USA > Illinois > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 12
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Nowhere is better coal for mechanical purposes, for making coke and gas. An analysis of the coal from the mines of the Carbondale Coal and Coke Company, show it to be especially rich in carbon and free from the impuri- ties of sulphuret of iron. It may therefore be regarded as among the best coals of the whole country, and as it lies near the surface and is not in a situation to be deluged with water, it can be raised with the greatest economy.
This coal is in great demand in St. Louis, and in places where manufactur- ing is largely carried on. The Grand Tower Mining, and Transportation Company has mines of excellent coal at Mt. Carbon, and furnaces at Grand
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Tower. . This company has large interests in the county, and by its rail- road and mines, and manufacturing has acomplished much to make availa- ble our industrial advantages By its enterprise a tri-weekly steamboat runs from St. Louis to Grand Tower. Other mines of coal are worked by vari- ous companies, Gartside and other names.
Four railroads traverse the county, and render communication with the world easy and cheap. The Illinois Central, built in 1852, runs the entire length from the line of Perry on the North, to Union on the South, and is very valuable to the fruit growers and raisers of early vegetables. On the cars of this road are often shipped many tons of strawberries and other small fruits, and in their season, grapes, peaches and apples in immense quantities. From Makanda as inuch as forty tons of fruit have been carried in a day. The railroad to Marion, on the east from Carbondale, runs for only a short distance in this county, but it brings large freights of cotton, tobacco, and dried fruits. The railroad from Carbondale to Grand Tower traverses the centre from east to west, and is largely devoted to coal transportation. The St. Louis and Cairo Railroad, commonly called "The Narrow Gauge," runs the whole length of the county, from north to south-more ncarly along the middle, but in a tract less developed. It has many coal mines upon it, and may aid more than any other in developing a most excellent portion of the county. Along these roads villages are growing and industries are springing up, which in no distant day will cause the county to be one of the most populous and wealthy in this part of the State. The four on the Cen- tral (Elkville, De Sota, Carbondale, and Makanda) are fast improving, and only need good roads connecting them with the surrounding country to secure to each a largely increased trade. On the Narrow Gauge, Ava, Gale, Mur- 'physboro', Eltham and Pomona, will become centres of trade in due time. Murphysboro', in fact, is already a great centre of coal operations, and boasts an enterprising array of merchants, lawyers, and other business men. There are other villages and hamlets, not on railways, which are pleasant, and many a prairie or settlement contains a virtuous, intelligent and enterprising population.
Agricultural pursuits are in fact the leading employments of the people, and the rich returns which they bring to those who engage in them, promise to attract strangers and reward all who devote labor to them. And the staples produced are so various as to warrant the assertion that no year or season can occur in which the prudent husbandman will be completely disap- pointed in his hopes. Every desirable fruit, every useful grain, every nutri- tive grass, is found here growing to perfection, and a season favorable to all is not infrequent, while a failure of all is regarded as an improbability - so near to an impossibility as hardly to be thought of.
The beautiful and durable brown sand-stone, of which are made the base- ment and trimmings of the Southern Illinois Normal University, is found abundantly in the south part of the county, in close proximity to the Illinois Central Railroad, and lies in such a situation as to be easily quarried and transported. It has a rich tint of color, often varying in shade, but always of marvelous beauty. The celebrated brown stone of Portland, Connecticut, has not more warmth of tone and gives no better architectural effects. There is also an abundance of limestone, some of a light gray color and some creamy, suitable for building or trimmings, and easily worked. The manu- facture of quick-lime might be made a branch of business profitable to en- terprise.
