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■:<Y,
A«T''P .«^'-'X AND
T;I.RlN F«'«i-.iO^T!ON8.
FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT
OF TBDB
STATE MINE INSPECTOR,
TO THB
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA,
For tlie Years 1882 and 1883.
\ C w A ^'^\ ■
PBINTSD BY OBDBB OF THB GBXRBAL A8RUMBLY.
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• I
DES MOINES: - ' ■ *
GEO. B. ROBBBTS, STATE PRINTBR.
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'i^LJBLiC LIBRARY
19^898
■ '^-'^i^-i .'■■■•l'n;-,ation1.
} 1900.
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BIENNIAL REPORT.
Dbs Moinbs, Iowa, August 15, 1883.
7b his ExceUencyy Bubbn B. Shebkait, Ghvemor of Iowa:
Sib — ^In compliance with chapter one hundred and seTenty-five of
the laws of the Nineteenth General Assembly, I herewith submit my
first biennial report of the Department of Mines. Chapter two hun-
dred and two of the laws of the Eighteenth General Assembly made
it the duty of the Inspector of Mines to report annually his proceed-
ings to the Governor, but that portion of the law was amended by
chapter one hundred and seyenty-five of the laws of the Nineteenth.
Greneral Assembly.
I haye therefore named this my first biennial report, and in this
report I will give the condition of the mines from July 1, 1881, to*
June 30, 1888, containing a statement of the approximate coal pro-
duction of the State, a list of the fatal accidents, a brief statement
of the labors of the Inspector for the last two years, recommendations^
for the improvement of the mining law, and such other matters in
connection with mines and mining as I have deemed of importance*
The mining industry of the State is yearly growing in magnitude.
During the past two years the number of mines has not been increased,
but small mines, upon the advent of railroads, have given place to
larger ones, so that the coal output of the State is gradually increasing,
while perhaps the number of mines has somewhat decreased. The
winter of 1881 and 1882 was very mild, and caused the production of
coal for the first year of this report, to fall about 300,000 tons short
of my former report, but that was caused by the exceeding open win-
ter.
The approximate output of coal for the year ending June 30, 1882,
4 REPORT OF STATE MI^B INSPECTOR. [E 4
was 3,127,700 tons, and for the year ending June 30, 1883, it was
3,881,300 tons, or a total for the two years of 7,009,000 tons. I have
never been able to furnish an accurate account of the annual coal
production of the State, for the reason of the unwillingness of the
operators to furnish the returns to this office of the output of their
mines, regarding that as private business. I have sent letters to the
different mining companies doing business in this State, requesting
them to furnish this office with a statement of the amount of coal
mined by each company, but answers were not generally returned;
therefore the estimate made is only approximate.
FATAL ACCIDENTS.
The following is a list of the fatal accidents reported to this office
^or the two years ending June 30, 1883, including the decision of the
coroner's jury in each case.
DANIEL LANTRY.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that said Daniel Lantry came
to his death by the explosion of a 24-pound keg of powder, caused
by the lighted lamp falling from his own cap into a large hole in the
side of the keg which was lying on its side, and no one is to blame
for the accident.
Bruce Ingles, J
William Ogden, > Jurors.
J. S. Henderson, )
J. C. Barringer, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
ALBION JOHNSON.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the deceased came to his
death from the effects of a rock falling upon him while at work in
the mines of the White Breast Coal and Mining Company; that it
was altogether an accidental occurrence, and no blame attaches to
any one.
C. D. Flynn,)
James Parr, V Jurors.
C. A. Flynn, )
H. S. Millan, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
1883.] REPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 5
WILLIAM GAFFNEY.
m
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that William Gaffney came to
his death by an accidental and unavoidable falling of slate in room
number three (that was working) first right-up (Straight in old shaft.
Excelsior, Mahaska county, Iowa.
E. H. Lesser, )
J. Ellsworth, >■ Jurors.
J. Q. Scott. )
J. C. Barringkb, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
THOMAS VAUGHN.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that Thomas Vaughn came to
his death in Cleveland coal mine by being crushed between two coal
cars, and from the evidence we believe the accident was purely acci-
dental, and that there was nothing willful or felonious committed
with it.
William Gilmobb, )
M. S. Skidmobe, >■ Jurors.
E. W. Knotts, )
H. S. MiLLAN, Coroner, Lucas county, Iowa.
JAMES SWEETMILK.
The jury, upon their oaths, do say that the deceased came to his
death from a blow on the head, with fracture of the skull, received
\ivhile blasting, in a manner to them unknown, but supposed to have
occurred by his going into the room to examine a delayed fuse which
exploded the shot at that time. In the minds of the jurors the acci-
dent occurred from carelessness of the deceased.
Mabion Dubee, )
E. P. Hughs, >■ Jurors.
B. F. Pbatt, )
James Cabteb, Coroner, Wapello county, Iowa.
WILLIAM JOHNSON.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the deceased came to his
death by falling from the elevator while ascending the shaft, the
bucket becoming detached from the rope in some manner while
ascending, nothing felonious attaching to the case.
W. H. NiCKELL, )
N. W. Stoveb, V Jurors.
James Welch, )
H. S. MiLLAN, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
^ REPOET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
CHARLES JOHNSON.
The. jurors, upon their oaths, do say that Charles Johnson came to
liis death by a signal to hoist coal through the shaft being given by
an unknown cause. It is our opinion that the signal happened acci-
•dentally and without any felonious intent.
G. G. Rebsidb, )
J. T. Skidmobe, y Jurors.
John Lype, )
H. S. MiLLAN, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
J. M. PETERSON.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that deceased came to his
death in Carver coal mine, Richland township, Wapello county,
Iowa, about 12 o'clock M., on the 16th day of May, 1882, by the pre-
mature discharge of a shot fired by himself.
N. M. Ives, )
N. Brown, > Jurors.
C. B, SfBVBNSOK, )
Jambs Carter, Coroner, Wapello county, Iowa.
JOHN PORTER.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said John Porter
came to death by a spark of fire falling from his lamp into an open
keg of powder, placed by himself at his feet, in mine number three,
Consolidation Coal Company's mine at Muchakinock, Iowa, on June
16, 1882, and died of his injuries on June 22, and that said accident
was due entirely to his own carelessness.
W. P. TODD, )
W. B. Kelveb, V Jurors.
J. S. Henderson, )
J. C. Barringer, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
DAVID MORRIS.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that David Morris came to his
death by a fall of slate and stone, in number two, Excelsior Coal
Company's mine at Excelsior, Iowa, on June 26, 1882; that said acci-
dent was due to a slip in the back side of a stone, entirely unavoid-
able.
W. B. Ketner, )
Mell. R. Reem, V Jurors.
J. T. Scott, )
J. C. Barringer, Coroner of Mahaska county*, Iowa,
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 7
WILLIAM BEDSON.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said William Bedson
came to his death on the 1st day of Suly, 1882, at or about 11:30 A.
M., by a blow from timber and suffocation in the pit of the Empire
Coal Company in Bloomfield township, Polk county, Iowa, caused by
the fall of a quantity of soapstone, an accident common in coal works,
and not otherwise. <
W. D. Trowbridge, )
J. D. KiSLBR, y Jurors.
A. ^LT, )
I. W. Griffith, Coroner of Polk county, Iowa.
FRANK KOINER.
The said jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said Frank Koi-
ner came to his death on the 21st day of July, 1882, at Muchakinock,
Iowa, by slate falling from the roof of his room, by neglect on hii
own part to sufficiently prop said roof.
Joseph Kelley, )
W. A. Johnson, >• Jurors.
O. F. Benard, )
Robert Kissick, J. P., and acting Coroner.
WILLIAM PROUTY.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said William Prouty
came to his death about 9:30 o'clock A. M., on the 27th day of
August, A. D. 1882, by falling down the east shaft of the Union Coal
Bank in Bloomfield township, Polk county, Iowa; and the jurors furth-
er find that the said accident was caused by the negligence of the said
William Prouty, and of no other person whatever.
John Weber, )
John A. Lewis, v Jurors.
R. F. Young, \
I. W. Griffith, Coroner of Polk county, Iowa.
CHRISTIAN BOCK.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do «ay that the said Christian Bock
came to his death by stepping on the cage, after it was in motion,
contrary to the mine rules; his foot slipped, and he fell forward
across the cage, and was caught between the cage and curbing,
and that his death was due to his own carelessness. We further find
the Acme Coal Company, and Wm. M. Evans, the engineer, to be
8 REPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
«
entirely free from l^lame, and that all possible jirecaution to prevent
any accident was duly exercised.
Peter Stumps, )
Henry Mattox, > Jurors.
John Patterson, )
J. C. Barringer, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
WILLIS CBAYBILL.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the deceased came to his
death by being crushed. between the cars and the wall of the mine
while conducting a loaded train of coal cars out of Carver mine
No. 2.
John H. Moss, )
Peter Overstake, >• Jurors.
James P. Forsyth, )
W. L. Orr, J. P., and acting Coroner of Wapello county, lowai
GEORGE JOHNSON.
The said jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said George
Johnson came to his death about 2 o'clock P. M., on the 3d day of
October, 1882, at the Standard Coal Mine, by a premature discharge
of a blast in said mine; that the cause of said death was purely acci-
dental, and not otherwise.
Isaac nERRiN<}, )
J. Wharton. >• Jurors.
D. J. Morton, )
I. W. Griffith, Coroner of Polk county, Iowa.
SPOTTWOOD BROWN.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that Spottwood Brown came
to his death in an attempt to pick out tamping with the steel end of
his drill, the drill struck fire in contact with coal, and ignited the
powder at bottom of hole, causing a premature explosion, resulting
in the death of said Spottwood Brown.
W. R. Lacy, )
W. B. KiTNER, >• Jurors.
T. J. Henderson, )
J. C. Barringer, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
GEORGE CRAYBILL.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that said George Craybill
came to his death by the accidental falling of slate roof on him,
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 9.
while at work in the Climax Coal Mine at Angus, Boone county;
accident unavoidable.
J. A. Allen, )
David Gifford, >■ Jurors.
W. M. Thomas, )
W. Fisher, J. P., and acting Coroner for Boone county, Iowa.
ENOCH WIGHTHOUSE.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said Enoch Wight-^
house came to his death by a fall of slate, in a room worked by him-
self, in the Watson Coal Company's mine at' Ford, Iowa, on Decem-
ber 27, 1882; and that, in our opinion, the same was accidental, and
not caused by the negligence, carelessness, or fault of any one.
B. Feeel, )
J. P. Sutton, y Jurors.
Geo. W. Smith, )
Chables Shaw, Coroner of Warren county, Iowa.
STEPHEN COULEY.
The jurors, on their oaths, do say that the said Couley came to his
death on the 26th day of January, A. D. 1883, between the hours of
1 1 o'clock A. M. and 1 o'clock P. M., in the Swope Coal Mine in the
northwest corner of Agency township, Wapello county, Iowa, by an
accidental fall of slate, while working in said mine.
W. H. Reynolds, )
W. C. Reynolds, >■ Jurors.
J. E. Davis, )
S. A. Spillman, Coroner, Wapello county, Iowa.
CLIFFOKD THOMPSON.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that said Thompson came to
his death by falling slate in mine, which broke his neck. Said acci-
dent was without the negligence of the company, and unavoidable^
according to the evidence produced.
James S. Rice, )
J. S. MoTT, >■ Jurors.
D. M. GuNN, )
J. C. Barringee, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
DAVID LEWIS.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said David Lewis
came to his death by being thrown from a bank, car, belonging to a
10 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
trip of which he was the driver; that he was comiilg out with a load
and was sitting on his car, when he saw a chunk of coal in front of
his car, and got off, while the car was in motion, to remove it, and in
doing so slipped and fell under tlie loaded car, the latter passing up-
on him, inflicting injuries from which he died on Thursday, May 24,
1883. Said accident happened in mine number one, Consolidation
Coal Company's mine at Muchakinock, on Thursday, May 22, 1883;
and we further find no one to blame for the accident.
J. C. Williams, )
F. D. BoTER, y Jurors.
C. H. Phelps, )
J. C. Baebingeb, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
MOSES STRAUDER.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said Moses Strauder
came to his death by sticking his head into a shaft constructed for
the passage of a cage, operated by steam; that at the sapie instant
the cage passed down, and caught Moses Strauder's head between
the side of the shaft and cage, and dragging his body into the same,
and killing him instantly. We further find, that said accident hap-
pened about 6 o'clock P. M., on Friday, June 15, 1883, at mine No. 2,
Excelsior Coal Company's mine at Excelsior, Mahaska county, Iowa,
and that no one was to blame for the accident.
W. F. MOAK, )
W. B. Ketnbb, > Jurors.
C. W. JOBDON, )
J. C. Babbingeb, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
The accidents reported above are 2 from explosions of powder, 9
from falls of roof, 3 by being caught between mine cars, 4 by prema-
ture blasts, 2 by falling down shafts, and 3 by being caught by the
cage. Accidents from falls of roof are in excess of those of any
other cause, and are mainly under control of the miners, and a coro-
ner's jury almost always considers a fatal accident from falls of roof
or coal unavoidable; but my experience in visiting the mines and ex-
amining them in regard to their safety, has forced me to the conclu-
sion that about nine-tenths of the accidents happening in and around
the mines, if properly traced to the cause, would prove to be care-
lessness. We often hear the remark from, miners, " I know my roof
is bad, and I intend to prop it as soon as I get my coal loaded "; and
perhaps before he gets his coal loaded, there is a fall of roof, and he
1883.] BEPOET OF STATE MIKE mSPECTOE. 1 1
is badly hurt, or perhaps killed. I have often found rooms in a very
dangerous condition, and when I would call the attention of the
miner to its condition, the pitt boss would say, " I have told this man
three or four times to prop this room." Now I claim that a state-
ment of this ;kind, from a mining boss, is an acknowledgement of a
neglect of his duty; because, if the miner failed to prop his room af-
ter being told the first time, then it was the duty of the pitt boss to
:see that it was done, and that immediately. I take the position that,
to a certain extent, the mining boss is responsible for a great many
•of the fatal accidents about mines. A mining boss is not employed
to do the work, but to see that it is done, and if he neglects to per-
form this duty, he certainly is responsible for any accident that may
■occur from such failure; and a boss who neglects his duty in regard
to the timbering in a mine, fails to understand the responsibility of
his position, is not a suitable person to have so many lives under his
care, and should be discharged.
