O}} the use of Anthracite in Blachsmiths^ Shops, 307 



but I hare seen it employed for this, and in Mens. Brard's Miner- 

 (tlogie appliquee aux arts, I observe it is spoken of as. highly useful 

 in the manuficture of a variety of delicate edge tools. 



June 5, 1830. 



JVotice ofthejirst Introduction of Anthracite Coal on the Susquehan- 

 na; communicated to the Editor at Wilkesharre^ by Judge Jesse 

 Fell, Mai/ 24, 1830. 



There has been some enquiry, when and by whom this coal was 

 first used. I have made some effort to ascertain the l\xcts. The 

 late Judge Obudiah Gore, a blacksmith by trade, came into this val- 

 ley as a Connecticut setder, at an early day, and he himself informed 

 me that he was the first person that used the coal of this region, in 

 a blacksmith's fire; it was about the year 17G3 or 1769. He 

 found it to answer well for this purpose, and the blacksmiths of this 

 place have used it ia their forges ever since. I find no older tradi- 

 tion of its being used in a fire, than the above account. About forty 

 two years ago, I liad it used in a nailery; I found it to answer well 

 lor making wrought nails, and instead of losing In the weight of the 

 rods, the nails exceeded the weight of the rods, which was not the 

 case wlien they were wrought in a charcoal fire. There is anodier 

 advantage in working with this coal — the heat being superior to 

 that of any other fire, the iron is sooner heated, and I beheve a black- 

 smith may do at least one third more work in a day, than he could 

 do with a charcoal fire. 



From observation, I had conceived an idea, that if a body of this 

 coal was ignited, and confined together, it would burn as a fuel; to 

 try the experiment, in the month of February, 1808, I had a grate 

 constructed for the purpose, eight inches in depth, and eight inches 

 in height, with feet, eight inches high, and about twenty two inches 

 long, (die length is immaterial, it may be regulated to suit its^ use or 

 convenience,) and die coal after being ignited in it, burned beyond 

 the most sanguine expectation. A more beautiful fire could not be 

 imagined, it being clear and without smoke. This was the first in- 

 stance of success, in burning this coal in a grate, in a common fire- 

 place, of which I havd any knowledge ; and this experiment first 

 brought our coal into use, for winter fires, (without any patent right.) 

 From diat time it has become a matter of great attention and specu-. 

 lation. When, how, or of what matter it was formed, I know^ not, 

 and do not ever expect to know, but its usefulness w^e do know, and 

 appreciate, still believing its use to be as yet only in its infancy. 



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