Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-07-30
Che freeman.
The Keystone State and Famous "WyO.
ming Valley"
BY REV. o. W. SCOTT.


of remarkable physical features, famous
in history, and rich in vegetable and min
eral deposits.
One of the most interesting sections of
Pennsylvania is the celebrated "Wyoming
Valley, situated along the Susquehanna
River and in Luzerne county. The wealth
Of this valley is well nigh immeasurable.
Millionaires abound on every side. Land
is worth from $500 to $1,000 per acre,
owing to the rich layers of coal found
beneath the surface, of which thousands
of tons are mined and sent to market
daily. In many places over $4,000 of
coal is excavated from beneath an acre of
land, but to "mine it," i. e..to build the
shaft" and erect 1.-The breaker" and lay
extra track, and purchase and place ma
chinery, is so expensive, often costing
from 100000 to 100000, that the first
cost of the land is comparatively small
(though large really.
The land itself is very fertile, and much
can be sold for $1,000 per acre, and coal
interest reserved. The staples are wheat
potatoes, tobacco, (alas that we must add
this latter vegetable), and fruits, consist
ing Of peaches, pears, grapes, plums,
etc, etc.
The physical beauty of this section is Il
great attraction. Ascending Kingston
Mountain, and one of the most charming
views burst upon the vision that this land
can afford. The valleys of the Susque-
hanna and Lacawanna are in full view for
nearly thirty miles, the two forming Il
junction and flowing onward by the capi-
tal QIarrisburg), and emptying into the
Chesapeake Bay.
Along these valleys lie cities and villages
scattered in profuson, and from our out
look some fifty coal breakers are in view
Around the breakers are huge piles of
"cum," (the refuse of dust and small
coaD and these are formed in dumps at
least twenty-five feet in height, and so
many of them as to cover oftentimes sew
eral acres of land.
Beneath the valley are four layers OF
coal of varying thickness. lying from two
hundred to one thousand feet below the
surface. At the Baltimore breaker "
the visitor may descend one thousand six
hundred feet before reaching the bottom Of
the shaft. This is descending into the
bowels of the earth phatcally deeI
est mine OF the valley. Not far from the
Baltimore " are the plains" an as
cendiug railroad, up the mountain, opera
ted by stationary engines and an endless
chain.
Over " the plains one thousand five
hundred cars of coal often pass in day
This is portion of the Lehigh and Sus
quehanna railroad, and shows the Goa
transportation patronage which this one
road enjoys. Now add to this the extensive
transportation by two other heavy roads
and an estimate may be approximately
reached with reference to the mining in
terests Of Wyoming Valley and vicinity.
The income from some of these coal
lands is very large. One single proprietor
with whom | am acquainted receives
nearly $3.50 per year, and this he re
ceives, by conditions of the contract
ertry year, whether there be the contract
ed amount taken from the mine, or nont
at all. Not all, of course, receive sucl
incomes, but oltentimes the revenue il
very large, and the annual dividend
cmnently satisfactory to the stockholders
4 short distance west of us is the fa
nous Avondale mine where, in 1862 on'
hundred and eight miners lost their live
by the burning of the breaker and shaft
MY readers will recall the sad tragedy
The loss OF life resulted from this fact
that the mine had no second opening, o
shaft, or slope (Which the law now re
qlires), out of which the men coul,
escape. Thus caught, with no way O
cgress, they were suffocated.
II is marvellous what heroism thes
miners exhibit ut times. Though thei
acquaintances are killed by falling rock
or roof of the " breast" which they ar
working, or by the explosion of " fire
damp" there are others who step Instant
to the front to take their places. A
illustration of this statement was seen a
the Avondale disaster. When the flame
of the burning shaft had been only PARTIAL
subdued, such anxiety was felt to kno'
the fate of the men below, that volunteer
were called for to 60 to their aid. Hardl
had the call gone out before four mel
fully approaching the danger. stepped fo
ward, men of splendid form and physiqu
and prepared to descend the shaft E
stripping TO the waist, that nothing shoul
bind the chest, and so impede the in6f
ton of the lungs.
They had scarcely been lowered fift
feet before the whole party were draw
up, two dead, and the others unconscious
asphyxiated by the terrible gas with whio
the mine was filled, and which had bee
generated by the flames and the stoppin
oil the " fan -" that ventilated the min,
Instantly four more robust men steppe
to take their places, and as they WEI
lowered down the shaft came near sharin
the tragic fate of their companions. I'll
miners seem unacquainted with fear, ar
although badly injured by explosions {
Otherwise, seldom hesitate to take secor
or third risk. When we reflect upon Il
large number of serious and often fat
accidents weekly, if not daily, occurrir
in these mines, we can but appreciate al
recognize that our coal costs much
human suffering, if not in money.
The best of stove coal, monkey roll
chestnut. 4" as 1t is called, retails here
500 per ton, or $3.50 delivered. Qui
a difference between this and $500
$1,000 for the same at the Vermont al