In occupations that are regarded as more than ordinarily danger-
ous, such as coal mining, the very fact of the danger should, it would
seem, serve to make workmen more cautious. But what is the truth?
How much verification of the theory do we find in the practice of
those who follow this occupation? Very often the men who exercise
the least care are the men who are old miners. And it seems that
Xhe nlore a man is compelled to face dangers, the less he heeds them,
•and seems to rely more on his judgment than on timbers for the sup-
port of the roof of his working-place.
Some advocate the enactment of laws for the punishment, by im-
prisonment, or infliction of severe penalties, of those who through
carelessness cause loss of life and destruction of property. That is
all right so far as it is applicable. But so far as fatal accidents
around mines are concerned, the parties who are guilty of the crimi-
nal carelessness, are the parties who have suffered.
As long as there are mines, there will be fatal mine accidents; but
their number can be lessened by mining bosses taking the same inter-
est in the timbering, and in the general security of the mines, as he
is compelled to do in regard to the width of the rooms, and road-
ways, and the direction they are to be driven.
1 2 BEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
LABORS OF THE INSPECTOR.
I commenced the work of inspecting the mines of the State in
July, 1881, and have been busily engaged ever since in visiting mines
to see that the law was bei ng obeyed, when not otherwise employed
in office work. And I am glad to be able to say that all the mines
in the State, at the present time, comply with the present mining law
in every respect, with the exception of ventilation. There has been
a great improvement in the ventilation of the mines in the last two
years, but still there are some mines that are very poorly ventilated,
and cannot be remedied until section ten of the present mining law
is amended.
SUMMARY OF WORK DONE.
VAN BUREN COUNTY.
This county lies in the southeast corner of the Iowa coal field;
although the coal measures extend east into Lee county some dis-
tance, the measures are almost entirely barren of coal, while Van
Buren county has at least three fourths of the superficial area under-
laid by deposits belonging to the coal formation, but a workable coal
seam will not be found to extend over more than one half of the ter-
ritory so underlaid. There are two seams of coal, ranging from two
to four feet in thickness. The Des Moines river runs diagonally
through the county, from northwest to southeast, and has cut its
channel through the coal measures, leaving them exposed in the bluffs
on either side, with the exception of one or two places, where a small
depression in the lime rock in which a basin of coal has formed, and
is still remaining exposed in the river bed. There are several large
creeks emptying into the river on either side, that have also cut their
channels through the coal measures, and leave the concretionary
limestone exposed in their beds, and in fact, the concretionary lime-
stone is exposed in almost every water-c.ourse in the county, and out-
crops in the bluffs of the Des Moines river, on one or, both sides.
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 13
almost throughout the entire county. The drift formation of this
county presents about the same features as those of other counties,
vith an average thickness of about sixty feet, while the coal meas-
ures will not exceed a thickness of one hundred and thirty feet, and
a drill hole two hundred feet in depth will test the coal in any por-
tion of the county, as the lower seam of coal rests directly upon the
concretionary limestone, with only from three to six feet of clay and
shale between. But owing to the fact that all the water-courses in
the county are well supplied with timber, there has never been much
development of coal, even for local consumption; and the position of
the county in the coal field is such that coal can be mined further
north and west cheaper, *and have the advantage in transportation;
and for this reason the coal of the county has never been extensively
developed. The mines that are in operation are to supply the local
demand, and are only operated in the winter season, and employ
about fifty men.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
This county has about three fourths of its superficial area under-
laid with the coal measures, and about one third of the territory so
underlaid bears a seam of coal thick enough to work with profit.
The most important mining town is Perlee, which is located seven
miles north of Fairfield, on the Southwestern Branch of the C, R. I.
& P. Railroad, on Walnut creek. One of the mines at this place
(the Washington county mine) has been wrought out and aban-
doned, and at present there is only one mine in operation — that of
the Jefferson county mine. This mine has sunk a new air shaft since
my last report, put in a furnace, and now has a good current of air
traveling through the mine, and are using a single rope, with steam
power, to haul the coal to the bottom of the shaft. There have been
numerous mines opened in different localities in the county, but none
of the coal deposits have proven very extensive. Those at Coalport,
about ten miles east of Fairfield, and those at Perlee, have been the
most extensive yet developed, but undoubtedly there are others just
as good.
Skunk river enters the county at the northeast corner and runs
south along the east line to about the middle of the county, and then
passes out in a southeast direction into Henry county. Walnut
creek starts in Blackhawk township, running east through Penn
14 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
and Walnut townships, while Cedar creek enters the county from
the west near the middle, passing out near the southeast comer of
the county. And on either of the above named creeks and .their
tributaries, coal is likely to be found in pockets thick enough to be
worked with profit, while a large portion of the high laixds, on the
divide between the creeks, are barren of coal, or so thinned out as to
be too thin to work with profit. And the same can be said of the
creeks in other portions of the county.
The geological formation of the county shows a drift deposit of
about seventy-five feet, while the coal measures are about one hun-
dred and fifty feet; and as the coal lays near the limestone, a drill
hole would test the coal any place in the county at three hundred feet.
WAPELLO COUNTY.
The Des Moines river runs diagonally through this county, enter-
ing at the northwest comer, and passing out the south-east corner,
and has cut its channel through the coal measures, Ijaving them ex>
posed in the bluffs at either side of the stream. And the same can
be said of the creeks emptying into the Des Moines river in this
county. In following the creeks from where they empty into the
river, the coal measures are exposed for a distance of from six to ten
miles from the river before the coal is hidden from view by the over*
lying stratas and the drift deposits. The county is considered, by
some, to be well supplied with coal, but while there are three seams of
coal ranging from a few inches to six feet in thickness, like Jefferson
county, there is not much uniformity in the thickness, although some
very fine deposits of coal, belonging to the second seam, have been
developed. The upper seam is sometimes found at a thickness
of two and a half feet, and the second seam, the only one of any im~
portance in the county, reaches a thickness, in some localities, of
seven feet. While the lower seam, in my opinion, is of no import-
ance, as it is too thin to work with profit in any locality in the county^
and, from a careful estimate, I am forced to the conclusion that
fully three fourths of Wapello county is barren of coal thick eriough
f o work with profit. On the ^ est side of the river, on Bear creek,
the coal is mined at several places, while on the east side of the river,,
in the vicinity of Kirkville, the C, B. & Q. Railroad Company have
opened mines, and have mined and shipped great quantities of
coal in the last two years; they have built a railroad to connect the
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 15
mines with the main line of their road. They are using steam power
for bringing the coal to the surface ; one engine brings the coal from
two slopes, one on each side of the cr#ek, using a single rope. The
mines are ventilated by furnace, anil if proper care is giren to keep-
ing a fire, there need be 90 complaint about ventilation. These
mines being opened have about doubled the amount of miners in the
county, and more than doubled the annual output of coal.
KEOKUK COUNTY.
This county has considerable coal, but like other counties, the coal
lays in basins or pockets. A majority of the superficial area is un-
derlaid with the coal formation, but not more than one fourth of the
territory so underlaid bears a seam of workable coal. Skunk river
runs through the county from west to east, and the concretionary
limestone is exposed in several places in the county. And for (his
reason some supposed that the county had very little coal; but, like
Wapello county, while the lower seam is very thin, or entirely want-
ing, the second seam attains a thickness, in places, of seven and eight
feet, and one of the best deposits of coal as yet developed in the State,
is the deposit at What Cheer. Thero has been more coal developed in
this county in the last two years than any county in the State; and it
has all been in the immediate vicinity of What Cheer. It has only
been about four years since the railroad came to What Cheer. Prior
to that time, it was only a very small town, with two or three small
mines in operation to supply the local trade; but at the present time
it is the largest mining town in the State, with twelve mines in ope-
ration, having a daily capacity of five thousand tons, and employing
about fourteen hundred miners. Shaft A, of the Starr Coal Com-
pany, is the oldest shaft in this locality, and its present capacity is
about one thousand tons per day, and is one of the best ventilated
mines in the State; it is ventilated by an exhaust fan, ten feet in
diameter, giving a volume of air of fifty-one thousand cubic feet
per minute; there was considerable delay in getting the ventilation
of this mine in proper shape. On my last visit, before the fan was
put in, I found only thirteen thousand four hundred and forty cubic
feet of air per minute, with over two hundred men employed, which
was not enough; ani in my recommendation to the superintendent, I
suggested a fan; but the superintendent, Mr. Gilfoy, is an old mine
superintendent, and a good one, but he was prejudiced in favor
16 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
of a furnace, and as he never had any experience with a fan, he
felt afraid to put one up at his mine for fear it would not give satis-
faction; but, as his two mine foremen, William and Sandy Orr, would
not talk about any other mode of ventilation, he finally concluded to
try one; and after the fan was in place I visited the mine, and found
the ventilation good, with a volume of air in circulation of fifty-
one, thousand cubic feet per minute. As this was the first fan in the
What Cheei district, there was considerable interest manifested by
other operators to know what the volume of air would be if the
fan was run at two hundred revolutions per minute; and on the
evening before I left I was requested to make another test, which I
willingly consented to do. And when I got to the mine I found al-
most all the mine superintendents of ^ What Cheer upt)n the ground,
anxious to see what the fan would do. Three cage loads of men
went down the shaft; and when the fan was started at two hundred
revolutions, the velocity of the air was so great that all the lights
were blown out except the lantern which I carried. The result of
this test was ninety-one thousand feet per minute, and everybody was
satisfied, and none more so than the boss. And now, if there is any
deficiency in the ventilation of this mine, it will be the fault of the
boss.
The B shaft of the same company, at the time of my last visit, was
ventilated by a steamUjet and a temporary furnace, but has since been
comieeted w;ith shaft A underground, and both shafts are ventilated
by the fan at shaft A. The underground work of the B shaft is man-
aged by Sandy Orr, and is in good condition, and will compare favor-
ably with any mine in the State in regard to the way the works are
laid out, with dquble entries, and uniformity in size of air- ways;
and every portion of the mine seems to be under the immediate
supervision of the boss; and if they can make the proper divides in
the current of air, since they have connected the two mines, there
need be no cause for complaint.
The C shaft was in good condition, in every respect, at the time of
my last visit; the mine was ventilated by three steam jets in connec-
tion with a temporary furnace, and was the only drawback to the
mine, although at the time of my visit there was a good current of
air in circulation; it was costing more money than a good fan, and
not so reliable; the ventilating apparatus is not in keeping with the
other arrangements around the mine. They have a stationary engine
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 17
placed down in the mine for hauling the coal to the bottom of the
shaft, and everything connected with the shaft, except the ventilating
arrangement, is in good repair and of improved pattern.
The Muscatine mine has been opened since my last report, and has
had a capacity of six hundred tons per day. The mine is ventilated
by a furnace, and the ventilation was good when I last visited the
mine, there being one hundred and twenty-seven cubic feet per man
per minute.
The Rosetta mine was opened about the same time of the Musca-
tine mine, and is also ventilated by a furnace, and the ventilation was
good at the time of my last visit.
Note. — Since taking the notes from which this report is written,
there has been considerable change in the management of some of
'
the mines at What Cheer. The Starr Coal Company, who were ope-
rating the three shafts known as Starr A, Starr B, and Starr C, have
now consolidated with the Rosetta, Muscatine, and Little Giant, un-
der the name of Starr Coal Company, with Samuel Gillfoy, superin-
tendent, and their headquarters at Cedar Rapids.
Cory Mine. — ^This mine was in bad condition in every respect.
There were no covers on the cages, no gates on the landings, no es-
cape shaft, and no ventilation. The mine was relying on natural
ventilation, except whqn the pump was running, which, at the time
of my visit, was no ventilation at all; but the company have since
put down an escape shaft, and complied with the law in other re-
spects.
The Broomhall mine, at the time of my last visit, had only <xne
shaft in operation, but since then have sunk another shaft,
i There are several other shafts in operation in this vicinity, but as;
I will not have space in this report to mention all the mines in the
State, I will say that all the mines of What Cheer are opened in
good shape, with large air-ways, and have good machinery for hand-
ling coal.
MAHASKA COUNTY.
This county has the Des Moines river and both the Skunk rivers
running through it. North Skunk enters the county from the north
at the center of the north line of the county, and passes out into
Keokuk county at the center on the east line.
3
18 REPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
South Skunk enters the county at the northwest corner, and passes
out about seven miles north of the southeast^ corner of the county,
while the Des Moines river enters the county a little south of the cen-
ter on the west side, and passes out at the center on the south side of
the county. All three of these rivers have cut their channels through
the coal measures in this county, leaving the measures exposed, or
thinly covered, along their banks. And the same can be said of all
the larger creeks. The coal measures are exposed for a considerable
distance up the creekp from their mouths, and for this reason the
geology of the county has been pretty accurately determined; and
when the old theory is abandoned, that our Iowa coal lays in one
continuous bed from one creek or river to another, then will parties
who contemplate going into the coal business, have a better under-
standing what they will have to do in order to test the land proposed
to be bought. The prospecting of the Consolidation Coal Company,
in the last two years, has done more toward exploding the old the-
ory (that the Iowa coal lays in one continuous bed) than all the other
prospecting that has ever been done in the county, as they discarded
the drill, and prospected by sinking shafts, and demonstrated, beyond
A doubt, that the coal does lay in troughs or pockets, even in Ma-
haska county, which, by some, is considered to be the best coal
•<50unty in the State. There are more mines in this county, with
large capacity, than any county in the State, for they have better
chances of transportation, and the coal is easy of access, and the
Central Iowa Railway could carry the coal direct north into a coun-
try entirely destitute of coal; and in fact the mines found a market
for^their coal before they got it out of the county. This county is
is the largest coal producing county in the State.
