The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-06-25
A Visit to the Iron Mines.

Paper Read before the c. L. s. c.. by c. W. Ky
In connection with our studies in the
geological fields it may not he inappropri-
ate to give you description Of the forma-
ton and also the working Of some of our
great iron mines in the northwest; so if you
will bear with me will try and take you
on trip through them.
The first thing we see on nearing our
destination is the high smoke stacks of the
engine houses. and the shaft houses as they
tower heavenward; and the ceaseless hum
of the gigantic machinery reminds us that
we have left the metropolis behind and
have in reality entered the world of the
artisan and the laborer, where every one is
intent only upon the duties before him.
Passing up the busy thoroughfare we reach
the office and introduce ourselves to the
superintendent with request for permis-
sion to visit the mine before us in all it's de-
tails. We find the superintendent very
social and accommodating gentleman who
introduces us to man who is to act as our
guide, and we start forth on our expedition.
Our first place OF interest to visit being the
mammoth engine house built of stone. and
on entering we gaze with wonder at the
working of the immense engine which fur
nisheS the motive power to drive the great
drums before us that run the cages up and
down the mine. Passing through this room
we enter walk and on looking down be-
meath US we see the great boilers which
furnish the steam. and the smoke begrimed
fireman feeding the fires with coal. Passing
on we come to another room where we see
r,npo of vvnrll onN QcEinU
our guide we are informed that these are
the air cOmpresSors which are continually
COMPRISING the air to furnish motive
power for various uses in running the ma
chinery in the mine below. On leaving the
engine house we are asked by our genial
guide if we would like to make a trip be-
low. and being answered in the affirmative
we are conducted across the street to the
dry house. Here we see room with a sink
running through the center and coils of
steam pipe running around the entire walls
keeping up heat that forcibly reminds
one of the Turkish bath. We are told that
here the miners wash and change their
clothes on coming up before going to their
homes. their wet mining suits being hung
up to dry ready to don at their next shift.
Here we attlred ourselves in a suit of OIL
cloth and a pair of rubber boots, and with a
candle lighted in our miners hat we are
ready to descend. We 20 to the shaft
house. and our guide tells the bell man to
stop the cage as we wish to go below. He
touches the button and our cage is ready
for us. We get in, our guide calls out
Seventh level. and we are off in the dark
ness. But in less than five seconds we are
at the bottom, our cage stops without jar,
and stepping out we find we are down eight
hundred feet in the bosom of our mother
earth. Looking in front of us as far as the
eye can reach we see lights glimmering in
the distance. This is the tunnel. or drift
that leads into the mine and is perhaps ten
feet wide and eight or ten feet in height,
the bottom being as smooth and level as a
street pavement, with two narrow tram.car
tracks running in the center-One being
used for the full cars which are going up