The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-26
LIVE NEWS OF
WEST SCRANTON
WORK OF REBUILDING OXFORD
wAsHERY Is IN PROGRESS.
Removal of the Big Culm Heap
Makes It Possible to Open UP Sew
eral streets-Some Ancient History
About Gammon's Hill--officers
Elected by the st. Paul's Pioneer
Corps-Funeral of the Late Thomas
w. Phillips will Take Place This
Afternoon-other Matters.

Before many months have passed the
new Oxford washery will be in oper-
alton. Already large force of car
pcnters under Thomas b. Carey and
Foreman Benson Davies are busy
framing the big timbers. The work is
carried on in the vacant plot where
the old culm dump stood before it's re-
noval by the oprations of the first
washery, which was destroyed several
months ago by fire.
The second washery will not be as
large as the one destroyed, but will
be fully as complete in all the appli-
ances of an up-to-date plant. 1t will
be erected as close as possible TO the
point where the former operations OF
culm removal ceased. This will be
done TO avoid a great length of con-
veyOr conduits.
The spot chosen lies to the right OF
the proposed extension of oxford street
to Meridian, and about 300 yards from
the present terminus of oxford street
at the interse ction of Ninth street.
Immediately beneath the structure
lore hole will be made going a depth
of 300 feet and cutting the Clark vein
workings. Into this bore hole will be
piped all the slush refuse from the
rlant, being washed in by a powerful
stream of water.
a double benefit Is thus gained.
valueless refuse of an unsightly nature
is disposed of and wide expanse of
ground redeemed. Also the UNDER
ground passages Of the mine becomes
solidly filled, thus preventing the sink
ing of the strata and consequent sur
face damages. 1t will not take very
long to remove the culm lying on the
left of Luzerne street, and nearest to
the washery. Little of it is of a mar
ketable value for any purpose and it is
very probable that this little" will be
used in the boilers at the oxford.
AS to the smaller dump" across
LuZerne street on the right hand side
nothing definite has been arranged
though ultimately it also will be re-
moved. There is still less of market
able material in this pile, as for some
time only 'bony' and dust" have
been dumped on it. 1t is figured that
in the course of three years all that
was once an oxford cum pile will
have been entirely removed. This con-
| cluson is based on the method Of op-
| Grating the other washery. About 20
| men and boys will be employed in and
| about the plant.
Two questions naturally arise in con-
nection with the removal of this culm.
| The first, will the extension of oxford
street to Meridian ever be accomplish
| ed? There is about 1000 feet of COM
| rany land and $50 feet of the property
facing on Meridian street and owned
by Mathew Dale which must be secur-
| ed to Go this. If the company will
transfer the necessary right of way
and Mr.. Dale will sell for reasonable
| price, Oxford street may yet run
| through.
| AS it is, no one knows what the Del
aware, Lackawanna and Western
company will do and it is said Mr..
Dale wants 81 900 for his property upon
which a house and barn now stand.
That the proposed street extension
would be a much travelled thorough
fare is indicated by the fact that ever
since the culm was removed, and un-
til Mr.. Dale prohibited trespass across
his lot, many have gone that way.
| In connection with street extension
it might be suggested that Ninth street
could now be extended from its pres
ont terminus at oxford right across tc
| where the narrow roadway running
along Ansleys planning mill to Meridian
street, now ends. The distance i!
about 1.S00 feet and direct thorough
fare from Scranton street TO Luzerne
street would thus he obtained. The
Scranton street hill would be avoid.
ed by that route for approach to lower
| West Scranton.
The second question is what will tbs
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
company do with the large area o.
vacant land obtained? 1t would make
an admirable site for car repair shops
and sidings and 1t is barely possibl,
that that is its probable destiny.