The Excelsior Coal Company's mines, located about two and one
half miles south of Oskaloosa, are operated by the M. & St. P. Rail-
road. The mines are operated by shafts, with Benjamin Wightman,
superintendent. The A shaft is ventilated by an exhaust fan, eight
feet in diameter, with a volume of air of fifty-five thousand feet,
but the leakage allowed the current to escape, so that the mine was
poorly ventilated; the fault was with the mining boss, as the number
of men employed did not require half that amount of air, if it*had
been properly conducted; the next day after my visit to the mine
George Ramsey took charge of the works as assistant superintend-
<5nt, and made some changes that were strictly necessary. I have
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 19
not visited the mine since, but it has been reported to me that the
yeDtilation has been restored, and I have been requested by the su-
perintendents, Wightman and Ramsey both, to visit the mine, and
report its condition; but as I felt confident the sanitary condition of
the mine was good, and my duties in other directions were pressings
are the reasons I have not visited the mine since.
Number 2 shaft, of the same company, is ventilated by a Murphy
fan, but it was poorly set up, and was not giving as good results as it
would have done under other circumstances. The full volume of air
was fifty-eight thousand and thirteen feet per minute. The mine
was well ventilated, with the exception of the first west entry on the
north side of the shaft, and they were making improvements in the
way of hanging doors at the time I visited the mine. There was one
deficiency in the management of this mine I did not like, and that
was the manner of turning their rooms; there was not coal enough
left to support the road-ways. 1 called the attention of the mining
boss, and of Joseph Ramsey, who was assistant superintendent at
that time, but they claimed it was all right; but since that time the
mine took weight, and they have had considerable trouble, and lost
several rooms and the entry adjoining. Some of the rooms were
very poorly timbered, and in one instance I requested the cars stopped
from two men until they timbered their room, which was done as
cioon as timbers could be put in; I measured the distance from the
face of this room, where the men had to work, back to the first tim-
bers, and found it forty-eight feet — about three times the distance
that it should be under the most favorable circumstances. The hoist-
ing machinery, at this mine, and in fact, all the arrangements around
the mine on the surface are good.
Shaft No. 3 was not in operation at the time of this visit.
Standard Mine. — ^This mine is located just outside the city limits,
west of Oskaloosa, W. A. Durfee, superintendent. The company
bought this mine, which had formerly been operated by a slope, and
known as the Reams bank, and commenced improving the first of
April; and at the time of my visit, in October, the mine had a capac-
ity of five hundred tons per day; and in this time the company had
built a railroad switch, sunk a shaft, and made the necessary improve-
ments for a first-class mine. The mine is ventilated with a ten-foot
exhaust fan; the volume of air was forty thousand three hundred
and fifty-six cubic feet; there was considerable leakage of air through
20 KEPORT OF STATE MINE IJSTSPECTOR. [E 4
the stoppings in one or two places that could soon be remedied.
There were three ways of escape, but the principal one was through
an old slope. There was no one allowed on the cages, therefore they
were not covered. The mine was in good condition, and all the out-
side arrangements complied with the law in every respect.
Acme Mine, — ^This mine is located just outside the city limits of
Oskaloosa, on the southwest, and at the time of my visit was in poor
condition. The volume of air was three thousand nine hundred and
fifty-five cubic feet per minute, ventilated by steam. There was no
escape shaft; I gave the company written notice to provide an escape^
which they did inside of twenty days. Since my visit the property
has changed hands; it is now officered by H. W. McNeil, as presi-
dent, and George Bentley, superintendent.
Ellida Mine, — ^The Ellida mine, of Knox vi He Junction, is in good
condition, ventilated by a furnace, with a volume of air of thirty
thousand cubic feet per minute, and had forty-three miners employed.
This is a new slope, and bids fair to make one of the best mines in
the State. The coal is brought to the surface by steam power; the
thickness of the coal is from four and a half to six feet, and of good
quality. The company has abandoned the old slope, as the coal can
all be taken out the new slope, which is opened with double entry,
and every portion of the mine shows good management. This com-
pany has bought the mine belonging to the Knoxville Junction Coal
Company. This mine is located about one mile west of Knoxville
Junction, and is opened by a slope using steam power, with a capac-
ity of one hundred and sixty tons per day. The works are ventilated
with a furnace with a volume of air of five thousand and ninety-six
cubic feet per minute. This mine was in poor condition in regard to
ventilation, and the slope was poorly timbered; the plan of turning^
the rooms is a poor one, as they do not leave coal enough to support
the roadways; and when a weight comes on the mine the coal will
crush and give them trouble. The escape is through the furnace
shaft, and is situated one hundred and nine yards from the mouth of
the slope.
The Anderson Bros. Mining and Railway Company have a mine
situated one mile south of Knoxville Junction; R. C. Anderson, of
Monroe, president, and James Anderson, of Oskaloosa, superintend-
ent. They have a capital of $300,000* The opening is by a shaft;
the parties in charge of this shaft located it on the old theory, that
1 883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 2 1
if there was coal in one particular locality on siome man^s farm, there
must be coal under the whole farm; and in this case, like a great
many others, it failed; for when they sunk the shaft they failed to
find any coal thick enough to work, and they then went where they
had found coal with the drill, and sunk a single shaft, and are opera-
ting it, driving the underground work so as to connect with the first
shaft they sunk; but as the coal dips from the shaft they intend
using as a hoisting shaft the coal will have to be drawn up hill
and will be expensive. The mine was ventilated by a blower, giving
a volume of air of four hundred and twenty cubic feet per minute,
and at 4 o'clock the powder smoke was still in the working place
of some of the men; in fact the ventilation was poor throughout
the mine. There were twenty-three men employed; there was no
cover on the cage, no gate on the landing, and the rope was not safe
to hoist men and was condemned, but the company put on a new rope
in a day or two after my visit. As the law allows the company one
year to provide an escape, they reduced the force underground in
compliance with that portion of the law. The company was advised
to test the locality where they intended sinking the hoisting shaft,
with a drill hole, in order to prove the coal, but thought it foolish-
ness, and therefore are not entitled to the sympathy thit they would
be, under other circumstances.
Burdess Mine. — This mine is located one mile west of Oskaloosa,
and at the time of my visit was in a better condition than I ever
found it before. On a former visit the mine was in a poor con-
dition; every door in the mine was hung the wrong way, and the ven-
tilation was very poor; but at this time the ventilation was good,
with the exception of one place, where a room had fallen in and
obstructed the air current; the volume of air was four hundred and
thirty-eight feet to the man per minute; but in going through the
mine I found some of the rooms very poorly timbered; and in two
instances in a very dangerous condition, so much so that I had them
timbered while I was present; the miners seemed to prefer to take
the chances of losing their lives rather than lose a car of coal.
Mine No, i, of the Consolidation Coal Company, at Muchakinock,
had two hundred miners employed; the volume of air was thirty-
two thousand and four feet per minute, divided into two separate
parts; one of the divides was admitting too much air, as there were
nine thousand four hundred and fifty feet on one divide, where there
22 REPORT OF ST AtE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
were only thirty men, and the first entries were the poorest venti-
lated; but there was a great improvement over what the mines had
ever been before while being ventilated by a furnace, as a volume of
air of six thousand cubic feet was all they could furnish with the
furnace. The last time I visited this mine, while the furnace was
being relied on, the superintendent, Mr. Buxton, went through the
mine with the boss and myself, and I pointed out to him what was
necessary, and he told me that he would have the ventilation of that
mine improved, no matter what the cost would be, and wanted to
know if I was sure a fan would do the work; I told him I would
insure it if he would put in a fan large enough; and now, since the
fan has been provided, all parties are satisfied. There need be no
complaint with thirty thousand cubic feet of air per minute, and that
volume of air could be increased by increasing the speed of the fan;
if there is any deficiency in the ventilation of this mine, it will
be the fault of the mining boss in not properly conducting the air to
the working place of the miner.
Mine No* S, of the same company, was in poor condition. The
mine was almost wrought out; one of the air-ways had fallen in and
obstructed the passage of the air so that the rooms on the first west
entries were poorly ventilated; they had turned one of the entries
into a room, and the whole mine had an abandoned appearance, and
looked as though the boss had been on a visit for some time. The
condition of the mine, on all my former visits, had been good, and
its present condition was a surprise. The volume of air was thirteen
thousand seven hundred and twenty-five feet per minute, and as there
were only twenty-three men employed in the mine, the ventilation
should have been good.
Jfo. 2y slope, of the same company, was working one hundred and
ninety-two miners. The mine was ventilated by a 14-foot force fan;
at fifty revolutions per minute the volume of air was forty thou-
sand nine hundred and sixty-eight feet, and at one hundred revolu-
tions the volume increased to eighty-three thousand five hundred and
thirty-eight feet. The air-shaft is a circular shaft, nine feet in diam-
eter; the air is forced down this shaft and out at the slope; the rea-
son they use the fan as a force fan is to keep the ice from accumulat-
ing in the slope in winter. On a former visit I found this mine in a
very poor shape, but now the air-ways are of good size, with doors
and stoppings promptly provided, and the mine is in good condition
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 23
throughout. They have the best machinery of any slope in the State,
using friction drums.
There are several other mines in the countv, that work more than
fifteen men in the winter season, but they only employ a few men in
the summer time, and some are entirely idle.
POWESHIEK COUNTY.
This county has some small mines, operated in winter, to supply
local trade, but none of them employ fifteen men, and do not come
under the provisions of the mining law.
While a considerable portion of the superficial area of the county
is underlaid by the coal measures, there is little hope of finding coal
in any quantities, as all the developments in the county go to prove
that the coal is limited, and no extensive deposits need be looked for.
JASPER COUNTY.
. The largest mine in this county is on the South Skunk river, about
three miles above Colfax. There have been a fe^ mines in opera-
tion in this locality for several years; two years ago D. S. Couch
bought quite a tract of land, and now has a railroad switch out to the
mines from Colfax, and is shipping coal on the cars. The coal is
from four to six feet in thickness, and of good quality.
The other mines in the county have made no great improvements
in the last two years. They are all ventilated by a furnace, or rely
on natural ventilation, with the exception of one mine two miles
south of Newton, which is ventilated by a fan.
A majority of the superficial area of this county is barren of coal;
the most of the coal lies in the southwest portion of the county, on
South Skunk river and its tributaries, and the tributaries of the Des
Moines river, but not more than the superficial area of one township
is underlaid with coal of a workable thickness.
MARSHALL COUNTY.
This county is on the eastern edge of the Iowa coal field, and has
but one mine in operation, and, in my opinion, will never be much of
a coal producing county. Although over one half of the superficial
area of the county is underlaid with the coal measures, a large por-
tion of the area is barren of coal, and in fact the pockets of coal are
so small, and the cost of prospecting, sinking, and pumping water so
great that, in my opinion, the experiment would be a doubtful one.
^24 BEPORT OF STATE Mli^E INSPECTOR. [E4
'There is a possibility of finding coal any where west of the Iowa
river in this county, by drilling three hundred feet or less, but the
pockets of coal being so small, and the territory to be prospected so
large, so many holes would have to be drilled before coal would be
found, that the cost would over-run the profit, as railroad transporta-
tion can supply coal from the mines further south cheaper than it
can be mined in this county.
HARDIN COUNTY.
This county has several small mines, located along the Iowa river,
but none are operated extensively. Some employ as many as twenty
men in the winter season that are entirely idle in the summer time.
This county, like Marshall county, will never be much of a coal pro-
ducing county, for the reason that coal can be brought from the mines
further south for less money than it can be produced in Hardin
county, except in a few places on the Iowa river in the vicinity of
Eldora.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
This county is not a very large coal producing county. All the
mines are located along the Boone river, and none of them are ope-
rated extensively, and some are entirely idle in the summer season.
This county has more coal than Hardin or Marshall counties, but its
position in the county is such that railroad transportation could not
be had, and the mines have been operated exclusively for local trade.
Webster and Marion townships contain some good pockets of coal;
in places a thickness of four feet, which is exposed in the bluffs of
Boone river in Webster township, a short distance above the conflu-
ence of the Boonje with the Des Moines river.
WEBSTER COUNTY.
This county is quite a large coal producing county, and has the
most mines of any county in the northern part of the State. The seam
of coal worked varies in thickness from three to five feet, although
in places it reaches a thickness of eight feet.
The Ft. Dodge Coal Company is operating two mines at Coalville,
seven miles below Ft. Dodge. Both mines are operated by shafts,
and are ventilated by fans. The coal at the new shaft crops out but a
short distance from the shaft, and one of the entries driven to day
affords an escape for the men, and a traveling way for the mules, in
and out of the mine. The outside improvements comply with the
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 25
■
Teqnirements of the mining law, but at the time of my last visit to
these mines, I was so troubled with rheumatism, that I was unable
to visit the inside workings of the mines.
Craig Mines, — The Craig mines are located at Kalo, on a branch
of the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad. They have two mines in
operation— one slope and one drift. Both mines are ventilated by a
furnace, and at the time of my last visit to the mines, the ventila-
tion of the mine was very poor; and as I had given them notice of
the condition of their mines prior to this visit, I instituted legal pro-
•ceedings against the company; but sixty-two of the miners concluded
the ventilation was good enough; at least they made oath to that
♦effect, and the judge refused to grant the injunction. I considered
the mines in a dangerous condition, especially the slope mine, as
there was no place in the mine wLere there was air enough to turn
the wheel of an anemometer; and I found men working where one
man had to hold two lamps, with the blaze of the two close together,
so as to make a light for his partner to work; and in one instance I
could not get within twenty or thirty feet of where the men were
ivorking, with a single light, on account of the carbonic acid gas;
but sixty-two of the miners made oath that the ventilation was
rsuificient for all the requirements of the mine. Why men would do
«uch a thing to defeat a law, made for their protection, I shall leave
for the reader to imagine.
