Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, March 19, 1925
Here is shown a shipment of asphalt on the pier ready for loading into Pacific Coast box cars for shipment to the Briquet Plant. Asphalt is used in the manufacture of Diamond Briquets to bind the finely pulverized South Prairie and Black Diamond coal together. It is shipped from California by water in barrels.
When ready for melting at the Briquet Plant the barrels are broken up and the staves burned, as there is no method by which the hardened asphalt can be removed without destroying the container.
Black Diamond Doings
Soccer club banquet is elaborate affair
Details for the banquet to be tendered the Black Diamond soccer team indicate that the affair will eclipse anything of a similar nature ever held in the camp. Every available ticket to the banquet has been sold and many have been disappointed at being unable to get in. Following the banquet, however, there is to be a dance at the Club House to which all banquet guests will be admitted free, and a nominal admission of 50 cents for gentlemen and 25 cents for ladies will be charged.
Menus for the affair have been printed on a diamond-shaped card with a picture of the soccer squad opposite the list of tasty foods. And if you don’t think the boys are going to have something to eat, just cast your eyes over the following: oyster cocktail, Colorado celery, ripe olives, fried spring chicken, mashed potatoes, garden peas, hot French rolls, fruit salad, fancy ice cream, fruit punch, cakes, salted nuts, mixed cookies, coffee, tea, and milk.
Credit for this epicurean feast belongs to Chef Wm. Gafford, who previous to coming to Black Diamond was the head baker at the Ambassador and Elite Hotels in Los Angeles.
Many attend dance
Black Diamond was well represented at the St. Patrick dance given by the Burnett Elks last Saturday evening. Among those in the party were: Mr. and Mrs. Jas. E. Ash, Mary Maroni, Lila Haynes, Tess Gardner, Florence Porter, Laura Brasseur, Ruby Smith, Mr. and Mrs. R. McLean, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Kertis, Marjorie Eten, Tom Hughes, R.C. Jacobson, C. Towers, Geo. Belt, Aubrey Carlson, Robt. Allen, Henry Babb, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Allen, C.B. Lile, H.R. Algee, R. Painter, E.J. Gray, Leo Douglas, and A.H. McDonald.
Plan company league
Representatives from each of the company camps and from the Seattle office met at Black Diamond on Friday evening of last week to discuss plans for the formation of a baseball league for this season. Several schemes were presented, but after a full discussion the consensus of opinion seemed to favor a company league, composed of teams from Black Diamond, Burnett, Carbonado, Newcastle, and the Smith Building. With these five teams in the line-up each club will be given one open date to play an outside team. Another meeting will be held his week to complete plans and details for the organization.
Baseball dance
At a meeting of the Athletic Association held on Wednesday evening of last week it was voted to hold a baseball dance. The date set for the affair is Saturday, April 18.
* * * * *
Floyd Edwards, who some time ago suffered a broken pelvis in an accident, has left the hospital and gone to his home in Centralia where he will remain until able to return to work.
Hospital box
A balance of $15.01 is on hand in the fund of the hospital box, according to the last report rendered by Mr. Irelan. Collections during the month previous amounted to $10, from which were deducted expenditures of $5.50. The previous balance had been $10.01.
* * * * *
“Monk” Robinson is out and around again after a leave of absence with the mumps. “Monk” says that he needed and wanted a rest but that he got more than he bargained for.
M.B.A. report
The Black Diamond Mutual Benefit Association has recently been instructed by the Mine Council to allow only a sum not to exceed $150.00 on any one accident or case of sickness. According to the report for the month ending February 28, the M.B.A. now has a cash balance on hand of $483.45. The balance on the first of the month was $521.95, to which was added the sum of $305.50 received from dues. Thirteen claims, amounting in all to $344.00 were paid during the month.
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New signs of spring—the new grass sprouting on the baseball diamond.
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L.V. Kunkle, formerly one of Black Diamond’s favorite sons, has returned to camp. He has been working for some time at Burnett.
* * * * *
A.P. Kinkade, one of Black Diamond’s efficient timbermen, is back on the job again after a two months’ layoff due to injuries received in an accident in the mine.
* * * * *
Jimmy Forbes, known as one of Black Diamond’s pugilistic aspirants, bid farewell to the Black Diamond Hospital last week, where he has been laid up since January 3, with a broken pelvis. As he will be unable to return to work for some time yet, Jimmy says he is going to renew old acquaintances in Seattle, Burnett, and Newcastle.
