“Scaliim.
* Bellefonte, Pa., January 23, 1920.
MINE FIRE RAGES FOR SIXTY
YEARS. :
Hundreds of Dollars Spent and Many
Schemes Tried, But All Fail.
Just think that while there is a
epal miners’ strike on, and a shortage
of coal is developing, there is a fire
in one of the largest mines of this
continent, consuming coal by the mil-
lion tons. Sa
Qccasionally some one with a vivid
imagination has tried to picture what
a fire in a great coal mine would be
like, with immense heat and fumes be-
ing generated through crater mouths,
but the nearest he usually came is a
reproduction of a volcano effect.
However, hot as may be the bowels
of the earth in this particular coal
mine, the fire is not all spectacular
in results. It has plodded its weary
way for nearly sixty years, and is
going strongly yet like a lusty in-
fant. This burning coal mine is be-
tween Summit Hill, one of the oldest
towns of Carbon county, Pennsylva-
nia, and Coaldale, 129 miles from
. New York.
Engineers have fought the fire in
vain for years, and it seems as if it
will go on and on until one of the
richest coal deposits in the world is
turned to dead cinders.
Nothing in the wrecking and devas-
tating of the surface of northern
France could surpass the great deso-
lation being caused by this fire.
The fire started on a February
morning, in 1859. A miner entering
slope number one of the Lehigh Coal
company’s mine stopped to warm his
chilled fingers at a fire burning in a
heap of rubbish. That fire ignited the
coal, and before it was discovered had
made great headway. This pit was
in the first coal mine to be opened,
and the first pit to be dug. The slope
was sunk in 1847, on the side of the
mammoth vein, which was fifty feet
thick and dipping at an angle of
twenty-five degrees.
Officials of the mine insist that the
fire was of incendiary origin, but,
whatever the cause, they have been
unremitting in their efforts to stop
the fire. The latest scheme is that
of building a great tunnel ahead of
where it is progressing, thus cutting
off the connection. The same idea is
followed in limiting the area of a
forest fire.
In 1860, the year after the fire
started, it was decided to make a
cut at a point 3500 feet, or half a
mile, from the place where the fire
was, but this did not stop it. In 1861
the company strove to drive an open
cut into the blazing main. Eight
thousand dollars were spent. Next
year $13,000 were spent, the following
year $18,000, and similar sums in oth-
er years.
In 1865 the fight was abandoned.
The fire seemed to be making no
progress in 1866 and in 1867 seemed
to be dying out.
In 1883 what is known as the Dav-
ies slope was sunk by a man named
Davies. In 1895 the eastern gang-
way of this cut was extended to a
point where it broke into a fire that
had been smouldering all these years.
The opening gave a vefit, and allowed
a‘draught to the fire, and it blazed
up rapidly. The shaft and headings
were sealed, water was pumped from
a mile distant in 10 and 12 inch pipes,
holes were drilled directly over the
fire, and the water poured in. But
the pump could not be used much for
months, owing to a drought, and culm
was shipped in and flushed into the
burning area through these holes.
In 1895 a plan was adopted to fill
the holes entirely with culm, to shut
off the air and smother the fire. Culm
is used generally to fill up the slopes
of anthracite mines, replacing the
millions of tons taken out. But in
1908 the company found the fire still
making headway and spreading rapid-
ly to the west. Pumps of larger ca-
pacity were provided, and another
lake or two was poured in.
But it was then winter, and the
culm froze in the transit of the cars
on which it was loaded, and two
plants had to be erected to provide
hot water to thaw the culm. In 1901
fifty-seven 6-inch holes were drilled
a combined length of 6414 feet and
91,000 tons of culm were flushed into
the old workings. The following year
twenty-two holes were drilled and in
1903 fifty-eight 6-inch holes. In this
year 28,000 tons of culm were flushed
into the burning area. Drilling and
flushing continued until 1908, when
708 holes had been drilled.
But the filling up of the open spaces
did not stop the fire. It had advane-
ed to within 100 feet of number two
slope, the main outlet, and was mov-
ing at an alarming rate. Millions of
tons were being consumed, and the
Lansford basin, another great body of
«coal, was being approached. At the
outcrop the sandstone above the vein
~was red hot for a distance of thirty
‘feet from the vein, which was a seeth-
{ing mass. More big schemes to get
water, and cut off the fire by new
‘tunnels were developed, and by De-
«cember, 1909, $470,000 had been spent.