As to timber, there is none better, whether oak, or hickory, or ash, or pop- lar, or walnut, for agricultural implements or machinery, or for common car- pentery and joiner and cabinet work, or for ornamental purposes. No finer effect can be produced than by the use of our oaks, and ash, and hickory, and walnut, for the interior finish of houses and rooms. These should, how- ever, be used without the smirch of paint, with oil and polish : then age will give to these woods a tone and richness equal to mahogany. It is surprising that our carpenters and artizans make so small account of them, and are so willing that a painter, at a large cost, shall smear their workmanship with the unwholesomeness of lead and varnishes. It is promotive of health to live in wooden walls undisguised with any thing from which effluvia can arise. A very little more labor in smoothing and polishing these native woods, and far less cost of paint, would decidedly promote the beauty of our houses and living rooms, and increase the chances for good healthy constitu- tions among our children. And where every useful and pleasant tree grows as rapidly as in Southern Illinois, no one ought to be without a beautiful home, surrounded with a paradise of fruits and shade, suitable both for use and delight, for ornament and profit.
The waters of the county are nearly all carried into the Mississippi by the
Big Muddy River, a stream very crooked and sluggish. It enters the county from the east, a little north of the middle, and makes a course nearly west almost to the western border, when it turns towards the south and goes into the Mississippi at the extreme south-west corner. This irregular stream winds and curves about over bottom-lands, averaging nearly two miles in width, only a part of which, however, annually overflows : and all of which ia in a high degree fertile, and could be made valuable farming land. This stream receives from the north Little Muddy, Beaucoup and Kinkaid Creeks with their several tributaries; and from the south, Crab Orchard, Little Crab Orchard, and Cedar Creeks, with their affluents. All of these are very wind- ing, and have bottom land mostly covered with timber, and subject to fre- quent overflows. These bottoms, with scarcely an attempt at well planned and worked roads, with comparatively few good bridges, and with these deep, miry soils are a perplexing hindrance to travel, both social and commercial. And yet, as has been already said, a cost, not much above the annual breakage of wagons and the extra wear of teams, would make the roads pas- sable and allow of the carriage of double the loads now moved on these by- ways where roads ought to be.
And another reason pleads for better roads and a better knowledge of Jackson County. The numerous natural curiosities in many parts of it are romantic, interesting to a mere sight-seer, and highly instructive to the man of science. In the north-west, a little out of the county, and probably partly in it, there is a range of bluffs, sand-stone and lime-rock, curiously water- worn, presenting picturesque forms worthy of careful study, as well as strangely delightful to behold. On parts of the rocks are characters and symbols cut with rude tools. The cross is among them, and forms of birds and animals. Researches would undoubtedly discover much information from this source, either concerning the aboriginal inhabitants and their his- tory, or the French pioneers and traders, or the Jesuit missionaries, who ex- plored this region in the early part of the seventeenth century, and possibly in the last part of the sixteenth, and left traces of their influence. The whole range of hills north of the lakes and west of Big Muddy, in Degoguia, Kin- kaid, and Sand Ridge Townships, is full of matter for investigation, and it is confidently hoped that the Southern Illinois Academy of Sciences will make it a duty to study this promising locality.
The lakes themselves, connected as they are with the mighty Mississippi on the one side, and the crooked Muddy on the other, and between this range of bluffs on the north, and the Fountain Bluff' and Devil's Backbone on the south, afford another subject of geological investigation. They are also of great interest to the sportsman, being in winter the feeding grounds of mil- lions of ducks, geese, swans and other game fowl. The strange formations just alluded to, and the Grand Tower in the Mississippi River, are as full of interest as anything in the State, and would well repay a large amount of study. As curious geological revelations, as simple wonders of nature, they mark Jackson County as full of more than common interest.
Further south and east of the Big Muddy, extending indeed across the county eastward, is a region of hills and cliffs which is full of surprises, of curious and instructive formations. Near Eltham station, on the St. Louis and Cairo Rail Road, is a natural bridge, formed undoubtedly by the dis- solving power of the water. It appears to be an immense sandstone slab, left when the softer materials were carried away from beneath it. It is ninety feet long and nine feet wide, so that a carriage can pass over it. The height is thirty feet. It is in a wild forest, difficult to find, but romantic and pro- vocative of research and suggestive of adventures. It might easily be made a place of popular resort for pleasure-parties for the whole country round. In the Township of Makanda, near that village, are several objects of great interest. On the west are Stone Fort and Devil's Lake, and many other points, while on the east are Pomona's Temple and Giant City, all well worth a visit and deserving a full and careful study. They are in the primitive forest, and are reached with difficulty, and hence are rarely visited and of course have been little known. Our county, in possessing these, has incen- tives to study, and for pleasure-seeking, far beyond the most of the counties of the State, and deserves to be further explored and advertised. Many of these bluffs are also honey-combed with caves filled with beautiful stalactites, and they invite investigation.
