MASSILLON COAL FIELD. 783 
mine last described. The face of the coal runs N. 40° E. It finds 
market mainly in Cleveland, being used as household, steam and rolling- 
mil] fuel. One-fourth is counted nut and slack. The coal mines large. 
Mines of Norton Township. 
The mines of this township are mainly of very different character 
from those already described, in that they are new mines, just coming 
to full efficiency. There are several large basins of coal already known, 
and there is no reason to doubt that other basins will be discovered as 
a result of future exploration. 
The Dennison Coal Company (formerly, the Norton Coal Company) 
is now working a mine that was opened in 1881. More than 70 acres 
have been proved. The mine is making an output of 175 tons per day. 
It is connected by a narrow gauge railroad with the N. Y., P. and O. 
R’y, at Dennison Station. A part of the coal mines rather small, but 
that on the south side of the territory now worked is stronger and 
harder. 
The normal cover of the coal is, first, black ‘chip slate,” 6 to 12 
inches; second, gray shale or soapstone, of variable thickness, and 
third, sandstone. This element ranges in thickness from 10 feet up- 
wards. It frequently descends to the coal or even into the coal. Rock 
roofing is occasionally wanting altogether, only drift beds covering the 
seam. Insuch spots, quicksand is liable to be struck, which soon fills 
entries, and makes great trouble and expense. The shale above the 
coal is often soft and hard to keep up. The mine has thus poor roof 
throughout a good deal of the workings. 
Under the drift cover, the coal is sometimes found partly bleached 
and disintegrated, and too weak even to sustain the roof, let alone any 
other considerations of value. 
The average thickness of coal in the rooms now opened exceeds 4 
feet. On account of the weakness above referred to, the width of the 
rooms is less than in many mines, not exceeding 7 or 8 yards. The 
depth of the rooms is 60 to 70 yards. The pillars are “gripped” to 
ensure as much strength as possible. Most of the coal is mined by 
powder. 
The average composition is shown in the following analysis: 
