Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-07-04
The Editorial Visit.

morning about 11:45.
The JOURNAL joined them at Clarys-
vile on the Georges Creek and Cum
berland railroad and accompanied
them the remainder of the day.
At Homecoming the railroad regula-
tons did not permit the stay contem-
plated for that place.
A brief stop was made next at
Ocean, where the genial Philip Nc
Mahon, mining boss, took charge, ex-
planned and exemplifed the mystery
OF dumping coal--a process Of great
interest to people, some of whom had
often wondered chow the miners toted
the coal to those big cars"
At the new pumping shaft the party
was met and escorted by Messrs. B. S.
Randolph, mining superintendent,
and Il. II. Pascoe, chief engineer.
Lanterns and lamps were distributed,
and of the latter each visitor was per-
mitted to keep one as souvenir of
his underground trip. Two relays of
20 each descended the elevator shaft,
the officers meanwhile explaining that
it was capable of lifting 20 men at a
time that it is at all times at the SER
vice of the miners-night and day,
raising and lowering, evening and
morning, an average of 800 men.
From the base of the shaft the party
moved short distance to the pump
rooms, equipped by massive Worthing-
ton duplex outside packed plunger
pumps-cylinders % inches diameter.
stroke Is inches, water plungers 124
inches diameter, capacity of each pump,
1000 gallons per minute also Cam
eron steam pump of 250 gallons per
minute. This massive machinery, 300
feet below the surface, was revelation
to the visitors. The cleanliness and
tidiness by which they were environed,
and the cleverness Of the gentlemen
in charge-all evoked wondering and
complimentary remarks, especially
from the visiting ladies'. Messrs. j. F.
Thomas and David H. Plummer are
the pumpm+n.
Quite long walk brought the party
to the stable, 500 feet below the sur
face, 100 feet long, % feet wide, Is feet
high and overspanned by strong
brick arch. In each of the % stalls
fresh water is provided by an ingen-
ious appliance of spigot and bucket.
The stable, illuminated by electric
lamps, well-aired and fully supplied,
is a cheerful domicile for the % mules
who live so far below sunlight. The
only mule at home, houghtful-look-
ing individual, seemed in no wise con-
cerned about the location Of his quar-
tiers. One brash editor called for a
kick, but the mule was too happy to
respond. The stables, also a clearly,
airy apartment, is under the manage
ment of Thomas Green. The surprise
occasioned by the massiveness of
pumping machinery so far below the
surface reached it's climax in the Wis
itors' contemplation of the stable. The
ladies declared it ''perfectly wonder
full"
Joseph B. Thomas, mine-foreman,
led the party next to 1.-THE bottom of the
slope,' a sort of TRUSTING place for
heading foremen, drivers, mules and
mine-cars. A long stay was made
here, many miners joining the party
and each had as much as he could do
to tell some curious visitor all he
knew about mining. Several cars
from different points arrived and
train was made up for hauling by
cable to Hoffman.
Atlast all emerged from the shaft and
brief look taken at the engine-hous
and equipment, the latter consisting
of one Copeland & Bacon automatic
elevator engine; an electric light
plant for lighting engine house. pump
rooms and stable underground, and
outside grounds; an 1ngersoll air.
compressor, furnishing air compressed
to so pounds to each square inch,
running the two pumps at distance
of about 5000 feet from the power.
house three S0-horse power boilers,
furnishing steam for machinery in
engine house and pumps at bottom of
shaft, and one Worthington fire pump,
used for feeding boilers through
Stillwell feed water purifier. John
Bowen and Andrew Engle are the
firemen.
This is probably as complete pro-
vision for all its purposes as can be
made. Beside the items given for the
convenience and comfort of the miners
who go in and come out at this point
two waiting rooms, kept clean and
warm, have been provided for them
when waiting for the cage. Both Mr..
Randolph and Mr.. Pascoe take par
donable pride in the completeness Of
1.-The New Shaft us model of en-
gineering skill and mechanical ex-
cellence.
The train was taken for this place
and the party led to the Beali man
sion, where the beautiful prospect and