1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. THIRD BITUMINOUS DISTRICT. 403
Bowinan.—Is a drift mine opened on the Pittsburg coal seam,
which is about six feet thick. The mine will be worked on the
double entry plan, and it is ventilated by a temporary furnace, which
was producing about 3,500 cubic feet of air. The ventilation and
drainage were good. The tipple, which is situated on the West
iVnu Railroad, is connected with the check house by an inclined
plane G3iJ feet long.
Darlington.—Is a drift mine. It is a rather small operation,
which is operated merely to furnish coal and clay for the brick works
there. At present there is not a sufficient number of persons employed
to bring it under the mining law. When I last examined th"
mine it was in reasonably good condition.
Hoytdale.—This is a drift mine, which is the old Baker mine reopened
for the purpose of taking out the pillars. At the time of
my visit it was in good condition both in regard to ventilation and
drainage.
Description of Old Mines.
Mines Located Along the Buffalo and Allegheny Valley Railroad
in Armstrong and Clarion Counties.
The eight old mines Aladdin, Glen, Mosgrove, formerly known as
Pine Creek, Riverview, Monarch, Catfish Run, Eagle, Monterey,
formerly known as Mineral Ridge, in this part of my district, have
all been operated reasonably well during the year. A scarcity of
railroad cars caused some broken time, but on the w r hole the operators
and miners have experienced a very prosperous year. The sanitary
conditions existing in the Aladdin, Riverview, Eagle and Monterey
mines w 7 ere very good.
There was a good supply of air circulating
in each of them and the drainage was all that could be
desired. At the Monarch mine, although a new 7 8 foot fan was
erected this year, there is
not as large a volume of air at the face
of the workings, where mining machines are being used, as there
should be. The fan has not the power to produce sufficient air. The
Glen and Catfish Run mines are small operations. They were not
in as good condition
as they might have been, as the natural advantages
arc all favorable for securing excellent sanitary conditions.
The Mosgrove mine was not in good condition at the
time of my last visit, although there are extensive improvements
going on with a view of having it brought up to the requirements
of the law both in regard to ventilation and drainage. The mode
nt working the mine has been changed from single to double entry.
A new air shaft has been sunk with the intention of building a sub
stantial furnace at il at once, which, when completed, will improve
the ventilation of the mines.