History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 39

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424

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The first mining of any account in our county was probably done on vein No. 11 in Shamokin creek, opposite Yost's planing mill. This was on the Primrose, a famous red ash coal, long known as John Boyd's stone coal quarry. The first regular shipment of coal from the Shamokin region was

Enydmy E. G. Kernon NY

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAMOKIN COAL FIELD.

made from this place in 1826. The late Joseph Bird, one of the first settlers of Shamokin and afterward a large coal operator, reported to the writer the following account of this transaction :---

In 1826, John C. Boyd and my father, Ziba Bird, built a dam in Shamokin creek north of Webster street and opened a coal mine. The coal was mined out of the bot- tom of the creek. The vein had been discovered some years before, being exposed by the action of the water. My father was the miner and John Runkle wheeled the coal to the bank on a plank, assisted by myself, who was then a small boy. Casper Reed and Samuel Startzel were hired to haul this coal from Shamokin to Boyd's place, two miles above Danville. They were several months at the job. The coal was then put in arks and floated down the river to Columbia. This was the first Shamokin coal that was mined and sent to market.

A small drift was next opened here of which more will be said further on. About 1828, Daniel Derk, from Mahanoy, moved in the old log house known as Irich's and opened a small mine on Coal run where it was crossed by the public road .. While working here he had his leg broken by a fall of rock. He was the first miner hurt in Northumberland county.

At near the same time, Mr. Weiss, a son of Colonel Jacob Weiss, who opened the Mauch Chunk mines, came to our county in the interests of some' land holders and opened a mine at Zerbe gap, now Trevorton. He followed the plan of his father in uncovering the coal and quarrying it like stone. A writer who visited these openings in 1829 and communicated his observations to the States Advocate says :-

But the most extensive vein of coal yet discovered is on Zerbe run, a branch of the Little Mahanoy. The land is here considerably elevated and the ravine formed by the stream passing through it is convenient, the banks rising abruptly, exposing to view a coal formation which in abundance or quality is not surpassed, if equaled in the State. There are six or eight miners here at work. The coal is something like fifty feet deep. Visitors are received at the shanty with a hearty welcome by the enterpris- ing manager, Mr. Weiss, to whom much credit is due. He is the son of Mr. Weiss, who made the discovery of coal at Mauch Chunk. The speculator in coal land has already arrived, and I doubt not but in a few years this hitherto neglected section of our country will show us a Pottsville or Mauch Chunk.

A correspondent of the Susquehanna Emporium under date of August, 1829, writes as follows concerning Shamokin and Mahanoy coal :-

I lately visited the coal mines on these streams, and was really astonished that in the present coal excitement and rage for speculation in coal lands, these valuable beds should he so little attended to. The quality of the coal is very superior, and it is my opinion, very easy of excavation. The coal lies near the surface, and, instead of mining by propping, etc., as is done at Pottsville, the earth here could be thrown off and the coal exposed at a trifling cost. The greatest body of this coal, I am told, is confined to what is called Bear valley, extending from the head waters of Shamokin to the forks of Mahanoy creek, a distance of about nine miles and in width from three to five miles. It is also found in considerable quantities higher up these streams to the base of the Broad mountain in a direction towards Pottsville and Mauch Chunk. Several of these mines have been partially opened, and the coal hauled in wagons to Sunbury to sup- ply the neighboring blacksmiths. It is preferred by them who have used it, either to 21

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

the Wilkesbarre or Schuylkill coal, though to me it appears to partake more of the quality of the Schuylkill than the Wilkesbarre coal. It is light and inflammable and what is very singular, there appears to run through it streaks or lines resembling the growth of wood.

This coal might be brought to market either by the Shamokin or Mahanoy creek to the Susquehanna. The distance by Shamokin creek would be about sixteen miles, and by the Mahanoy about ten miles. These streams could be canalled, or railways might be constructed from the mines by the route of these creeks to the river. Balti- more and the Susquehanna country below the confluence of the two branches would afford an abundant market for this mineral.

The period from 1824 to 1829 in Schuylkill county was noted for the great speculation in coal lands. Coal tracts changed hands quite rapidly, and prices advanced enormously. Pottsville became the great Mecca for speculators and every one expected to grow rich in a very short time. The excitement gradually extended to the Middle coal field, but never reached so high a pitch as at Pottsville. Large tracts of land, heavily timbered and abounding with the best grades of coal, heretofore regarded as of little or no value, passed into the hands of certain parties who knew their worth and foresaw the great future of the coal trade.

Stephen Girard made large purchases in the Mahanoy region and Burd Patterson, of Pottsville, one of the greatest men of his day, bought up large tracts in the Shamokin coal field extending from Mt. Carmel to Trevorton. On these tracts he employed a number of men to prove and open coal veins. Other parties from Sunbury and Danville became interested in the enterprise and bought up some of the most valuable tracts.

What further stimulated this movement was the prospect of a great rail- road being opened through the Middle coal field to connect the Delaware and Susquehanna at Sunbury and thus divert the trade from Baltimore to Phila- delphia. This movement was headed by such able men as Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia, Burd Patterson, of Pottsville, Daniel Montgomery, of Dan- ville, and Samuel J. Packer, of Sunbury. The road was chartered in 1826 under the title of the Danville and Pottsville railroad, and afterwards amended with many supplements. This was the greatest and most formid- able enterprise that had to that time been undertaken in our county, and with all the energy and ability that supported it, it required some seven years before the road was commenced. Some of the parties in the Shamokin region, thinking this enterprise was too great to be carried out, secured a charter for the Shamokin Canal Company with powers to construct a canal, build a railroad, or deepen the channel of the Shamokin creek. This work was never commenced.

During the year 1832, through the strenuous efforts of Stephen Girard, who had ordered all the iron from England, the eastern end of the railroad was commenced and twelve miles of it, extending to Girardville, with numer- ous inclined planes, were completed in 1833 at a cost of one hundred ninety

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAMOKIN COAL FIELD.

thousand dollars. Coal shipments were made over this portion of the road for two or three years, but it was abandoned on account of the planes failing to do their work. In 1834 twenty miles of the Danville and Pottsville rail- road between Sunbury and John Boyd's coal mine (Shamokin) were placed under contract for grading, which was all completed the next year. The track between Sunbury and Paxinos was all laid and completed in 1835, and the opening ceremonies in honor of this great event were held at Paxinos on November 26th of this year. The principal feature of this meeting was the able address of Hugh Bellas, who gave a full history of this great undertaking, and predicted the wonderful future that awaited our coal trade.

Mr. Moncure Robinson, the famous engineer, in his report to the board of directors at this time, suggested "that it seems almost unnecessary to lay down the superstructure between the crossing of the Centre turnpike (Pax- inos) and the coal mines (Shamokin) until accommodations shall be obtained for the coal trade at Sunbury." As there was no communication with the Pennsylvania canal at Sunbury by means of basins or guard locks, no ship- ments of coal could be made. The board acted on this suggestion and post- poned laying the track between Paxinos and Shamokin for the present.

The town of Shamokin was laid out this year (1835) by John C. Boyd and three houses were erected. Coal drifts continued to be opened at sev- eral places and the veins were proved. About this time John and Thomas English opened a drift near the turnpike at Mt. Carmel for the use of farm- ers. In 1836 coal was mined at several drifts at Shamokin in small quan- tities, hauled in wagons to Paxinos, dumped in coal cars, and taken to Sun- bury by horse-power for local use. This trade was continued in this manner until the road was completed to Shamokin and locomotives placed on the track. During 1838, the track having been laid some months before to Sha- mokin, two small locomotives, built by Eastwick & Harrison, were placed on the road with some small cars brought from Girardville that held from two and a half to three tons each. No regular shipments took place this year, but great preparations were made for the coming season. Sidings and later- als were put down and the mines were put in order to do a large business for that time.

