Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-02

him off by suggesting that I thought
| had seen him about Castle Garden
or in the rouges' gallery, but he de-
MED ever being in either of those
places. The interview was brought
to a close by the sound of the dinner
bell. After seating myself at the
table | understood the waiter to ask
me if l would have a plato of turtle
soup, I quickly answered in the affirm
alive, it being favorite dish of mine
after adding the usual seasoning, l
commenced to swallow my turtle
soup but the first spoonful convinced
me it was not what | had been used
to relish as that nourishing food ; it
appeared TO be manufactured from a
compound of toadstools and tomatoes,
pushing it to one side, glanced along
the table and was forcibly reminded
of the experience Of Bayard Taylor, the
traveller, who was once stopping at
rancho where Denver city now stands /;
at the supper table the bill of fare
was pork and mustard. The great
traveller being helped to some pork
replied that he never used it, was
good humoredly told by the landlord
to help himself to the mustard.
In the meantime my address on
the hotel register had been closely
examined by Captain Clark, an officer
cf the law and general detective Ct
the Clearfeld coal operators, and I
was informed by friend that I was
regarded as a suspicious character in
the eyes of mine host and the Captain
and would have TO be looked closely
after. Not wishing to disturb the
Israelite proprietor of the Arlington
IN his restless slumbers about his sill.
verware I concluded to seek for other
quarters, SO paying my turtle soup
bill, l demanded my dunnage and
went forth in search of another rest
ing place of abode. I soon found
myself quartercd at the Centennial
Hotel, William Parker proprietor, an
Englishman that knows exactly how
to run a hotel. l was not long in
discovering that I was mingling with
a higher degree of civilization at this
hotel-good eating, well aired sleeping
rooms and frst-class bedding are the
trump cards here with moderate
charges. l can strongly recommend
this house to any of my friends visit
ing Houtzdale. Mr.. Parker is an old
and Intelligent miner and you can
soon learn all about the Clearfeld
region from him as he has been there
for twelve years past.
l now set about busineas-purchas-
ing pair of overalls from one of the
cent-per-cent stores, the cost Of which
was one dollar, being forty cents
more than Georges Creek prices.
called upon Mr.. Findlay, the gu
perintendent of the Kittaning coal
company, and informed him who I
was, and asked the liberty Of visiting
the inside Ct the Franklin mine.
There is an engine running into this
mine. He replied to me in kind
and courteous manner that l could
ride in upon the engine if I thought
proper, and gave his mine boss orders
to take me wherever l wanted to go.
Taking a position upon the engine,
which moved eff with thirty-two cars
before it, | was soon rushing along the
main heading road for distance { one
mile; the mules bring out the coal to
this point. went some few hundred
feet further where / could see the
height of the vein and the rock roof
above it, and also the fire clay bot
tom. In returning the next trip out
with the engine, the engineer stopped
and showed me a large ventilating
furnace used for clearing out the
smoke. I found fine current of air
as far as / penetrated the mine.
Mr.. Findlay expressed a strong
desi;e to visit our region at an early day;
| hope he will and give me chance
TO return the courteses I received at
his hand I left with the impression
that he was gentleman and no
doubt scholar. The capacity of the
mine is eight hundred tons per day.
In next weeks issue of the Jour-
NAL l will give you my observations
regarding Houtzdale-its mixed pop
ulation, truck stores, and its future