But as the fire still spread a railroad
‘was constructed to the outcrop, and
‘the vein was flushed full of culm to
block it entirely at this point.
Between 1912 and 1915, another
great open cut was made, six feet
wide, through the whole great mass
of coal, and this was filled with clay
and water. Immense steam shovels
were at work, and millions of tons
were taken out. In August, 1915,
steam was discovered coming out of
the far side of the clay and water
barrier, and the company drilled
there. The temperature ranged from
60 to 240 degrees. Water was put
into the drill holes at a rate of 1160
gallons a minute, and thirty-nine days
were occupied ‘with flooding opera-
tions. Altogether, about 150,000,000
gallons of water have been pumped
into the mine. So far, the fire seem-
‘ingly has not broken through the
great clay barrier, and it is planned
to build a brick screen in it, if neces-
sary, to allow of removing the coal
on the off side. But the fire is still
there, and the officials wonder if their
grandchildren will still be fighting it.
—Toronto Mail and Empire.
i SELECTING AN INCUBATOR.
TYPES FOUND ON THE
MARKET.
When only a small number of hens
are kept it is doubtful whether an in-
cubator is a profitable investment, but
if two or three small poultry flock
owners living near each other buy and
use one co-operatively, it doubtless
would be. Especially is this true if
the hens kept are of a non-sitting
breed like the White Leghorn. Even
hens that come from a type supposed
to be good sitters, may prove notion-
al about it some years. Being femi-
nine, they doubtless have a right to
be temperamental, but the exercise of
that right is likely to upset the plans
of their owners, and an incubator at
such times comes in very handy.
It often pays with hens that brood
late to use a machine for incubation
and then turn the chicks over to a
broody hen. Hens that have been
broody for four or five days are usu-
ally willing to mother incubator
chicks especially if two or three eggs
are placed under her and allowed to
hatch there, and the poultryman is
spared the trouble of owning or op-
erating a brooder.
There are many different types of
incubators on the market, but they
may all be roughly classified as:
Hot-air, hot-water, or very large ma-
chines. Both “moisture” (those pre-
viding means of adding moisture to
the air of the machine) and “non-
moisture” incubators (those which it
is claimed require no added moisture)
are made in the different styles of
hot-air and hot-water machines. Most
of the small machines are heated by
burning kerosene oil or gas, while the
majority of the very large machines
use a coal stove for supplying heat.
Electricity is also used for heating
both in the small and very large ma-
chines.
Both the hot-air and the hot-water
type of incubator have been used suc-
cessfully throughout the country. The
large machines are used both in the
day-old chick business and in custom
hatching. Their capacity varies from
1,500 to 10,000 or more eggs. The
machines are built in sections of about
2,000 eggs each, the size varying in
different makes. .
There are a large number of relia-
ble makes manufactured in this coun-
try. Some kinds have become popu-
lar in certain sections because they
have been advertised extensively in
that locality rather than on account
of adaptation to climatic considera-
tions. Cheap machines are less reli-
able, require more attention, and wear
out much quicker than higher priced
incubators. As the value of the ma-
chines is small compared with the val-
ue of the eggs used during the nor-
mal life of an incubator, itis poor
economy to purchase a machine which
is not reliable. Whenever possible it
is well to select an incubator which is
giving good satisfaction in your
neighborhood, so that you may have |
the benefit of the experience of the
other operators in your section.
Circumstances must govern to a
large extent the size of a machine to
buy. It takes about as much time to
care for a 60 as it does a 360 egg ma-
chine, so that it is advisable to get one
of at least 150-egg capacity, although
special conditions often exist which
make the small machine valuable. A
small machine is often used in con-
nection with a larger one, placing all
the eggs in the large machine after |
the first or second test. Incubators
of 300 to 400 egg capacity are com-
monly used on those large farms i
which use individual lamp incubators. |
When an incubating capacity of less
than 3,000 to 4,000 eggs is desired, |
individual incubators of the 50 to 400
size are generally used.
