Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1916-05-18
WILT0N'S Ignite
MINING INDUSTRY
Growth Of North Dakota Fuel
Production.

we'll as the quality of the coal has
proven a wonderful blessing through
out the entire state. 1t not only as
sures the people of being able to Sc
cure great sufficiency of fuel, but
gives employment to several hun
dred men throughout the entire year,
and during the busiest season there
being in the neighborhood of 500
men, with a yearly pay roll of more
than 100000. The fact. too, that
this is by far the largest mine in the
state, bringing out about 1900 tons
a day; that it is centrally located and
can produce coal at price which de-
fies competition, the coal at the mine
being from $3.50 to $3.50 per ton,
has kept many thousands of fire.
sides during the severest winter
weather, and many homes which
would otherwise have found it diff
cult to procure coal, If Ignite had not
been so easily obtainable and at such
low cost.
Facilities of the latest and best are
at the disposal of the workers and
the men employed are expert miners,
with overseers of experience and
ability. Three dynamo generators
of so, 100, and 500 XIV. furnish
power and light to the mine as well
as lighting the city of Wilton. There
are three electric driven motors, 9
cutting machines, electric pumps,
steam pumps. Besides 35 mules are
kept busily at work hauling the coal
as it is being cut, to the electric mo-
tors which convey the coal to the
shaft. Every time the machines
make q new cut, a distance Of six feet
more is reached. Each entry Il ten
feet wide and there are in the neigh
borhood of 1000 rooms, each one be-
ing II feet wide. There is always
day and night pumpman at work who
traverse the underground wonders Of
this mine.
There are II miles of trackage laid
in order to reach the entire workings
Of the mine, and the electric motors
upon reaching the shaft are immedi-
ately unloaded, the coal being
brought to the surface and by the
latest device of boxcar leaders put
into cars all ready for shipment via
both the 500 and Northern Pacific
railroads. During the very busy sea-
son there are special trains made up
at the mine for the hauling of the
immense output Of coal which is
speedily sent out over the state.
There is yearly output of over
100000 tons, nearly one-half of tho
entire output Of the combined mines
of North Dakota.
The expression. Wonders never
cease" may well be used in connec-
tlon with the possibilities of Ignite
in this mine, for its resources seem
boundless. Right near the mine now
in operation a new mine will be To-
Gated. which will be distance of
two and one-half miles out of Will
ton and which mine it is expected
will be in operation in August Of this
year, and from which they expect to
be able to have an output of 1000
tons Of coal per day.
A group of cottage homes are To-
Gated near the mine for the men en-
ployed there, many Of them live In
company cottages, and every occu-
pant has a garden plot to use. There
is also a schoolhouse where the chill
dren may avail themselves Of educa-
tion under the direction of compe-
tent teacher. A fine large rooming
house and good board is at the dis
posal of the single men, and during
the winter months and the busiest
season of the year the place is filed
to its utmost capacity. AS conse-
quence. when comforts of this nature
are at the disposal of the miners, the
keynote Of the employed is happiness
and contentment.
Aside from the enormous output
of coal at the mine, The Washburn
Ignite Coal company cultivate a
farm of over 1000 acres and as a
consequence fine yield is realized
from the rich soil, Of wheat, flax,
oats, etc. AS the result the granaries
are stored full when the fall season
arrives and good feed is thus obtain |
able for the mules who are employed
the year around.
Visitors frequent the mine almost |
daily and every courtesy is extended
them by the management, several
hours often being taken up to give
outsiders an opportunity to thor-I
.