The year 1839 begins the Shamokin coal trade. The tonnage for this sea- son was eleven thousand nine hundred thirty tons, which was mined from some four different operations, which, being pioneer mines, we will briefly describe. About 1835 George Heckert, an attorney from Lancaster, in com- pany with another lawyer of that place, visited the coal regions with a view of making an investment. They commenced their investigations at Trevor- ton and examined the mines there, then under the charge of James Renney, who had succeeded Mr. Weiss. From Trevorton they came to Shamokin and spent several days in this vicinity looking at the coal lands, when they proceeded on to Mt. Carmel and finally to Pottsville. At the latter place

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

they met Burd Patterson, the Nestor of the coal business, who urged them to invest in Schuylkill county. But their observations at Shamokin led them to prefer our region and they purchased the celebrated Buck Ridge tract, containing eight hundred forty-eight acres-one of the best coal tracts in the entire coal field. A company was soon afterwards formed, consisting of Heckert, Lane, and Park, called the "Lancaster Company." They proceeded in 1836 to improve their lands. In 1837 they employed Jacob Mowry of our town to open a drift, near where the Big Mountain breaker afterwards stood. They erected several tenement houses, and at considerable expense built a lateral railroad of over a quarter of a mile, connecting their mines with the Danville and Pottsville railroad. They leased their works to Cowan, Brannigan & Company, who were one of the first shippers of coal. A few years afterwards these mines were worked by Samuel John & Company.

Messrs. Dewart & Donnel were the owners of valuable coal lands on the east side of the water gap. They opened up several drifts in the gap on the line of the railroad and leased them to Yoxtheimer & Snyder of Sun- bury, who carried on these mines for a year or so until they failed. These mines were destined in after years to become one of the most famous collieries in the State, known as the Cameron colliery. They have been worked continuously for over fifty years and promise to be a productive coll- iery for fifty years to come.

On the west side of the gap, the lands were held by J. H. Purdy & Com- pany, who opened up their coal works at about the same time and carried on mining in their own name. They were among the heaviest shippers in these early times and produced a very fine coal for the market. Their mines eventu- ally were united to those of the east side to form part of the Cameron colliery. Purdy & Company were the first party to advertise their coal. Their advertisement appears in the Sunbury American under date of Sep- tember, 1840, and reads as follows :-

SHAMOKIN COAL.

Shamokin coal of a very superior quality can be had at any time, by application through the subscribers, in lots to suit purchaser. They have large egg and broken and fine coal fit for burning lime. J. H. PURDY & COMPANY.

The fourth operation was that of John C. Boyd, who had a drift driven on the Primrose vein at his stone coal quarry, and built a lateral road to connect with the main line. These mines were known as the "Sauer Kraut Works," and were first operated by William Fagely and afterward by Will- iam Thomas and others. Their shipments were light, as the vein was sup- posed to run into a fault. These were the four pioneer operations that mined and shipped coal in 1839.

In 1840 the fifth mine was added to the list in the Shamokin Coal Com- pany. This corporation composed of Philadelphia capitalists with John C.

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAMOKIN COAL FIELD.

Boyd, was chartered in 1826, and in 1840 commenced mining coal. They owned a large number of tracts of valuable coal land and opened up several drifts opposite the furnace. During the years of 1840 and 1841 they shipped over three thousand tons from these mines, which ended their shipments. Most of the coal mined here afterward was consumed by their furnace. The shipments of coal during 1840 were only fifteen thousand five hundred five tons. The tonnage would have been much larger, had the canal con- tinued in good order and been properly supplied with boats. But continued breaks of the canal banks during the shipping season disarranged the plans of the operators and curtailed their business to a few months' work. An order for ten thousand tons to Danville, to be delivered by boats from Sun- bury, had to be cancelled on account of a break in the North Branch canal.

In 1841, Fagely, Cleaver & Company commenced coal business at the gap, taking charge of the mines on the east side. They opened the Tape vein or Skidmore, and worked it to great advantage. They soon became the principal shippers from this section. This firm was composed of William and Reuben Fagely, Kimber Cleaver, and William H. Kase, of Rush town- ship. Mr. Kase did not remain in the firm long and in 1844 Kimber Cleaver withdrew to resume the duties of his profession. William and Reuben Fagely remained in the firm and for a number of years were the only coal operators in the entire Shamokin coal field.

The year 1842 was a disastrous one for Shamokin, and its evil effects were felt for a long time afterward, and checked the growing progress of all the mining enterprises of the region. The anthracite furnace, the fourth or fifth one erected in the State, and in operation for a little over a year, burnt down, and the Shamokin Coal and Iron Company, the largest mining con- cern in the place, suspended. The Danville and Pottsville Railroad Company failed and appointed Samuel R. Wood, the manager, as sequestrator, a posi- tion he held for several years. The two locomotives were removed, and horse-power was substituted to move the cars. The track was in a wretched condition, and required constant repairs to keep it passable. The Fagelys then took charge of the road, kept gangs of men on the repairs, and were about the only shippers of coal from 1842 to 1852, except Samuel John & Company, who shipped some coal from Buck Ridge, and John Rosser, who opened coal works at Luke Fidler in 1850 and shipped some coal.

