In May 1877, a reporter from the Harrisburg Telegraph accompanied a group of more than 50 businessmen on a trip to the Kalmia Colliery near Tower City, Pennsylvania. Their goal: see the workings of an anthracite mining operation at the southwestern end of Pennsylvania’s Coal Region.
The reporter gave a thorough account of the account of the trip and documents a moment in time at the Kalmia Colliery near the peak of its production. We’ve written extensively about this colliery and its “patch town.” You can read those articles by clicking to the bottom of the article or find them here.
From the Harrisburg Telegraph, May 29, 1877:
An Excursion to the Kalmia Colliery.
What the Coal Dealers Saw
The Process of Mining and Preparing Black Diamonds for Market
A Pleasant Trip, etc., etc.
A party of excursionists to the number of 53, principally from Harrisburg, the Cumberland Valley, Lebanon Valley, York county, Lancaster and vicinity, yesterday visited the Kalmia Colliery, situated in Williams Valley, on the borders of Sohuylkill county, to inspect the process of mining and preparing coal for market, per invitation, of Messrs Phillips & Sheafer through their sales agent in this city, Mr. Frank R. Leib.
The gentlemen composing the party were mostly retail coal dealers, customers of the firm who were in blissful ignorance of the manipulations coal went through before it was ready for sale as peanut, egg or stove coal, and who were seekers after information on the subject.
Leaving the Reading railroad depot at 7:30 a. m. in a special train the party were first landed at Dauphin, where an opportunity was given them to inspect the bridge and other points of interest. While at Dauphin the ubiquitous reporter took it upon himself to count noses and found that the following gentlemen were on the train:
Geoge P. Weistling, J.V. Einstein, D.W. Cox, Jacob R. Eby, F. Van Haag, H.J. McCloskey, J.J. Tittle, W. Blye, William Stephens, G.W. Wolford, S.N. Diven, S.L. Bigler, Jr., John Hoffer, J.S. Sible, Ed. Rutherford, C.B. Nissley, P.G. Weickle, Dr. A. Patterson, J.C. Cowen, E. Andrus, Superintendent Harrisburg Cotton Mill, W. Guldin, superintendent Pennsylvania Steel Works, Harrisburg; Joseph Mileisen, R.A. Bucher, F. Sidel, H.J. Moore and J.H. Uhrich, Mechanicsburg; Hon. A. Witmer, Middlesex; J.R. Miller, Shiremanstown; C.R. Woodward and Joseph Beetem, Carlisle; D.H. Miller, Oakville; C. Miler, Levi Gross, W.H. Bryson, J.W. Williams, M.J. Bailey, G.W. Leidick, G.M. Brandt, of Dillsburg, York County; Levi Hertzler, G.D. Sheaffer, J.W. Sheafer, Milltown; I.L. Long, G.E. Johnston, Shippensburg; A.A. Mathews, Chambersburg; Isaac Lescher, S.A. Herbecker, Williamson; Rev. E. Reobinson, Dauphin; A.R. Forney, S.L. Brightbill, Annville; Philip Finger, Lancaster; James C. Clark, general agent Cumberland Valley railroad; F.R. Leib, sales agent for the Kalmia Colliery and representative of the press.
After a stop of twenty minutes, the train was again boarded and went steaming on its way to Pine Grove, which was reached at 10:15, and where the party was joined by John Philips, the senior member of the firm owning the colliery.
The next stop was at Lorberry Junction, and from there the excursionists were taken over a branch road to the Kalmia Colliery, arriving at 11:15. It was an interesting incident of the journey that this was the first passenger train that ever ran from Lorberry Junction to Kalmia Colliery, a compliment which the firm had held in reserve for this excursion. The scenery along this road is so grand, so magnificent, that we cannot do it justice.
The broad, green valleys hundreds of feet below the track, the mountains in the distance, the tiny villages nestled along the hillside, the collieries in the distance, the farms which here and there dotted the level plain showing abundance of yield – all formed a sight once seen never forgotten.
Talk about the famous Switchback, it cannot compare to the scenery we have not fifty miles away from us. Arriving at the colliery the party disembarked and immediately sat down to a fine collation in waiting for them, and to which one and all did ample justice.