Many poultrymen believe that it
pays to have an incubator capacity
large enough to hatch the bulk of
their stock in two or three batches, so
that much time is saved in tending to
the incubators and brooders, while
the chickens are more even in size
than those that are hatched when the
incubating period extends over =
longer time.
A fair estimate of incubator capaec-
ity for a poultry farm is an incubator |
space of one egg per hen, provided
that about one-half of the flock is to
be renewed yearly and no outside
hatching is carried on. That is, if
the flock numbers 200, a 200-egg in-
cubator is about the right size. The
larger machines cost less in propor-
tion to their capacity than the small-
er ones.
ee ——
The Power of Sociability.
An Irish political candidate who
felt sure that a certain elector was
against him was surprised to have
that elector call and announce that
he weculd support him to the limit.
“Whin the other day ye called at
my place and stood by the pigsty and
talked for half an hour, ye didn’t
budge me an inch,” said his visitor.
“But after ye had gone away, I got to
thinkin’ how ye reached yer hand over
the rail and scratched the pig’s back
till he lay down wid the pleasure of it,
I made up my mind that whin a man
was so sociable as that wid a poor fel-
low creature, I wasn’t the bhoy to
vote agin him.”
HUBLERSBURG.
Received too late for publication last week.
John McAuley, who spent the week-
end with his mother at this place, has
returned to Reading, - where he is
holding down a very good job.
Snow, Snow! Some real winter
weather with the thermometer hover-
ing around zero most of the time.
Nice weather for the ice man.
Services are being held in the Re-
formed church every evening during
the week, at 7:30 o’clock. Prepara-
tory services Saturday afternoon, and
Commpion services Sunday morning
at 1:30.
Last week the pupils in the gram-
mar school got busy and solicited
money to buy an organ for their
room, and succeeded very nicely. They
purchased the organ from Mrs. Sharp
and on Monday noon Mr. Kerns haul-
ed it to the school building, and now
they can have plenty of music, with a
piano in the High school room and an
organ in the grammar room.
Don’t forget the date, January 23rd,
when the Woman’s Missionary society
of the Reformed church will hold a
poverty social, at the Hubler hotel.
An admission fee of ten cents will be
asked and that entitles every one to
a free lunch, consisting of hot coffee,
sandwiches, ete. There will also be a
short program consisting of comic
recitations, dialogues and music.
Everybody must be dressed in ragged.
clothing, and any one dressed in good
clothing must pay a fine of 10 cents.
A premium will be given to the one
making the most poverty-stricken ap-
pearance. Everybody welcome.
CENTRE HALL.
Received too late for publication last week.
Ralph Henney went to Erie last
week, where he secured a position.
Mrs. Ellen Stuart, of State College,
visited her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Ja-
cobs, several days this week.
John Ruble, who has been in a san-
itorium at Hamburg, for the past
month, died at that place on Tuesday.
The local High school has been
closed for over a week, owing to the
fast that Prof. Bartges and family
have been quarantined for diphtheria.
Mrs. Bartges, who had a very slight
attack of the disease, has recovered
sufficiently to be around.
. AARONSBURG.
W. A. Guisewite is suffering with
lumbago. However, it is hoped he
may speedily recover.
}{iss Ethel Frank, of Centre Hall,
was the guest of Miss Irene Musser
from Thursday until Friday.
Harry Walter, of Millmont, spent
Sunday with his wife at the home of
E————SS
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Sto-
ver.
Mrs. John Goodman and little
daughter have gone to Akron, Ohio,
where they expect to remain for a
short time.
Mrs. B. F. Stover has been ill the
past week and is under the efficient
care of Dr. C. S. Musser. It is hoped |
she may soon recover.
Charles Summers, of Williamsport,
spent from Saturday until Tuesday
with his brother-in-law and sister,
Mr. and Mrs. John Wolfe.
Mrs. A. M. Bower and wo daugh-
ters have gone to Youngstown, Ohio,
for an indefinite stay with Mrs. Bow-
er’s other daughter, Mrs. Horace Sto-
ver.
Dried Fruits Enter List of Scarce
Commodities.