Standard Mine, — This mine is located on a branch of the Minne-
:apolis & St. Louis railroad, between the two mines of the Craig Coal
Company. The mine is opened by a slope, using steam power for
hauling the coal. The mine is ventilated by a furnace, but at the
present time the mine is idle.
There are several other mines in this vicinity, that come under the
mining law, which only employ a few men in the summer time.
Lehigh, — The Crooked Creek Coal and- Railway Company have a
mine located on Crooked creek, about one mile south, and down the
river, from Lehigh, which they are operating on the long-wall sys-
tem, ventilated by a furnace. This company own the railroad from
Judd, a station on the Illinois Central railroad, to Lehigh, a distance
of eight miles. They have been prospecting considerably the past
year, and, I understand, intend sinking two shafts to a seam of coal
below the one they are now operating.
26 BEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Re&nrCs Mine is located on Crooked creek, about one half mile
above the mine of the railway company. This mine has the rail-
road track extended to the dump, which will facilitate the shipping of
coal. The mine was almost idle at the time of my visit, in June,
only employing a few men driving entry.
Cory Mine was only employing a few men, driving entry and pre^
paring for the fall run.
All the other mines were idle.
The Des Moines river runs through this county, entering the county
about the middle of the north line, and passing out about two and
one half miles west of the southeast corner of the county. The sub-
carboniferous limestone is exposed in the river at Ft. Dodge, and for
several miles above, which, together with the disturbed condition of
the overlaying stratas, indicate an upheaval. In passing down the
river from Ft. Dodge, the coal measures present a good view, and
will lead to the impression that Webster is one of the best coal coun-
ties in the State; but, upon careful investigation, that idea will be
abandoned, although it contains more coal than Marshall, Hardin^
and Hamilton counties combined. The outcropping of the coal in
the bluffs of the Des Moines river and its tributaries, on both sides
of the river, show a remarkable uniformity in the thickness of the
coal at the cropping, and these surface indications can be found at a
considerable distance from each other, so that from a surface view, it
would seem almost certain that this is but the outcropping of an
extensive coal field; but, upon close examination, it will be found that
the whole field in this county is confined to the immediate vicinity
of the Des Moines river, and is made up of small pockets of coal
that do not extend any distance with uniformity. In a great many
places, where the coal outcrop is four feet in thickness, on opening
a mine the coal will dip, as they advance into the hill, and in-
crease in thickness until, perhaps, a thickness of six or seven feet is
reached in a distance of seventy-five yards or less, when the floor of
the coal will commence to elevate, and the coal getting gradually
thinner until it becomes too thin to work, or is wanting altogether;
and as the coal loses its thickness back in the hill, the roof gets
poorer, until the clay, and sometimes sand, comes down onto the
coal. And every indication about the mines goes to prove that the
coal does not extend any distance back from the river or creeks in
this county, and should a pocket of coal be found any distance back
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 27
from the river, the indications are that the roof would be very poor^
or that such a thin strata of slate would be found between the coal
and the sand and water that the coal could not be recovered.
BOONE COUNTY.
This county lies within the limit of the coal field, and coal has
been mined extensively for several years at Boonsboro and Mom-
gona; and in the last two years there have been extensive develop-
ments at Angus, in the southwest corner of the county. The Des
Moines river runs through the county from north to south, entering
the county two miles west of the center, ^^nd passing out about
three miles east of the center at the south. There are two seams of
coal being mined in this county. The lower seam lays about on a
level with the bed of the river at Boonsboro, while the other seam
lays above and separated by about eight feet of soapstone. The
upper seam is adapted for long-wall work, and should be the first
mined, but it is generally left until after the lower seam is wrought
out, and in that way both seams are expensive to work.
This county, like Webster, has considerable coal, but it is mostly
confined to the locality of the streams; and prospecting on the high
lands, between the streams, will be attended with considerable un-
certainty, and should coal be found back any distance from its out
cropping, there is danger that there will not be sufficient roof over
the coal to admit of its being mined.
There are mines in the northeast corner of the county at Zanors-
ville; these mines are on Squaw creek, a tributary :;of Skunk river,
and have been in operation for several years; relying altogether
on the local trade, and doing very little in the summer season.
The mines around Boonsboro and at Moingona have made no great
improvements since my last report, but the general security of the
mines is good, and the ventilation is gradually improving.
The Northwestern Coal Company have abandoned their old shaft,
and have sunk and are operating a shaft about three fourths of a
mile down the railroad track from the old shaft; they put in new ma-
chinery, and every thing is now in good condition.
Angus, — ^There has been considerable change at this place in the
last two years. In my last report I could only report one mine, but
since that time there have been three more shafts sunk, at which
they are now hoisting coal, besides one sunk by the Standard Coal
28 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Oompany; after the shaft was completed, they found that there
was not roof enough to admit of working the coal, which was quite
a misfortune, as the shaft was put down under disadvantages, they
having to contend with about twenty feet of quicksand and water *
that had a pressure sufficient to raise the water sixty feet above the
level of the sand.
The Climax Company sunk their No. 2 shaft about one half mile
north of their old shaft, in the same basin of coal, and have been ope-
rating extensively, putting more coal on the market than any mine
in the county, but have now almost exhausted the basin of coal, so
that they are moving the dump, building and machinery of the old
shaft to where they intend sinking another shaft, about two miles
southwest of the present site; and what coal is left will be taken out
at the new shaft. These two mines are ventilated by an exhaust fan,
but the ventilation for the past year has been poor. The volume of
air at any time has been sufficient to ventilate the mines, but the men
in charge underground have not attended to their work;' instead of
building stoppings and drawing back old stumps of pillars, and fin-
ishing the mine as they went along as they should have done, all the
old works were left standing op^n, and the accumulation of gas all
through the old was at liberty to mix with the current, until there
was poor air all through the mine; but all the machinery, and every-
thing on the surface was in good condition. The volume of air for
this mine was thirty-one thousand one hundred and forty cubic feet
per minute.
Eagle Mine, — This company has just lately commenced to operate
in this locality; it is the same company that own the Excelsior mines
of Mahaska county, and their coal is shipped on the Milwaukee & St.
Paul railroad. The railroad has made an arrangement with the Des
Moines & Ft. Dodge road, whereby they are permitted to run their
cars to within a short distance of their mine, where the coal company
start a switch and run to their mine, and extend on into Greene
county to the Keystone and Armstrong Bros.' mines. The mine of
the Eagle Coal Company was well advanced with the underground
work at the time of iny visit, for the time they had been working,
but the ventilation was not good; they were just putting the en-
gine in place to run the blower for ventilating the mine. They were
sinking the second shaft about one half mile east of the one they
were operating, and were driving an entry, aiming to have the entry
connect with the new shaft by the time the shaft was completed.
1883.] .REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 2^
GREENE COUNTY.
The Standard Coal Company have a mine at Angus, just west of
the county line about two hundred yards. This mine was opened by
the Keystone Coal Company, but is now owned and operated by the
Standard Company. The coal is shipped on the Minneapolis & St*
Louis railroad. The mine is ventilated by a fan, so constructed as
to be used as a force or an exhaust. There is considerable under-
ground work opened out, and at the time of my visit (although the
mine was idle) everything was being put in good shape.
£^ey8t(me Mine. — The Keystone Coal Company have two mines.
They have, until last spring, been compelled to haul their coal in
wagons to the cars, a distance of over two milea, but now they have
a railroad switch, put in by the Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, to
their mines, which will be a great benefit to them, as it is often the
case that when the coal trade is good the wagon roads are so bad it is
impossible to haul coal; but now that difficulty is overcome, and this^
coming winter they may be expected to double their former winter
output. Their Snake creek mine is located about two miles west of
Angus; they have provided an escape shaft at this mine, but are still
relying on natural ventilation.
Armstrong Brothers have a mine located about two miles west of
Angus, on Snake creek, and about one half mile ?outh of the Snake
creek mine; they now have the railroad track to their mine. They
have their escape shaft completed, but are still relying on natural
ventilation, which is not sufficient for the requirements of the mine.
Carpenter Brothers have a mine still further down the creek, and
there are several more about three miles west, on the Coon river, but
they are all relying on the local trade, and do not have much work,
only in the winter season.
The extension of the railroad switch, out to Snake creek, may open
up a good many mines, as there is a great amount of prospecting
going on, and the depth to the coal, any place on this prairie, is not
much over one hundred feet at most, and the cost of sinking is not
very great, provided they do not encounter sand and water.
The Climax Coal Company have had men prospecting in this terri-
tory for the last six months, looking for a good location to sink a
shaft, so as to have it ready for operation by the time their shaft at
Angus is wrought out.
This coal field is made up of small pockets of coal; or rather, it is
one large deposit that has, in places, been washed away'by an ancient
30 BEPOBT OF 8TATE MINE INSPECTOR. . [E 4
water channel, which ran over the coal marsh, and which cut down
through the accumulation from which the coal is formed, and leaving
a deposit of sand in its place. In places it has only washed awaj
the roof, and has left the coal its full thickness, but without sufficient
roof between the coal and sand to admit of the coal being worked
with any degree of safety to the miner, as there is such a pressure
of water that' should a fall occur, the water would flood the work-
ings before the underground force could escape.
DALLAS COUNTY.
There have been no new mines of any importance opened in this
county since my last report '
The mine of the Chicago and Van Meter Coal Company, located
at Van Meter, have provided an escape shaft at their mine, and are
now working a full force of men. They have put in a fan for venti-
lating the mine, and have changed their plan of working from room
sLnd pillar to long-wall work, which I consider a very profitable
change, both for operators and miners, as the coal is about three feet
in thickness, and can be worked with more profit by the long-wall
system than any other way; and the same can be said of a great many
other mines where they are working thin coal by the room and pillar
plan.
POLK COUNTY.
The coal product of this county has increased considerably in the
last two years, although considerable coal is brought from other
localities. Some of the coal mined in Warren county is consumed
in the city, while the Red Rock Coal and Mining Company, of Marion
county, are making extensive preparations for handling their coal
here in the city.
All the mines of any note in this county are concentrated close to
the city, and some are within the city limits. There are three seams
of coal being mined in this county, but the majority of the mines
are working the second seam, which will average a thickness of four
feet. The upper seam is about two feet, while the lower seani reaches
a thickness in places of six feet.
IHoneer Mine. — This mine, at the time of my- last visit, was work-
ing forty men, with a volume of air of fourteen thousand nine hun-
dred and eighty-two feet. They have abandoned their furnace, and
have put up a force fan to ventilate the mine. Some portions of the
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MmE INSPECTOR. 31
mine were poorly ventilated, as the men were working too far in ad-
vance of the air; but they were trying to connect two entries, and
when that is accomplished, they would shorten the distance the *
air has to travel, and have the current at the working place of the
men.
JEureka Mine, — ^This mine had seventy-one miners, with a volume
of air of thirteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-six feet per
minute. When my last report was made, this mine was working the
second seam, but they have since sunk their shaft deeper, and are
now working the lower seam. I found the same old difficulty, usu-
ally met with in the mines of Des Moines, of small break-throughs
between rooms and entries.
JPoUc County Mine, — ^This mine was working one hundred and two
miners, with a volume of air of thirteen thousand nine hundred and
eighty-six feet per minute, and was well conducted to the working
place of the men; and, taking into consideration that the air in this
mine had to be carried by a board brattice for a considerable dis-
tance, there was very little leakage^ The boss intends making some
changes, so as to do away with the board brattice above referred to;
as the mine now stands, it is in the best condition, as regards
ventilation, of any mine in the county, considering the number of
men employed.
Eclipse Mine was working twenty men, with a volume of air of
eleven thousand seven hundred and sixty cubic feet per minute. The
mine is ventilated by a fan, and the current of air is divided into
separate splits, or divides, by using over-casts, and the men on each
pair of cross-entries are given fresh air from the intake. If this plan
of ventilation was in general use, it would be more satisfactory to the
miners, without being any detriment to the operator.
Giant No, 2 were working one hundred men, with a volume of air
of twenty-six thousand cubic feet. The air is divided into two currents
at the bottom of the shaft; the west side of the mine had nineteen
thousand one hundred and fifty-two cubic feet of air per minute with
fifty-seven men employed; the air on this side of the mine is well
conducted to the men; while the east side had six thousand eight
hundred and forty-eight cubic feet of air, with forty-three men. On
the east s ide of^the mine I found the doors and sto ppin gs in poor
condition; so much so that the six thousand eight hundred and forty-
eight feet of air was reduced to fourteen hundred and^ixty-five feet
32 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
before reaching the men; the boss gave, as an excuse, that there was
one door open which he had forbidden any one going through; that
of course, accounts for the door; but if the door had been shut,^the
full volume for the east side of the mine could not have been taken
to where the men were working, on account of the faulty stoppings.
The mine is ventilated by a fan, which can be used as an exhaust
or force fan, and the impression with a good many 'bosses is, that if
they can only get their conlpany to put up a good fan for ventilation,
then their troubles as a mine boss are at an end, and they pay no
attention to making stoppings, or looking after the doors to see if
they are kept in good repair; and before they are aware of it, the
men are as poorly off for ventilation as they were before they had
the fan.
Criant Mine No. 1 was working sixty-three men, with a volume of
air of fifteen thousand four hundred cubic feet per minute; but the
stoppings and doors were poorly looked after, as there was a leakage
of air, before any of the men were reached with the current, of seven
thousand seven hundred and fiftyruine feet per minute. They have
abandoned the second vein, and have sunk the shaft deeper, and are
now working the lower seam.
Standard Mine. — This company was not looking for the inspector,,
and had neglected to build a fire in the furnace. There were forty
miners employed. The underground works were in good condition
to be well ventilated, if the proper care was given to the furnace*
On a former visit to this mine, I found the covers on the cages and
gates on the landings, but they had taken them off to make some re-
pairs about the shaft, and had neglected to put them on again; they
are now on and the mine is in fair condition.
Miller Mine. — This mine has only been in operation about eight
months, and on my first visit I found they were working thirty men
without the second opening. They were relying on natural ventila-
tion, which at the time of my visit (which was in warm weather),
was no ventilation, as there was no place in the mine where the cur-
rent of air would turn the anemometer. I notified the company of the
condition of the mine, requesting covers put on the cage, gates on
the landing, and that the force be reduced to twenty men in com-
pliance with the mining law. And by request of the superintendent
I visited the mine again in about ten days, and found they had re-
duced the underground force to eighteen men and had put a gate on.
1883.J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 33
the landing and a cover on the cage, hut had failed to provide ventil-
ation. The superintendent of this mine at that time claimed that a
man who could not ventilate a mine working eight hundred men with
natural ventilation, no matter ahout the season of the year, was thirty
years hehind the times. I asked him to explain to me how he in-
tended to accomplish his ohject, he said "that is a secret," hut I
calculated to learn how it was d:)ne, and have something for this re-
port that no other mine inspector ever had, hut before he got his
plans perfected the company employed another superintendent to take
charge of the mine, and I am afraid I shall never be able to find out
how he intended to ventilate the mine even, with twenty men. There
are a great many other mines in the county, some of which employ
in the winter season over twenty men, but as they do not have rail-
road transportation for their coal they are ahnost entirely idle in the
summer time.
WARREN COUNTY.
This county does not produce very much coal, for the reason that
the railroads do not run through the county in the right direction to
give them a market without coming in competition with other mines,
north or south, where the coal is thicker and can be put on the mar-
ket cheaper than Warren county coal.
Lumsdon Bros, have a mine at Summerset, where they mine con'^
siderable coal. They have abandoned the shaft they were operatino^
at the time .of making my last report and have sunk a shaft two hun-
dred yards farther down the river. The Watson Coal Company have
a mine at Ford, on the A., K. & D. Branch of the C, B. & Q. R. R.
opened by a slope, while there are five or six other mines that work
considerable force in the winter season.
MARION COUNTY.
This county has not made any great improvement in the last two
years in the coal out-put, although the Red Rock Coal <fe Mining Com-
pany are. making preparations to have one of the largest mining
plants in the State. They have bought about four thousand five hun-
dred acres of land in the vicinity of Dunreath, a station on the
Wabash railroad, and are now opening mines, preparing for the win-
ter trade. They have three mines now being opened, two slopes and
one drift, and are pushing the work as fast as they can. While at
34 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Swan there is a mine operated by a shaft using steam power, that is
shipping considerable coal. Flagler is still the largest producing
point in the county, as Flagler, Oak Hill, James mine of Knoxville,
and the Swan mine, were the only mines in the county that had rail-
road transportation for their coal before the Red Rock Coal & Min-
ing Company commenced operations on the Wabash railroad. This
county although not the heaviest producer in the State undoubtedly
has the heaviest coal deposit of any county in the State. As before
stated, Flagler is the largest producing point in the county, although
at Marysville, a small town on South Cedar creek, in the southeast
comer of the county, there are several mines in operation that haul
their coal in wagons to the railroad stations, a distance of two and
three miles. All the mines on Cedar creek in this county but two,
are operated by drifts, and the two shafts are only about forty feet
in depth. On White Breast creek, in the west part of the county,
the coal is exposed in the bluffs, and at a point about three miles
north of Knoxville, a four foot seam of coal is exposed for a con-
siderable distance, and at Coalport on the Des Moines river, about
two miles below the mouth of White Breast creek, there are two
seams of coal exposed in the river bank above the level of the river;
while on the north side of the Des Moines river the coal is exposed
in several places along the bank of the river, and the creeks emptying
into the river in Red Rock and Perry townships shows the coal ex-
posed in their banks for a considerable distance up from the river.
There are mines in almost every township in the county.
MONROE COUNTY
Produces considerable coal. On the line of the Iowa Central rail-
way are two mines.
Hickory Ghrove Mine is operated by a shaft; they employ from
twenty to sixty men; the mine is ventilated by a fan that gives a good
current of air, and if properly conducted^ sufficient to ventilate the
mine.
Coalfield, — The mines at Coalfield are opened by drifts. The old
Black Diamond mines have been in operation for several ye^rs, and
are about wrought out. The Moss bank is still in good condition,
with plenty of territory yet to mine.
Eureka Mine is located at Frederick, a station on the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy railroad, and is operated by a shaft, ventilated
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 35
■♦
by a furnace, with a volume of air of five thousand cubic feet. Since
making my last report, this company have made considerable im-
provement in the way of getting their coal to the railroad track,
by putting in an incline, which cost considerable money, but will fa-
cilitate the handling of their coal.
The Avery Coed and Mining Company have abandoned the shaft
they were working at the time of making my last report, and have
moved their machinery and railroad track, and are now operating a
mine in Smoky Hollow, and are still using, the small engine for haul-
ing coal to the side track on the main line at Avery. This mine is
now owned by Morgan Bros.
There has been another coal company organized under the name of
the Avery Coal Company, that bought and leased quite an amount of
land in this locality, but have never done much, as they soon got into
a lawsuit with the Avwry Coal and Mining Company about the right
of way for the road down the hollow, which has been detrimental,
not only to the coal companies, but to the locality.
The Smoky HoUow MineAs in good condition, with a good volume
of air, and if the litigation above referred to could be settled, and
the railroad track extended farther down the hollow, it would be a
great benefit, not only to the parties who own the road, but to those
who own mines, as there are several mines in the hollow, and often
the work depends more on the condition of the roads than on the
condition of the market, as some of the coal has to be hauled in
wagons a distance of two or three miles.
Albia Coal Company^s Mine is located about three miles west of
Albia, on the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail-
road. They employ from fifty to one hundred and fifty miners. The
mine is ventilated by a furnace of thirty-six cubic feet capacity, and
gives a volume of air of thirty-eight thousand two hundred and
twenty cubic feet per minute — the largest current of air of any furnace
in the State — a sufficient amount to ventilate the mine, if properly
conducted to the working place of the miner.
Great Wester9i Mine is located about one half mile northeast of
the Albia mine, and has not been in operation one year. They are
now getting in condition to handle considerable coal. The mine is
in charge of Martin Hicks, who had charge of the Hickory Grove
mine at the time of making my last report, and who provided the
best escape shaft for the Hickory Grove mine of any mine in the
36 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
•
State, and has promised to furnish 6ne just as good for the mine they
are now working.
At the time of making my last report there were two othei mines
in this vicinity, known as the Cedar mines, but they are now both
abandoned; not because the coal was all recovered, but becaase the
underground works were so poorly managed that they could 'not
work any longer. I believe that one half of the coal, in the terri-
tory mined over, is still in the hill, bu tcan never be recovered. And
the same might be said of a great many other mines in the State ^
that fully one half of the coal is left when the mine is abandoned.
LUCAS COUNTY.
There is only one mining ♦own in this county of any importance;
that is Cleveland, located seven miles west of Chariton.
iVb. 1 Mhie^ of the White Breast Coal and Mining Company, is the
first mine that was opened at this place. The mine is ventilated by
a force fan that gives a volume of air of forty-eight thousand cubic
feet per minute; but the current is not very well conducted to
the miner, as there are places in the mine where the ventilation is
not good. The company have put in machinery for hauling the coal
underground. There is a stationary engine placed on the surface^
and the rope extends down the shaft and back into the mine
three thousand feet, and is what is termed the tail rope system; it
gives good satisfaction, increasing the capacity of the mine, and' de-
creasing the expenses, and doing away with so many mules and
drivers at the bottom of the shaft.
B Shafts of the same company, is located one half mile east of
No. 1; is ventilated by a fan; at the time of my visit the ventilation
was not good, on account of the current of air passing through a
great many old works, and being loaded with carbonic acid gas be-
fore reaching the men; if the current of air had been reversed,
then the ventilation would have been good; but Mr. Phillips, the
superintendent, said he did not like to make the change, as he would
soon abandon the old works, and they were compelled to use a force
fan in the winter season, and the changing of the doors all through
would cause more expense than was necessary, but said he would fin-
ish the old works as soon as possible. All the outside improvements,
including machinery, are in good condition, and the laying out of
the underground works is first-class, as this mine has a daily capacity
of about twelve hundred tons.
/
1883.] KEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 37
Chariton Shaft is located at Cleveland, one mile northwest of the
White Breast mines. This shaft is three hundred and forty feet deep,
the deepest shaft in the State. This property was once owned by a
co-operative company, but that company was overcome with water,
and about eighteen months ago the Chariton Coal Company bought
the property, and have since sunk a new shaft, and are using the old
one as an escape and air-shaft. Their engines are run on first motion
on a drum seven feet in diameter, which gives their cages the quickest
motion of any cages in the State. The mine is ventilated by an ex-
haust fan, fourteen feet in diameter. They have had considerable
trouble to contend with injbhe shape of water, and the coal, for some
distance from the shaft, had a great deal of rock; but they now have
their pumps so they can take care of the water, and have driven into
^ood coal, and expect to be able to handle considerable coal this
coming winter.
DAVIS COUNTY
Has considerable coal, but it is undeveloped, owing to its position
in the coal field; as coal in the counties north and west can be mined
as cheaply as in this county, and have the advantage in transporta-
tion, as the coal mined in this county is compelled to seek a market
west or north. There are not as many exposures in this county as in
Van Buren, as almost all the exposures are in the Soap and Salt creek
valleys.
APPANOOSE COUNTY
Has a seam of coal averaging about three feet in thickness, and it
extends with more uniformity in thickness than the coal of any
other county. The coal of this county that is now being mined be-
longs to the middle coal measures, and is a good quality for domestic
purposes.
Centerville is the center of the mining industry of the county.
There are several mines in operation in and around the town; within
a radius of two miles there are eight mines.
The system adopted in this county of operating their mines is not
suitable to the coal, which is the best suited for long-wall work of
any coal in the State, and should be worked that way. The trouble
of getting plenty of building material, often met with in other local-
ities, would never be met with here, as there are about eight inches
of roof that will come with the coal, which would be sufficient for
38 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
all building material for long-wall work; but in the present system,
thid roof is quite a hinderance and expense.
The Cohh Mine has made some improvements since my last report,
such as providing a traveling way between the two shafts, and get-
ting a little Bhape to the underground works; but the most sensible
move they have made (and one I recommended two years ago) is in
making arrangements to sink a new hoisting shaft, and abandon the
old shaft as a hoisting shaft, and use it as an air and escape shaft.
The old works are opened without system, and have been operated
by so many different persons that no one could tell what he would
have to contend with in the advancement of his underground works,
as there have never been any surveys made, or measurements kept, of
the old works. They had put in a fan for ventilating the mine, but
at the time of my visit, the steam connection with the fan engine
was broken, and the fan was not running, and the fifteen hundred cu-
bic feet of air per minute was produced by natural ventilation. I
hope, when they complete the new shaft, they will profit by past ex-
perience.
Henderson^ 8 Mine is located abput one mile west of Centerville;
they* had twenty-eight miners employed, with a volume of air of
eight thousand eight hundred and eighty cubic feet per minute; but
the position of the doors in the mine was such that all the air in
America could not reach the east side of the mine, and the ventila-
tion was not good any place in the mine. They were running the
mine without a boss, that being considered too expensive. I re-
quested the building of two stoppings, the erection of an extra
door, and the changing of the position of another door, which the
superintendent said he would have done immediately. The company
have put up a fan, and I would like to give a description of it, but
am not at liberty to do so, as the inventor has applied for a patent,
and does not want the merits of his invention to go before the public
until after he receives his patent.
Diamond Mine, — No. 1 mine of this company is located in the east
edge of Centerville, and is only employing ten men. There is an
injunction on the mine, that was put on two years ago, on account
of the company refusing to provide an escape shaft; and the comr
pany still refuse to sink one, and as the penalty for non-compliance is
a reduction of the force, they have complied with the law; but I can
not see that the men who work in the mine are benefitted any by such
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 39
compliance. I have been requested by the company to withdraw the
injunction, giving as their reason, that they never intend employing
over ten men at one time; but this I shall^never do until they pro-
vide an escape shaft. I consider the mine in its present condition
very unsafe in the winter season, on account of the danger from fire,
as the building over the shaft is connected with the office, in which
is kept a stove, and adjoining the office is the hay barn, and should a
fire occur, the combustion would be so rapid that the 'gin could not
be used, and what men would be in the mine would stand a very poor
chance to escape suffocation.
Mine No, 2, of the Diamond Coal Company, is a new mine, and is
located about one mile and a half east of Centerville, on the line of
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, and at th^ time of my
visit complied with the mining law. But the system of opening out
the mine will give them trouble in the future, and is no benefit to
them at the present time, as they were driving double cross-entries,
and could just as well turn rooms off both cross-entries as off of one;
they were turning rooms off of the main entry, which should
never be done, as it weakens the entry pillar, which is a support for
the main entry, and makes an extra expense of keeping the stoppings
in good repair, and a great deal of trouble to keep up a parallel air-
way with the main entry.
Mine No, 4 of the Watson Coal Company is located about one
mile south of Centerville, and was not running at the time of my last
visit, as the dump-building and engine-house had burned down, but
they were rebuilding and were intending to commence operations
again soon. The fire at this mine was supposed to be work of an
incendiary, as the mine had been idle for quite a w hile on account of
a strike of the miners.
There are several other mines located in the immediate vicinity of
Centerville, that work over twenty men in the winter season, but are
operated about the same as the mines already degcribed.
Co-operative Mine is located at Brazil, seven miles west of Center-
ville, on the Shenandoah branch of the Wabash railroad. They
employ from ten to forty men. The mine is ventilated by a furnace.
