Connecticut western news., 1886-03-31
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~0AAAR VI OASSsA SSeHA3 AASO AANAAA eAssSS1 eS companied by the following note EMERSON, l MILE WEST OF BLOOM
 NGToN, March 3, 1886. To the editor of The Leader:- It glves me great pleasure to hand you | an item from this place. We struck the | coal at depth of 289 feet and find the | vein from 3i to feet thick and shall | probably develop it. The shareholders l of the company are jubiant and hope | the citizens of Bloomington will appre- | ciate their efforts to add more employ ment to fast growing and worthy pop ulation, besides increasing the induce ments for the locating of still other in- dustriA establishments in her borders
 BEN. R. ABBOTT. At 3 o'clock this morning, after blast ing for days through fifty feet of rock, the first vein was uncovered, and the fine depth and clean character ascertain ed amid great rejoicing. The history of this shaft is an example of what indom- table will can accomplish against dis couraging obstacles. The shaft was started some months ago by miners who went out of the Mclean county shaft on strike. They were aided by MT Abbott and other farmers west of the city and by business men in town. The shaft has cost so far about $15, ,OOO, which IS three times the first estimate, but the men have never faltered. The most serious drawback was quicksands and water, requiring weary days to pen strate few feet and build jackets to keep sand and water out. At depth of 200 feet the pumps proved inadequate, and the shaft filled with water nearly to the top, causing delay of several weeks, but it was pumped out. At 230 feet down rock and slate, with 8 trace of coal, was struck, and it was thought the best vein would be reached within two or three days, but on the contrary it was necessary to blast for several weeks through fifty feet of solid stone, but the boys never gave up. They are seventy feet farther down than the old company s fnt vein and went through twenty feet more of rock, but have 8 thick pay ing vein and good roof and will work it. Tho hoisting machinery is ample, and there is timber enough on the grounds for some time to come Work has com. menced on the tower, and cages and cars are ordered, and within . week will be delivered. The home consumption will take all that can be mined at pres. ent, but the O. & A. folks have offered to build 8 switch free from the Jackson. vile division.-Bloomingson (IA Dali, Leader, March 3, 1886.
 The Bloomington Eye of March publishes half-column editorial, highly complimenting the cooperative miners on their courageous and peaceable solu. tion of the labor problem. It reviews the circumstances which necessitated the formation of the Cooperative coal company, and after recounting the ob. stacles overcome, it closes with the fol. lowing:
 "Co-operative miners, we greet you!We hold you up to the world as courageous vage-earners who have solved the labor problem without disturbance, interfsr. ence with or threats against their old employers. May every dusky diamond that you bring up to the sunlight be 8 reminder that God helps those who help themselves
 The Bloomington Sunday Bulletin oi March says: The auction sale of the firnt load of coal raised from the Coop erative company's shaft took place on the square yesterday afternoon and cre- ated a great deal of interest. The coal was drawn from the mins by team of four horses. driven by Alderman Lester Green, behind whom sat Ben R. Abbott with . shovel in his hands. In front oi the wagon Deputy Sheriff Clem Reed and MT K. J. Bemis pranced along on spirited stseds. Just behind them came the Chicago & Alton band escorting the miners interested in the co-opera- tive company. A big crowd of people had congregated on the square <ao welcome the procession, which, after lnnaking . tzi1Around tho square, halted sk Ah6 eon11kNest coxnsr of the court 5filn1 11belAosl u5oa Iii