To Washington
This week the Bulletin received a poem from Miss Nancy Scott, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Scott, former residents of Black Diamond now residing at San Pedro, Calif. If you think the charms of the sunny southland can surpass those of our own state, just take the time to read what Miss Scott has put into verse under the title, “To Washington.”
* * * * *
Ed Crossman has traded in his Maxwell touring car for a Maxwell sedan.
To Washington
Far o’er a road that bends and twists,
My thoughts are winding, too,
Back to the place where my heart is still—
Washington, back to you!
The sun and the ocean wide and the palms,
Beautiful though they may be,
Are poor substitutes for the cooling rain,
And the mountain, and tall pine tree.
The sandy beach is peopled much
With poor and rich alike,
But I prefer the calm, sweet woods
To the riot of “the pike.”
A “hot-dog” stand—a mercy-go-round,
A throng of hurrying feet,
A place for smiles and dancing
Where East and West may meet.
The beauty of sky and ocean,
Is ruined beyond repair,
For beauty and peace and quiet
There is no room left there.
Then back to the cool and quiet
Of Washington’s lovely woods,
My thoughts shall ever wander,
In quiet and pensive moods.
Where a welcome rain is falling
And the sun has more merciful beams—
That place is the place for we folks
Who have still time left for dreams.
—By NANCY SCOTT,
(Formerly of Black Diamond.)
Burnett Bulletins
Burnett P.T.A. enjoys many fine programs
With a membership of sixty-three, the recently organized Burnett Parent-Teacher Association is enjoying many fine lectures and parent-teacher talks from different speakers.
At the last meeting the Association was favored by an interesting talk by A.R. Lutos on “American Ideals.” In addition the following program was presented by the upper grades under Miss Marie J. Lappenbusch and Principal C.H. Hull: “Lulla’s Complaint of Her Naughty Baby Brother,” by Mary Reese; solo, “I’m in Heaven When I’m in My Mother’s Arms,” by Bessie Kelley; “Teaching Her Arithmetic,” by Lida Schrock; playlet, “Dolly and the Doctor,” by Ruth Bushnell and Walter Kelley; violin solo by Thomas Taylor; “Pat’s Confederate Pig,” by Wilma Eberhart; song, “Santa Lucia,” by fifth and sixth grades; “A Boy’s Tribute to His Mother,” by Forrest Bumgarner; and “Funny Things,” by Melville Martin. Delicious refreshments were served by the teachers to more than one hundred patrons after the meeting.
So far the Burnett P.T.A. has listened to the following interesting speakers: Mrs. Arthur Warren, Howard J. Fisher, County Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. W.R. Coffman, Dr. W.W. Wick, W.G. Gembill, A.R. Lutos, and Mrs. L.M. Hatch.
Mrs. Verald Eberhart is the president of the Burnett organization and Miss Marie J. Lappenbusch is the secretary.
Lucky day
Friday, the 13th, even to the 13th hour of the day, was the time of the arrival of a fine seven-pound baby boy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Elsey of Burnett. Mother and child are doing nicely and the youngster is thriving in spite of the supposedly dreadful jinx of Friday and the 13th. The Bulletin is glad to join in congratulating the young fellow and his proud parents.
Sad news
Word has been received in Burnett of the death of Percy Gentle. He was accidentally killed at Mullan, Idaho, when his auto in which he was riding, was struck by a train. He was at one time employed as a pumpman at Burnett Mine. A wife, one son, and two daughters survive him.
* * * * *
Mike Murnane returned last Sunday from Boise, Idaho, where he went recently to attend the funeral of his brother.
* * * * *
Geo. Lutes has joined the ranks of the motorists, having just invested in a new Star coupe.
* * * * *
John Kelly, who sustained a dislocated shoulder several weeks ago, is progressing nicely toward recovery and expects to be back to work in the near future.
Baseball talk
Burnett expects to put a pennant-winning ball team into the running with the very first game of the season this year. When the season closed last fall the boys were going like a house a-fire and they’ve been fanning the flames all winter long in preparation for this year.
Elks’ St. Patrick ball big success
With a large crowd present, including many from Black Diamond, Puyallup, Carbonado, and other neighboring towns, the St. Patrick dance given by the Elks at the Social Hall in Burnett last Saturday night was an outstanding success. This was the second big affair of this nature which the Elks of the camp have staged.