There are mines of lead in the southern part of the county, which, although rich in ore, are yet so difficult of access as to be excelled by other localities ; so much so that it will probably be years before this ore or the silver in it will pay for working. We may therefore say, taking our county all in all, its rich bottom lands and lakes, its picturesque hills and grand bluffs, its fertile and far-looking ridges, its caves and mines, its waters and curiosities,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
that nothing finer is to be found in the State. Its citizens should be proud of it, and their public spirit should be aroused to call attention to its advan- tages, and to develop its resources. Patriotism should glory in its history, love of nature should be proud of its varied and romantic scenery, industry may grow rich by the proper use of its resources, and domestic comfort, and even luxury, may find ample opportunities to gratify every reasonable desire. Its intelligent and enterprising people may advance in wealth, in knowledge, in refinement, and in all the arts and blessings of life. No spot is more favored, and none is more full of promises of future growth and influence. A bountiful Providence has abundantly blessed it. The people can add cul- ture and peace.
CHAPTER IX.
MINERAL PRODUCTS OF JACKSON COUNTY.
HE most important of these is the coal, which ages ago was stored up for the use and comfort of the coming millions of civilized men. Stored up, too, in inexhaustible quantities by a bountiful Providence. Under the greater portion of the county lie great veins of this mineral, capable of supplying the markets of the State of Illi- nois for a long term of years.
The history of the mining of the dusky diamonds begins almost with that of the settlement of the county. In the chapter on "Customs, Habits, and Modes of Living amongst the Early Settlers," the statement is made that copperas for dyeing cloth was used by the women. There were no shafts running down at that time into the bowels of the earth, but they procured coal by " drifting " into a hill. Coal was mined as early as 1812, but it was not until the year 1822 that work was systematically begun. In this year the "Jackson County Coal Company " begau operations. A drift was opened on the south side of Muddy, near Murphysboro', which is even now worked. The products of their mine found a market far to the south, in the city of New Orleans, whither they were sent, via Muddy and Mississippi, by flat-boat. This company continued to operate in coal until 1864, when it was swallowed up by the Grand Tower Mining, Manufacturing, and Trans- portation Company. This company shipped coal in barges, at first, to Grand Tower, where it was used chiefly to feed the fires that roared up the great chimneys of their iron works. After the completion of the Grand Tower and Carbondale Railroad by this same company, as far as Mt. Carbon, the facilities for transportation were greatly increased, and the mining interest speedily grew to be one of the great industries of the county, employing a large capital and a great number of men. The coal produced from the mines of this county is of a very superior quality, and is without rival west of Penn- sylvania.
The history of the G. T. M. M. & T. Company, the wealthiest corporation existing or that has ever existed in our county, is of sufficient importance to warrant extended notice. For the necessary facts for its compilation we are indebted greatly to its gentlemanly and efficient superintendent, Mr. Thomas M. Williamson, of Grand Tower, who has in our search for materials for this article extended us every aid and courtesy, as have also the other officials and employees.
GRAND TOWER MINING, MANUFACTURING, AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.
A more complete sketch of this great corporation, which has invested more capital in our limits, and done more to develop the great resources of our county than any that ever has operated here, will be found at the proper place. It seems fit here to speak only of their operations in coal. This company owns three shafts, and one drift mine or tunnel. They possess 6,000 acres of coal lands, most of which has not yet been worked or opened. These shafts are all contiguous to their railroad line, and are on the south side of Muddy, near Murphysboro'. Their first shaft was sunk in 1867, the next in 1868, the next in 1869, and the tunnel in 1872. The company have now in their employ 700 men, the greater part of whom are miners.
The greatest amount of coal hoisted in any one day was 1,460 tons.
