1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

^8« REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. Off. Doc.employes, is being- done by the officials in charge. If there was thesame care exercised at all mines that there is at this one, there wouldbe no necessity for a Mine Inspector. Mine boss, David Walters,Cheat Haven.—This mine has at no period during the year em-ployed a sufficient number of persons. to biing it under the sujjcrvisiouof the Mine Inspector, although visits have been made to itregularly. It is, upon the whole, in good condition.Edna.—Has employed only two persons during the entire year, whodig coal for domestic purposes.Elm Grove.—This mine is in good condition. The ventilation isample and well distributed around the working faces. The imuvis being developed with a view of reaching the boundary lines.^A'ilhthis end in view, the headings are pushed night and day, and onlyenough i-ooms are worked to supply coal tor the ovens, the objectbeing to work most of the coal in coming back. The mine will notsuffer for lack of attention on the i)art of the mine officials. Mineboss, James Exton.Elenora.—Owing to the ventilating power being weak on accountof the shallow shaft and small furnace, tht^ ventilation during thewarm summer months was not what could be desired. During theremainder of the year, however, it was very satisfactory. The airwas well conducted up to the face of the workings and the best useof the ventilating power available was made by the mine boss. Hereas in other shallow mines, the ineffectiveness of furimce ventilationis demonstrated. Much more satisfactory results could be obtainedby the use of a fan. Mine boss, John Harley.Ferguson.—At the beginning of the year a fire occurred in thismine. Being notified of this I proceeded to the mine and found thatthe fire was located in the old workings. Upon examination I foundthat it was the result of spontaneous combustion, caused by exhaustingthe steam from the mine pump into an old abandoned room whichw^as filled with water. The steam having no means of escape, heateduj) the water, producing intense heat, which caused the roof to fall.The steam being confined in this room became sujterheated, whichill (urn heated the fallen coal and slate in the room to such an ex(('III that chemical action was produced, whereby the sulphur andpyrites of iioii in the strata and coal were decomposed, as were alsothe oxygen an