The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-05-25
AN EVENING TRIP.
Thirty-fve People Explore the Big Soldier
Mine.

Mine.
Last Thursday evening u party num-
bering thirty-five, composed Of the la
dies of the Utopia Circle and their hus-
bands and few friends, enjoyed an
exceedingly pleasant excursion through
the Big Soldier Mine, three miles from
Reynoldsville. The excursion was
given by Mr.. and Mrs. f. M. Brown in
honor Of Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Elliott, of
Mansfield, Pa, who are their guests.
At 1880 an engine and coach on the II.
& F. G. X. r. was in waiting for the ex-
cursionists at the Company store, and a
few minutes after that hour the iron
horse was speeding along towards the
mines. On arriving at Big Soldier
there the party found nine coal cars that
had been lined with new boards, with
three seats in each car, divided into
three sections, two long cared animals
attached to each section, ready for the
trip underneath the ground" A dis
tance of $500 feet in the mine was
reached without any mishap, but few
narrow escapes by those who were Il
little tardy about obeying the command
Of 'down heads!" Supt. Geo. Mellinger.
Civil Engineer +. M. Brown and assis-
tant, II. V. Pratt, and Mine Boss, Rich
ard Smith, were with the party and
acted as guides. The party left the coal
mine coaches and walked some distance
to see the iron-mm, the old Harrison
mining machine, digging coal. This
machine is operated by one man and re-
ceives its strength from compressed air
that is piped into the mine for power.
From that point the party retraced their
short walk and crossed the main en-
trance and visited large pump used to
keep the water out of the mine, which
also receives its power from the COM
pressed air. This pump was doing
double service, forcing the water out of
the mine and manufacturing ice at the
same time, on small scale.
Some OF the fair sex were very timid.
One of the ladys in going through a
room was afraid to touch one OF the
props, fearing the hill would fall upon
the party. The outward trip was made,
no one being any the worse for the
exploration of the mine, barring the
difficulty some found in getting the
kinks out of their necks.
The party then visited the large
engine that keeps the pipes in the mine
filled with compressed air and that
keeps the large fans in rapid motion to
furnish ventilation necessary for the men
who work in the mine. The engine and
coach started on the homeward trip
with the excursionists. Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown had not forgotten the old saying,
'The way to peoples hearts l find, il
through their mouths, or / mistake
mankind" for a supply of fruit had
been provided and was passed around
Arriving at the company store
they then visited the general Office Of
the company and were shown some o.
the maps of the Company's mines ant
lands. The largest map was master
piece OF civil engineer work that had
been done by F. NJ. Brown. This maj
alone cost something over $1,000.
twas in the civil engineers Office tina
mischief-maker conceived the idea o
rubbing his dirty fingers across the fac
of lady who was standing near him
The party up to this time were compar
atively clean, but after the first blacl
mark was made the greasy end OF
mine lamp was frequently touched b.
fair fingers and lively time ensued ant
dirty looking crowd left the office.
Those who had charge of the excursion
We'd with each other in trying to max
the trip an enjoyable one. All returne,
to their homes with expression @
thankfulness to Mr.. and Mrs. Brown 70
the pleasant evening and pleasure @
such trip.