BLUESTONE AND UTlIKil SANDSTONES 



L5 



But, if kept in repair, these bridge roads are the best for the 

 heavy quarry wagons. The quarries on the hills and moun- 

 tains have a separate road leading to each from the main roads. 

 As a rule, these are in fearful condition, being cut to pieees by 

 the chained wheels. The grade of these roads is very steep. A 

 25^ grade is not an uncommon one. An extra horse is often 

 employed for hauling the stone wagons up to the quarry. 



The loading of the stone on the wagons in the quarry is done 

 by a derrick when possible. If there is no derrick in the quarry, 

 the loading is done by hand. If there are a number of quarries 

 near together, the different gangs assist one another in loading. 



In coming down loaded, one or both of the rear wheels are 

 chained or a shoe is used. In addition to this, the front wheels 

 are equipped with foot brakes. The driving of these wagons 

 down such steep grades is attended with much danger, and 

 many fatal accidents occur. The drivers become very skilful 

 in the work, but at times are careless. Carelessness in 

 chaining wheels is often the cause of the most serious acci- 

 dents. After the wagons reach the main roads, few steep 

 grades are met. The unloading of the stone at the docks or 

 switches is done usually with hand, horse or steam power der- 

 ricks. The different sizes are piled at separate points on the 

 docks and shipped as ordered. 



The cost of transportation to the docks or shipping points 

 is borne by the quarrymen. The cost is based on the value of 

 the load, the distance between the quarry and the dock and the 

 condition and grade of road. The cost runs as high as 50$ of the 

 value of the load and as low as from 8 to 10$. The latter cost 

 is for quarries favorably situated in respect to the docks. 

 Usually a team will make three and four trips a day between 

 the dock and quarry, at this price. Quarries are often spoken 

 of as " three trip " or " four trip " quarries, as the case may be. 

 Only the larger quarries have their own teams, and the hauling 

 is often conducted as a separate business from the quarrying of 

 the stone. 