They now pay 75 cents per ton to their colliers; the highest price ever paid was $1.10.
This company supply the steam-boats that ply on the Mississippi with fuel.
For transporting their coal to the river their facilities are ample, as they own 260 coal cars. They also use, in delivering coal to the steamers, flat- barges, of which they own eight.
The steamers load on their up trip. They take the loaded barges along- side, and unload on the way up stream. The company send a man along, who, when the barges are emptied and cast loose, pilots them to the com- pany's wharf. The company own also a tug-boat, which supplies coal to river towns, as ordered.
The vein varies in thickness from 5 to 7 feet, and it is needless to say is of excellent quality.
They supply the Carbondale furnaces with all the coal used in their great smelting furnaces, and have supplied them since 1868.
This company began its mining operations in Jackson county iu 1866.
GARTSIDE COAL COMPANY.
This company is one that has operated very extensively in Jackson County coal. It was organized May 1st, 1872, by Joseph Gartside, now deceased, who was one of the heaviest dealers in coal that have ever operated in the Mississippi Valley. His residence was in St. Louis, but his mining opera- tions werc chiefly confined to Illinois. In St. Clair county he had a num- ber of mines, notably the Alma mines, and those at O'Fallon, on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. He was in every sense of the word a self-made man, and the name of " Joe Gartside" became, where he was known and ap- preciated, synonymous for pluck and energy. He did much in his time for the development of the coal interests of our county, and merits a better notice than he has yet received. The amount of capital invested by Mr. Gartside in his operations in coal in Jackson County is stated to have beeu $720,000. He sunk four shafts, known as No. 1, 2, 4, and 5. It had been intended to have 5 shafts, but No. 3 was never opened. At one time, before the depression of the iron interest which followed the panic of 1873, and which has not even yet entirely ceased, this company employed 400 men. The highest price paid per ton for mining was $1.10. The products of the 4 shafts found their principal market at South St. Louis, whither the coal went, to feed the great iron and blast furnaces for which that place is celebrated. Local sales were made, however, along the road from Cairo to St. Louis, and these were, by no means, inconsiderable. The largest pro- duct for any one year from their mines in this county, which, it may be well to state, are all near Murphysboro', was 60,000 tons. The coal was sent to market altogether by rail. The principal vein, and the only one worked, is 7 feet in thickness, and, it is hardly necessary to state a fact well known to all, is of superior quality, commanding the highest price in the market. Al- though the impression seems very generally to obtain that mining is a hazardous business, statistics contradict the notion. At the time of this writing more than five years have elapsed since the Gartside Company begun work in this county, a large number of meu has been almost con- stantly employed in digging the "dusky diamonds underneath the ground," yet the records show that only oue man has been killed, while none have been permanently disabled.
The accidents that have occurred average but two per mouth, and these are mostly of a trivial character resulting from carelessness and inattention of the miners themselves. The reason why so apparently perilous a busi- ness is really devoid of serious dangers, is owing doubtless to two sufficient reasons. In the first place every safe-guard that the law requires is strictly observed, and in addition every other that experience and ingenuity can suggest. In the second place, the miners form a class of people wedded to their occupation, and in many cases are distinct from other people. The son in a large majority of cases is apprenticed to the business under the watchful care and attentive eye of his father, who is prompt to advise, and quick to impart his experience for the benefit of his son. The consequence is that few are to be found in mines who, from lack of experience or proper training invite danger and death. The little child of the collier, has heard many times, while seated at his father's table or around the family hearthstone, of the accidents to which the miner is peculiarly liable, and of the means of preventing them; before his eyes have ever looked upou the shadowy world, where strong men tear in the dark at the earth's heart core, and where he too one day will follow the occupation of his ancestors. He is half a miuer before his feeble arms can wield the pick. Miners work together in pairs. An average day's work is three tons.
David B. Thomas and his son, aged eighteen, are credited with having performed the most profitable month's work ever done for this company by
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
a miner and his partner, and for this they received $195. The total length of railroad in mines of this company is five miles, and the number of acres of coal taken out reaches thirty. The daily product, when a full set of hands is employed, is 600 tons. Shaft No. 1, was sunk by W. C. Tippett, while No. 4 was dug by his son William.
