1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. BUREAU OF MINES. xxiiu competition with cokes and fuels in the juost distant parts ofthe United States."History and Growth.During the past quarter of a century many of our largest industrieshave made their most noticeable advancement, yet none hasmade more rapid strides or been of greater importance and valuethan tlie manufacture of coke. The date of the first production ofcoke is iu doubt. By some authorities it is claimed that it was usedin the United States some years prior to 1770. Be this as it may,the best authenticated history gives Isaac Meason credit for thefirst production of coke in the Connellsville region. In 181G and 1817he built the first rolling mill erected west of the Allegheny mountains,at I'lumsock, Fayette county, and this mill went into operationin September of the latter year. The coke was used in the rehneiyand was made in Fayette county. In 1836, F. H. Oliphantbegan the use of coke as a fuel in Fairchance Furnace. From abouttiiat year the man}- smaller furnaces, forges and iron works whichused charcoal began to close out, and as nearly as can be determined,that date marks the beginning of the decline or passing ofcharcoal as a furnace fuel, although its manufacture continued formany jears thereafter in the Connellsville region. Some idea ofthe extent of this industry, which has long since been supersededby the coke industry, may be formed from the following data: In1837 there were nine blast furnaces, four forges and rolling millsand numerous foundries in this region. The nine furnaces manufactured500 tons each per annum, or a total of 4..500 tons. It reeluired J)0 bushels of charcoal to produce a ton of metal, hence 405,-000 bushels were used yearly by these furnaces. In the absenceof reliable data it is possible only to approximate the extent of theproduction of charcoal, and merely to suggest the amount used bythe. numerous foundries, furnaces and forges, both in and out of theregion. However, it must have been quite extensive as the mountainsides, from base to summit, are dotted with the old circularcharcoal pits which yet lie as bare and barren altnost as the day oftheir abandonment. Doubtless, when these pits were ablaze, thesettlersof the valley were reminded of the camp and bivouac firesof the army of General Braddock which marched along the crestand sides of these same mountains in its disastrous campaign againstthe Fr-ench and Indians at Fort Pitt. The burning of charcoal andits use as fuel did not come to an end abruptly, but, like the beginningof the use and production of coke, its decline was slow and fitful.Even yet some charcoal is made and used for special purposes. Notlonger than twelve years ago, William Beeson and Robert Hogsett,(f Fayette county, now deceased, made and sold to various iron