During this interim of ten years a number of the people of Shamokin moved to other parts and many of the houses were tenantless. Property depreciated in value and could be purchased for little or nothing. But those who remained had the heroism of Spartans and possessed an abiding faith in the future of the place. They, with the land owners, were looking for- ward for a better outlet for our dusky diamonds. The Danville and Pottsville railroad was a practical failure, affording no outlet to Philadelphia and the Atlantic seaboard, and westward a very uncertain way to the Susquehanna

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

and its incomplete water communications. Danville with its many anthra- cite furnaces was a great consumer of coal, and Philadelphia and the towns along the sea coast would, it was supposed, open up a great market for Shamokin coal. A new and better outlet was needed and demanded. Meet- ings were held for this pupose, in which the citizens of our town, prominently among whom may be named William Fagely, Samuel John, and S. S. Bird, and parties from Sunbury, Danville, and Pottsville, took a prominent part. Kimber Cleaver, the great engineer of the coal regions, was the lead- ing spirit in all these movements, and sacrificed much time and labor to put them into execution. He surveyed a route for a railroad from Shamokin to Pottsville, without inclined planes, and made full estimates of its costs. His report was so satisfactory that efforts were made to place the construc- tion under contract, but the stringency of the times prevented the measure being carried out. His route was afterward largely adopted by the Reading railroad, which had purchased his notes. Mr. Cleaver also surveyed a route for a railroad to Danville which met with general approval, but failed in being carried out from the same cause.

About 1850 there was a general revival in the Shamokin coal regions, and coal lands and improvements that had long lain dormant were brought into notice again. Judge William L. Helfenstein, one of the most remark- able and energetic men of the times, who had been in the West some years, in 1849 returned to his native State. In looking around for investments in the anthracite coal fields, he came in contact with John C. Boyd and Burd Patterson, who still continued interested in coal lands of our section. They at once recognized the great abilities and organizing power of Mr. Helfen- stein and induced him to come here and assist them in developing the great mineral wealth of our coal region. His earnest and untiring effort showed the wisdom of their choice. He went into the work with a will, and in a few years performed the results of a life time. With a comprehensive mind and wonderful executive ability-suave and winning in his conversation and manners-he soon interested capitalists of New York, Philadelphia, Lancaster, and other places to invest their money in this coal field. He formed numer- ous coal syndicates, bought up a large portion of the coal lands between Trevorton and Mt. Carmel, organized improvement companies, laid out towns, and had various railroads chartered and put into process of construction. He soon came into possession of the Danville and Pottsville railroad, changed the name to the Philadelphia and Sunbury railroad, rebuilt it with an iron track, and extended the line to Mt. Carmel, so as to touch on most of the great coal tracts. He had several able officials to assist him in the work. Burd Patterson sent him William H. Marshall, then of Schuylkill county, to prove coal veins and open up mines, and the valuable services of Kimber Cleaver were secured on commencing the work, who, through all the years of development and improvement, was Mr. Helfenstein's chief engineer and

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAMOKIN COAL FIELD.

trusted adviser. In this work he was associated with Bertram H. Howell, of Virginia, a gentleman of considerable means, who continued with him for several years.

