The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-01-27
BLACK DIAMONDS.
some of Early Coal Companies of Western
Maryland.

Some of Early Coal Companies of Western
Maryland.
To the Editor of The Republican.
All the Oakland papers have lately
been noticing the discovery at differ
ent points in Garrett county of coal
seams. This is very satisfactory, as
well as encouraging, not only to the
people within, but outside as we'll.
No doubt important developments
will in due time be made, especially
as the ultimate exhaustion of the
large veins in Allegany county is al
ready in calculation. And it might
be here fifty stated that the first coal
mine in all this region of country was
opened within the limits of what is
now Garrett county about the year
1888. on what in after years was
known as the "Brown farm" two
miles north of the Little Meadows,
Philip Hare was supposed to have
made the opening. The small pro-
duct was carried away on horse back.
and sometimes on the shoulders of
stalwart men to blacksmith shops.
This was prior to any opening in the
Frostburg region. The next opening
in the territory of Garrett county was
the old Thistle mine, two miles west
of Grantsville. The date can not now
be ascertained accurately-about the
beginning of the present century,
however. This mine is still worked
by one of Garrett county's worthy
citizens, Aaron Beachy. There was
one or more openings at Bloomington
in the early eighteen ffties. There
Llangollen commenced.
About the year 1866 the Shade Run
Coal Oil and Coal Company bored for
oil about half mile west of Grants
vile to the depth of about 800 feet,
without reaching the oil. The boring
passed through a number of veins of
coal, one of large thickness of excel
lent coal. This valuable strata can
be reached by shafting in the manner
the Borden company is now produc-
ing it's most excellent coal. Within
the last few years another similar
boring for oil was made near Sails
bury, Pa, with the same discoveries
as to coal, but no oil. Records of
these operations are in eXistance.
1t might be of interest to the people
of the county to know something
about the numerous coal companies,
in Allegany county, especially their
names, when incorporated, &c A list
of the early companies is herewith
furnished for the purpose of informa-
ton, if it is deemed advisable to pub
than to 1854 There were number
of companies organized since then,
both under legislative and judicial
charters.
Allegany Mining Company, incor-
porated in 1885, chapter 1926. Mary
land n. Y. Iron Coal Company, 1887,
supplement 1841, chapter 81. PotO-
mac Coal and Iron Company, incor-
porated 1910, chapter $780, John Hoye
and such others as may be associated
with him. Cumberland Coal and Iron
Company, 1841, chapter PA. Incor-
porators, G. NJ. Thruston, Thomas j.
McKaig. Supplements 1914, charter
SO, and 1856, chapter 1S41. Stock re-
duced Frostburg Coal Company,
1874, chapter 1876, Corporators, Me-
shack and Isiah Frosts, I. j. Nc
Kaig and VIM. w. McKaig. Brant's
Enterprise, 1874, chapter 233. Incor-
porators, Elijah p. Brant, John Brant
and Garrand C(ary. John Brant's
Iron and Coal Company, 1914, chapter
1877. Corporators, John Brant, John
&. Brant, Jacob Z. Brant and Peter
Brant Supplement, 1923, chapter 20.
Washington Coal Company, 1945,
chapter 255; supplement 1947, chapter
331. Borden Mining Company, 1916,
chapter 318. Corporators, VIM. Bor
den & Sons in all. Preston Coal
Company, 1847, chapter 289. Corpo-
rators, T. S. McKaig and G. NJ, Thurs
ton. Repealed 1852, chapter 80; other
act 1856, chapter 1902. Bunavista Coal
Company, 1847, chapter 294, Corpo-
rators, George w. McCulloh, G. G.
McCulloh and others. Repealed 1862,
chapter 81. Withers Mining Com
pany, 1857, chapter 306. Corporators,
John Withers and others, with a
number of changes and amendments.
Philadelphia Mining Company, 1847,
chapter 314. Corporators, M. Top
ham Evans, w. F. NJ. Magraw,
Thomas J. Evans and Thomas j.
johnson. Parker Vein Coal Com
pany, 1S49, chapter 56. Corporators,
E. w. Moore, VIM. NJ. Jackson, F. l..
Richardson and VIM. H. PoInroy;
supplement 1858, chapter IS. Capital
stock increased to $3,000,0OO and tc
hold 1000 acres of land. Swanton
Coal Company, 1849 chapter 1853
Corporators. John Swami, G.. f. b.