After satisfying the inner man a general invitation was given to all to go “down in a coal mine underneath the ground” and see the miners at work, and as numbers had provided themselves with clothing suitable for entering the mine a party was soon formed, all rigged in the most outlandish costumes, and looking, as someone expressed it, for all the world like a party of tramps.
Those who did not go.in the mine occupied their time in looking at the immense breaker, and wondering if the unfortunates who had undertaken the risk of exploring the mine would ever get back safe.
But there was little cause for anxiety, for under the care of Thos. H. Philips, Mine Superintendent, they were as safe as when at home.
The lands on which the Kalmia Colliery is worked is leased from the Philadelphia coal and iron company by Messrs. Philips & Sheafer, and has been in operation since 1871. The coal mined is from a part of the Lykens Valley vein, is a free burner and well adapted for manufacturing and household purposes.
The tunnel is driven in a distance of 176 yards, 15 yards through a crust of red shale and 161 yards through a hard solid rock – this before coal is reached.
The vein of coal is nine feet thick, lies at a moderate pitch, is easily mined and clean. Mine locomotives are used to bring the coal to the surface and directly to the breaker. Thus far the vein has been followed a distance of four miles, and this distance the cars traverse at the speed of a mile in from four to six minutes – quite a saving of time when the old system of mule power is considered, and at far less expense.
The breaker has all the latest improvements, including “Bradford’s patent gravity slate picker,” an exceedingly useful invention. The ventilation of the mines is perfect, and we learned from a number of the miners that no foul air is ever found. The capacity of the colliery is 175,000 tons a year, and from 250 to 350 men and boys are employed.
As the reporter finished noting the above information, gathered from the intelligent superintendent, a shrill whistle was heard, and amid shouts of “Here they come!” the dismal body who had been underground for three miles emerged from darkness to daylight. No time was lost in shedding the mine garments and dirt that clung to them, and after being shown over the breaker the train was boarded at 4 o’clock and started for home.
On the way back the train stopped at Pine Grove to give the excursionists an opportunity of seeing the process of weighing coal.
After “doing” Pine Grove the cars were again entered and the party speeded homeward by way of Lebanon, taking the Lebanon and Tremont road as far as the former place and then the Philadelphia and Reading road home. Between Pine Grove and Lebanon the train ran two miles in one minute and fifty six seconds, which was considered rather fast by the major portion of the excursionists.
Whirling up the Lebanon Valley as the sun was going down, the party was landed in this city [Harrisburg] at 7:30 o’clock, all highly delighted, and one and all voted it the most enjoyable excursion they ever participated in.
Much credit is due Mr. Frank R Leib for his very successful management of the affair, and for the care and attention he bestowed on every little detail that would add to the pleasure of the trip.
His foresight was universally commended, and he was voted a success and the right man in the right place.
To Mr. Thos. H. Philips, the superintendent of the Kalmia Colliery, are the excursionists indebted for the greater part of the intelligence received regarding the mining of coal. He is a genial gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.
Before leaving the station at Kalmia, the following resolution was adopted with a hearty “aye:”
Resolved, That the sincere thanks of the excursionists are hereby tendered to Messrs. Phillips and Sheafer, and Thos, H. Philips for the very cordial treatment and attention received at their hands, also to Capt. Frank R. Leib for his untiring efforts to have us enjoy ourselves and see all the points of interest on the route and connected with the operation of Kalmia colliery.
Read more about the Kalmia Colliery
A visit to the former site of Kalmia Colliery | Schuylkill County
Fire at Kalmia Colliery in Schuylkill County nearly claimed lives | December 1871
Captain Alexander Frazer – Civil War hero and Coal Region mine foreman
“And where’s Williams Valley?” – An 1877 travel guide pointed visitors to western Schuylkill County
Christmas in a Coal Region ‘patch town’
Subscribe to the latest from Jake Wynn – Public Historian
Enter your email below to receive the newest stories.
Another very interesting article. Thanks!
Jake A wonderful article, full of the flowery language of the time. Quite the read! Of course no one mentioned the hardships of working in the mines as well as the miserable wages and how families were beholden to the mine company store for just about every necessity. But mining provided work for many of our ancestors, including mine, so I\’m grateful for that. I\’m also grateful for the work you put in to bring this information to us. Several weeks ago I mentioned a college video project I did back in 2000 about mining around Tower City. Have you had a chance to look at it? Even though it\’s more than two decades old, I think it holds up well.
Jeff