Excellent music for the occasion was furnished by the Blind Radio Five of Seattle, but the handicap of blindness seemed to be no handicap to them, for they had all of the very latest music right at their fingertips and it was so snappy that ’tis said that those who usually go merely to look on found themselves dancing time and again.
They tell me that: Our West is best; Costs should be cut; Spring dance is next
It takes a tornado, or an earthquake, sometimes to make the residents of this favored section of the country realize how kind Mother Nature is to the Pacific Northwest. News dispatches the past twenty-four hours have been carrying details of the terrific twister which has taken a terrible toll of human life and laid waste a wide area of densely populated states in the Mississippi valley. Such a catastrophe in the Puget Sound region is impossible, thanks to the kindly protection of a rugged range of mountains on either side of the Sound.
Nestling in the hollow between the Olympics and the Cascades, this serene sea is secure from the fury of the elements on a rampage. Here in King and Pierce Counties, ages ago, were formed the coal beds from dense tropical marshes.
That nature in ages past had her tantrums, even here, is seen in the steeply pitched coal seams which we now are mining. But any miner will tell you he’d rather struggle to overcome the past pranks of nature than to endeavor to escape her in angry mood today.
* * * * *
Coal mining in the State of Washington, and particularly in the deep mines of the Pacific Coast Coal Company is attended with problems not met with elsewhere. The location of vast coal beds in this region, however, is of such immense value to the Pacific Northwest that the industry has been developed on a large scale and local coals are constantly filling local requirements to the exclusion of foreign fuel.
It is fortunate that these mines are situated where timber is abundant and readily available, for the underground workings here require timbering to an extent unequaled in more favored mines. This item of timber, even with a boundless supply right at hand, adds materially to the cost of getting out the coal.
This constant cost is but another reason why it is so vital that avoidable costs, such as are caused by needless layoffs, be eliminated as much as possible.
* * * * *
Next week is being eagerly awaited by a large number of Pacific Coast employees, and officials too. For on Saturday night, March 28, the Pacific Coast family is going to gather in the Italian Room of The Olympic Hotel for the annual spring dance. The affair this year promises to be the most colorful ever held, with the new hotel for a setting, and a splendid spirit of cooperation everywhere in evidence throughout the organization. This occasion will be grasped by many to renew old friendships and to greet former acquaintances and neighbors.
“Back to Coal” movement gains headway
The movement back to coal from oil is gaining headway along the Atlantic seaboard, according to recent reports. This is particularly instructive as to the relative advantages of oil and coal as fuel because in no part of the country outside of the oil-producing territory is it as safe to rely upon a constant supply of fuel oil at a low price.
A partial list of recent changes contains the names of two large public utilities companies, namely, the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Co., and the Narragansett Electric Lighting Co.; of many large manufacturing establishments, including such diversified enterprises as Swift Co.’s Jersey City plant, the Crane Co.’s Bridgeport plant, the Johns-Manville Co.’s Manville plant, the American Sugar Refining Co.’s Revere plant, the Androscoggin Pulp Co.’s South Windham plant, and the Merrimac Chemical Co.’s Everett and Woburn plants, and Morris & Co.’s plant at Oklahoma City.
Not less noteworthy is the movement from oil to coal for heating purposes in large buildings. Among the striking instances of that change may be mentioned Mt. Sinai Hospital, Columbia University, Manhattan College, the Pershing Square Building, New York City; the Girard Trust Company Building, Philadelphia, and the Y.M.C.A. Building and the John Hancock Building in Boston. —Coal Age.
At your service
Mr. Irelan’s itinerary
Monday, Mar. 23—Burnett
Tuesday, Mar. 24—Carbonado
Wednesday, Mar. 25—City
Thursday, Mar. 26—Black Diamond
Friday, Mar. 27—Newcastle
First idle time of year hits mines
This week the Bulletin records the first idle time at any of the company mines this season because of lack of market. Black Diamond and Newcastle were both idle on Saturday, March 14, on that account.
The Sales Department is as yet unable to estimate to what extent the mines may now begin to feel the idleness which for weeks past has been reported from practically all parts of the country and from most of the other operations in this state. It is confidently believed, however, that the preparations which the company has made to, as best it can, meet this serious question, will keep its mines toward the top of the list of steadiest workers, as has been the case in several summers past.
The decrease in the demand for coal the country over has come much earlier this year than it has for many years past. While the company mines are only now having their first idleness, official national statistics show a steady decrease in working time almost everywhere else since early in February.
