Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-11-01
The Reconstructed Mine.

dwindling square of daylight far to
the rear is no longer visible. Before
going further. however, it should be
stated that the wood work extending
several hundred feet from the opening
inward is of the most substantial
material. The uprights and. horizon
tails Of the frame are of ten-inch square
oak, all of uniform length and work
oak tagging three inches deep. The
construction of this portion of the
work consumed about million feet of
the best oak lumber, A beautiful and
reliably safe heading is the result
About 4 900 feet from the opening
an arm of the Consolidation coal, $50
feet wide, was struck. Through this
body the old heading, now extended,
had to go, pursuing the same undeviat-
ing course and level. This passed, the
Union mining company's coal was en-
tered TO depth which now measures
about 225 feet. SO that those there en-
ployed are to-day working several hun,
bred feet under the surface at point
not far from "Braddock's stone"
haying passed under Frostburg at or
near the residence of DR.. j. NJ. Porter.
The New Hope heading was opened
about 1872 or 1873 by the Consolidation
coal company, and after several years
of heavy work was abandoned, its
reaches having been practically ex-
hausted. The old props, one after
another, gave way, the roof fell and
the opening gradually filled up. On
the night:October of 20, 1880, general
fall took place on the east side, whose
traces on the surface were seen next
morning all along Main street at the
intersection of Bowery.
These facts are stated in order to in
dictate the character and magnitude
of the undertaking to reopen this
mine so that 1t might be utilized as an
outlet for the millions Of tons of coal
lying within easy access of its southern
extremity.
The work was begun about May LIST,
last, under the immediate oversight of
John Sullivan, mining boss, by day,
and John Aspinall. assistant mining
boss, by night. Two relays of men
haye, therefore, been constantly at
work day and night, except Sundays,
ever since. These haye not only re-
moved the debris of the main entry,
timbered it and laid its track, but
they have cleared and opened parl-
lei heading, so feet eastward as well,
the latter to be used as an air-course.
No one but practical miner can fully
appreciate the magnitude of the work
that has been accomplished, and none
but those who have paid the expenses
can realize what it has cost. Except
at the old cut-offs along the main head
ing there are no traces Of the dilapi
dated mine. At these indentations,
however, the falls of rock and slate
reach nearly to the roof, leaving small
space for the advent and travel of bold
explorers.
After reaching the face we returned
short distance debouched to the
right and entered the air-course. Here
men were cutting minor anyways
through pillars in order to make at
mospheric circulation complete rs
possible. The main course was pur-
sued some distance and all along there
were evidences of the immense amount
of work that had been done.
AT last we returned to the operating
entry, thence to daylight. Looking
back over the trip we remember that
the air throughout was plentiful and
pure the road level as a floor, one
horse being able to pull out 3 cars-l2
tons; heading straight as an arrow;
little or no water; the average height
Of coal about 10 fet, both top and
bottom mined at a minimum of loss no
better coal in the region; no outcrop,
and ali these favorable conditions I'M
der the direction of skilful manage
ment. An old miner who was present,
and who was one of the pioneers of
the old heading, authorized the JOUR
NAL to say this is the finest mine in
the region" Mr.. Sullivan said the
mine is shipping about $50 tons daily.
This amount will grow asssthe heading
extends.
Outside the easement of the new
Crawford & McCrimmon exhaustfan
was visited. This work is going along
under the supervision of Joseph T.
Pearce, machinist, OF Barton, and
Joseph w. Maurey, carpenter, of this
place.is 1t situated about so feet
southeast Of the opening on higher
ground.
A nice piece of engineering was
done here. The miners, starting from
the floor, nearly 200 feet distant, car
ried the air exit at gradual elevation,
a considerable portion through solid
rock, coming out at the surface pre-
cisely at the spot marked out for them.