At the tinie of making my last report this mine was opened by a
shaft, but they have since abandoned the shaft and operated by a
slope, but the coal is still hoisted by horse power. The inside works
40 REPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
*
were in better condition than I had ever found them, and the current
of air was fairly distributed through the mine.
Walnut Coal Company^s Mine is located at Brazil, and is operated
by a slope. At the time of my last visit the ventilation wa.s not
good; the full volume of air was sufficient to give a good current
of air all through the mine, but the doors and stoppings were in a
very poor condition. On a former visit to this mine I found it in
good condition, with the volume of air conducted to the working
place of all the men. They had just completed the furnace, and
everything about the mine indicated careful attention, and at that
time was pronounced the best ventilated mine in the county; and its
condition at the last visit was a surprise. I called the attention of
the boss to the deficiencies and pointed out what I considered neces-
sary to make the mine conform to the provisions of the law; and he
promised that my suggestions should be carried out.
JRimhy^s Mine is located about one half mile south of Brazil sta-
tion; is operated by a drift ; ventilated by a furnace, with a volume
of air of one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four cubic feet.
There were twenty-six men employed. The boss was having some
changes made in the track, and gave that as a reason for the doors
being in such poor condition, and promised to change them as soon
as the track was completed.
James Johns has a mine at Numa, employing about twenty-five
men. He has abandoned the old shaft as a hoisting shaft and is op-
erating the new shaft, using the old as an air and escape shaft.
There are mines in several other localities that in the winter season
come under the provision of the mining law, but are operated about
as those above described.
WAYNE COUNTY
Does not produce much coal at present, but will in the near future,
as they have lately discovered coal at Corydon, the county seat. The
record of the hole can be found by referring to that portion of this
report. The largest mine in the county at the present time is the
Landers mine, located about half way between Kniffin and AUertou,
on the Southwestern branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
railroad. The mine is operated exclusively for local trade, and em-
ploy in the winter season from twenty to thirty men, but have been
1883.] REPORt OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 41
compelled to reduce the force on account of not complying with the
mining law, by not furnishing an escape shaft.
QThere was a shaft sunk at Seymour, on the same railroad, in the
east edge of the county. The men who done the prospecting re-
ported coal over three feet in thickness, at a dei)th of two hundred
and ten feet, but when the shaft was down that depth they found
there was no coal thick enough to work; which shows that men who
are prospecting do not always understand their work, and demon-
strates the fact that too much care cannot be exercised in sinking
shafts for coal in this State.
UPPER C GAL :\IEASURES.
The counties of Pago, Taylor, Adams, an<l Cass have mines oper-
ating in the coal of the dipper coal measures. Some of the mines
3, re worked room and pillar, but a majority of the mines are worked
On the long- wall plan. The coal in this locality is very limited, being
Confined principally to the Nodaway river and its tributaries, and has
a gradual elevation going north, or up the river, corresponding with
the elevation of the surface, as coal is about the same elevation above
the river in all the counties above referred to.
All the mines in this coal is worked on a cheap plan, the miner
pushing his coal to the bottom of the shaft. And some of the com-
panies make their calculations to sink a new hoisting shaft every
summer, as the coal is only about eighteen inches thick, and in one
winter they advance the underground works so far from the bottom
of the ""shaft, and as the coal in places is so near the surface, they
consider it cheaper to sink a new shaft than to take down the roof
and make the road ways high enough to admit a mule; the dis-
tance is too great, and the height is not sufficient, for men to push a
loaded car to the bottom of the shaft.
6
42 REPORT OF STATE MIKE INSPECTOR. [E 4
MINING ECONOMY.
By reading this report it will be found that I have given my views
in regard to the mineral resources of the different counties. I am
well aware that a great many differ from me, and I admit that both
our geological reports advance a different theory from what I do, but
future development will settle this question. My conclusions have
been formed after careful observations, made while visiting the mines
of the different counties, and if my conclusions are correct the duty
of naining companies are clearly pointed out, and that it is necessary
. that economy should be practical in the management of our mines.
Under our present system not more than one half of the coal is re-
\ covered, and it is high time that we abandon our present wasteful
system for one of more economy.
Mine economy does not consist entirely in getting the coal mined
cheaply.' There are several objects to be taken into consideration
under this head. The first and most important thing is to ascertain
if you have any coal to mine. This may seem to be a statement en-
tirely unnecessary, as no one would be so foolish as to undertake to
open a coal mine where there was no coal. Of course no one would
commence to open a mine unless he thought he had coal of sufficient
thickness to work with profit. But there are several instances in the
State where, after the shaft has been sunk, they found that there was
no coal. The opinion of a great many are that if A has coal under
his farm, that as a matter of fact B must have, as B's land joins A's.
Then some reason in this way: There is A, he has found coal on the
south side of some creek, and of course B can find coal on the oppo-
site side, on or about the same level on which A found his coal.
Then again some reason in this way: A has opened a coal mine on
some small creek, and the coal increases in thickness as he advances
with his underground operations, and as a matter of fact the coal
according to their theory) extends through under the hill, and
as B owns land on the opposite side of the divide, all B has to
do is to sink a shaft down near the level of A's coal, and go to
work and open a mine of his own. JNow, the theories above de-
scribed should be abandoned, and the sooner they are the better it
will be for a great many. * This supposing the ^case is [very often ex-
pensive business, very seldom profitable, and should never be relied
on. Land should be thoroughly prospected before any money is laid
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 43
out in hoisting machinery, or in sinking hoisting shafts. This may-
be done by putting down drill holes, and should the first drill hole
strike coal, put down other holes until the limit of the deposit is wqll
defined, and by keeping the level of the different holes, the dip or
lowest places in the coal is found before commencing to sink a hoist-
ing shaft; and in no case is it economy to commence sinking a hoist-
ing shaft until after there has first been a drill hole put down on the
site where you have located the hoisting shaft.
Some may think strange that I would recommend the putting down
of a drill hole when they intend sinking a shalPt immediately, but my
reasons are these: Our coal measures are subject to faults. Some-
times these faults occur in the coal, and sometimes in the measures
over the coal; and a drill hole in any particular locality is no test for
a locality fifty feet distant; and it is economy to know just what kind
of material the shaft has got to be sunk through, and if a fault is en-
countered with the drill hole, that site should be abandoned and the
company would not be at very much expense; but if the shaft was
put down and encountered a fault in the coal, or the measures over
the coal at the bottom of the shaft, there would be extra expense;
and if the fault should occur in the roof, it would be very expensive
timbering away from the bottom of the shaft, where the double width
cannot be avoided, and requires large timbers overhead. Several in-
stances of this kind have come under my observation in this State,
where the precaution above referred to was not taken, thereby entail-
ing on the company an enormous expense that could have been
avoided. And when either of these troubles above referred to are
met with, the site should be abandoned, as coal can be mined success-
fully where it would not be economy to sink a hoisting shaft, but by
prospecting until the dip of the coal is found, then the trouble above
referred to is never found in this State.
There is another item of economy by sinking in the dip, and that is
mine drainage^ which is of great importance in the economy of mine
management, for if the hoisting shaft is located where the mine
water will run to the bottom of the shaft, then a sump, or place for its
lodgement, can be provided, and the water can be pumped out of the
mine whenever necessary; but should the works dip from the bottom
of the hoisting shaft, then it is continually in the way of the miner
at his working face in the coal, and has to be hauled in water cars to
the bottom of the shaft, or some place provided for its lodgment,
44 REPORT OF STATE MI^^E INSPECTOR. ' [E4
and it is more expensive to handle a car of water than a car of coal;
it not only takes the same time and the same power to get it to tlie
bottom of the shaft, but it makes a muddy road, which is more liable
to get out of repair than if it is kept dry.
Then the hauling of the coal up hill to the shaft is a continual
drawback to the mine output, requiring more mules and more driver's,
and all this extra expense takes from the profit of the mine. And
where the surface is such that a hoisting shaft can possibly be
located in the dip of the coal, without too much expense in putting
in side tracks and outside improvements, it should always be done;
but sometimes the lay of the land on the surface is such that you are
compelled to sink the shaft away from the dip; and in that case the
underground works should be pushed forward as rapidly as possible
.1
until the dip is reached, when a sump or lodgement for the water
should be provided, or water shaft should be sunk; and in that way
the difficulty with the water could be overcome.
Another trouble often met with in some localities in this State,
is sand and water, sometimes a thickness of from five to sixty feet,
extending down to within a few feet of the coal. If the sand is
fifty or sixty feet in thickness, and only five or six feet of shale
between the sand and the coal, it is readily given up that the coal
cannot be worked, but if there is only eight or ten feet of sand
and water, no matter what the pressure may be, some claim that the'
coal could be mined without any difficulty. Now, this, in my opin-
ion, is wrong. If in prospecting we find sand and water five feet in
thickness, with a pressure that will raise the water in the hole ten
feet, it is just as bad as ten feet of sand and water without any pres-
sure. Take for instance two shafts of one hundred feet in depth. In
the first shaft it is thirty feet to the sand, sixty feet of sand and
water, without pressure, and ten feet of slate between the sand and
the coal. Under the above circumstances the coal cannot be mined
in this State, because the nature of the roof of our coal is such that it
would not stand the weight of that much sand and water. But in
sinking the second shaft it is eighty feet to the sand and water and
only ten feet of sand, but the pressure is such that the water will rise
in the shaft to within thirty feet of the surface, and there is ten feet
of slate between the sand and coal, the same as the first shaft. Now
I claim that the weight on the ten feet of slate over the coal is
the same in the second shaft as it was in the first, although the
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 45
iirst shaft had sixty feet of sand and^ water, and the second had
only ten, and that the coal could not be mined, in either case, under
any system now adopted in this State, and if this theory had been
adhered to by some of our mine superintendents, the companies they
represent would have been thousands of dollars better off. And for
this reason land should be thoroughly prospected, before sinking any
shafts or buying any machinery, so as to ascertain the thickness of
the coal, the quality of the coal, and the nature of the roof, as we
have considerable coal in this State that can never be mined on
account of the difficulty above described.
The people of the State are imposed upon by men who claim to be
practical men. There are some in the State, who are prospecting,
that all they know about the business is to keep the drill going, but
know nothing about the measures that the drill is passing through,
and it is economy to sink prospecting shafts rather than employ such
men to prospect with drills. Prospecting should be done by compe-
tent men, men who would be responsible for what they represent at
all the holes they put down, and if they had to be respooisible there
would be fewer men in the business.
After the hoisting shaft is located it is economy to get the hoisting
machinery in place as soon as possible, for by having the machinery
in place the shaft can be sunk sooner and for less money, as the dirt
can be hoisted sooner and the sinkers will not be compelled to wait
on the machinery to take the dirt out of their way.
The timbers for securing the shaft should all be on the ground be-
fore the sinking commences, and some competent person should cut
all the timbers, so they would be uniform, and the timbers should be
placed in the shaft as soon as the sinking has advanced far enough
to admit of their being put in without interfering with the sinkers;
and the shaft should be sunk in such manner that the timbers would
be perfectly tight when in place. Opening out from the bottom of
the shaft is a matter of considerable importance; the object should
be to drive the entries a sufficient distance from the bottom of the
shaft before cross-entries are started, to give plenty of room on
each side of the shaft for all the double track necessary. Many
good miners have been compelled to work under disadvantages for
years, when it could have been remedied without any great expense
at the first opening of the mine. I am often asked the question,
"what, plan is best to adopt?" and I always answer it in this way:
46 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. fE 4
Employ a practical mine boss, and then let him run the mine. There
is no set rule to operate a mine in this State, as there are no two
mines exactly the same, and there is often a great difference in differ-
ent portions of the same mine; and for this reason it requires a prac-
tical man to detect these changes, and shape his works accordingly.
And I might say that on this one item of the management of the
underground operations, more than any other one thing, rests the
finaincial success or failure of every mine. And for this reason coal
companies should be careful in selecting a foreman that thoroughly
understands his work, and then furnish him men and material suffi-
cient to do the work as soon as it is necessary.
The system of double entry is now generally adopted, but I think a
majority of our mine foremen make a mistake in driving their cross-
entries too far apart. They are generally driven one hundred and
fifty yards, and some as far as two hundred yards apart. They do
this thinking it is economy, as it makes less entry driving. But in
,my opinion it is a mistake, for when two entries are driven one hun-
dred and fifty yards apart, then the rooms have to be driven seventy-
five yards, which is too far for good results. Before the rooms can
be driven seventy-five yards, where several rooms are being driven
abreast, there will be a weight on the pillars, and when they are at-
tacked by the miner he often finds that he cannot recover enough of
the pillar coal to make it profitable for him to work. And very often
the first fall that occurs (after the pillar is attacked) the whole room
falls in, covering perhaps thousands of tons of coal, that the company
have bought at the rate of hundreds of dollars per acre, and have
paid for having the entries and all narrow work, and are entitled to,
and should have, more coal than th^y have received.
I am confident if the mine foremen would make their calculations
on having the rooms driven fifty yards, or less, and draw the pillars
as soon as the room is driven to the boundary, they would secure
more coal from the territory mined over, and more coal for the
amount of narrow work driven. It is certainly mistaken economy to
adopt a system of laying out the works so as to lose a large portion
of the coal in the territory mined over, in order to save a few yards
of entry driving.
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 47
COMPLAINTS.
