PABEDFOR-L Archives

Archiver > PABEDFOR > 2002-02 > 1014849913


From: "Batha Karr" <>
Subject: Re: Coal Miners
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 14:45:13 -0800
References: <01f901c1bfb8$a386e960$f1e280ce@bedford.net>


Hopewell Its Iron and Coal
From The Kernel of Greatness - Bedford County Heritage Commission

Hopewell was a Broad Top community that provided iron ore in the early
1800's. The village of Hopewell was incorporated as a borough on January 7,
1895, but its history dates back to the 1760's when settlers traveling down
the Raystown stopped off at the junction with Yellow Creek. Like the rest of
Broad Top's early settlements, recognition of Hopewell would not come till
the late 1800's.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Hopewell Furnace was constructed
in 1800 to produce iron from local ores. It is known as one of the oldest in
southwestern Pennsylvania.

Responsible for the construction of the furnace were the DAVIES, the LANES,
and a man named KING. In 1801, the furnace was put into operation with a
daily yield of about five tons of iron. Some ore came from deposits near
Bloody Run (Everett) and from Warrior's Ridge. The surrounding forest was
used for the production of charcoal. In addition, local limestone was used,
and the water of the Raystown was harnessed to provide the "blast" for the
furnace. Coming from a stream, near Hopewell, water was carried by a ditch
and a large wheel to the furnace. Since large quantities of Broad Top coal
were also evident around Hopewell, several small mines were opened about the
same period as the Hopewell Furnace.

The coke used for melting pig iron from the furnace came from Broad Top coal
which was taken from the old Chevington mine on Sandy Run.

Coke was used for converting pig iron in an open hearth to pig metal, the
coke supplying greater heat in the open than charcoal. The pig metal was
then taken to the forge. Heated by charcoal, it was made into blooms, pieces
of iron about 20 inches long and six or seven inches across. The blooms were
reheated and hammered by water-power into bar-iron by the Chaffery process.
This was the product from which wagon tires, plowshares, and the like were
made.

In the 1820, the furnace blew up, but the forge was kept in operation. The
old furnace was reconstructed in part, and kept going till 1831, when
JONATHAN LESLEY took over its operation. His successor was the Hopewell Coal
and Iron Company, the latter a new industry in the Hopewell area. The last
operating agency for the furnace as Lowery, Eichelberger and Sons. During
the early 19th century, the furnace prospered as the coal industry grew, but
it discontinued operation in 1887. With the construction of the H&BTRR,
Hopewell made way for "King Coal."

----- Original Message -----
From: "carolyn carroll" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 9:39 AM
Subject: Coal Miners


> I am looking for any information on Broad Top Area Coal Miners. If you
have an ancestor that worked in a Broad Top Area Mine please contact me. I
am also interested in any mine accident, or deaths that occured in the
mines.



This thread: