The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-08

ire an average progress OF 200 feet an
ndally nearly all4of which has been in
Glue trap rock. one OF the most refractory
of minerals. The conglomerate carrying
conner was the bed OF an ancient sea, and
IL composed OF pebbles and gravel worn
by the action OF the waller, such as are
seen on sea beaches or lake shores, ce-
melted into solid mass Of Gale and ST.
lica. by the pcrcOldton OF the waters
and the accommodation OF certain cOnstitu-
ents of the rock little cavities were form
ed I'm which were deposited small nodules
or copper by the water.
The Red Jacket shaft is Is i-2'by % feet.
I'm size inside Of the timbers. and con-
tains six compartments ptlhs iuliy equdi
I'm working capacity to half dozen min
ing shafts of ordinary size. The shaft Is
solidlv timbered The adamantine firm
ness Of tho rock renders II secure for all
time TO come. the timbers being merely 10
carry the traffic OF men and mineral, OF
water and electricity when surses pc
tween the sunlight and the bottom. In
four commandments will slip up and down
the uonderous. cages, carrying tcn-ton
loads of rock ~ the speed or express
trains. In and down these cages VIII also
ride the men who mine the rock from the
old sea led. I'm one compartment VIII
be the great iron pump pipes, and down
another descends the steady current OF
compressed air which runs the drills a
mile below the engine house. Bunched IN
slender cables are the copper wires when
convey electricity 20 light the Tcccsses OF
the mine threads OF wire that afford tcle-
phonic communication from the most re-
mote drfff ia any other portion of the
propertv for the Calumet and liecla has
"A telephone exchange OF us own, Whlch
i'm size and perfection OF equipment puts
TO The blueh the facilities OF many preteu-
tious towns. and which reaches every Of
fee on the surface and every portion OF
the great mine There are hrc-alarm
wires. too. for the Calumet and Hecia
spares 10 cost TO make its employees as
safe as skill and lavish outlay OF money
can render them.
The sinking OF this shaft possesses deep
interest from scientific standpoint. OBJ
servers ascending 10 great heights in bal
looms have been able 10 secure data OK
surprising importance regarding meteor
illogical conditions and observations made
at the depth Of mile AFFORD positive i'll
formation. The Red Jacket shaft has
shattered some Of the deeply cherished
theories. and there are text books now
eNtant in the higher institutions Of learn
ing which must De ONcfhdulcd because
facts have succeeded theory. The mines
of the COmstOck lode I'm Nevada were the
deepest in the world. The mines were
very hot. and Oh the deeper levels some or
the more pious miners were quite positive
that they smeilcd sulphur, and refused 10
90 further down for fear Of euCroaching
ing 10 deductions the bottom of the Red
Jacket s,aft should be about the proper
tenn cratUrr 10 boil eggs. Careful tests
have determined that the normal temper
allure of the rock is SIC degrees Flhren-
h,it at the hottcm The rock temperature
ar the depth OF l05 feet was ~ degrees
Fahrenheit. showing an excess Of 2s6 de-
grces I'm 1876 feet There was. however,
gain Of degrees IN temperature IN
the last 200 feet sunk. much more rapid
Increase than al lesser depths.
Notwithstanding the beneficial effects Of
ventilation and compressed air men
working at the bottom Of the deep shaft
do not have on c-recially easy berth.
though literally paid. They are compel
led 10 wear rubber boots and rubber
coats as the wafer found in the mine at
that great depth is most corrosive on the
human iCdy.
There is machinery enough ON the sur
face 10 drive an the street cars of city
like ST. Louis az this single one of eleven
shafts. and 30 is housed in tre-proot build
ings that would Doe the pride IF % city of
l0001 inhatitants.-Min Journal.