The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-06-10

Thus far have tried to give you
some idea of how the work is done in
one level; this process is applied more
or less to every level and in all the
mines in that locality. Ihave described
the work done in OF e7ieyel but do not !
think that only one level can be worked
at time, for sometimes there are five
levels in OF Grafton at the same time
and in tie same mine; only the first
one must be caved in and finished be-
fore tie next one comes to that stage.
Otherwise the work would be impos-
sible.
The ore is hoisted up in the cars
which are pushed en- the cages. All
tie cables and the cages are well reg
ulated, the cages Icing tried every two
weeks. There is one man whose duty
it is to examine all the cables and
wheels every day and to oreport prompt
ly any defe:t that may occur on either.
In order to be abe to tel you how
the cages are tried, | will give you
| some idea of their construction. As
have mentioned before, the room in the
shaft through which the cage is passed
| is 5x6 feet. From top to bottom in the
center of each side there is board 8x10
| inches screwed to the frame. These
boards are to keep the cage in its place
and for the purpose which am now to
explain. The cage is made of iron, ex-
cept the floor which is covered with
boards. On the top of the cage there
are two 3-inch rods which reach from
one side of the cage to the otLer. On
each end of the rod there is catcher,
These catchers are fitted cne on each
side of the Sx1O-inch board. There is
a heavy spring wound around each OF
these rods The-spriags are SO made
/ that when the cable is drawn tight and
the cage raised they open-when slack
they close. When the cage is tried q
car full Of ore is pushed on to it. The
ore weighs two and half tons, the cal
one ton and the cage one ton-togethel
four and a half tons. The cage ii
raised above the surface into the shaft
, house. The opening is covered will
) planks and three large timbers are pu
} across. Then tie cage is lowered dowl
} to rest on the timber, the cable is takel
off and an adjunct is attached to i,
E This adjunct takes, hold of the Gag
: and by pulling the rope it will let &c
: When this is fixed the cage is raised u
= two feet from the timber and the spac
a is measured. They pull the role AM
0 let the cage drop. Its fail is from tw
t to three inches and is held hanging o.
q it's catchers. If the fall is more tina
j four inches the cage is taken off an
: another put in its place. In the shaft
Q house all the loose material is kept ou
J. especially when the men are on tn
= cages. In the engine house there is
b braken an for every cage and beside
) the marks OH tie cable he has dial
d front of him which shows him tn
WucI0dUVutS VI CttO C0kO W Oil AAVi
b The Company takes good care to pr
e vent all accidents and man is ver
y seldom injured.
Ore from the shaft gees direct int
d crusher house, from there in wints
is time it is dumped in stock piles and
d summer on railroad cars ready for shi!
D. ment to various parts of the countr
is where it is to be melted and prepare
20 for our use as iron.
ID In future paper | shall describe tt
~ work done in the level more clearl
20 And if there is q point which any I
o. you are interested in l will try to @
ID PLAIN it to the best Of my ability.
le j. G..
is