The herald. (Big Stone City, Dak. [S.D.]) 1883-1890, 1888-01-13

elaborate history of the growth and
development Of Huron and Beadle
county, from which we take the fol.
lowing in regard to the opening up Of
the coal mine at that place:
Coal was discovered in the first Hu.
ron (artesian) well. The amount could
not be told with accuracy. as it was
not expected and its presence WAS not
discovered in time to ascertain the
thickness of the vein. The discovery
was kept as secret ;,s possible. James
Russell, an old and experienced coal
miner and prospector, was the first to
see it. lie made as careful an exam.
ination AS lie could, and satisfied him.
self that Il vein Of considerable thick.
ness really existed. His discovery
was communicated IN confidence to
his friends, and they organized to fur.
ther investigate the matter. Drilling
machinery was purchased, and Sept.
4. 1885. the work Of active prospect.
ing WAS commenced. The drill was
started half = mile north of the city.
Rock was not struck till depth of
l2O feet WAS reached. Then one
hundred and eighty.seven feet Of STRAIT
flied formations, mostly Soapstone
were pierced, when coal was struck
at depth Of 3O7 feet from the sur.
face.
Upon drilling through the vein it
proved to be thirty.seven inches
thick. TO test again the accuracy of
the measurement the bore was reamed
out and again the same result was
obtained. AS soon as thus satisfied
Of the actual existence Of coal in pay.
ing quantities the Huron Coal and
Mining Company WAS formally organ.
ized. The stock WAS taken by those
interested III the former work Of
prospecting. 1t was decided to sink
shalt Immediately. Mr.. Russell was
sent east to employ miners and pnr-
chase the necessary machinery. The
shaft WAS located near the track Of
the Manitoba railroad. half mile
north OF the track Of the line Of the
Chicago d Northwestern railroad,
whereilt can be reached also by it with
side track. Necessary rough build
ings were erected at once. consisting
of engine and pit house, carpenter
shop, blacksmith shop bunk house
aud tool aud store house.
November 23d the sinking OF the
shaft Was begun, aud subject to slight
stoppage, caused by delayed material.
it has been pushed vigorously for.
ward. Three shifts Of miners. eight
hours each. keep the work going
night and day. The shaft is eight by
sixteen feet, divided by partitions in.
To two hoisting shafts and one AIR
shaft. 1t has now. December oath,
reached \ depth of forty.nino feet.
The work is progressing at the rate OF
abou six feet day. 1t is expec, ed
that the coal will he reached before
the first of April at the tarthest. The
shaft sunk to coal will cost from six
to ten thousand dollars.
The same vein has been found in
three places about Huron-in the city
artesiAn well. in the .power" well Of
Messrs. Sneidgar l. Cook, and ln the
prospecting bore sunk by Mr.. Russell.
These borings are over mile apart.
and prove the Huron coal field to be
Of some considerable extent with ex.
act limits unknown,
The largest uf the three bores was
that Of Messrs. Sncdigar & Cook. In
working with the casing Of their we'll
\ considerable quantity Of this coal
was dlslodged from the sides Of the
bore. 1t came to the surface in good
sized specimens. These show it to
be very hard strAtified quality Of
bituminous coal. rs hard. bright and
clean As the anthracite coal of Penn.
sylvania. 1t burns like hard coal.
slowly and with little flame or smoke,
making hot fire and leaving = small
tirely free from sulphur. Its weight
Is fully equal to that Of hard coal.
which is not to he wondered at. rs it
comes from \ depth OF over 800 feet.
1t is certainly Of the very first quail.
ty.
The mine now employs force Of
twenty mon. As soon as coal is ready
for shipment they will have \ large
business at once. and will employ
hundreds OF miners ~ fast rs the
drifts and chambers can he opened
for work. Already the North western
railway company has indicated its de.
sire to take = daily supply of manv
carloads. and other reads not yet
here have written to bo informed Of
1t % soon ~ the shaft shall reach coal.
Take one Of DR.. J. H. Mclean 8
little Liver and Kidney Pellets at
night before you 90 tn bed and yon
will re surprised how haoyant and
vigorous You will feel the next day !.
Only IS cents \ vial. For sale by r.
,, Weller.