I often have complaints from mine bosses that the superintendent
of the mine refuse to furnish the proper material for carrying on the
work, and that he knows nothing about a coal mine. Now, this is
sometimes the case with new coal companies. They elect some one
of the stockholders as their general superintendent, and very often
he does not know anything about coal works. But that is all right;
a coal company have a perfect right to select whom they please
to superintend their works; and it is none of your business so long
as he^ does not meddle with your business, but if he persists'^ in med-
dling with your affairs Jto the detriment of the works under your
charge, then it is your duty to resign your position. There are in-
stances of this kind in the State, where the general superintendent
knows nothing about the underground works, and refuses to get
things that are necessary, and gets] things that are not suitable, and
meddles with things underground that he knows nothing about; and
the mine boss continues to work, doing things contrary to his better
judgment, losing money for the company at every move, and at the
same time injuring his reputation as an underground man. As every
bad move under such circumstances will be charged to you, and tlie
good ones you get no credit for, therefore the proper thing for you
to do, under these circumstances, is to resign your position, take
your pick and make your living until another opening presents it-
self, which will not be long if you are a competent man; and there
is nothing that goes to prove a man's competency more than to see
him refuse to run a mine under a false system. When our compe-
tent mine foremen show more independence, then will their services
be more appreciated and sought after. A mine boss holds the most
responsible position about the mine, financially speaking. He has to
study the nature of the floor of his mine, and find out whether 'it is
going to admit of the coal settling when the weight comes on; then
the nature of the roof and coal has to be taken into consideration
before he can determine how to start his works; he has to see that
all the airways are kept open and properly timbered; the roads in
good condition for handling coal; and look after the entries and
rooms, to see that they are going the proper direction, and are being
driven the proper width; and when it is taken into consideration that
perhaps there are three or four hundred men working in the mine,
48 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
the boss has his hands full; and no man, without considerable expe-
rience and executive ability, can make it a success. Besides, there
obstacles encountered in mining that are not met with in any of the
books, and it requires a careful, thinking, practical man to under-
, stand them.
NEW VENTILATING FANS.
Since making my last report, seventeen new ventilating fans have
been erected in this State, at the following mines:
Cobb and Centerville mines, at Centerville, Appanoose county.
B shaft of the White Breast coal company, and Chariton shaft, at
Cleveland, Lucas county.
No. 1 and No. 2 mines, at Muchakinock.
B shaft at Excelsior.
Standard and Acme mines, of Oskaloosa, Mahaska county.
A shaft of the Starr coal company, of What Cheer, Keokuk county.
Pioneer, Giant No. 2, and Eclipse mines, of Dt^s Moines.
Climax mine, of Angus, Boone county.
Standard mine, of Greene county.
Van Meter mine, of Dallas county.
And including the seven that were in operation, makes twenty-four
ventilating fans now in operation, which shows an encouraging in-
crease for two years. Nine of these fans are force, and fifteen are
exhaust fans. Some of the companies have taken out the furnace and
put a fan in its place, and all are well satisfied, as the current of air
produced by the different fans ranges from 13,000 to 50,000 cubic feet
per minute. There are several other mines where they contemplate
putting in a fan soon.
1883.] EEPOET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 49
MINE VENTILATION
Has received considerable attention iu the last two years. A major-
ity of our coal companies now realize the fact that ventilation is one
of the important objects to be looked after in the successful manage-
metit of our mining enterprises, and are investigating the different
systems, to ascertain which is the best plan for them to adopt. They
have had the old stove that was placed at the bottom of the air-shaft
quietly hoisted out of the mine, and taken away out of sight. The
basket that I so often found, on my first year of inspection, hanging
in the air shaft "srith about a hatfull of fire in it, has also gone to
keep the old stove company, or has been sold to the dealer in old
iron, or laid away as a relic of one mode of torture to thie miner;
and natural ventilation is not as well thought of as it was a few years
ago ; while the steam jet (like coffee in war times) is a luxury en-
tirely too expensive for the benefit derived.
-A.S our underground excavations become more extensive, the sys*
tena. of ventilation above referred to becomes wholly inadequate; and
as -tie resistance of the current of air passing through the air-way of
the mine has to be overcome by the atmospheric pressure at the
do^w^ncast shaft, it is therefore necessary to employ some means to
ov^Tcome as much as possible the atmospheric pressure on the ail*
or upcast shaft, and a majority of our mine superintendents have
*^^iied their attention to the fan, or furnace, as the only practical
ni^t:hod of accomplishing this object. The furnace has for years
^^^n the favorite method of producing ventilation in our mines; but
1^ the last two years the fan has attracted considerable attention
ai^d has always given good satisfaction. The first cost of a furnace
^® less than a fan; but as the expense of a furnace does not stop with
^^s construction, I consider, for shallow shaft mines, such as we have
^^ this State, that the xan is both cheaper and more effective than a
^^^nace.
I find there are a great variety of ideas in regard to the proper
^^^struction of a ventilating furnace, and, like all other debatable
Jl^^stions, considerable argument can be produced by all; but there-
^^ one point on which all agree, and that is that thejair, in passing
^*^x*ough the furnace, should be made as hot as possible.
•A thin, wide fire, with a thin column of air passing over it will
^^ore effectually heat the current of air passing than one built witli
50 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E m
a high arcli, but there are other things to be taken into considera-
tion. We often meet with mining engineers who have their air-waye
driven large and roomy, and avoid, as much as possible, all angles,
and everything that will cause any stoppage or extra friction to the
current of air while passing through the mine — which is all right;
but when they build the furnace, they imagine they must build it a-
certain shape, and very often block up more than one half of the air-
way4
And there are others who have read somewhere that a furnace m a.
well regulated mine should be built with two][side chambers, one on_
each side of the furnace; and, in order f have room for the sidfe
chambers, they reduce the size of the furnace, in seme cases to on^
fourth the size of the airway. Now, I claim that the air that passe*
through the side chambers does not come in contact with the fire, but
passes into the upcast, to mix with the heated air that has passevi
over the fire, decreasing its density, and decreasing the ventilation if
the furnace is properly constructed.
Side chambers will, under certain circumstances, add to the ventila-
:ttioffl; for instance, if the air-ways are large and roomy, and the
furnace is four or five times smaller than the air-ways, and there is
.a tendency to a strong, natural current, then side chambers would
.be ;a benefit, as the power would be lost in the passage of the air
trough so small a furnace, and by opening side chambers you.
would give vent to the column of air; but if the same space that is
exposed for the passage of air, by opening the side chambers, had
been left ovei* the grate bars when the furnace was built, the result
would still have been better, as the object of a ventilating furnace
is to heat the air in the upcast shaft, and the more this air is heated
the lighter it is, and the more atmospheric pressure it will overcome
lat the upcast shaft, and the pressure remaining the same at the down-
cast shaft the air is forced through the subterranean passages of the
mine to the furnace where it should be heated, in order to keep up
the density of the air in the upcast shaft; and as the ventilating
power is always as the downcast shaft, no matter what kind of ven-
tilation is adopted, whether it is furnace, fan, steam, or natural, as
there is no suction in a furnace, neither is there any in a fan.
Therefore a furnace should be built so as to heat as hot as possible
the whole volume of air, and at the same time offer as little resist-
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 51
ance, as possible to the column of air while passing through the
mine.
Many of the furnaces in this State are too small for good results;
the air is too confined in passing through. Roomy air-ways are of
little avail with a small furnace. There are instances of this kind in
the State, where the air-ways are large and roomy, and the furnace is
only about one fifth the size of the air-ways. It is a matter of great
importance that care should be taken in building a ventilating fur-
nace for several reasons. Setting the coal on fire must be guarded
against, and the furnace should be situated far enough from the up-
cast shaft to obviate the danger of setting the woodwork on tire, and
to avoid as much a^ possible the friction of the air current at tlie
furnace. The proper place for a furnace is at the bottom of the up-
cast, because the ventilation depends upon the amount of heat im-
parted to the column of air, and the larger the column of heated air
there is in a shaft the greater the velocity of the ventilating current.
The practical power of a column of heated air is in proportion to
the depth of the shaft; a deep shaftQwill give a larger volume of air
than a shallow one.
As before stated, fan ventilation is more effective in shallow than
in deep mines; but there are a great many drift mines in this State,
where they do not use steam power, where the cost of the fan would
he greater than a furnace, and the cost of keeping the fan running
would be as great as keeping a fire in the furnace, as it requires the
constant attention of a man in both cases; but wherever they use
steam power, I would recommend a fan, no matter what the distance
of the steam from the air shaft, as the fan engine can be placed in
the engine house, so that the engineer can look after it, and the
power can be transmitted to the fan by an endless rope; this is being
done in several places in this State with good results. I would also
recommend a fan so constructed that it could be used as an exhaust
or force fan; and one of this kind, with the casing put together in a
workmanlike manner, will soon pay for the extra expense if there is
water in the hoisting shaft; and wherever a fan of this kind has been
introduced, mine superintendents and mine bosses say they could not
be hired to adopt any other kind of ventilation, and would not go
back to the old furnace under any consideration.
There are several different make of fans in [use in the State, but
those made in the State give as good satisfaction as those that are
52
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
[E4
brought from the east. Some of the coal companies build their own
fans; for instance, the fan at No. 2 slope, at Muchakinock, was made
in the blacksmith shop at the mine, is fourteen feet in diameter, is
used as a force fan, and gives a volume of air of eighty-three thou-
sand cubic feet per minute when run at one hundred revolutions per
minute. There are several manufacturing firms in the State who are
making ventilating fans which can be bought cheaper than by sending
east for them; by buying of home manufacturers you save the freight
charges, which sometimes amount to almost as much as the first cost
of the fan.
TABLE OF THE PRESSURE OF AIR AT DIFFERENT HEIGHTS
OF THE BAROMETER.
Height of Barome-
ter.
Pressure per square inch.
Pressure per square
foot.
27.0 . inches.
13.25 pounds.
1908.23 pounds.
27.25 ''
13.37
1925.89
27.5
13.49
1943.56
27.75 "
13.61
1961.23
28.0
13.74
1978.90 '
28.25 "
13.86 "
1996.56 '
28.5 "
13.98 '*
2014.24
28.75 "
14.11
2a31.91
29.0
14.23 "
2049.58
29.25 ''
14.35 "
2067.24
29.5
14.47
2084.91
29.75 "
14.60
2l0i.58
30.0
14.72
2120.25
30.25 t'
14.84
2137.92
30.5
14.96
2155.59
30.75 "
15.09
2173.26
31.0
15.21
2190.93
To find the pressure per square inch in pounds, multiply the reading of
the barometer in inches by .4908. To find the pressure per square foot in
pounds, multiply the reading of the barometer in inches by 70.6752.
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. .^3
GASES MET WITH IN MINES.
The gases generated in coal mines are fire-damp, after-damp, some-
"tiimes called choke-damp, black-damp, and white-damp.
Fire-damp is light carburett^d hydrogen, and consists of one vol-
ume of the vapor of carbon, and two volumes of hydrogen, con-
densed into one volume. This gas is never met with in the mines of
^his State.
Black-damp is the carbonic acid gas of chemistry, and is the prin-
-cipal gas met with in the mines of this State. It is composed of two
atoms of oxygen and one atom of carbon, and by weight, oxygen
72.73, carbon 27.27, and by volume, one each, and it is rather more
than one and one half times as heavy as an equal volume of common
air; the specific gravity of common air being 1,000, while that of
carbonic acid gas is 1,524.01. This gas is accumulated from several
causes: The respiration of men and animals, the combustion of the
t
workmen's lights, the decomposition of timber and small coal in the
gobs, the explosion of powder, the excrementitious deposits of men
and animals, and it also exudes from the roof and floor of the mine.
Black-damp, in its pure state, is a deadly poison, and will neither
support life nor light. When ten per cent of black-damp is diffused
through the air of a mine, a light cannot be maintained; but when
mixed with a certain portion of pure air, a miner can remain for
considerable time after his light has refused to burn; its effect on
the miner is such as to produce headache, languor, loss of appe-
tite, and general debility. This gas is mistaken for something else
from the position it is sometimes found to occupy in the mines, as a
jQ^reat many miners think that if they are working in a place eleva-
ting from the entry, that black-damp will not molest them, as the gas
is heavier than common air it would force itself out into the air-way,
and would not remain in a room driven at an elevation off the air-
way; but this is not the case.
Black-damp is sometimes held in suspension in a room elevating
from an air-way; for instance, if a room is turned off the air-way,
and the current of air is passing the mouth of the room and has no
chance to exert any of its force at any other place in the room, then,
if black-damp should accumulate, and no car or anything else to
cause a current in the room — under such circumstances, black-damp
54 REPORT OP STATE MIKE INSPECTOR. [E4
will accumulate, and remain until a current of air is brought to bear
upon it.
But some claim that as black-damp is one and one half times as
heavy as common air, that it is not reasonable to suppoise that it can
be held in suspension, at an elevation from the air-vray, by the pass-
ing current of air in the air- way. Let us see. Take, for instance,
an air- way five feet wide and five feet high; the sum of its four sides
would be twenty feet ofL]resistingi;surface for each foot in length of
the air-way. Now, suppose the room-mouth is five feet wide and five
feet high; then, the room-mouth would present the same resisting
surface as the air-way; and as the room-mouth is five feet high and.
five feet wide, it would give an area of twenty-five feet exposed to
the pressure of the moving column of air. The atmospheric pres-
sure varies according to the density of the air. For instance, if the
barometer reads thirty inches (see [table of the pressure of air at
differentuheights of the barometer), theHpressure on all surfaces ex-
posed to the air is 2,120.26 pounds per square foot; therefore, on the
mouth of the room above referred to there would be a total pressure
of 53,006.26 pounds.
