davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
COAL OUTPUT AT POCA.
Interesting Description of How
the BLACK Diamonds" are
Mined.
BY J. Nj. NEWTON.

Pocahontas, Va, Dec. Is.
Editor &. V. News:
For some time the writer has desir-
ed TO go over the big coal plant at
Pocahontas, Va, known as Pocahon-
tas Consolidated Collieries Company,
one OF the largest operations of the
kind in the South. This company was
known in the beginning as the South
west Virginia improvement Com
pany, and was the first TO enter the
now famous Pocahontas coal field.
That was about 25 years ago.
A few days ago / took advantage
of an opportunity TO visit this wond-
erful operation and see with my own
eyes what is going on in and around
the mines where so much of the Po-
cahontas coal is mined and shipped.
The capacity of the plant was some
what in the nature of revelation to
me, rs found that / had previously
had but slight conception of what
is going on here. True, had a gen.
eral knowledge, but that is quite
different from being on (and under)
the ground where such an important
enterprise is being carried on.
1t is not my purpose to give story
dealing with the mining of coal, for
those who have never seen a coal
mine can form their own conclusions
and not be far from correct. Nor is it
my purpose TO give more than a syn
opsis of the work inside the mines,
though this might be more interest
ing to the average reader than facts
pertaining to the capacity of a great
plant, which 1 would more particu-
iarly dwell upon. would be glad,
If thought it would be interesting,
TO give a description of the opening
and working of coal mine, and TO
give in detail some "inside informa-
tion" relative to this region of busy
activity in the bowels of the earth,
where man could not live were it not
for the ingenuity of his fellow man,
where winters bitter cold or sum-
mer's broiling sun affect not the even
temperature the miner enjoys the
year round: The mine West mine,
$ ventilated by 1Ox16 Capell elec.
trio fan, which gives the mine from
$50 to $50 thousand cubic feet of all
per minute. They have in addition
20 ft. Gubial fan, which ventilates
the locomotive and hauIage roads.
The Gubial fan gives from l25 to 15(
thousand cubic feet of air per minute
The plant of the Pocahontas Con.
solidated ColIieries Company, at Pc
cahontas, consists of three mine.
with 12-foot seam of coal, viz
East Mine, Baby Mine and Wes
Mine. The last named is the largest
and is divided into four districts st
Paul, Ten Entry, Norton and New
port News. The air furnished b,
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
POCAHONTAS
VOTES DRY

is one of the most interesting points
about coal plant. Standing on the
platform at the tippel L saw four
trips of coal (mine) cars at one time,
all loaded with coal. The locomotives
pull from % 10 40 of these cars at n
time. There are two places at the
tipple where coal is dumped from the
mine cars into a shute where il falls
down through screen To the railroad
cars below, where an inspector and
force OF men examine the coal and
reject the bone and slate, which is
thrown out. This refused coal is sold
TO the town people at reduced price
The fine (soft) coal dumped from
the mine cars passes through the
screen and falls into "larries'' below
to be conveyed out to the coke ovens
and burned into coke.
While on the tipple l counted as
high a. eight mine cars dumped in
one minutes time. / would Judge
that the cars contain at least three
tons of coal, and on that basis / fig
ure hat "a tons of coal passed down
the shute in one minute.
All these cars come over the same
track TO the tipple switch, which is
manipulated so as to throw the car
on the desired track. Two or three
negroes are waiting to take each car
In hand and see that it is properly
handled. When emptied the car rolls
back on side track TO be hooked up
to a train and hustled back into the
mines TO be re-filled.
1t is interesting to watch this
clock work action at the tipple, and
1t seems wonderful that the arrange
ments are so perfect that apparently
no mistakes or accidents occur.
While standing at the tipple
watching the men, machinery, ETC.,
the thought came 10 me that during
the few moments L was there the
coal dumped represented hundreds of
dollars in value TO the producers, and
hundreds of dollars compensation TO
the men who were the factors i'm
bringing il TO the surface; and /
realized what this great industry
must mean, not only TO this town
where its hundreds Of employees live,
but elsewhere in the marts of trade
where this heat and steam supplying
article goes on its worthy mission.
1t looked like ''busy day." at the
mines. And yet when conditions are
normal every day is a busy one.
Where 1900 men are employed some
thing must be going on.
AS near as / could see Superin-
tendent William Leckie was all over
the works at the same time, and that
things are moving about the plant is
easily explained. 1t could not be
otherwise with him in charge, TO say
nothing of the number of excellent
officials under his direction. He
knows the capacity of the plant un-
der his supervision, and has tested
that capacity to the extent of pro-
cucing more coal in one day than
any coal mine in the South in the
same length of time. The day / visit
ed the plant there was an output of
4, 266 tons of coal.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
HERE'S ONE MAN.

We had carried him for three years
-he owed us $500. He came in and
paid up, but ordered his paper stop
ped, because, he said, he would not
pay in advance, and would not pay
Sl.5O on credit. We carried him for
three years. He was unwilling TO pay
one year in advance. He is n good
man, but the world doesn't need but
about one such, and the sooner he
goes he better and no loss TO any
body.
Here's another He let his paper
run over the time six months-took
1t out of the office, read il every
week, and finally stopped it, saying
he only subscribed for year, and re-
fused 10 pay for the extra six
months. He, too, is not needed in
this country, where the "square
deal' is recognized rs the rule be-
tween man and man.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20

| the electric fan is distributed chiefly
through the working places for the
benefit of the men. The ventilation
from the Gubial fan is used for
"loky" roads chiefly.
The daily output of these mines is
1000 tons, which is delivered to the
tipple by five steam locomotives.
The mines are operated by the Mine
Phone or Block System. Phone hous-
es are placed at different points with
boys in them announcing the arrival
and departure of locomotives with
trips" of coal from starting place
to the tipple.
In this West mine the coal is
hauled distance of PIP miles and
it requires so head of mules, five
gathering electric motors and two
electric hoists TO get the coal from
the miners working places TO the
double branches where the locomo-
tive trains or trips of cars are made
up. The Baby mine is operated by
electric motors entirely, no mules or
steam locoG,oti yes are used in this
mine.
The large amount OF water that
enters the mines through the coal
seaEI at different points is pumped
to ,he outside by electric pumps,
placed in different districts. In
some Districts bore holes are drilled
through the mountain, and water
from the pumps discharge the bore
hole.
Bore holes are driven through the
mountain chiefly to save large ex-
pense on pipe lines which would
have TO be laid in order to remove
the water. In the mines / found a.
bee hive Of industry. Some are en-
gagged in laying track, others are
cleaning up fall, portion drawing
pillars, and many drivers, helpers
and miners. Do you ask how they
"dig coal?" The miner uses his pick
in making cut under the seam of
from five to seven feet, then bores a
hole or two above with long augur.
In this augur hole he puts a suffi-
cient amount of blasting powder to
"shoot down" the coal, after which
he loads it on the mine car which is
brought from the main track and
| placed on the side track within his
reach. When the car is filled it is
drawn by mule to the main track
to be attached TO the trip and
taken out to the tipple by the loco
motive.
When miner goes into his room"
or working place of morning he
| first takes his pick and Sounds his
top" When drawing pillars is
going on, (which is done when a part
of the mine is worked and ready to
be destroyed), the miner is always
warned of danger by the top "work-
ing" Every miner knows that this
means danger and will proceed to get
TO safe place.
! There are no shafts Except all
shafts), at the Pocahontas mines.
The entrances are ON the side OF the
mountain. The coal is broaght oul
| and dumped at the tipple and this
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
EMPTY ARMS.

Tn sad news reached Tazewell on
Wednesday that the infant daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. j. e. Pearce, of
Pineville, KY, was dead. The baby
was about month old, and had not
been we'll from its birth. The burial
took place at Pinveille.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
NO PAPER NEXT WEEK.

According TO well established
custom among weekly papers, there
will be no issue Of tile Clinch Valley
News next week.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
Merry Christmas
EV Err YBODY

What for Christmas is something he
The place get where he himself would make eec-
Our clothing from the countrys best and noted Manu-
faCtmers.
Our hats, caps and headwear Makers
lead in quality and style.
Our Habedashery choice selection of all the and
best ideas the market
Perhaps few suggestions would help you decide just what
would best to give.
Suits Ties Hcu
Overcoats Gloves Bath Robe Night Robe
Fancy Vests Hosiery Shirts Muffer
Rain Coat Underwear Umbrella Sweater
Dress Suit Collars Shirt Protector Suspenders
Come and see how things show you that would
be just right for ellis Christmas.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
HANDSOME BOOKS

The style books, being sent out,
free Of charge by the manufactures
OF Star Brand Shoes, are very
striking examples of good shoe ads.
The booklets are very nicely gotten
up in. .colors on fine paper. Drop "a
postal to Billy Reed, care Roberts,
Johnson d Rand Shoe Co., st. Luois,
and you will receive copy immedi-
ately.
q n - IT q E Z a..
Bears the 7lhe Kind You Have Always Bought
''ses'''' ss NxNZzIZx
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-20
THE REGISTER.

The Editor of The Register Depart
nemt announces with great satisfac-
ton the arrival of three strangers in
the city since last report. The first is
a boy, at the home of Prof. Brahe, an
addition TO the teaching force of the
county, and the other two, young
ladies, in the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
j. r. Laird. Yes, twins, healthy,
nice little fellows, and-father and
mother, Capt. and Mrs. Tynes, are
all doing as well and behaving as
well as could be expected under the
circumstances.
Tazewell continues TO give hearty
endorsement to the administration
and policies of Mr.. Roosevelt, and
this latest achievement is rebuke to
him in his determination not to run
again for the Presidency.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26
oOnMEaD CONVEX gDueagIas Bill


Senator Aivan b. Conner ii seceis ing
ltttets from all over the Stale commend
ing him for have Introduced inii'e Leeis-
lasnfe compulsory educaiion laA fhe
writers pf ali the letters Il, sell fl,hf5 ~ viii
serve tire great pnrp res 10 ttis state.
namety First. il will secure liies
e,lutation Of all lhe Utng ii d s,ller
children OF Delaware, many II IIun,, be-
cause OF the demands for her asll tile
small fruit sisies aldr where n,.rk = j Iieas-
an fur the cll.d. are growing III, ii j lit
efscy. Second. that il vii ei4e tile
State that which she DOES isei Dbtain.
value received ior the expense ~ X eI.isig
open xchooihuusess Third il viii nfreS
~ Increase the salaries II iepcl - q siw
serving tile State and giving flie l,'ls pIt
the best years nf Their lives fer mere
pFffanre Of paV.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26
PAY OF our sOLDIrRg

.'Now it is proposed d teincrease
the pay of The soldiers in the
United States Army, Bills are
pending in Congress for a gen.
eral advance of twenty per cent.
in their wages. These bills. are
comprehensive, as tie suggested
increase affects all the officers as
well as the privates. The pay
of the latter has not been such
as to hold out financial induce
ments to men TO enter the SER
vice of Uncle Sam. The Marine
Corps and the Revenue Marine
Service are to be included in the
proposed increase. The meas
ure also provides for retirement
after thirty years of service.
This is a good idea. How bene-
fetal it would be if all honest men
who spend years of toll in any
business could be assured Of a
pension after their days of USE
fulness and faithful work are
over. 1t would alter in many re-
spects our social life.
sThe present pay Of army men
was arranged in 1872 and there
has beeu no increase or advance
despite the increased cost of liv-
ing. Uncle Sam has treated his
employees as does many private
concern no increuse If wages
unless The employees are strong
enough throOgli their labor union
Is Demand such advances. But
even lie ia dvance of twenty ler
cent, il II said in Washington,
vim not make up for the in
creased cost Of. living, and the
army officers believe that finan-
cialIy they are much worse off
than they u err d third of a CEN
tnry ago. The nation is rich and
opulent aid can well afford the
advances for her soldiers and
sailors. EyenfnG journal.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26
KENT AND SUSSEX PRISONERS

"The people of Kent aud Sus-
sex counties are making serious
mistake in seeking to haze re-
pealed the act providing for the
removal to the rkhouse near
this city Of long-term rris ners..
"This plan was to have gone
into operation in April next, but
now there is movement on foot
to have the act a7nnlled. Kent
and Sussex tax payers are trying
to take a step backward. For
many years the Old jail at
Georgetown las been Il mere
shack and tits never known how
soon there will be a general Jail
delivery. The building IS un-
sanitary and utterly unfit for the
purpose intended. There are
comparatively few inng Term pris-
oners in either of the two lower
counties but they are u constant
source of expense and menace
to their respective communities.
Further, the prisoners are kept
in idleness, in spite Of the long
established provision Of 1aw pro-
yiding that prisoners can be put
at work on the roads.
"At the New Castle county
workhouse the prisoners are
keptemployed and thus prepared
to be of use to themselves when
released. They are kept and
boarded att nominal expense and
the cost to the two lower counties
for the care of the prisoners here
would be nominal In addition
they would be certain of being
held, as escape is almost imros-
sible. The sheriffs Of both Kent
and Sussex counties would De re-
lieved of a great responsibility.
AS it is now both Dover and
Georgetown need new prisons,
but the people do not feel that
they can afford the expense.
In accordance with modern
penal methods the act tollave all
long term prisoners cared for in
the workhouse in this county is
just what is needed Neither
Kent nor Sussex can afford
modern prison and thus the nat
ural and business like thing TO
do is to send their charges here,
paying New Castle county per-
haps less than it NOW costs per
capita to run the obspIete j4ils.
Naturally it is for Kent and Sus-
sex counties to decide for them
selves what they prefer to do,
yet in the name cf humanity it
you'd appear as ifAsstt
large should take cognizance of
the miserable conditions il Dover
and Georgetown and stand by the
act it is now sought tn relreal.
We do not understand why The
two lower counties are st,anXious
to take a back step AZ Ills time.
They ought to be able to see that
they are blundering .Ho.ming
Nelcs.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

Mems Black and Blue Cheviot
Suits. single or double breasted.
Your attention is called to these
suits, as they stand foremost of
any cheviot suit ever sold for
twice the price we offer them for.
They are strictly all wool. well
made, full faced and double
stitched. Our price, s6.75
Sold by the Manufacturers
Outlet for $l3 90.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

Here are some right snappy
novelty suits in rich neat pat
terms consisting of pin stripe,
checkered worsted and invisible
plaids. These suits are the best
productions of the season. Each
garment is hand dmade and sewed
with silk. Handmade buttonholes
deep faced and satin faced pocket
edge, and lined with the very
best Italian serge, equal to GUS
tom made $1,000
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

Mems Brown and Steel Gray
mixtures, all wool suits. These
suits are very nobby suits, made
up in The very latest designs,
and cut according % lhe latest
plate, and i,ave lbe full appear
ance uf a custom m.'de garment.
Our price. .. 5000
Value ut other stores, $500.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

Mems Steel, Gray and Novelty
mixtures in sacks or double
breasted, all sizes. These suits
are made of the famous "Union"
cloth, are we'll cut, full finished
and good fitting. Our price s4.75
Formerly sold for $3.50.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

We offer as II special feature, a
Mans black a!l woni 1'IiEit suit.
This suil is-fnll faced, aen9:,l With
silk, and hd> tailor made Shape
which it relains. Our price $500
Formerly sold ut $3.50.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

Mems Blue, Black and Brown
Scotches. These suits are made
of the Beaufort" wills material
and will render service equal to
any suit that you'll pay twice The
amount. Our price. ..... $3.50
Value at all other stores, $11.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26
Mems and Young
Mems Suits

Mems and Young Mems two
piece suits in strictly all wool
fannels and mercerized worsted,
turned up bottom pants in D. B.
or S. B. Your choice. $3.50
Sold by the Manufacturers
Outlet for s6, 81 and So.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26
Mems and Young
Mems Suits

Mems blue, Black aud Gray
Sack Suits, made Of durable ma
terial. Coats, pants and yessts
cut according to regular meas
nrement. Sizes 81 to 42. Our
price ........ $3.50
Sold by the Manufacturers
Outlet for 5000.
Middletown transcript., 1907-01-26

These clearance sales held twice year only always
come and always offering goods of the latest production
The few items named below give clear idea of the oppor
unes they multiplied many times in the goods awaiting
inspection at store.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-12-28

Seattle, Dec. -2s.-2rhe Children's
home was buraed thix morning, drlv-
ing ott go mmates. Two children
were Sfemated and rfhree are prob
ably SataIly DJrned.
IraA cfabtree, agaii months. and
Haz6l Lee, aged Syyears. were burn
ed to death ofnd NY. Myers. the ma
tron, was fatally ha.rned. Mrs Ny
ers &nd a worse 'zI scued the child
rem. The Gf1rse Yg7as also badly In
jur6a. The rnome IS located seven
miiss from 'rhe tSS, and there is M
fire protet6ion ~The blaze had "a
2O-h1nutes astart n efore aid arrived
Al but tgwo "a the babies were
reseded by throwing them from the
widows. The Two women fought
the flames alone until aid arrived
T@ahty lfss'n aPs cared first, but by
that; timetfhere MAS little they cOuld
do.
Great ddsffioutS was experienced
in securing medHal aid as the tale-
eAah O. Ds4e, was5nut OF order and it
Wass'eyeralShuurs before proper med
icala attaur Oh .Nss given the burncd
women AMI ehilhren. OF the child
'ren&alive nome were seriously iHtnF-
ed, due to Z he heroic efforts of the
two womeps
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-12-28
MINING EXPERTS IN OREGON.
VIII Make Reports on Individual
Mining PToperties-MissiOn Secret

