“Shaft mining was used to gain access to the veins of ore lying deep underground. A hole was dug straight down into the mine and equipped with a hoist to be then raised by horse power. The veins of ore were opened by blasting at different levels of the shaft and the miners working along these tunnels. Six shafts were sunk at Williamsburgh and Lyon Mountain used this type of tunnelling extensively.” (from The Saranac Valley, by Sarah Baker)