Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-05-29


the old rooms all timbered with fresh
props, thus making it safe for the
miners engaged drawing the pillars
and taking out large percentage of
coal. This slope has of late been
sunk 1000 feet deeper, making its
total depth $500 feet. This 1900
feet is divided into three lifts. This
work is being opened out on the most
approved plan known to the science
of mining, namely, the double head
ing system. These headings are be-
ing rapidly driven ahead; three shifts
of miners are employed in them,
which causes some smoke to lay that
cannot be easily avoided. But there
being no such word as fail in the ven
tilation of mines in the creed of the
gentleman at the wheel Of this COM
pany's affairs, this will all come right
in due time. I found some portions
of the headings wanting timber to
make them safe and l always consider
ed trap-doors without trappers a fail
ure. The miners get all the timber
they want at these mines, and all the
provisions of the law are carried out.
MAY 24.-Inspected the Blaen
Avon mine belonging to the Blaen
Avon coal company. This mine is
more extensive than | had supposed {.
Found the ventilation good, and min
ers supplied with timber; heading
roads all safe. The condition of this
mine is generally frst-rate. One
feature is presented here not before
met in this region, viz: Taking out
the bottom coal of both rooms and pill
lars. Inspected weigh scales; found
that the weight taken for the empty
car was too much, and arranged with
mining boss to take l 300 lbs. per car,
which l think is just. Also, found
the scales binding on one corner by
the rail which connects the tramroad
with scales. Mining boss promised
to have it repaired during the after
noon of same day.
MAY 25.-Visited Midlothian mine
of the New Central coal company.
Found grades in this mine extraordl-
narily heavy, sand and car-shoes hav-
ing to be used to bring down the
loaded trains. On account of these
heavy grades the timber is thrown
down an air-shaft at the face of one
of the headings and distributed from
that point to the miners. In the in
side rooms of one of the headings l
found timber scarce. Let me here
explain the cause The vein varies
mole in height here than in any mine
have traversed during my travels,
the variation being from eight to ten
feet. The timber, brought from the
aforementioned air-shaft, is piled up
at the mouth of this heading; the
drivers are then required to throw it
in the cars and take it to the miners,
not knowing the height Of the
vein at the particular destinations of
the timber. They sometimes take an
eight foot prop into place requiring
ten, which is of no use to the miner
working there. To remedy this in
convenience the boss miner asks the
miners to select the timber Of the re-
quired length for the respective places
from the pile, marking them with
number of the check, and he pledges
himself to see them delivered where
they belong. This think entirely
reasonable under the circumstances
of the case. Found the ventilation
of this mine good heading reads all
safe, and the mine generally in excel
lent order. Inspected the scales and
found them taking little too much
weight for the empty car adjusted
them and left believing the plovis-
ions Of the law are complied with.
MAY 26.-Inspected the Ocean
mine of the Consolidation coal COM
pany. Penetrated this mine to its
farthest extremity and found it had
tapped the old Hoffman mike dip
heading, which was abandoned some
years ago on account Of water. The
water being drained off, the coal then
abandoned is now being worked out.
The vein is worked up to the slate,
thus taking the whole of the breast
coal. and I was surprised to find the
degree of safety which has been at
tanned by the present mode of mining
this coal. The miners here reem to
be thoroughly posted in regard to
this method of mining the big vein.