Will Make Reports on Individual
Mining operties-MissiOn Secret.
The Democrat is able to tell It's
readers this morning that for the
past 10 days United States govern
mentment mining experts have been
at work in eastern oregon, says the
Baker City Democrat.
The work is one which is bound to
cause a great deal OF interest in the
whole mining world. for It is one that
deals not only with districts but with
any and all mines and prospects in
the several mining districts.
Some OF the work has already been
done and but few knew anything
about the presence Of the men.
The government will continue the
work from now on and the force Of
experts now in charge of the work
in this locality will be increased dur
ing the coming week.
The Democrat will endeavor to
keep in touch with the work that has
begun so quietly and thus readers
may know something that will be of
great interest to the many who are
interested in our mines, both here
and elsewhere.
It is not work of geologists that
these men are doing but a work Of
inspection. and It will do much to
credit or discredit the work of many
who have been passing on properties.
All of the men are experienced
miners who are bound to tell the gov
ernment the conditions Of the districts
and the mines in these several local
tiles.
We can say at the present writing
that one particular district just ex-
amined has received a splendid en-
dorsement from the inspectors, but
we are not at liberty to say Just what
district this is.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-12-28

No. s, west bound, 1905 a. M; nov
at 1915 a, m.
No, Q, east bound, 4:40 p. M;
same time ~ at present.
No. 6, east bound, 1855 a. M: now
400 a. m.
No. 8, west bound, s.
No. Z, east bound, 4:10.
Spokane Branch.
No, 8, northbound, 1880 p. M;
now 11:45 a. m.
No. 7, southbouad. 1880 p. M; now
4:25 p. m.
No. 40, mixed, nOrthbound, p.
m. N -,.
No. IL, mixed, southbound 2 D. m.
The most important changes are
in the times of Nos. 1, 6 and s. The
eastbound morning train is an hour
and five minutes earlier, the west
bound main line train is As minutes
later and Spokane train leaves 45
minutes later than under the present
schedule.
The Pilot Rock trains will continue
under the present schedule. leaving
here at S;45 a. m. and returning at
S:iS p. m.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-12-28
INDIANA FOR FAIRBANKS.
BlcuDial Love cast Endorses Vice
President for Presidency.

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 2S.-Reso-
lutions were adopted unanimously at
the biennial love feast of Indiana re-
publlcans urging the nomination of
Vice President Charles w Fairbanks
for the presidency The resolutions
were introduced by Governor J..
Frank Hanfy and were adopted with
n round OF cheers by the thousand
and more active party workers of
the state who were present.
United States Senator Alfred j.
Bcvr,idge presided and made the
principal speech, dwelling on the ac-
ccmplishments of Mr.. Fairbanks and
averrlng that the Indiana delegates
would stand solidly by him in the
national convention.
Others present included Senator
Hemenway, many of the Indiana rep
resentatives in congress, members OF
the legislature. county and city Off
GERS snd a number Of candidates for
places on the state ticket, with their
friends.
TIE gathering was large and encru-
.siastc.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-12-28
CHURCHES TO PROFIT BY RADER's SALES

NJ. A. RAIDER, the we'll known fur
niture and carpet dealer of this city,
has planned a church sale for the
first few days of January, giving to
each of the 10 church organizations
in the city, one day each, 10 per cent
of his cash sales on each day of the
series to go to the individual churches
named.
The series Of sales will begin on
January 6 and will close on January
10, and one day will be set aside for
each of the churches of the city. the
schedule arranged by Mr.. RAIDER be-
ing as follows:
Monday, January 6, Catholic
church.
Tuesday, January I. Christian
church.
Wednesday, January s, Baptist
church.
Thursday, January Q, Episcopal
church.
Friday. January 10. Presbyterian
church
Saturday, January II, congrega-
tional church.
Monday, January IS, NJ. E. church.
church.