Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-08-16
The RetSof Salt Mines.

ACAoOl SAT- hAAl4S9s
The Rctsof salt mines are situated in the
southern part of the town Of York. Living
ston County, y. Y.
The name under which the works are
conducted are is the Betsof Mining Co
This company was formed in New York
City, under he able management of Mr..
J. W. Foster, after whom it was named,
the name of the mine being the word Eos
ter" spelled backward
The great undertaking Of channeling for
salt was commenced in the fall of 1854. \
whole million was expended to accom-
plish the work, which occupied about
year and half Now however. these
mines yield bountiful returns, being one of
the best paying industries in the country.
Five hundred tons are taken out daily
and sent to all parts of our Union; to the
West, for sailing cattle; to the East. for
making soda ash; to New York. for statu-
airy; and to many other places, for miscel-
laneous uses.
The supply seems to be inexhaustible.
1t is claimed that it will last for a thousand
years.
In the vicinity of the mines whole vii
lage of wooden hutS and houses have been
constructed, also boarding houses, stores,
and offices have turned the once desolate
place into busy hustle. In the midst of all
rises huge tower, which is the head house
or entrance to the mines, and also serves
as an elevator by which the salt is con
Quoted into great chutes and store houses.
At the east Of this tower are the boiler and
engine rooms, where twelve boilers, with a
capacity of nine hundred and sixty horse
power, furnish the force to run the power
full machinery. To run the twenty foot
drum on which the cable is wound requires
three hundred horse power. To run the
blower, cruSher, air compressor, and elec-
| tro- dynamo also requires powerful engine
power Two hundred men are employed
! about these mines. Most of these are
| Italians.
! At present the mines are reached only
| by one shaft, although the second shaft is
down about two hundred feet This en-
trance is a vertical shaft, 16 by 20 feet and
1,1s5 feet deep. 1t is provided with two
cages, drawn up and down by cables, and
these are so arranged that when one is as
cending, the other is descending.
The sensation Of descending into the
mines is somewhat peculiar. For the first
! five hundred feet the descent is natural,
| Int Coz +bo ra,,a;n;rr 1;ctap.o ono saau,a
! to be ascending. The descent to the
mines which are about LOSS feet deep.
occupies about half minute.
At present the mines are located in the
upper stratum There are two strata oI
| salt, the first about feet thick, the sec
ond, separated by II feet of rock, is about
60 feet thick. Excavation is commenced
on top. Then, of course, when the second
| left at different points. so that there will
be no danger.
The process of loosening the rock salt
from its firm bed is accomplished by blast
| ing Holes made into the salt with all
drills are filled with dynamite, which Is ex-
ploded by electricity. Then the loose salt,
on cars holding about four tons, is drawn
to the shaft over railroad by mules. At
present eight mules are employed in haul
ing the salt. They are kept IL the mine
all the time, either in the stables or in the
barnyard Nearly one hundred men are
employed in the mine, either as foremen,
mule drivers, miners, or their assistants.
In the mine-tHe air is quite pure. This
condition is obtained by drawing ont the
foul air and forcing fresh air in. The air is
dry as well as the mine and has chloric
smell and saline taste. The temperature
is about 60o Fair. The most noticeable
feature to a novice is its darkness and alb
solute stiffness. 1t has a peculiar silence
of its own All disturbances, elemental
and otherwise, which prevail in the open
air are unknown and unfelt The nervous
person can there feel secure from the feel
ing of alarm which thunder storm excites.
The miners use tallow candles to dispel
the depressing darkness, the foremen,
| drivers, and shovelers use kerosene lamps,
while the poor mules have to stumble
around in the dark.
One of the strangest sight to visitor is
the blacksmith's shop under ground. 1t is
very convenient and important feature
of the mine, however, and Vulcan has a
busy time indeed shoeing mules and sharp
ening the miners drills.
The mine seems to be supplied with all
| - a
telephone where one can converse with the
superintendent above, an air whistle used
as signal for commencing and quitting
work. There is also a system of pipes run
ming to the different chambers which sup
plies the drills with compressed air.
The largest part of the salt is of dark
gray color, and is claimed to be purer than
that of lighter color, being free of mag
nesia.