COAL AS FUEL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 18

COAL AS FUEL

FIRST USE IN AMERICA Civilisation owes much of its progress to coal, yet it is not much more than a century ago that this valuable product was looked upon by many with fear and superstition. Others considered it a curiosity and kept it exposed on their.mantelpieces. "Black stone".was the name applied to it. In 1806 the news spread that; "black stone" was found'in abundance in Plymouth, Pa., says the "New York Times." This discovery aroused 1 the curiosity of. a small town blacksmith named Abijah Smith, who decided to'investigate that area.. Leaving his; forge, Smith made his way to Plymouth. It is. not known whether Smith placed, jihe coal in his landlord's fire-; place by accident or, not, but after; finding that it burned and provided groat warmth he was convinced of its' efficacy as a fuel. It was not a simple matter to convince others of his discovery. It is said that he invited the leading citizens of the nearby towns to; witness a; demonstration of.'the newly, discovered fuel. He was given permission to use his landlord's fireplace for tho demonstration. .' . The .appointed day arrived and the inn where Smith stayed was filled with curiosity seekers. To Smith's great; dismay the, ,'epal.'.did :iio;tcatch- fire.' The . irate spectators, were, about to berate Smith for his-folly, but he curbed their, annoyance; by inviting them to dinner in another room. After'dinner, when! ho and his"guests' returned to the room , where, the demonstration was. held the coals had caught fire arid- were burning brightly. The news spread far and wide, Smith _ receiving orders from.., all.; over; the State for ' shipments' of this unique stone. : :■. With, the.,aid of his brother John, Smith sefeji\it.,'tq-niiue. the.coal., A barge' called th'o'VA'rk ;.was constricted ■■■'■ to. do- ■ liver.the coal to distant points-.' New ■York-received its first shipment of coal in 1808: „:- ■ I ?;• ' ' . :..