There is a marked scarcity of dried
fruits. The scarcity of raisins has
been particularly acute, and prices
have strengthened materially, nearly
every grade having advanced.
The present scarcity of spot sup-
plies is attributed by trade interests
to heavy shipments made early in the
season. Through the clearing up of
the old crop last summer the 1919
crop came on a bare market. In nor-
mal years it has been customary for
the Associated Raisin Co. to ship
several thousand tons of raisins dur-
ing August and September to take
care of the fall business in the east.
This year, however, there were no
stocks left and, consequently, ship-
ments had to be rushed East as soon
as packing of the new crop began.
Best grades of apricots have also |
been closely sold up and stocks re-
maining in the local market are said
to be insufficient to take care of the
business offered by distributors.
Quantities of the fruit have been tak-
en for export. :
Prunes share in the general firm-
ness of the market and also are
scarce. The larger sizes have been
well cleared from first hands, the crop
this season having consisted mainly
of small sizes.
His Trouble.
“Jones married a widow with a ten-
year old boy.”
“I understand the marriage is not a
happy one.”
“No; it’s a case of incompatibility
between him and the boy.”
Tit for Tat.
Mabel—Here comes Charlie Dubb
up the walk. That boy gives me the
shivers.
Marie—Why don’t you give him the
shake?
Attention!
Every sack of
GRO-ALL bears
our trade mark—
the Seal of Char-
acter. Look forit
when you buy
fertilizer.
Thirty-four
years of contin-
uous yearly
growth is indica-
tive of the high
quality product
and excellent
service rendered
by
\ Gettysburg, Pa.
Every Empty
GRO-ALL Sack
in Your Barn
Means Dollars
in Your Pocket.
FERTILIZERS
OF CHARACTER
Make your farming operations more efficient
with GRO-ALL Fertilizers. Every atom of plant
food becomes available under natural soil condi-
tions. Thereisno waste. GRO-ALL Fertilizersare
always in good mechanical condition-—never hard
or lumpy. This means labor saved for the farmer,
and labor saved is money earned. Feed your land
with liberal applications of GRO-ALL each year
and harvest larger yields of improved quality.
Buy By This Trade Mark
THE CENTRAL CHEMICAL COMPANY
HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND
Baltimore, Md. Harrisonburg, Va
Agents of character
wanted in all
unoccupied territory
rear wheels track.
on.
levers.
(Just received a carload of Conklin Wagons.
Ber like a wagon. Solid bottom bed with heavy cross pieces, and supported by full width of sides.
All sizes and for all purposes. 62-47
Front and
Axles coupled together with angle steel reach ; coupled short, dividing load between front
and rear axle. Wide-tired wheels. No moving parts on rear axle. Axle not used as a bearing for gears to run
Chain-Driven Excluswely. Positively not a worm or cog gear on the machine.
The lightest, easiest running and most practical Spreader.
No clutch. Operated by only two
Dubbs’ Implement and Seed Store.
|
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SRSA
Sse a ean
SESS ae ea Ia]
—
LEE EEE aE EE SUES
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SEE MEE AEN a Te TT a A
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We Advise
that. you buy your
next. Spring or Win-
EEE EEE
ter Suit, and Over-
coat,
al
ib
Now
RE a a Tae SH
It will mean a Big
Saving
Fauble’s
Do You Have
a Bank Account?
If you don’t you are depriving yourself of
the advantages that the splendid banking in-
stitutions of Centre County offer you.
Any one of them will open an account
with you for what might appear to you as
only a trifling deposit, because bankers know
that small deposits often grow to become
large ones, as people discover what saving
means to them. There is a lot in that old song about
a little bit added to what you’ve got makes a little bit
more. And when you put a little bit in the bank in-
variably you commence to get interested in seeing it
grow.
The Centre County Bank
at Beliefonte will be glad to open an account
with you to prove how easy and beneficial to you it is
‘to save.
60-4
INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS
WILL DO ALL YOUR HAULING
3-4 Ton for Light Hauling
Big Truck for Heavy Loads
“Greatest Distance for Least Cost”
AAAS
GEORGE A. BEEZER,
BELLEFONTE, PA. 61-30 DISTRIBUTOR.
—
So?