COAL IN AMERICA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20644, 16 February 1929, Page 25

COAL IN AMERICA.

FIRST USED AS FUEL. ONLY 120 YEARS AGO. 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 ISOC the nows spread that “ black stone" was found in abundance in Plymouth, Pa. This discovery aroused the curiosity of a small town blacksmith named Abijah Smith, who decided to investigate that'area. Leaving ids forge, Smith made his way to Plymouth. It is not known whether Smith placed the coal in the fireplace 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 ucar-by towns to witness a demonstration of the newlydiscovcrcd fuel. Ho was given pci mission to use his landlord's fireplace for the demonstration.

The appointed day arrived, and the inn where Smith stayed was filled - with curiosity-seekers. To Smith’s great dismay the coal did not catch fire. The irate spectators were about to berate Smith for his folly, but be curbed their annoyance by inviting them to thnne in another room. After dinner, when he and his guests returned to the room where the demonstration was held, the coals had caught fire, and were burning brightly. The news spread far and . wide, Smith receiving orders from nil over the State for shipments of this unique stone. With the aid of his brother John, Smith set out to mine fho coal. A barge called the Ark was constructed to deliver the coal to distant points. New York received its first shipment of coal in 1808.