The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-09-23
A Peep at the Slate Ouarries.

:, A fter two miles walk, few days ago, visited
the great slate region of Hartford county, Md
E. Williams & Go. There / saw them manufa &C,
turing the best roofing slate. This mine occupies
great many hands, but for some time past they
have been troubled very much with water, and
some of the hands were compelled to stop work
Now they are running full force;
me next place visited was that of John S.
Davis Co. They are not making any slate at
this time, but are taking out rubbish, working
day and night This firm has sold great many
slate this season, and have many more orders to
fill this fall. They expect soon to make slate.
=. Moving on farther, l came to Richard Rees &
Cos quarry. A. This firm is one of the largest on
that came out of their mine, measuring IA feet
long and two feet wide. They were being dressed
by a number of men for the borough of Red Lion
on the Peach Bottom Railroad, for pavement
Some OF them were also for the borough of Delta
Mr.. Rees stated that there is great demand for
slate, more than he ever knew since he has been
IN the business. His firm are also making first
class roofing slate.
The next quarry visited was the Hickory Hill
quarry, owned by John Parry & Co. This COM
pany employs a large number of hands, and at
present are running full force. They are manu-
featuring large quantities of roofing slate, as well
troughs &c, out of slate. They have more orders
for slate than they can fill at present. While
there Mr.. John w. Jones showed me block OF
slate about feet square. 1t was dressed or pol
ished In three different ways showing the man
ner and style that this slate could be worked :
He also showed me a centre piece, beautifully
carved out by hand. They have no machinery al
| these quarries for manufacturing such articles
| and Mr.. Jones says that great deal of money
could be made in manufacturing various articles
There is good chance for monied men in that
business as the demand for such things is getting
greater and greater every year. After looking al
the curiosities at Hickory Hill moved on a few
yards and had the pleasure of seeing John w.
Jones Cos quarry Mr.. Jones showed me a
hne assortment of roofing slate, and lot of slate
slabs made for paving purposes. billiard tables
mantel pieces, centre pieces, and a number OF
troughs, boxes, sinks &C., all of slate. Mr.. Jones
also has at his quarry box 81 feet long and
feet deep. made from the slabs just as they were
taken out of the mine. This quarry excels all
Others for getting out large stone. The company
employs large number of hands, uses the latest
improved machinery for making slate, and is fill
| ing large orders from the principal cities. Like
| the rest of the firms, they have great many or.
| ders, which they will not be able to fill until
nearly the middle of this winter, although they
| are making large number of slate every day
| also learned that Messrs. John A. Barnett & Co
are doing well at their new quarry.
These quarries are worked by the Welsh, who
| business of this place is young and hardly com.
| menced. All that is needed here is capital and
we hope that when the Baltimore and Delta Rail
| road is completed some monied men will find
| their way out to this great mining district. II
| they would judiciousy invest here In good min
| ing property, they would, | think, be instrumen.
tai In adding largely to their possessions in the
| course of time.
! On my way home visited Messrs Isaac Scarbor.
| ough Il Cos quarry. They were not working that
| day. They have done great deal of work al
their quarry. and from the appearance of 1t they
| are In good way for making slate. JERRY.