Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-07-25
What They Saw,


occur, but the reader will know how to
account and allow for them.
The first is from the Marlboro En-
quirer:
The next morning we took all observation
car on the Georges Creek and Cumberland
railroad provided by general manager James
A. Millholland, and in charge of examine in
spector Mcmahon, we were pushed up the
mountain by the engine in the rear over the
steepest grades and slender looking trestles,
one 96 feet high, until we were nearly 2, 700
feet above sea level, to Homecoming. Here
we walked down the mountain through the
town and took another special car awaiting
us on the Cumberland and Pennsylvania
railroad in charge of road supervisor Maloy.
Our next stop was at the Ocean mines to
see the process of pulling up the small coal
cars from the mine and dumping them into
the regular coal cars. A wire rope cable
three miles in length was wound and re-
wound over immense spools forming the
motive power. Its operation was viewed
with wonder.
Our next stop was at the Hoffman mine
where we were cordially met by Messrs. Il.
S. Randolph, superintendent, and r. ii.
Pascoe, chief engineer. After viewing the
colossal boilers and machinery for pumping
air in and water out of the mine, we pre-
pared to go down into the mine on the lift.
The ladies left hats and all fnery behind and
knotted their handkerchefs over their heads
and with lighted miners lamps in hand the
party were carefully lowered, 20 at load,
800 feet down. The sensation was novel,
and not altogether pleasant as we thought OF
the fate of the Pittston miners few days be-
fore A corps of fire looking miners were
detailed as our guides and, in spite of their
blackened faces we found them intelligent
and gentlenanly. We were surprised to
learn that many Of them owned farms and
comfortable homes, handsomely furnished.
With these trusty guides we proceeded,
single file, along the narrow way and with
only the Pickering lamps to light us we grad
ually descended, often walking on boards
over water, or stopping to avoid the roof
above us. Finally at depth Of 500 feet we
inspected the stables for the mules which
pull the coal out of the mines 10 the traction
railroad that pulls them to the top. To our
amazement we found large and comfortable
brick stable, white-washed, lighted by
electricity, well aired and fully equipped
with food and water for % mules who looked
well and happy. In winter they never see
daylight, but in summer they enjoy days
pasture on Sundays.
After our interesting object lesson and
many bits Of information gathered from our
polite guides, especially foreman Thomas, we
made the ascent to our starting point and
were obliged to lave our blackened faces and
hands in hot water from the boiler before
starting fol Frostburg, a mile or so away.
Here we found city of 5000, handsome
buildings, elegant residences, fourteen fine
churches and grand scenery with delicious
pure air. We were pleased to meet Rev.
Father Clarke, at one time in charge of st.
Marys Church, i'll our town. He has large
and hourishing church and parochial school.
Mr.. Frank c.. Beall, school, commissioner,
was cordial and courteous as is his wont.
Our brother editor, J. b. Oder, of the MINING
JOURNAL, and his daughters showed us every
attention and arranged for our delightful din
ner at the Beal cottages They accompanied
us to the mines and back to Cumberland.
The second note is taken from the
Easton Ledger:
AT an early hour next morning the party
started on a trip to the Georges Creek coal
region, which took them as far west as Iona
coming. The kind attention of superintcnd.
ent Millholland had given them the use of
his private observation car, the very thing to
enable the traveller to take in the mountain
scenery in trip of this kind All went down
into the bowels of the earth to see the prac
teal work of coal Misunderstanding every
courtesy and attention the officers and
miners conld give them.
While on this part of the trit. the Associa-
citation received very helpful attention from
Mr.. J. b. Oder, editor Of the MINING JOURNAL
and himself a member of the Association.
The visitors were RECALLED there with sump-
tuous dinner, the credit for which is due
Mr.. O's thoughtfulness and the very kind
hospitality of the people.
The third comes from the Bel Air
Democrat:
initiated. The mountains around Frostbu1g
and Homecoming are honeycombed with ex-
cavations made in search of the dusky fuel.
They are entered for the most part by shafts
from two to three hundred feet deep that
lead to the coal veins. These vary in thick
ness frem three to eight feet The latter are
the most easily worked and yield a much
larger revenue for the expense incurred.
The headings are half as numerous as the
workmen, which number in some of the
mines five hundred. The excavations are
about eight feet square, each worked by two
men, as many as can prohtably labor in
heading Railroad tracks follow the miners
as they advance and cars holding from two
to three tons each are hauled by mules to an
outlet tunnel where a train of ten or dozen
cars is drawn out by stationary engine and
cable and emptied INTO the steam cars await
ing them on the outside. The miners always
carry lamps in their hats while at work, but
the shafts and other parts of the larger mines
are lighted by electricity The mules are
stabbed in the mines and never see daylight
after they are lowered into the tunnels cut
for their passage. The coal veins are encased
in slate, top and bottom, that forms floor and
roof after the coal is removed, and protects
the men from the fall of earth that would
otherwise follow.
The miners are mostly Scotch, Irish, Ger
mans, Welsh and Swedes and are an in.
Ii,c Nd int