Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Ligonier Echo
Wednesday, July 22, 1908
The Fort Palmer New Coal Plant
Ligonier and Latrobe People Financially Interested In Big Investment
Plant Modern In Every Way
We were delighted with the plans and the arrangements of the big new enterprise out at Fort Palmer which was visited by the editorial party last Saturday afternoon. The Fort Palmer Coal & Coke Co. has secured a fine vein of the Pittsburgh coal on the John Tallman farm in Fairfield township near Ft. Palmer. This plant is about seven miles from town and the company will in about two months begin active operation of their new, modern plant.
A feature of this plant will be the almost exclusive use of machinery in producing the coke, excluding the slow process of hand labor, electricity doing the work. The drift mine has bee opened in the hillside, which averages about seven feet in thickness. In course of construction are 180 eight-ton longitudinal coke ovens comprising two batteries, where the coal will be made into coke. These ovens are a departure from the old method of making coke. The ovens are charged from larries, a track running from the crusher to and on top of the ovens same as on the beehive variety. The drawing of the coke will be done by machines placing the coke direct into the regulation cars.
This plant when completed will be one of the most complete in this county. Everything almost in doing the work of converting the coal into coke will be done by the use of electricity. Every modern device is used in the operation of this plant. Nine motors will be required for the operation of the plant.
Ten double houses for the accommodation of the employes have been built. A large reservoir which will furnish ample supplies of water from a natural source is being constructed. The power house is a model of convenience and adaptability. The operation of this plant of which James Peters, of Ligonier, is part owner and general manager, will add another important industry to our valley and be of financial benefit to our people.