Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-05-03
r,ro Reasonable Explanations.

Ttvo Reasonable Erpla ma tfOs.s.--
Mine Inspector Brown has visited the
Pocahontas (Va.) mines with the view
Of examining the cause of the recent
explosion. In letter to the Cumber-
land Nesos he says:
The injudicious use of the powder blasting
the coal without undermining caused a great
deal of fine coal, and am reliably informed
that the floor of this mine was covered to the
depth Of four or six inches Of fine coal thus
formed. AndI do not hesitate TO say that the
explosion was caused by the spontaneous
combustion Of this immense amount Of fine
coal, which was undoubtedly mixed with a
great deal Of powder wasted there by the care
less handling Of inexperienced men.
With equal emphasis the Shenar-
doah (Pa.) Mining Herald opines:
The fact that the Pocahontss workings were
above water level was reason for not expect
ing the evolution of gas in dangerous guam
titles. But seams above water level as we'll as
those below under certain conditions do con-
tain and evolve gas in dangerous quantities.
and that the seam at Pocahontas did, and that
the explosion was nothing more or less than
an explosion of tire-damp, caused by slowing
the fan and permitting the current to become
overcharged with gas. is not question Of
doubt.
With reference to the influence of
coal dust the Herald believes 1.-The force
Of the explosion was augmented by
the dry and dusty character of the at
mosphere of the mine.'
A F,ostbusyer Futis.-Mr. Moses
Fraley, of St. Louis, failed in business
this week. Baltimore papers report his
liabilities at one million dollars, half of
which is on wheat and 100000 on
stocks. The Sun states:
He had been dealing heavy in grain in Chi
cago, and when the markets declined last
month made nearly $3.50, 600 but the market
afterwards went against him. On Friday and
Saturday he paid drafts amounting to $500, 600,
and when on Monday he was called on to pay
500, 900 he concluded to stop. The amount
of his assets is not stated. Mr.. Moses Fraley
Is Q native Of Baltimore and his father and
other relatives are living in this city. He way
at one time q clerk in the clothing house of
Rosenfeld Bros, corner of Baltimore street
and Centre Market space. At the breaking
out Of the war he, with Mr.. Joseph Pollock,
a clerk in the same house went to st. Louis,
where they established u successful clothing
business, q brother-in-law of Mr. Fraley in
Baltimore furnishing the capital. After tie
war Mr.. Fraley withdrew from the firm witt.
about S35, 900 and he did well discounting
paper Next he went into the stock broker
age and banking business under the firm
name of Fraley & Donaldson, and they did
heavy trade in the Iron Mountain railroad Sc
curities, their relations putting them upon the
inside. Since then MIR. Fraley has been a
heavy operator, and his ventures became
enormous. He is shrewd man of business,
and his old acquaintafsces in Baltimore say
that he is sure to come up again. He is some
thing over forty years of age, and married in
st. Louis.
In speaking of Mr.. Fraley as ga ma
tive of Baltimore" the Sun is mistaken.
He was born in Frostburg-in the
house occupied as residence and fur
niture store by Mr.. c. F. Nickel. His
infancy and boyhood are remembered
by a number of citizens, all of whom
recall him as an apt, intelligent, prom
Using lad. Mr.. Fraley is first cot sin
of Mr.. Joseph Jandorf and Mrs. Hal IL
Bear, of this place.