Visit to Shamrock Mine

VISIT TO SHAMROCK MINE 941 mines in Eureka and Bingham, and would be pleased to grant the request. The trip commenced with a visit to the coke; ovens. Here the coal was seen coming up out of the mine shaft at the rate of 3,000 tons per day. The cars were run a short distance down an incline into a machine which automatically inverted them, allowing the coal to fall out onto large screens where the slack wasi separated from the lumps, the former being elevated to the top of some high building9 and the latter passing over a long belt where men on either side picked out the rocks which were in turn hauled back into the mine to fill up the holes. The good coal remaining was loaded into cars to be sold. The islack was next washed to remove the slate and rocks and then graded into three different grades and conveyed to large bins similar to the bins in a grain elevator. Here it was allowed to dry, after which the two highest grades, were made5 into coke and the other grade was pressed into bricks to be sold for heating purposes. The interesting part of this screening and grading process was the fact that a use was found for every kind and quality of coal that came out of the mine. Nothing was wasted. Even the coal dust and rocks had a value and use. After viewing the battery of one hundred and twenty coke evens, and seeing the mammoth engines which elevated the coal out of the mines, the party was taken to another part of the plant where they had the privilege of inspecting the "Lungs" of the mine. Here was seen two giant, compressors which compressed the air and forced it into the mine to supply the 2,400 miners working hundreds of feet below the earth. These trusty machines seemed to sense the importance, of their charge and responded as if they had the lives of a whole nation in their keeping. The coke ovens and machines above the ground were interesting, but the most interesting part of the trip was the visit to the mine itself. To reach a shaft which was suitable and safe to visit; it was necessary to travel about a mile. As conveyances, two carriages and an automobile were placed at the disposal of the company. This indeed was a welcomed favor as it is seldom that a missionary gets to travel in such luxury. Upon reaching the shaft the engineer produced some maps and explained the structure, quality of coal and peculiar characteristics of the mine, after which the party was escorted into the dressing rooms where each found a miner's suit, cap, lamp and boots waiting for him. It didn't take long to discard the missionary garb for the miner's regalia and soon an entirely different looking party was ready to ex- plore the underground regions. Many experienced again the "Giant Racer Thrills" when they stepped into the mine elevator and were dropped for 1,500 ft. down the shaft at almost lightning speed. At the bottom of the shaft

942 IMPROVEMENT ERA extended two main tunnels in different directions. Here the party was divided into three divisions with a guide for each. Each group had the privilege of seeing all the operations from the time the coal was drilled and blasted until it was loaded into the electric trains and elevated to the surface. It was found that the mine was essentially the same as those in Carbon county, except that the veins were much smaller. In many places it was necessary for the miners to work in veins as small a9 eighteen inches in height. Under such conditions it was quite difficult to dig much coal, which accounts for the fact that a miner in these mines and also in the mines of England only digs about one-third as much coal in a day as does one in the mines in America. His wages are in about the same proportion also and consequently the flask of coffee and sandwich which he has for his dinner is characteristic of the meager life which he lives. After exploring about 2 miles of the 25 miles of tunnels and passages in the mine, the party assembled at the bath house, where they were magically transformed into missionaries again. Wine and beer was offered to quench their thirst, but they preferred mineral water instead, much to the surprise of the onlookers . The utmost courtesy and hospitality was extended on the part of the mine officials and workmen. The missionaries all joined in wishing them a vote of thanks and invited them to come to America for a return of their hospitality. Koln, Germany. Repose The willows droop at high noon; The horseflies hum, a sleepy croon, And listless black-birds on the wing Hover while the crickets sing. From the valley's calm delight The vagrant breeze has taken flight, Tripping - past the bluebells gay Down Sager's hills and far away. A lonely cloud hangs in the sky, Lonely as a lingering sigh; Yet, since sportive Summer reigns Not a breath of gloom remains In the pungent restful air. Earth smiles, and life is everywhere. Ovid. Idaho Ezra J. Poulsen