Many nearby districts, including the important Utah fields, seem to have already fallen to a little better than the mid-summer working basis.
Newcastle Notes
Newcastle M.B.A. shows fine record to date
During the year 1924 the Mutual Benefit, Association of Newcastle paid out a total of $1,527.10, covering 38 claims, an average of $40.18 for each claim, according to a report just submitted by James Gray, Secretary. The M.B.A. started the year 1925 with a membership of 202 and a credit balance of $365.90.
During the month of January receipts totalled $202.50, while disbursements amounted to $414.36, leaving a balance at the end of the first month of the year of $154.04. Mr. Gray explains that a number of the claims paid during January were outstanding claims dating back to July, August, and September of the previous year.
February receipts were $198.50, and disbursements $178.66, showing a balance at the end of the month of $173.88. During the first two months of the year the total claims paid amounted to $593.02, covering 24 claims, or an average of $24.70 for each.
Mr. Gray’s report shows the Newcastle M.B.A. to be in a very healthy condition, and he urges every employee who can, to become a member. Since the inception of the M.B.A. in Newcastle it has paid $10 per week. Benefits are paid for one week when the member has been laid up two weeks.
Two weeks’ benefits are paid at the end of the third week and at the end of the fourth week the full month, or $40 benefits, are paid until a total of $150 has been paid.
M.B.A. dues are but $1 per month, compared with industrial insurance rates of from $2.50 to $4.80 per month, which Mr. Gray points out is a very favorable comparison.
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Chas. Bloomquist has traded his old Chevrolet for a new car of the same make. The French Ford seems to be quite popular in the camp.
Newcastle defeats Renton soccer team
Newcastle emerged victorious in a hard fought game last Sunday with Renton by the margin of 2 to 1. The local boys won the toss and chose to kick down the first half, play being about even. After a scrimmage in front of Newcastle’s goal, Renton was awarded a penalty. The shot went straight for Clark who cleared in great shape and within a few minutes the same incident occurred outside Renton’s penalty line and Newcastle was awarded a free kick. McCarthy scored on a low shot, the score at half time being 1 to 0.
Things looked tough for the miners the second half, kicking up with the wind against them, however, they pressed hard and after a series of long passing Phillips secured the ball and beat Banks, the Renton goalie. This seemed to wake Renton up considerably and they tried several rushes, one of them, being successful, a long shot hit the crossbar and which their forward
tipped in on the rebound. With twenty minutes to go Renton made several tries but could not beat Clark, who put on a great display in goal for Newcastle. Newcastle missed two open goals.
Next Sunday the miners will play the Todd shipbuilders.
* * * * *
Guss Lapsansky’s little daughter had a birthday party last Saturday, March 14. A number of young folks in the camp helped to make the occasion a very merry one. She celebrated her fourth anniversary.
First new model
John W. Young is said to be the first man in Newcastle to possess one of the new 1925 model Chevrolet sport touring cars. The deal was made through B.F. Snook, who has the Newcastle agency for the Burford-Best Motor Co., of Wilkeson. When Young isn’t on the road behind the wheel he is generally to be found in the garage gazing at the new machine, his friends report.
Cigars on “Shorty”
Roswell E. Connor, otherwise known as “Shorty,” of Newcastle, and Margaret B. Starkey of Spokane, were married on Wednesday, March 11. The groom is hoisting engineer at Newcastle and his host of friends have been keeping him busy acknowledging congratulations over since the event.
A large party of young ladies of the camp arranged a noisy chariviri in honor of the bride and groom, and when they had finished with “Shorty” they remembered that “Bill” Crandall, another newly-wed hadn’t had his share yet, so they made that end of Red Town reverberate with their welcome.
“Bill” was so generous in his appreciation of their recognition that it’s said the young ladies are eagerly awaiting the next wedding and the chariviri which is certain to follow.
* * * * *
Born, Saturday, March 7, to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Averill of Snohomish, a 9-pound boy. Mrs. Averill is staying with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt, Sr., of Newcastle.
Classified advertising
Free to company employees
HEMSTITCHING and Picoting, 5 cents a yard. House No. 227, Burnett, Wash.
LOST—Black fountain pen. Finder please return to Maggie Rouse, House No. 308, Newcastle, Wash.
FOR SALE—Cheap, a wicker baby buggy in good condition. Apply to Mrs. M.M. Richardson, House No. 307, Newcastle, Wash.
PIANO and violin lessons taught. Call Room 40, Burnett Hotel.
