The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1907-12-28

lnOuSnl lndt dnluldCllt coal was uH
burnable because too hard, and that
it was only by the most persistent
efforts of the few investigating minds
that it was finally demonstrated that
the black rock had high fuel val
ue, but such is the case. 1t is now
almost a hundred years since it was
conclusively shown that anthracite
would burn. This was accomplished
at Wilkesbarre, Pa and in February
next at that place that event is to
be suitably celebrated under the aus
pices of the Wyoming Valley Histori.
cal society.
In Philadelphia attempts to burn
the stone coal were made before the
year 1908, when Judge Jesse Fell of
Wilkesbarre succeeded in burning the
coal in CRATE which he devised for
the purpose. The Introduction of an
thracite as fuel should not be con
fused with the successful burning OF
bituminous coal, which, in limited
way, had been in use in forges for
nearly half century at the time.
What is known as Lehigh coal was
discovered by hunter who was gun
ming in the neighborhood of the pres
ent town of Mauch Chunk in 1871
From its nature it became known as
"stone coal" and those who believed
1t to be possible to ignite the anthra.
cite were numbered among the intelli-
gent as well as among the ignorant
Few persons at that time had faith in
its value as a fuel However, a com.
pany was formed in 1892 to take up
the land in the immediate vicinity of
the discovery. This corporation was
called tho l.chigh Coal Mine company,
and not Il little of its early difficulties
were connected with the problem of
transportation, a great deal of work
had to be done before a pound of coal
reached Philadelphia.
In time-for there were difficulties
with the legislature in the attempts to
get a charter-sOmc of the coal was
brought TO Philadelphia. When this
was and where the first attempt was
made to burn the fuel here are mat
ters still in dispute. The assertion is
made that a load of anthracite was
brought TO Philadelphia and put under
the boiler of the pumping engines in
the Center Square water works about
the beginning of the last century. 1t
is told that when anthracite was tried
4 h, b,i in hn " =
actually put out the fire. The preju
dice against the stone coal was so
great that ii was years before another
attempt was made in the same place
John Binns, who some so years or
more ago was a democratic politician
of Importance in the Quaker city, in
his book of recollections claims the
honor of having been the first TO
make the attempt TO burn Lehigh
coal He fails to give the exact date,
but what he says possesses interest.
when this coal was discovered. about
the year 1906 he says, there was
much speculation, and not little anN.
iety, as TO its quality and quantity.
In the legislative session Of 1901
an application was made for an act
of assembly to Incorporate a company
to work the Lehigh coal mines To as
sist in obtaining this charter the per.
sons most interested induced German
to explain to the mem.
bers OF the legislature the nature Of
the coal, the probable extent Of the
mines and the facility with which, at
a moderate expense. the coal could
be brought to market.
Before he left the mines he sent
to me to Philadelphia wagonloai Of
the coal, the best he bad In tho hope
tha; would. in INV newspaper give
it some celebrity which. in truth ]
wag We'll disposed 70 d. 10 enable
me- 90 to do iail q stoyemakar So
f5r Il scmicircular sheatrou stove ana
hal II pat rp In my private Office in
orGo. 10 burn that coal 4 suHciencT
oI charcoal. Il vas Thought ~aa na