HOCKING VALLEY. 657 
The first furnace erected was built by Mr. Samuel Baird, and located 
on his lands, west of Shawnee, and about three miles from the nearest 
railroad station. Professor Andrews published a dercription of this 
furnace, in the American Manufacturer, in January, 1876, and furnished 
the following estimate of the cost of a ton of iron: 
Two and three-fourths tons coal, at 50 cents, $1.374, say..........---.- 81 40 
Two and three-fourths tons ore, at $2.25...22. -.- 2-2 eee see eens cece eee eee 6 00 
Three-fourths of a ton limestone, at $1.30 or $1.05, say..---...---..----- 1 10 
LUM DDP sas coe bG06 G6GO00 GOad OSH050 HHOSSG 540050 69060r 9605 do0s 4000 605606 3 00 
Repairs.--.... aS Te a a ar ee Bienen sare eet cintcrs cal eisicstccle sereriats 1 00 
JOT NTO! CUEOOWIN CoS b66 COO b56 665506 665U Odd BO6 560 5605 5666560606608 50 
AN Se NG CE GUS SCOR SOS SEB OEE BESO RDO OOG BEBE SSB CEC Certs ie $13 00 
This was at a time when the iron trade was greatly depressed, but the 
quotations for stone-coal pig in the markets of the United States, 
ranged from $21 to $30 per ton. This would leave a large margin for 
profits, and it is not surprising that the estimate was received with con- 
siderable incredulity, but the practical results show that it was remark- 
ably accurate. The furnace is erected upon a side-hill, with the top of 
the stack so far below the level of the Great Vein Coal that the fuel can 
be carried down a gentle decline, and dropped at the top of the stack. 
The coal is here nine feet thick in three benches, is dry-burning, and an 
excellent one for smelting. The limestone is, in part, obtained from the 
_oar Limestone, which appears in the ravine before the furnace, and 
in part from the Maxville bed, which is found in the deep ravine to the 
west. After one year’s experience, Mr. Baird gives the cost of one ton of 
iron as fellows: : 
Orefrom:Murmacevland se stce eos som ose ein ce walosiceles weicen) pasted $3 @5 
Oresit purchasedaee eee ssswcee cam srewo keitoe tc aclewains SOR COME bureug 
Coa pe Oeeimmaee eee ces cennie selena ina sine awa Meare ag he 1 60 1 60 
MeiNTESLONCmacmeniee wiscieinecisee see caVcinic ew cwlenesicie sce sculsclcecinys 1 00 1 00 
Aber rep ars ander COres uses cas soe ccs os cassia celeseate sine sc 4 40 5 40 
MoOtalsissee se seceet elo ecaee cle Uk esis Wa klosecclat meneame oh $14 00 $11 85 
The Akron Iron Company have used the pig from this furnace for the 
manufacture of their special grades of bar iron, and pronounce the 
quality good. The cost of the furnace was about $45,000. The pig must 
be hauled three miles to the nearest railroad station, and Mr. Baird 
informed me that, reckoning the cost of constructing these three miles 
of road as a part of the current expenses, the net profit of the first years’ 
run was $25,000. The success of this enterprise has induced the con- 
struction of other furnaces, three of which are now in successful opera- 
42 
