Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-07-25
MONSON SLATE.
An Interesting Sketch Of Those
Famous Quarries.
An Industry That Has largely In
creased in the Past 20 Years.
New Veins Being 0pened-Podland Capital
ists inieres,ed-A Prosperous Business.

MoxsoS. July s3.-( Special. Monson
h.e. been for the past ~ years distinctireiy
slate quarry town." Slate was dis
covered here about 90 years ago By Mr..
John C. Trip, nos superintendent of the
old Croker quarry al BrownyilIe, Me.
since that time new quarries have been
opene,l at intervals of few years along the
vein toward the northeast and each as it has
been developed shows the same biue-blaek
unf.,iing slate, which with It's yelyefy
lasteri.ss surfD.e makes the most beauti-
fHl covering for ,he roofs of our finest
buildings.
The last quarry opened To the northeast
of M0ns0n village is on property situated
aear that beautiful sheet OF water known as
MOns0n ponil.
This quarry v hieh is known rs the Lake
s. L. was recently visited hy oni RNAL re-
porter y ho gathered the following facts re-
zar,ling the development Of this property
which bids fair TO take a prominent place
anlong the slate producing plants of the
country
Everything Is Of necessity New, but the
short time that operations have been in pro-
gress has been sufficient to prove the quality
OF the stock equal to the best and practically
inexhaustible. The pit at present is abont
1870 feet in length and 80 vide. About 100
feet of the ledge southeast of the pit has
been partially uncovered showing several
fnc views varying from to II feet in
width.
one barge derrick now answers for hoist
inc purposes and another Is soon to be added.
The engine house contains II foot hori-
h0n;al boiler built by Scannell of Lowell,
Mass. and Il double cylinder hoisting en-
giuc from Chase ( Son K Co., Portland.
The power for the shed machinery is fur
nishrd by an engine from the Portland Co.'S
anrks The Hinckley 4 Egcry slate trim
ncr. an lngersol rock drill and plugging
aIathin, Of the latest improved pattern are
IN nsr at the quarry. The blacksmith and
machine shop are fitted with all the ap-
pliancrs necessary in making the changes
md repairs abont the machinery and tools,
The natural advantages which the proper
" offers for the business of slate quarrying
,houlI be spoken Of. The question of
fu,I supply j. usually of vital Importance in
Enterprises of this kind. but here no such
question arises, ~ the company have on
heir own hand and in the immediate vicinity
,n abundance of fuel suitable for fuel.
'tne disadvantage which appears is the
distance from the railroad. which is about
m, and half miles. but for wears the
.l,ie from the l'rownyille quarries was
nrulet to Bangor hy mule teams, "A distance
If 40 miles.
The first slate from Monson was carted
70 the nearest railroad point, at Guilfort,
~ miles distant. Previous 10 - the en-
tire product was delivered 10 the B. K +.
X r. at Abbott being hauled six miles by
'rAm.
Another important factor in the opening
tad running of slate quarrles, is the disposi-
i'm of the waste. The Lakeside property
ins admirable facilities for the dumping of
iehris aS the buildings are placed on a
light emintuce. and short distance at the
ear the ground falls Oft abruptly, afford
~ uaimittd space for the disposal of the
nthhish.
The company has all the neces essary tracks
mi rarS for conveying the unfinished slate
M the shed and the debris to the dumping
ground The problem of economically
coaching shipping point with the product
easily solved, especially during the win
Ter months.
The tuuadian Pacific Railway lies about
1--WE miles tu the northeast, ani a winter
rn.rl coull be lail out without much ex-
irnsr Is the contour of the intervening
country * generally level and the presence
If almost uuhrnken forest would BE- rather
advantageous than otherwise. The com
pany has h"sile the buildings at the quarry
pr pcr = boarding house and large stable.
Portland capitalists are largely interested
IN She new enterprise. though several mon
-yed men " lip reside in the county are back
II il. Mark Mclheters. the well-known
lumhcrnIan. Is treasurer of the company
arl y. r, Phillips. manufactures of long
anl short lumber at Monson. is the super
lnten lent.