHINGTON.
Here, again, the ears were run
aboard large scow, and the steam
er Addie, belonging to the company
soon had us in tow, land we were
out on the broad, fresh waters OF
Washington. The scenery of this
lake is grand indeed. To the south
east, like a monster Of chastity, rears
proud Rainier, his snow-capped head.
To the east. the Cascades stretch
along, as if they were the monarch
retinue; while to the westward the
rugged heads of the Olympic range
stood as if in review before the hosts
that stood in the East. While feast
ing our eyes upon this grand scene
ry, a ride of about twelve miles
brought US to
BENsONvILE,
The terminus of the railroad that
leads up to the mines. Here ascend
ing a steep incline, by an endless
chain, we were soon aboard another
locomotive and speeding toward
Newcastle, the mining town in which
the mines are situated. Newcastle
comprises about two hundred and
twenty-five houses and cabins, to-
gether with several stores and q
church. Its general aspect, and the
country in its immediate vicinity. re-
minded US strongly of the Oil Re
gions of Pennsylvania. Its growth
may be estimated from the fact that
one hundred and fifteen cabins have
been erected within its precincts
during the past year.
THE MINERS.
OF all the mirth-loying people We
have ever met, we have never seen q
set so rollicking, and yet, apparent
ly so free from vindictiveness, and
malice. When their daily shift" is
over, they come from the bowels OF
the earth grimy, but full of mirth.
| Joking in a good natured way at one
another's expense, scutiiing, but
careful not to harm, and in theil
dealings have common law that is
more rigidly enforced than the mu-
nicipal law of the land. Many now
are settled in the place with theil
families, which is the best of evi-
deuce as to their becoming perma-
nent and useful citizens.
THE DISCOVERY OF COAL
In this vicinity was first made in the
spring of 1868, at Coal Creek, two
miles south of the site upon which
Newcastle now stands, Wreckmas
ter Beatty claims the honor of the
discovery, and was only debarred
from taking the first coal claim, or
account of having just entered an
other claim in the Land Office al
Olympia. The first coal claim was
taken under the coal land act by
Mr.. P. Fl. Lewis in that year. The
first company was formed in 1864
and consisted of Messrs. Bagley
Lewis, Ross, Garfield, Settle and
Whitworth. This company had fol
basis the claims of Messrs. Lewis
Richardson and Ross.
THE FIRST sURN Y
| Was made under the direction o1
Mr.. Geo. F. Whitworth, when the
company proceeded to construct G
wagon road to the lake, and from
the place now called Fleaburgh te
the city. They built scow for the
purpose of transportation across the
lake, and the little steamer Phantom
was the first vessel used on Lake
| Washington. New leads were found
eighteen months after the organiza'
ton of the company, two miles to
the westward, to which q read was
Immediately cut, and which leads
now constitute the present Seattle
mines. This company also endeav-
ored to render Black river
NAvIGABLE STREAM,
but which proving unsatisfactory,
the company gave up the hope OF
ever making money out of the con-
cern and sold their franchise. The
second company which undertook
the working of these mines, built a
tramway of wood from the mines to
the lake, across the narrow strip OF
land that divides the lakes, and also
from Lake Union to their newly
made bunkers at the foot of Pike
street. They also built the steamer
Clara for towage on Lake Union,
and bought the Chehalis for Lake
Washington. The third company