The herald., 1897-02-08

There was running along one side of the
mine vein of clay which extended up
wards almost to the surface. 1t showed
peculiar light grey blue against the
darker earth and stone through which
it ran.
On the sides of the mine the different
strata could be seen as plainly as on
colored chart. The coal vein itself,
however, proved the most interesting
feature of the mine. Its peculiar forma-
tion was explained and closely studied
by the visitors.
This particular vein is at that point
about five feet thick. 1t runs through
a slate ledge. There is first a thin
layer of coal about six inches in thick
ness, called bottom coal, from the Pc
culiar position it occupies.
Above the layer of bottom coal there
runs thin layer of slate, varying from
one to three inches in thickness. Yet
above this Is another layer of coal, three
inches through, which is known to the
miners as bearing coal. This bearing
coal runs through the slate, thin layer
Of which separates it from the true vein
of coal above which is something over
four feet in thickness and practically
free from slate rock, being almost solid
coal.
Above the coal vein the slate continues
iDT teH IHCneS, lOTiflluS d fOol WHICH, do
the coal Is dug out, becomes the top of
the mine. This is the bane of the miners
life. and constant menace to him. The
slightest relaxation of care or vigilance
on the part of the workmen often means
that the roof suddenly caves in, bury
ing them beneath the mass, and another
dire colliery disaster is heralded
throughout the country.
In some cases huge pillars of coal and
in a G
roof. while in other instances timber sup
ports are used. The roof is supposed to
be sounded each day but so used do the
men become to the ever present danger
of a cave in that the simplest precautions
are often neglected.
After watching the miners work for
some time the party We're shown the sys-
tenn of force pump drainage which keeps
the mine free from water, the new work
irgs which were just being opened, and
the methods employed in following the
different leads or branches of the coal
vein.
Under the guidance and instructions
of their guides, the more ambitious
members of the party procured picks
and dug for themselves specimens of the
coal and such geological specimens as
they could readily free from the places
where they had been embodied for GEN.
turies.
An odd feature of the trip was the
lunch which the party enjoyed hundreds
of feet below the surface of the earth.
Never was a picnic party, which the
class became for the time being, held
among such peculiar surroundings. Out
side the sun was shining brightly. but
down in the depths of the mine, with
moisture dripping from the roof and
trickling down the sides of the tunnel,
surrounded by huge masses of coal and
rock. the party enjoyed their unique
meal
Occasionally a sound as of pistol
would be heard echoing down the black
corridors from some distant part of the
mine. Then would follow boom and
crash, as if the whole top of the struc-
ture were falling in.
These sounds startled the amateur
miners, who during the brief time they
spent underground could not accustom
themselves to such nerve-rackine
sounds, although the miners told them
that they were occasioned by some loose
| bowldeers or sections of roof of dis
used gallery or working falling from its
place.
| Greatly to the satisfaction of the min
ers, the entire party at the conclusion OF
the lunch united in singing the old
ballad. which tells of being
Down in the coal mines, underneath the
ground.
Where no ray of sunshine ever can be
found"
! The song was particularly appropri
ate to the surroundings of the singers
| Surely never before were such sounds
heard so far below the surface o
! the earth. The miners ceased theil
/ work to listen, and even the friendles.
! and forlorn mine mules showed some
1 signs of life and interest
Late in the afternoon, with garments
covered with damp coal dust and mine
dirt, the party took their mule train OF
! four cars and started on their return
journey to daylight and the upper world
1t was long up grade pull, over three
quarters of a mile in length, before they
passed the last one of the heavy wooden
doors, which divide the entire mine int
sections, and saw far ahead of them the
tiny speck of light which showed the
opening at the mouth of the tunnel
A coal mine may not be the most in.
viting-looking place in the world, unless
one happens to be the owner, but to tn;
Pittsburg scholars who made the jour
ney to the bowels of the earth and back
it was decidedly interesting place. ant
their teachers say that more real knowl
edge of the earth and it's formation anl
of practical mining was gained by tha
first visit than could be acquired by
weeks of patient study of books or spec
linens in the classroom.