Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-06-15
DIGGING DUSTY DIAMONDS
In Gloomy Depths Where the Col
lier Works.
An Hour in the Cable Coal Mines and
aJoiIy Jaunt over the Mercer
County Branch of the n.
a

You had better shield your light with
your hand as do. and mind you don't
set the straw on fire, for with the draft
we are encountering we would have a bad
time lighting blaze.
This cautiouary remark was addressed
by one of as tough looking group as
the imagination can picture There were
four in all, and as the couvers alton pass>
ed they were being carried at rapid
speed, not in one of our handsomely up.
holstered electric cars, nor in the Pull
man luxury of steam railway travel. but
the individuals alluded to were seated on
the straw covered floors of fiat cars, and
were being propelled at what seemed to
be furious rate into subterranean re-
gions. The remark quoted was made by
Robert Lee, superintendent of the Cable
mines His companions. Superintendent
Sudlow, B c. Kestor, and an ARGUS
been provided with small lamps, such as
the golfers use, before starting. The
warning came too late, however, as the
last two lights. including Mr.. Lees, van
ished as he spoke. The incident did not
have the effect of lessening the excite-
ment of those to whom the trip was
novel experience. The train had fairly
started on its dash OF mile into the
bowels of the earth. consequently the
trip was made for the most part through
impenetrable darkness.
The ARGUS, six months ago gave a viv.
il aad detailed description of the manner
10 which the Cable mines are operated,
aud it would be superauous to make more
than casual mention now. Superinten-
dent Sudlow had taken a special party
out with him in 8 chair car, on his
monthly pay day mission. and he i'm
proved the opportunity of inspecting
some new extensions TO the mines. Two
OF the party had accepted the invitation
to accom- oany him IN this feature of his
official tour. Before making the des-
cent, the tourists were taken in hand By
Superintendent of Mines Les, snd provided
with clothing and head gear, such as
would protect the ordinary wearing ap>
parel, the transformation thus
effected affordiDg ground for
the before mentioned tough
looking group" While not rejecting on
Mr.. Lees ideas of suitable dress, and
while none were strikingly improved by
the change, OF Sam keator the as
sertioa may be safely made that
he had much more the appearance of
one accustomed to "tie passes when
travelling, than one would suppose
possible. After donaing this uubecom-
ing garb the qaartette was provided with
the small lamps. Mr.. Lee then led the
way TO the mine shaft; up g pair OF stairs
An ascent of &c feet was made. Here an
elevator was taken. Il signal given and be-
fore they hardly knew II, the explorers
we're at the mouth of the mine-60 feet
below the surface of the ground. Cars
we're then taken and the rush to the mines
proper, began. The trip required eight
minutes and ST the termination a depth of
go feet had been reached. and Il mile in
distance from the mouth of the mine. A
tour of inspection was then made through
the various parts of the mine on foot, sf-
ter which the cars were again taken and
the ascent made There are two msin
roadwsys running through the mine
north and south with cross WAYS, IS in
all, leading 10 the various rooms for
mining which on one side are numbered
and on the other lettered. The cars on
the main roadways are operated by cable.
the others by mule. The mines sre also
wired with complete system of electric
alarms. Air is constantly pumped
il to the mines. the entire machinery ap>
planes and equipments being of the
most modern nature
Il have pensioner here" said Super
intendent Sudlow, as the party walked
| along the road toward the mine. Ga one
| side of the road was pasture where sew
eral mules were grazing. See that gray
fe low there, continued the superinten-
dent pointing to one. That is not his
natursl color, it is merely the result of
age. The mule, Old Nose, as we cali
him, has worked 81 years under the
ground. He originally came from the
put him on the retired list and turned
him into pasture. He shall never work
another day"
On the train the ARGUS man learned