Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-05-22

profit by the visit. The cross-head-
ings above referred to are driven rap
idly to their destination. The inside
rooms being driven up first then COM
mences the drawing of pillars while
the timber is yet in fresh condition.
The pillar is orosscut at the top,
drawn down until the props indicate
pressure from above the miners then
undermine the props and draw them,
thus letting down the top coal which is
loaded up. The rails and cross-ties,
along with the props, are saved for
use in other portions Of the mine.
The miners then proceed down the
pillar some thirty feet, turning a road
and driving up through the centre,
taking as much coal as possible from
the stumps on each side; they follow
this rule until they reach near the
heading, the strata above giving way as
they take out these pillars. | was as
tonished to find how near these pillars
were drawn to the heading without
any visible crush upon the ribs, which
stand as solid as when the miners cut
them. Each pillar is drawn down
fifty feet ahead of the other, and when
the inside pillars are being drawn the
outside rooms are driven up, thus Sc
curing always a safe retreat for the
miners. If there is, moreover, any
more coal mined out of I'm acre of big
vein than at this mine / am not aware
of the place it is done. found the
headings as safe as it is within human
power to make them. The tracks are
in frst-cless order. One thing in this
mine struck me most forcibly-that I
didn't hear any of the Latin forbidden
in the Lords Prayer, which we fire.
quently hear from drivers in other
mines about the switches. The drain
age is perfect, and out of l57 men I
heard not murmur of complaint, but
all seemed to be contented and cheer
full. This mine commenced shipping
coal April 10Th. 1872; has mined and
shipped up to May 18th, 1880, 972,-
943.07 tons; casualties, one life lost
and one foot. The strictest attention
is paid here to the miners tim boring
of their places, the miners turn being
stopped if he hasn't his place well Sc
cured. The boss-miner visits each
working. place in the mine once in sv-
cry forty-sight hours, and it is one of
his strongest ambitions to mine mil
lion tons from this mine without an
other casualty. But who can beat
his record already made? found
all the provisions Of the law carried
out at this mine.
MAY 19.-Visitsd the Dug Hill
mine of the same company to-day.
This may be considered really as two
mines. A locomotive is used in one
Of them, upon which I rode in and
found strong current Of air and e1-
experienced no inconvenience from
the smoke, there being a ventilating
furnace here drawing off the smoke.
A number Of trsp-doors are placed at
different points to regulate the cur
rents according to the temperature Of
the atmosphere outside, which at all
times gives tho furnace the benefit of
the natural draft. This mine is 30
arranged that I found It impossible
for any of the smoke to reach the
working places of the miners. In
fact, one can go in one mine and out
the other without knowing that To-
comotive is used here. I found the
ventilation good wherever the miners
are working. Heading roads all
properly occurred and tracks in good
condition. The gentleman in charge
of this mine is very rigid with regard
to measures for the security Of life
and limb.
The other portion OF this mine is
operated by horsepower, and also has
furnace for drawing off black damp
and other impurities. I found the
ventilation good. Great care is taken
to secure the heading roads to make
them safe. Found trap-doors wher-
ever necessary; all openings bratticed,
and every precaution used to keep
black damp from annoying the min
ers while drawing pillars. Whenev-
err black damp prevails beyond the
power to ventilate properly as some
times happens, the men are provided
with work at other places. / left
here with the impression that the
workings Of these two mines are un-
der the eye of practical man. The
provisions of the law are also fully
carried out at these mines.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, | compli-
mented the mineis OF the Kingsland
mine in my last report to the Jour-
NAL as being practical men, fact es-
ldent from their manner of timbsring
their rooms. find this remark will
hold good with the miners generally
of Georges Creek. I am again under
obligations for courtesies extended to
me. Very Respectfully,
THOMAS Brown.
Inspector OF Mines.