On the use of Anthracite in Blacksmiths'' Shojjs. 307 



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

 alogie appUquee aux arts, I observe it is spoken of as highly useful 

 in the manufacture of a variety of delicate edge tools. 



June 5, 1S30. 



JVotice of the first Introduction of Anthracite Coal on the Susquehan- 

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

 Fell, May 24, 1830. 



There has been some enquiry, when and by vi^hom this coal was 

 first used. I have made some effort to ascertain the facts. The 

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

 ley as a Connecticut settler, 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 1768 or 1769. He 

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

 place have used it in 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 had it used in a nailery 5 I found it to answer well 

 for 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 when they were wrought in a charcoal fire. There is anothej.' 

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

 that of any other fire, the iron is sooner heated, and I beUeve 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, (the length is immaterial, it may be regulated to suit its use or 

 convenience,) and the 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 have any knowledge ; and this experiment first 

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

 From that 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 we do know, and 

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



