Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-06-12
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
ON TIE WING.
JUNE l, 1880.

Inspected the Phoenix mine belong
ing to the Maryland Union coal COM
pany. Was astonished to find this
mine 80 extensive and in such good
condition, as it has been understood
by the public at large that, owing to
it standing idle for some time,
that the coal was all mined out. But
such is not the case. There is very
large amount of coal to be mined and
shipped from this mine yet. I had
thought had seen everything about
the mines of our coal field, but judge
of my surprise in finding in this mine
something l had never seen before in
all my experience in mining, namely,
the big-vein twelve feet high and be-
ing all mined out from the bottom
rock to the top slate ! The miners
use oil barrels to stand upon to enable
them to put the caps upon tho props.
From all 1 saw in this mine there is no
doubt $4,000 tons to the acre being
mined out of this property. found
five long headings-all of them well
ventilated, with little or no timber in
them, the roof sounding hard as a
bell. Miners supplied with all the
timber they require. The impression
prevailing in this county in regard to
this mine being worked out is erron-
eous. With the area of big vein in
this mine and the height of the same,
it will be a long time yet until the
Phoenix mine is put upon the retired
list. This mine is in frst-rate trim;
beading-roads all safe; drainage good
and all the requirements of the law
obeyed.
JUNE 2.-Inspected the Pekin mine
belonging to the Atlantic and Georges
Creek coal company. This mine is
connected with the 9. & P. R. with
an incline plane and tram-road one
half mile in length and operated by
steam power. Inspected every place
in this mine; found the headings 5000
feet long and all in good condition.
The ventilation of this mine is very
good, takingSipto consideration the
amount Of wsatsl workings that are
to be found here. The coal is being
taken out of this mine remarkably
clean, and I am satisfied that the Pc
kin mine is good for four or five years
to come, although my impression, be-
fore I visited it, was that it was about
exhausted. Since leavingit l have a
very different opinion. The timber
section o. the law is fully complied
with; found also the weigh scales cor
rect, and heard not one word of COM
plaint from any of the employees.
l think this mine is run upon busi-
ness principles, with large amount
of common sense combined in its
management.
Inspected the Swanton mine, be-
longing to Messrs. S. S. Lee & Son, of
Baltimore. Found | had to pass
through the heading of an old mine
nearly II miles long and extending
entirely through the hill to ravine
on the opposite side, connecting there
with a tramrcad 1000 feet long up a
heavy grade, at the end Of which I
found the Potter mine belonging to
the same firm. This mine is nearly
worked out, the miners being employ
ed drawing pillars and stumps. The
ventilation is good, and the timber
section of the law fully complied with.
In returning through the old mine
above referred to discovered there
was only one pillar on each side of
the heading, the balance Of the pillars
all having been taken out. Had
some conversation with the gentle
man in charge about how he intend
ed to ventilate this old mino in draw
ing back these pillars. Instead Of re-
ceiving the worn out statement-"it
can't be done found his ideas prac.
tical, and I have no doubt the work
can be done with satisfaction both to
himself and the miners. Inspected
the new opening under this manage
ment on a tract Of land containing
about fifteen acres Of the Big Vein.
The timbering is done in workman
like manner; the drainage good and
track in excellent order. Found
them pushing forward an air-course,
at the end of which an air-shaft will
be sunk, and if a furnace is located
there the ventilation of the mino will
be fully under control of the manage
ment. Inspected the scales; found