Year: 1869

slope OF Mount Pisgah the greater portion OF the
time our view being obscured on the side towards
the valley below by the clumps OF trees. Bat here
and there a break in the vegetation occurs, and
passing glimpses Of the outer world are caught The
sky is somewhat overcast by Clouds portending
Storm so that we sheltered from the sun stiff
bracng breeze fans our faces, and adds apparently
TO the rapidity OF motion; the knowledge of the
fact that the great first law Of nature-that which
binds the atoms OF each whrllng sphere together
and holds the planets to their appointed courses-is
our only propelllng power, imparts 20 our rapid
night peculiar and exhilaratlng sensation which is
quite inseparable from the occasion and its sur
roundngs


Having descended about three hundred feet since
leaving the top OF Mount Pisgah at last nnd our
selves at the base OF Mount Jefferson, six hundred
feet above the level OF the river. Here another
plane, similar to the encountered at the outset,
is before the height being 462, which is gained by
ascent Of 2070 feet in the same fashion BEFORE
except that different contrvance is used for check
ing the downward motion Of the trains in case OF
accident consisting of large iron clamps at the rear
of the truck car, the sharp points OF which would
enter the ground and bring the train to a sudden
standstill in the event Of an accident.


Starting on our second downward stage, from the
top Of Mount Jefferson, where our elevation about
1000 feet, gravity is again substituted for steam as
m0live power, and after proceeding about one mile
we come to Summit Village, struggling collier town,
near which are situated the exhaustess coal mines
OF Panther Creek. The miners suspended operations
on the Sth OF May last and have not yet resumed
that the town swarms with crowds OF men and boys
for whose idle hands the Devil, as is his wont, finds
plenty Of work.


From this point we make the circuit Of the mines
and return to our starting place at the foot of Mount
Pisgah, encountering two more planes in our way,
known as Panther Creek Planes, Nos and 2. The
latter is the first reached about 500 feet having been
lost in the descent from Mount Jefferson towards it.
over distance of five miles. The perpendicular
height is but 250 feet and the length OF the plane
about 1900 feet, making an easy ascent Panther
Creek Plane No. is two miles distant, and over this
portion Of the route go at terrible rate of speed
as the descent is fully 100 feet The last plane has
perpendicular height OF 1916 feet and ascent of 2OO
feet, our elevation at the top as we start on the
home stretch OF about nine miles, being about 1850
feet. At the two Panther Greek Planes wire rope,
inch and half in diameter, is substituted for the
wide iron bands used for dragging the trains up the
two planes, but in all other respects the ascent is
made in essentially the same manner as before
EThe portion of the road which sweeps around from
Summit Village by the coeries back to the same
point is very crooked, frequent zigzags being re-
qured to accommodate it to the conformation OF the
surface, Its general outline, however is circular
Until within seven years past this was not the case
The train formerly rushed down a slope, and was
carried up slight elevation by its own momentum
Here It came to stand STILL and again being started





scended another SLOPE being turned aside to the
second track by self-regulating switch termed
'switch-back." The momentum here acquired sent
it up still another slope, where the same operation
was effected and 1t then drove around sharp curve
down the third slope towards the next regular plane
About seven years ago, this large 'switch-back"
was abandoned for the present route but
two small ''swtch-backs still in use at the
foot OF each Of the Panther Creek Planes In the
valley Of Panther Greek, beyond Summit Village we
pause for fifteen minutes to take peep into the
cayernous entrance to Coal Dale Mine, No. g. a dark
damp dangerous-lookng hole in the side OF the hill
from which come omnous CLEANS OF light and
heavy stream Of air which chills us to our bones.


The entire journey is about twenty-five miles in
length, and occupied to-day just three hours in
making its circuit. But the time devoted to it has
been well spent 1t presented constant succession
of novelties and rare sensation OF mingled danger
and security, which will long remain fresh in our
minds. .r a. ...


On the return to Mauch Chunk dinner was par
taken Of and at quarter before O'Clock in the
afternoon we resumed our journey, arriving at
Scranton at fpast Z. or the journey thther and
the place itself must wait until my next letter.


.