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Skagit River JournalSubscribers Edition, where 450 of 700 stories originate The most in-depth, comprehensive site about the Skagit Covers from British Columbia to Puget Sound. Counties covered: Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Snohomish & BC. An evolving history dedicated to committing random acts of historical kindness |
 810 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley, Washington, 98284Home of the Tarheel Stomp Mortimer Cook slept here & named the town Bug |
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| this was the most usual scene in the Hamilton and upper Skagit area in the time in question. Young and Byers logging camp, in this instance, like Billy Murdock and Winfield Scott Jameson and Heinrich Holtkamp, tending animals of burden that would drag the massive logs from the point of felling to the river, where they would be transported to mills from Utsalady, on Camano island, eventually upriver as far as Lyman. |
In the meantime, James O'Laughlin and James J. Conner were added to the company, which filed upon 160 acres of coal land. In 1875, finding reason to believe that the mines were worthy of the investment of capital, the partners with a force of laborers, sunk a shaft a hundred feet in depth by which they took out 20 tons of coal, which they shipped to San Francisco.
They made a number of improvements of permanent value in connection with this. However, they were obliged to transport their coal in canoes to the head of the big jam (at Mount Vernon). There they cut a road through he forest two miles in extent around it, then loaded the coal upon the steamer Chehalis, which come up for that purpose.
This coal mine remained comparatively undeveloped through lcak of capital for two years, and then Conner, having secured additional resources, pushed it successfully for a number of years ultimately selling or bonding to San Francisco parties under the name of the Skagit-Cumberland Coal Company.
The Northern Star (a Snohomish County paper) of Dec. 16, 1876, gives an interesting account of the original discovery of the coal mines by Messrs. Everett, Stevens and Graham, already described, and goes on to prophesy that when a prosperous town is built up in that vicinity with iron furnaces, machine shops, etc. a railroad may join the belts between the Skagit, Stillaguamish and Snohomish.
At that time there had been three claims located on the coal regions, the Skagit, Cascade and the New Cumberland. The coal has been thoroughly tested and found to be of the finest quality, but pending the removal of the big jam it was not profitable to work the veins.
The Skagit mine was situated on the east face of the mountain directly above the Hatshadadish (this appears to be the present Cumberland Creek) and within a mile of the landing. The coal vein dipped at an angle of 60 degrees.
Three shafts at this time had been sunk, 70, 25 and 20 feet deep, respectively, with an entrance 120 feet above the bed of the creek. Seven strata of coal had been uncovered , each running from two to eight feet in thickness.
The Cascade lay from one-fourth to one-half mile from the tunnels of the Skagit claim and the entrance to it was 350 feet above the level of the river.
Four veins had been uncovered, dipping at an angle of 12 degrees. Two tunnels had at that time been driven, one 70 and one 76 feet in length. The principal vein here was six feet thick and pure, solid coal.
The New Cumberland, divided from the others by Loretta Creek, was opened by a tunnel 150 feet long, and the coal was found to be of a quantity equal to the best for coking, forging and mechanical work. . . .
C.S. Torkelson of Tacoma was at that time interested with a number of English capitalist in investigating these mines and in projecting railway connection between them and Ship Harbor (Anacortes). A fine quality of limestone is also mentioned."
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That at Conner's on the Skagit River there are three measures of bituminous coal whicha re upon the same line passing through Nanaimo, B.C., and belonging to the cretaceous epoch, being a first-class bituminous coal. . . .The coal mine at Sehome (now a part of Bellingham) was for many years in the early days the leading industry and of immense economic value to that community.
Below the coal measures, the report continues, are iron measures of a good quality of brown hematite iron ore from 45 to 50 per cent of metallic iron. . . .
The [J.J.] Conner mine was subsequently bonded by the Skagit-Cumberland Coal company of San Francisco, which sent W.A. Jones about the first of May to enter upon the work of development on a large scale.
He built at once a flume 600 feet long with a 75-foot head carrying a volume of water sufficient to fill a 30-inch pipe, which carried the water from the head to the "Knight" wheel of the compressor. The compressor was sufficiently large to furnish 450 horsepower. by which the manager expected to run three 3 1/2-inch Rix & Furth drills.
The steamer Bailey delivered three loads of machinery which they at once began to use in the sinking of a tunnel 3,000 feet ddep. The supply of coal lay in such a position that it could be very cheaply and rapidly brought to the surface and placed within reach of transportation.
For some reason, however, the Cumberland Coal Company did not remain permanently in the business of developing these properties, and they have been idle for many years.
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Would you like information about how to join them in advertising? Our newest sponsor, Plumeria Bay, is based in Birdsview, just a short walk away from the Royal family's famous Stumpranch, and is your source for the finest down comforters, pillows, featherbeds andduvet covers and bed linens. Order directly from their website and learn more about this intriguing local business. Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop at 817 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley, 90 years continually in business. Peace and quiet at the Alpine RV Park, just north of Marblemount on Hwy 20, day, week or month, perfect for hunting or fishing. Park your RV or pitch a tent — for as little as $5 per night — by the Skagit River, just a short drive from Winthrop or Sedro-Woolley. Alpine is doubling in capacity for RVs and camping in 2011. Joy's Sedro-Woolley Bakery-Cafe at 823 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Check out Sedro-Woolley First section for links to all stories and reasons to shop here firstor make this your destination on your visit or vacation. Are you looking to buy or sell a historic property, business or residence?We may be able to assist. Email us for details. |
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