The first hole sunk at No. 1, had to be abandoned, on account of quick- sand which was encountered, and entailing a loss on the company of $2000. No. 2, was sunk by Robert Scott.
The heirs of Joseph Gartside compose the company at present. They are Charles E. Gartside, Joseph Gartside, Jr., Mrs. Gartside, relict of Joseph, Sr., and her three daughters, resident at St. Louis.
The company as soon as the market revives sufficiently to justify it, will again employ men by the hundred. For several years the miners of this country have been less prosperous than is nsual for men of such splendid physique, and industrious habits. In some cases there has been suffering followed by violence. Through all these trying times, the miners of this county as a class have been found upon the side of order and of law.
LEWIS COAL COMPANY.
This corporation dates from July 1st, 1872. The officers are as follows : W. J. Lewis, President and Treasurer: P. Harvey, Secretary, and John Yoch Superintendent. A large eapital is employed. There is but one shaft. This company employ abont 100 men. The highest price paid per ton for mining was $1.10. The principal part of their coal rcaches its market in South St. Louis, but they supply a local demand from St. Louis as far south as Cairo. Their vein is a little less than six feet in thickness, and is like all of our coal, of most excellent quality, and hence is iu good demand. One man has lost his life, and one has been maimed for the rest of his days. Only six men have been injured since the organization of the company, which is evidence of the hnmane care of the company for the lives of its employees.
Robert Morris and Hen. Forsythe, have accomplished the largest month's work of any two men that have been in the service of this company. They were paid for this as the books of the company show $220, but pay was better then than at present. The railroad which conveyed coal from the mining sections to the shaft, to be hoisted to the outer world is two miles in aggregate length. The average daily production is 200 tons. The shaft was sunk under the supervision of Joseph Short, a man of experience and energy. Mr. James Jeffrey, an engineer, has been in the continuous employ of the company since fire was first lighted under the boilers. The vein of slate superimposed npon the vein of coal, is ten inches iu thickness. This company is prosperous and enterprising, and find ready sale at paying prices for all the coal they can seud to market. They ship over the Cairo and St. Louis railroad, better known as the Narrow Gauge.
CARBON HILL MINES.
These mines are located about one mile sontli-east of Carbondale, and are the property of Col. D. H. Brush. The coal lands are a portion of those entered by the first coal operator in the county, Mr. Holden, who prospected for the valnable mineral as early as 1856 or '7. This mine is pronounced by the Inspector of Miuing, one of the best arranged of any in southern Illi- nois. The depth of the shaft is bnt fourty-five fect, yet the coal is takeu out at a hundred feet below the surface. The manager of the minc, Mr. Sam. T. Brush, has, at considerable expense, had dug a tunnel for the purpose of draining the mine, and this was highly suecessful, hence the dryness of this mine as compared with others which cannot be so drained.
The vein of coal, which is of good quality, is four feet in thickness. This coal is much used in Carbondale, by the mills and citizens generally. The daily product reaches sometimes 1,000 bushels per day, thongh 500 is nearer the average. The hoisting apparatus is driven by horse-power, although arranged for steam, which will be applied as soon as the revival of the coal interest will justify it. That day will soon comne. Then will the inexhausti- able mines of our great county, teem with human forms engaged in digging the " dusky diamonds."
The coal product of this county has been large in the past, but it is des- tined to be larger in the near future. Her coal commands the highest price in the markets of any west of Pittsburg, and will always be in demand. Her facilities for cheap transportation to market are unsurpassed, and she can supply all calls that may be made upon her.
There are quite a number of shafts in different parts of the county, but the above, are all that merit especial mention, with perhaps an- excellent mine that is situated about one mile to the north-east of De Sota, and which supplies that town with coal.
In European countries already, are the political economists, estimating the number of years that will elapse before their supply of fuel will be exhausted. Ages and æons of ages must elapse, before such calculations regarding onr supply, will be indulged in.
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