The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-19
Fires that Cannot be Quenohed.


Keeley Tun colliery for several weeks,
il is feared, will add another to the
perpetually burning mines that now
exist in the Pennsylvania anthracite
regions. The greatest Of these is
probably that in the jugular vein,
near Coal Castle, this county. This
has been burning since 1885. Lewis
F. Dougherty opened this vein in
1888. The upper drift of the mine
was above water level, and huge
fire was kept in a grate at the mouth
of the mine in winter to keep the wa
ter from freezing in the cutters. One
night in the above year the timbers
of the drift caught fire from the crate.
When it was discovered the fire had
been curried down the air hole to the
lower drifts, and was beyond control.
Two miners entered the mine, hoped
to recover their tools. They never
came out. The mine was abandoned.
No efforts was made to mine any Of
the coal near the burning vein,
although it was considered the best
coal i'll the region, until 1856. Then
John McGinnis put in slope OIL the
east side of it, below water level.
lie struck the vein at place where
the coal was so thick that two miners
could keep large breaker supplied.
When 400 yards of gangway had been
cxcavated the heat from the burning
Dougherty mine began TO bother the
miners. McGinnis attempted TO open
an air hole. Tue heat became SO
great that the men were paid double
wages to induce them to work. They
worked entirely naked, and were re-
lieved every ten minutes. Finally
the heat became so Intense that work
was abandoned. The mine was flood.
ed. After being pumped out, men
could again work for a few day ys.
The mine was flooded nine tin cs.
McGinnis finally failed, and the mine
was then abandoned. The FIRE has
been raging in the vein ever since.
An area Of half mile in every Gi-
rcction has been burned. Move. eta
tion grows on the surface. In places
the ground has caved in, olr,:ng
chasms hundred feet deep. There
is but thin shell OF earth over tie pit
of fire. Al night bI;ie, sulrhurcas
flames issue from the crcvices in the
ground. 1t is dangerous TO walk
across the spot. Several persons
have mysleriousiy disappeared in the
vicinity during the past twenty years.
II is believed that in majority Of the
cases they have fallen into tie burn
ing mine. Dougherty, the origlnal
proprietor of the mine, attempted TO
20 across once. He sank TO his
armpits through the crust, and was
only saved by courageous friends who
ventured to his assistance. The
stones on the ground are hot and snow
never rests there. Rain turns to va
por as fast ns it falls on the roof of
the burning mine. Millions of
dollars worth Of the best quality OF
coal have been consumed by the fire.
The Summit Hill mine, near Mauch
Chunk, has been burning for twenty
five years. 1t is believed that this
mine was set on fire by dscoatentcd
miners. Thousands Of dollars have
been expended in fruitless efforts to
entinguish the flames.
The Butler mine, near Pittston,
has been burning three years. 1t was
set on fire by par y Of tramps, who
built fire in the mine in 1877. The
fire is in the upper drifts. 1t is con-
fined to an area of forty acres by an
immense ditch forty feet wide, which
was excavated between the burning
drift and connecting ones. The dig
ging Of the canal cost $4,000. But
for that obstacle the fire would have
communicated to some OF the most
extensive mines in the Lackawana
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