Here's an article that I transcribed. I hope that it helps someone. - Jean Griesan [email protected] Colorado P.S. I am researching the Griffith family, and would love to hear from anyone who also connects to this Benjamin Griffith. Thanks! THE ASHLAND FURNACE. This magnificent structure, the largest and best appointed west of the mountains, for the smelting of iron with bituminous coal, was fired on the 27th of August, and the blast put on the 30th at 9 A. M. The first cast was made Tuesday, the 31st - eight tons. The burden has not been put on fully, and after four days run 20 tons in 24 hours is realized of good dark grey mill iron. We gave a description of this furnace several weeks since, but will repeat that the stack is 60 feet high with 15 feet 1 1/2 inches bosh, and uses Player's celebrated hot-blast - 3 stoves. At present but one stove is in use. She has four batteries of boilers, each separate from the other, so that any one, two or three may be used at the same time. At present but two are used, leaving two for change. The hoisting apparatus and water pumps all work well, as does the engine and doctor. The construction of the whole has been under the personal supervision of Mr. J. E. Montgomery, of Youngstown, Ohio, who certainly has cause to feel proud of so grand a structure. The furnace starts out with the best of prospects, and has already from 10,000 to 12,000 tons of ores on hand, mostly from the adjacent hills. The Ashland coal (bituminous) only is used, and works to a charm, making a bountiful supply of gas for the boilers and hot-blast. So soon as the furnace gets fully under way Mr. Benj. Griffith will have full charge of the founder's department. Mr. Douglas I. Putnam is the general manager; Frank Coles, Esq., clerk; Casper Castner first, and Wm. Nicholson second engineers; head keepers Wm. Kessinger and John Stewart. It is expected that she will, under full burden, average 40 tons per day. The furnace is the property of the Ashland Railroad & Coal Company, and will soon have a large rolling mill and nail works added. Ironton Journal, Wednesday, September 8, 1869