PLAIN SEWING done at reasonable prices. Call at house No. 218, B, Burnett, Wash.
SEWING WANTED—Will sew by day or do piece work. Rose Roberts, House No. 220, Burnett, Wash.
FOR SALE—Howard Piano, in excellent condition. Price reasonable. Mrs. Joe Kerkes, Carbonado, Wash.
LOST—Book of Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. receipts. Reward for return to Douglas Miller, Phone 36-W, Renton, Wash.
DRESS MAKING—Sewing of all kinds, and all work guaranteed. Mrs. G.L. Eten, house No. 51, Lawson Road, Black Diamond, Wash.
FORD AGENCY in Burnett is represented by Irving Benson, Mine Storekeeper. He will gladly arrange for demonstration and take your order for a Ford, Fordson, or Lincoln.
Carbonado Comments
Carbonado supports company dance
Another big dance was held last Saturday evening at the Winter Garden hall in Carbonado. Music for the occasion was supplied by the Harmony Six orchestra. A big crowd attended and thoroughly enjoyed the music and refreshments.
Announcement was made at the dance that on account of the company ball which is to be given at The Olympic Hotel in Seattle on March 28, the next dance in Carbonado, which had originally been scheduled for that date, would be postponed.
A large number of Carbonado people have indicated their intention of attending the company dance, and many owning cars have arranged to take extra passengers. Anyone driving in who might have room in the car is invited to call at the mine office where arrangements are being made for those who want to go.
Article in Coal Age
In the February 26, number of Coal Age, Supt. S.H. Ash has an informative article on “Room-and-Pillar Work in Steeply Pitching Beds of Pierce County, Washington.” The article is illustrated and is interesting and well worth reading, as Supt. Ash has made an intensive study of coal mining in this state.
May see champions
Ladysmith’s soccer team, British Columbia champions for 1923 and 1924, is planning on a trip across the line and a two weeks’ tour of the state. Negotiations are under way for a game with the Carbonado team, but the expense of such a game will be so high that it is doubtful if the necessary support can be raised to make it a financial success. However, Carbonado fans will at least have the opportunity to see the champions play in Seattle and Tacoma.
Last party
The last of the series of card parties given by the Eastern Star at South Prairie will be held on next Monday evening. At that time the scores will be totaled and the prize winners announced. It is expected that many Carbonado people will attend the affair.
* * * * *
Rumors have been going around that the soccer football club is planning to hold a grand masquerade in the near future. Nothing definite has yet been arranged, however, although it is expected that the matter will be discussed and decided at the next meeting.
Baseball time
Spring days are making the baseball fans of the camp talk over the outlook for the season. Carbonado last year made a fine record and there is every reason to believe that the camp will put an equally strong team into the field this spring. Sentiment in the camp seems to favor entering an exclusive Pacific Coast Coal Company league, plans for which are now in the making.
Talks please others
On several occasions Wylie Hemphill, second vice president and general sales manager of the Pacific Coast Coal Company, has appeared before the Central Council and the men at the mines and in every instance his remarks have elicited much favorable comment. It is therefore gratifying to note that others also are impressed with his talks, and that though a very busy man, he is always willing to go any distance to boost for the best interests of the Pacific Coast Coal Company and the splendid body of men making up the organization in all of its departments.
Mr. Hemphill recently spoke before the Lions Club of Everett, Wash., which expressed its appreciation of his remarks in its printed bulletin, adding that he, “threw many interesting sidelights on the griefs of the coal operators of the State of Washington. A peep behind the curtain, such as he gave to us does much to give the public a more sympathetic attitude toward the “coal barons.”
Books big pictures for camp theatres
Patrons of the motion picture theatres at the camps where R.H. Glenn conducts the shows are assured of some mighty fine films in the near future. For that matter, Mr. Glenn has always exhibited the very best pictures that could be obtained, and on several occasions he has shown them at the camps before they appeared at the larger theatres in Seattle.
By glancing over the list of future attractions, published each week in the Bulletin, it can be seen that practically all of the advertised features appearing at the city theatres are to be shown also at the camps. One of the biggest pictures of the season, “The Thief of Bagdad,” which had an extended run at the Liberty in Seattle, is booked for the 19th, 20th, and 21st of April at Newcastle, Burnett, and Black Diamond, respectively.
At Carbonado, where the shows are managed by a club organization of the camp, some excellent feature films have also been scheduled, a list of which appears on the Carbonado page of the Bulletin.
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