The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1889-07-04
GATHERING GLOOM
BR3OnS OVER THE HOOKING
VALLEY,
Seven of the Nine Iron Fur
naces Out of Blast,
And the Remaining Two Getting
Ready to Blow Out.
Many of the Great Coal Mines
Have Already Shut Down.
While Others arc Only OPP
Grated One or Two
Days a Week.
Great Danger of Destitution
Among Working People.
Miners and Their
Families.

Families.
OF tie Enquirer.
LOGAN, Quo, June 2Slh.-The
industrial situation in The Hook
ing Valley is very depressing aud
each day adds to the gloomy out
look of The great army of workers
in the district. am told by men
who are in situation TO know
that business is at a lower ebb
than it was in 1854, known as the
"hlack year" in the industrial
history of the district.
OUT OF BLAST.
In this immediate district there
are nine blast furnaces, namely,
Winona, Gore, Baird's, Monday,
Orbision, Buchtel. Floodwood.
Bessie and Greendale. All Oi
these, except the two latter, are
out of blast. and they are getting
ready 10 shut down. This de-
pressing information comes from
a gentleman who is thoroughly
conversant with the entire valley.
This means that thousands Of
men are reduced 10 idleness thro'
no fault of their own. It leaves
the ore an6 coal miners, furnace
men and miscellaneous labore-s
about the furnaces without em-
ployment. and puts them wholly
ON their own resources, which al
best are but slender, and each
week of idleness bnt adds to the
hardships and sulferings that fol-
low in 1 he wake of voluntary or
enforced idleness. What can be
done 10 relieve The situation is
growing into an absorbing prob
lem 10 all.
THE DwINDLING COAL TRADE.
The coal trade, which in times
past made the valley so prosper
GUS, has fallen away in a startling
manner. Some of the largest
mines have closed down entirely
depriving great numbers OF la
borers Of the opportunity of earn
ing a subsistence, while others
are operated only one or two
days a week, enabling the opera
tives 10 exc out only a scanty
subsistence. I have seen miners
who inform me that for a long
period they have only had an
average of six or seven days EN-
ployment per month, and men
with large families are compelled
10 support them Oh s12 or $ls
monthly earnings.
WAITING WITH PATIENCE.
Against this grevlous condition
of affairs the miners make nc
complaints or mnrmurs, but with
sturdy patience await a revival
of trade and better times. But
| when will the better times come'
That is s serious question tt
them. True, they were told las'
year that if they would vote fol
Harrison and a protective tarlf
they would not only receive gooC
wages, bat constant employment
| Beguiled by such statements al
these the vote OF the mining dis
trlct was cast almost sOlidly
against the Democratic candl-
dates. What has been The re
sults Last year the price TO
mining was higher than this. ant
employment was pretty nearl,
constant. So much for tho worth
less promises of scheeming poll
ticlans. who are fasilioning new
set of promises 10 deceive tn
same voters in November next.
THE SHUT DOWN AT BUcHTEL.
The shifting down of tbs grea
mines at Bpchtel is suggestive o
1.-The prevailing condition Of al
| fairs throughout the valley. II
the once prosperous and thriving
village is one of ,ils largest gen
eral stores in the country, il
which everything from an ounc
! of pepper 10 a ready made sui
of clothes or silk dress could b
purchased. l went through it
year ago, when fsola fifteen t
twenty clerEs were kept on tn
60 from early morning until lat
at night waiting upon customers
To day it is in charge of tw
clerks and no business is beln
done, and l am informed that tn
goods are being boxed and bale
for removal to the city OF Colnm
| bus for a market.
1 FAILURES AND ASSIGNMENTS.
The recent failure Of Brooks {
| Co., al Jacksonville, was but th
precursor of other assignment:
1 and " eaker firms and individual
have been going to the wal! since
NeIsonville, once SO prosperou:
| is ridden by 9 nightmare Q. busl
ness depression, snch as'tt has no
| been subjected TO since the dis