Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Latrobe Advance
Wednesday, April 5, 1899
New Coal Mine
Edw. J. O'Brien Opens A New Vein At Kingston Station
Mr. E. J. O'Brien has opened a new mine on the Johnson farm at Kingston, about three miles from Latrobe. The vein of coal is about three feet, and is what is known as the Upper Kittaning or Freeport vein. The coal is of an excellent quality having very little if any slate in it. The output for the present is being consumed by the Latrobe Water Company and the Silica Brick Company. Mr. O'Brien controls about 60 acres of the coal land and the vein runs about 800 feet to the property line. It has a fall of from two to four feet to the hundred, and crops out on the Thos Lemmon farm near New Alexandria. At the basin, which lies right under Latrobe, it is about 600 feet below the surface. This vein is from 400 to 500 feet below the Pittsburgh, or Connellsville vein, and is a very select quality of coal. The mine is yet in a primitive state, only being driven back for a distance of 175 feet. A bed of rich fine clay forms the bottom and the top is a solid mass of rock. At present, a 25 horse power boiler is being used, but this will be increased as the case demands. The water, which is almost entirely from the surface, is drawn from the mine by means of a steam siphon, a new idea, for use in coal mines. Mr. O'Brien has tested it thoroughly and it is giving the best of satisfaction. The workings will be known as the Kinston mine. At present a force of workmen are engaged in placing the necessary building, and when these are completed, the men will live right there and the mine will be worked day and night, until the main heading is placed in proper condition.