The work of development formulated in 1849 soon began to show itself. An office and headquarters were established at Shamokin, and on the opening of 1850, charter after charter came from the legislature, organ- izing companies for the opening of the Shamokin coal field. On February 25th an act was approved to incorporate the Zerbe Run and Shamokin Improvement Company with powers to open coal veins, drive drifts, put up coal breakers, and build railroads on their lands, and lease such improve- ments to parties to operate. On the same day another act was approved, to incorporate the Mahanoy and Shamokin Improvement Company with similar powers. Among the names cited as trustees, holding certain lands under certain deeds of trust and articles of association, were Kimber Cleaver, Daniel M. Boyd, David Thompson, William L. Helfenstein, and William H. Marshall. In both of these acts, the franchise extended to certain lands in Northumberland and Schuylkill counties. These two companies were to open up the coal lands at Trevorton. But an outlet to the market had to be provided, and an act was approved soon after incorporating the Trevorton, Mahanoy and Susquehanna Railroad Company, with power to construct a railroad between Zerbe run and the mouth of Mahanoy creek. Among the corporators were Felix Lerch, William Deppen, Jacob Raker, D. M. Boyd, Alexander Jordan, Joseph W. Cake, Robert M. Ludlow, John P. Hobart, Henry Donnel, B. H. Howell, Charles W. Hegins, Simon Cameron, William L. Helfenstein, and Kimber Cleaver. About the same time another act was passed to incorporate the Mahanoy and Wiconisco Railroad Company, which was to connect the Trevorton, Mahanoy and Susquehanna railroad at Hern- don with the Wiconisco canal feeder and thence with the Pennsylvania canal.

In May, 1850, a town was laid out at Zerbe gap, and named Trevorton in honor of Mr. Trevor, a banker of Philadelphia, who had invested largely in these improvements. The proceeds arising from the sale of town lots were to be used in the construction of the railroad to the river. On May 28th a great meeting was held on the site of the future town, presided over by Hugh Bellas, who delivered the address; Judge Jordan made a few remarks, when he threw off his coat and broke the first ground by digging up a small sapling. In the hole made, he placed a bottle of Susquehanna water, a lump of coal from the mines, and a lump of iron ore front the adja- cent mountain. Judge Helfenstein then published the bans of marriage as follows: "I publish the bans between Zerbe gap and the Susquehanna river; if any know just cause or impediment why the two should not be joined to- gether by railroad on the 1st of November next, let him declare it now or ever hereafter hold his peace." John B. Packer, one of the vice-presidents,

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

then, read letters from President Taylor, Vice-President Fillmore, Henry Clay, W. H. Meredith, Governor Johnston, and others. The sale of lots was then held, and a number were sold on favorable terms. No other town in our county started out with such eclat, but its history has never since justi- fied the fond hopes of its founders.

The road was placed under contract and grading commenced, a machine shop and foundry were started, houses were erected, and coal mines were opened. The work of development was not confined to the Zerbe run gap, but extended all along the coal basin to Shamokin and Mt. Carmel. Charters were procured for the Green Ridge, Coal Run, Carbon Run, Bear Valley, Big Mountain, and other improvement companies.

Professor Rogers, who was concluding the first geological survey, was secured to examine and report on different coal lands, and P. W. Sheafer was frequently employed to prepare statements of coal found on various tracts. No opportunity was lost to bring the coal lands of this county before the attention of capitalists of the country. Articles appeared in the city papers commenting on the favorable prospects of the Trevorton and Shamo- kin regions. But the public were to be further enlightened. No Shamokin or Trevorton coal had yet appeared in the Philadelphia or New York markets, until October this year. Several boat loads of Trevorton coal were hauled in wagons to Sunbury, put into boats, and shipped to New York.

At the close of the year 1850 business commenced to revive and many of the former citizens of Shamokin returned again. The Sunbury American in speaking of this says, "The Fagelys are very busy in coal just now, haul- ing it over the old track. The town, which a year ago contained many houses tenantless, is now filling up with population."

A railroad was built between Shamokin and the Luke Fidler tract, called . the Coal Run railroad, connecting Rosser's mines with the main line.

In 1851, the Danville and Pottsville railroad, which had been sold at sheriff's sale, passed into new hands and soon came into possession of Judge Helfenstein and his associates, and was called the Philadelphia and Sunbury railroad. The entire road between Sunbury and Shamokin was reconstructed and laid with an iron track, which was completed in 1853.

Up to this time not a single coal breaker had been erected in our coal region, nor was there a single steam engine employed to furnish power to move machinery. At all the coal operations up to this date the coal that was prepared was broken by hand. The coal used in Shamokin in 1853 was hauled to the houses in the same condition as brought out of the mines, and the good housewife was expected to break it in sizes to suit her stove. But as the market abroad became more choice in the sizes of coal, some pains were taken to prepare it to suit the wants of the purchaser. A platform would be put up at the bank, and on metal plates or bars the coal would be broken by hammers in the hands of strong men. This coal would be passed

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 39

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829- Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424