Towanda daily review. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1879-1921, 1881-05-28

be two million tons of coal in the terrific
ry which had till lately been considered by
most coal men, barren, but Superintendent
BLIGHT and Mining Superintendent WooD-
WARD, were firm in the belief that the main
vein extended in that direction, and evidenc-
ed their faith by works, and proper test
abundantly proved the correctness of their
theory. An experienced coal man, not inter-
ested in these mines, said the new discovery
enhanced the value of the property 80 per
cent.
About 3 O'Clock dinner was announced, and
such dinner one seldom sits down to-unless
he has the good fortune to often visit Mrs.
LATHROP. The menu embraced all the della
cacies of the season, including brook trout,
green peas, Strawberries, etc., and more than
a full hour was devoted to discussion of the
bountifully spread table.
The dinner was enlivened by short i'm
promptu speeches by President CLAGHoRN
and his venerable, but hale, hearty and iovial
father, w. M. MALLORY and G. NJ. SANDER
son. The latter gentleman in, few words
recounted his experience and trials for five
years, while developing and operating the
ENTHUSIASTICALLY remarking that his firm
sunk S15O,000 in the experime mt; but he as
sured the Presidenl that the f1ourishing con-
dition in which he found the works now was
as gratifying to him as it could be to any
one. He made one statement which was a
surprise to some of the party, namely. that
experts at first pronounced the coal bitumin-
Gus, and his machinery was all put up with
the idea that but little preparation was re-
quired; experience proved it to be superior
anthracite.
the dinner over, the host invited the COM
pany to assemble on the lawn in front of Mr..
LATHROP's heuse while artist WOOD photo
graphed the group.
AT o'clock we boarded the train for home,
where all arrived in the best of spirits after
day of unalloyed pleasure, at 7 p. m.
Bernce is one of the quietest mining towns
i'll the country; as rule the men are sober
and Industrious; there is neither tavern nor
grog shop on the premises, and what is more,
Mr.. BLIGHT will not permit intoxicating
liquors to be sold there. He is just now great
ly incensed because the Court has granted
license for saloon adjacent to the Compa-
ny'e domains, against the protest of himself
and most of the reputable residents of Ber-
nice.
The Improvements in addition to the mine
and braker consist of good depot, large
and substantial store, an elegant residence
situated in the centre of a three acre lot, oc-
cupied by Mr.. LATHROP, the merchant,
good dwelling for the Mining Supt., new
Odd Fellows Hall, which is also used for
religious and other public meetings, and about
one hundred miners houses. The village
contains 400 or 500 souls, and the inhabitants
appear happy, healthy and prosperous.
Miners make from S12 to $16 per week, and
have never exhibited any disposition to
"strike."
The present owners of the property not
only purchased it at a low figure, but have
the benefit of the experience of their prede-
cessors, and without doubt will find their in
Yestnent very profitable one-''a consuma-
tion devoutly wished for" by all in this Sec
tion. The President and directors are COM
posed of wealthy, enterprlsing, honorable,
Philadelphia gentlemen. several of whom
have long been identified with the coal inter-
ests of this county. President CLAGHORN
is not only master of the situation from
business stand point, but is a whole-souled
gentleman, who realizes and appreciates the
difficulty and struggle encountered by the
pioneers in the enterprise. 1t was with
view to personally expressing his sympathy
for them that the excursion was projected,
and the absence of some of them was the
more regretted on that account. He has also
established the pleasentest reciprocal rela-
tions between his own and competing cor
porations.