, 1877-09-29
The Tacoma Goi!iery AT SSill<e-


coal mines of the North Pacific Railroad
Company, located at the new town OF
Wilkeson near the head OF the Puyallup
valley.
For several months past very conflict
ing accounts had been received Of these
mines, particularly Ms to the extent and
location of the coal VEINS there to he
found.
Therefore we took Tuesday of last
week to visit the new town and examine
the mines.
Soon after our arrival we met Mr..
John D. DAILY, the racy correspondent OF
the MteIligeacer, who was spending u
couple Ut weeks in the valley, in tie in
teress If that able journal. We under
stand he met with eXcrllrrt success. His
articles certainly will please those who
read them by their many brilliant graccs.
We informed him of our intention of
gong through the mines, and personally
Sc ing how things boxed, and invited
him to accompany us. He preferred no
to make this rip, We were therefore CON
PEELED to lose his pleasant company, AMI
90 it without him.
Hunting up Mr.. B. Fallows, the Min
ing Engineer OF the company, who has
charge of the mines We stated our case,
when lie very pleasantly informed us that
he would be pleased to show all there
Was to be seen. This kept him ,usy for
several hours; after which he furnished
all desired iniurmptiOn about the work
done ETC., from which Information there
obtained this article is written.
Mr. Fallows is man above medium
height, OF very gentlemanIy address, ana
rather less than middle age. Tie is an
English miner, from Manahcstcr Since
leaving England has mined about nine
years in western Pennsylvania, in the
vicinity OF Pittshurg.
Work began at Wilkeson about four
months ago. All that has been done
there, has been done under charge oi MIR.
FallOws. Tho vein where the main
gaugway is located was discovered nj the
level OF Flett or Gales creek, where the
coal had been washed bare ly the creek.
Systematic work began IN the gangway
the twenty-sevenih Of last June. All
work done in opening the mine has been
done since that date.
This vein is called in honor OF Gen.
Sprague, the General vein.
The hill in which the coal is found is
about 400 icet in height above Flett's
creek. The General vein runs nearly
north and south, and dips about sixty
degrees west, To give sufficient height
for bunkers etc, the main gangwhy enters
the north flce OF the hill about thirty.tiv
feet above the bed of the creek. The
tunnel is called u horizontal tunnel in
clining towards its mouth, five inches to
the 100 feet, which is sufficient to drain
the vein.
This tunnel or gangway is in about
400 feet. In running the tunnel fault
throwing off the vein As feet To tbs west
was met. This was where the vein was re.
ported lost by Sound Journals 2l5 feet
from the mouth Of the gangway, alter
some little search, an,l some trials male,
the coil was regained By u reverse curve
to the right of 80 feet in length. The
thickness of the General vein varies. 1t
will average ten feet. A tunnel for an
air passage is being run about 81 feet
perpendicularly above the roof OF the
gangway. This elevation may ultimately
be reduced some ten feet. At present no
breasts or working rooms are established
along the gangway, nor is any connection
vet made for ventilation
with the air passage, This passage is in