But there is another fact to be taken into consideration in connect-
ion with air pressure: that if we increase the speed of the air in the
air-way, we also increase the pressure in the following proportion:
If we double the quantity of air in an air-way, we have four times
the pressure, and nine times the pressure will produce three times
the quantity, and sixteen times the pressure will give four times the
quantity, and so on in like proportion. And if the pressure of
2,120.25 pounds per square foot would give a volume of air of one
thousand cubic feet per minute; and if the volume of air is in-
creased to two thousand cubic feet, the pressure would then be 8,481
pounds per square foot, or a pressure on the room-mouth of 122,026.10
pounds; and if we increase the volume of air to three thousand feet
per minute, then the pressure would be 19,082.25 pounds per square
foot, and at the room-mouth it would be 477,056.25 pounds. And if
the volume of air is increased to four thousand feet, we would have
a pressure per square foot of 33,924 pounds, and on the room-mouth
there would be a pressure of 848,100 pounds. In increasing the vol-
ume of air from one thousand cubic feet to four thousand, we have
increased the pressure at the room-mouth from 53,006.25jpounds to
848,100 pounds; but as we have made no arrangement for this air
1883. J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 55
pressure to exert its influence on any other portion of the room only
at the mouth, and as this increased pressure is required to overcome
the extra friction of the air current, let us look a little further; for
instance, if the current of air, when the volume was on,e thousand
cuhic feet per minute, traveled one hundred feet per minute, when
the volume was increased to[]four thousand cubic feet it would be
compelled to travel four hundred feet per minute, and would meet
with four times the friction, or rubbing surface, in the same length
of time. But the air traveling at the speed of four hundred feet per
minute, instead of coming in contact with the rubbing surface with
a momentum gained from a velocity of one hundred feet, as air in the
first instance, strikes againstGthe rubbing surface with a momentum
gained from a velocity of four hundred feet, and the increased resist-
ance from the greater momentum acquired four times greater than
before, and would require the pressure to be increased to sixteen
times the original pressure, as shown by the figures above. There-
fore, the quantity of air obtained will vary as the square root of the
pressure applied, and the pressure will vary as the square of the ve-
locity of the air column, or quantity obtained. And, as before
stated, we have not made any arrangement whereby the air can
.circulate through this rooni, therefore, in increasing the volume of
air from one thousand feet to four thousand feet, we have only in-
creased the pressure in the room four times, while on the entry we
have increased it sixteen times. Therefore, if black-damp would
force itself out of the room under the above circumstances, it would
have to be four times as heavy as common air. This fact should be
thoroughly understood by mine foremen, to enable them to more in-
telligently combat with this deadly enemy of the miner, and if this
subject was more thoroughly understood, mine bosses would be more
willing to provide ways for the air to circulate through the rooms,
aild would be more particular to see that cross-cuts were provided at
the proper time and in the proper place.
White-damp, or carbonic oxide, is composed of one atom of oxy-
gen and one atom of carbon. By weight, it contains 56.69 per cent
of oxygen and 43.31 per cent of carbon. Its specific gravity is
975,195, being little less than common air. This gas is more dele-
terious to animal life than carbonic acid gas, as air containing a very
small per cent of white-damp is unfit for respiration. Black-damp
will not support combustion, while white-damp will admit the
56 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
miner's lamp to burn amidst a deadly atmosphere. White-damp is
produced by imperfect combustion, and can be recognized when
burning by its flickering blue flame, which may often be seen in the
gob fires of this State. White-damp is frequently met with in the
mines of this State, as the refuse of our coal seams are subject to
spontaneous combustion; and in some of the mines the coal is
blasted off the solid, and a very great amount of powder is con-
sumed, and both, as before stated, produce white-damp.
1883.J
REPORT OF bTATE MINE INSPECTOR.
57
RECORD OF STRATAS
Passed through in prospecting for coal in different counties.
LoviLiA, March 22, 1883.
P. C. Wilson, Dear Sir—We will send you a statement of some of our
<^'ork done in the last few years in the counties of Davis, Wapello, Monroe,
^ucas, Adams, Montgomery, Decatur, Wayne, Jefferson, Mahaska, Marion,
Warren, Dallas, and Polk.
'Siratas passed through in drill hole No. 1, at Laddsdale, Davis county^ for
B. W. Ladd & Co.
l)rif t deposit
iorray lime rock
ilixed shales
iiight blue sandstones
IBlue clay shales
X)ark colored shales ,
Xight sand shales ,
Dark bituminous shales
"Coal fault " rock and black jack ",
IFire clay ,
Marley shales
Coal
4J
IFire clay
Light colored shales ,
Impure lime rock ,
Light colored shales
Coal and black jack ,
Argillaceous shales, light colored
Black hard rock with sulphur partings,
Dark arenaceous shales ,
Blue limestone ,
Dark carbonaceous shales
Fault ' ' impure coal "
Marl
Dark colored carbonaceous shales.
Coal.....
Fire clay
Fire clay rock
Green marl
Total.
32
2
5
7
18
6
8
6
2
3
1
5
2
17
2
2
3
11
2
3
2
16
4
2
2
1
166
6
6
> •
3
6
> .
6
8
9
8
I. P. McElhant, Tester.
58
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
[E
Hole No, 5, for same company, Laddsdale,
4J
Drift deposit
Decomposed sandstone.
Coal
Shales " gray "
Dark colored shales
Light arenaceous shales
Dark arenaceous shales ,
Light arenaceous shales
Dark argillaceous shales
Lime rock gray
Light colored shales
Dark shales charged with coal
Dark colored shales
Sulphur band
Fault, " coal and rock "
Light day shales
Dark bituminous shales
Coal
Light sand rock, or hard sand shales, taking the place of argilla-
ceous material, commonly f oimd under coal
4
1
Total
2
3
6
1
4
6
4
2
2
7
6
5
78
4
2:
• • • •
I. P. McElhany, Tester,
Six other holes drilled in tracing same basin, resulting similar to Nos. 1
and 8, finding in some tests as many as seven stratas, or seams, of coal
ranging from 6 inches to 5 feet in thickness . CZ\
Strata at Kirkmlle, Wapello county, for the WhUeBredsfCoalartd'Minir!^
pany^ in hole No, 2,
OQ
O
Drift deposit
Buff colored decomposed sand stone.
Dark fine-grained sand stone
Light colored sand shales
Dark bituminous shales
Coal
Sulphur band at bottom of coal
Lignt colored shales
Total.
12
10
10
5
20
3
66
9-
4
1
D. R. McElhany, Tester.
; 1883.]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
5»
Hole No. 5, at Kirkmlle, for same Company.
43
03
a
Drift deposit
Yellow sandstone. . ,
Blue sandstone
light colored shale.
Dark-colored shale. .
Sulphur hand
CoS
Fire clay.
Total.
7
14
24
4
10
6
66
6
f m
6
D. R. McElhany, Tester.
Hole No. 8, for same Company, at Kirkville.
Drift deposit
Sand shales
Light, fine-grained sandstone.
Dark-colored shales
Coal
Fire clay
Gray, marly shales
Gray sand shales with sandstone partings.
Light, marly shales.
Bed and gray shales, mixed.
Gray marl.
Total.
29
• . • •
3
. . • •
63
. • • •
14
6
1
2
3
• • • •-
3
• • • •
18
6
6
• • • •
2
• • • *
2
• • • •
135
D. R. McElhany, Tester.
Hole No. 16, for same Company, at Kirkville.
Drift deposit
Dark carbonaceous shales ,
Coal (6 feet, with clay parting of 13 inches).
Sulphur band ,
Shsdes with sulphur
Argillaceous shales
Total.
8
13
6
29
3
9
D. R. McElhany, Tester.
Hole No. 16, for same Company, at Kirkville.
Drift deposit
Light-ccuored sand shales.
Blue sandstone
Light-colored sand shales.
Bituminous shales
Coal
Clay
30
9
45
6
9
4
6
1
• • • •
^Total 104
D. R. McElhany, Tester.
Several other tests in the same county, with like results, showing up an
extensive coal basin.
60
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
[e: 4
Strata passed tkrougk in hole No. i, at Perlee, Jefferson county, for the. Washin^^f^
ton & Jefferson Coal and Mining Company, starting below the vein, worked
at that place.
Mixed clays
Gray shales
Sandstone
Gray impure limestone
Yellowish laminated fine-grained sandstone, with brown flinty
partings
Bluish fine-grained heavy-bedded sandstone
Sand shales
Lime rock '' impure "
Sand shales, gray and fine-grained
Blue clay shales
Blue sand shales, with thin irregularly bedded impure sand rock. . .
Fragmentary buff -colored impure limestone
Blue marley clays, with small fossils
Bluish impure limestone
Light blue sand shales, with sandstone partings ,
Compact gray fragmentary and concretionary limestone
Blue argiflaceous shales and limestone
*Gray argillaceous shales
Compact light gray concretionary limestone
Gray marl
Light concretionary limestone, with gray clay partings
Total 200.
18
10
12
8
22
20
10
2
8
3
37
2
1
3.
7
2
2
3
4
2
22
6
6
■ •
6
6
I. P. McELHANr, Tester-
This hole we sank beneath the coal measures from 30 to 40 feet, passing
into the older formation.
Strata passed throfugh in hole No. 1, near Eddyuille, in Mahaska county, for J*
MUMe <& Co.
«
o
^
I
Drift deposit
Black shales.
Limestone . . .
Sand shales..
Coal
Bark shales
-Limestone, gray
Sandstone, with lime partings.
Total
26
18
2
3
1
6
5
4
6
« ■
6
■ *
66 . . •
!• P, McElhany, TBster.
1883.]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSl»ECTOR.
61
Hole No, S for same company near Eddyville.
Drift deposits. . ".
Coal crop
Sandstone
Sand shales
Blue shales
Sandjshales
Dark colored shales
Sand shales with fliaty parting
Dark shales with sulphur partings. . .
Black sandstone charged with coal. .
Green marl with lime rock partings.
Total
22
• « • •
1
8>
3
5
31
4
3
10
3
4
2:
3
• • « •
89
10
I. p. McElhany, Tester,
Strata passed throvgh in kale No, i, on the lands of A, Cohh^ at Lovilia, Monroe
county.
Drift deposits.
Gray shales.. .
limestone.
Carbonaceous shales.
Coal
Gray clay shales
Impure limestone . . .
Gray clay shales
Sandstone.
Gray clay shales
Sandstone
Limestone, blue
Black shales
Light colored shales.
Sandstone.
Gray shales
Brown clay shales.
Blue clay shales . . .
Sandstone.
Blue limestone . .
Gray sand shales
Limestone, gray.
Sandstone.
Light clay shales
Bluish shales
limestone
Dark shales
Limestone
Carbonaceous shales
Cap rock
Wuminous shales.. .
Coal
%e clay
Total.
25
3
1
11
1
5
3
17
4
17
29
4
2
4
2
4
6
7
3
2
1
1
2
5
8
1
8
10
1
5
1
197
9-
&
6
6
• • • •
8
4
6
3
I. P. McElhany, Tester,
«2
REPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
fE 4
Strata passed through in hole No. 2, one mile west of hole No. i, near Lovilia.
Drift deposit
Sandstone
Dark sand shales.
Limestone
Blue sandstone
Sand shales, gray
Bituminous snales
Cap rock
Coal
Fire clay
Limestone, blue
Light clay shales
Red shales, or oclire
Red sandstone with ferruginous partings.
Red sandstone, fine-grained
Limestone
Red clay shales
<Tray limestone
Calcareous rock
Total.
10
13
27
3
15
17
3
1
2
7
2
11
9
15
1
20
2
166
era
6
4
6
6
8
6
6
I. C. McElhany, Tester.
The peculiarity of this test is the great amount of red material, consist-
ing of red ochre, sandstone, and iron ore— a thickness of 64 feet 8 inches.
One mile from the above test.
«
^
^
CD
•g
Drift
Blue carbonaceous shales.
Coal
Black coal rock
Coal
Total.
20
5
4
6
35
6
4
10*
D. R. and I. C. McElhany, Testers,
1888.]
EEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
63
Strata at Hamilton, Marion cownty.
Brift deposit ,
iiight shales
J^ault
gray shales
:Oliie sand shales
^ark colored shales
Coal and black-jack
jtytipure fire clay
gray sand shales
^ed ochre
X^lght sand shales
-Hard rock marl partings. . .
Parley shales
3Dark shales
Limestone
Black carbonaceous shales.
Light clay shales
Bark colored shales
Light sand shales
Fault, with coal
Impure fire clay
Light gray sand shales
Brown sandy shale
Marley shales
4J
QQ
Total,
24
•2
22
20
15
1
3
4
1
6
5
4
2
1
37
15
10
15
3
5
4
7
2
210
• 6
6
6
6
6
6
D. R. and I. P. McElhant, Testers.
64
REPORT OP STATE MIKE INSPECTOR.
[E4^
Strata at Davis OUy^ Decatur county^ for the Davis City Coal and Mining
Company,
1^
OQ
Drift deposit
Marly shales
Shell rock
Shales, dark colored
Light-colored argillaceous shales
Gray limestone
Blue shales, arenaceous
Red ferruginous shales
Blue limestone
Blue shales
Red ferruginous shales
Light-colored seales
Blue limestone
Light-blue shales
Limestone
Bituminous shales, with coaly partings,
Bluish shales
Sandstone
Limestone
Blue and red clay shales
Blue shales, dark
Sandstone
Blackjack
Iron rock
Gray shales
Sandstone
Limestone
Brown-colored shales
Brown sandstone
Gray shales
Limestone
Shales, mixed light-red and blue
Shales, mixed blue and brown
Total.
17
11
2
5.
27
3'
6
ai
8
2
3
2
3
3
9
3
2
3
6
4
2
4
2
1
5
14
9
1
14
22
205
a
6
6
a
e
6:
&
9
e
i •
B
6
6
6
3
3
6
> •
6
6
D. R. AND I. C. McElhany, Testers,
Leon, Decatur county, hole close to depot, sank to the depth of 200 feet, not
reaching the stratified material.
Mixed clays
Blue clay, or altered drift,
Total.
D. R. McElhany, Tester,
1883.]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
65
StrcUa passed Ihrough in drill at Coming, Adams county, for Coming Coal and
Mining Company,
4J
09
Dxift deposit
CJoncretinary limestone
Blue sand snales
Blue limestone
Hiight sand shales
Compact impure limestone'. . .
ll>ark arenaceous shales
Dark clay shales
Impure limestone
Light colored shales
Xiimestone
Dark blue shales
Black shales
Light shales
Limestone
Sandstone
Blue sand shales
Gray limestone
Dark brown shales
Compact gray limestone
Clay shales
Limestone, blue
Fine-grained shaly sandstone
Bark colored sl^ales
Gray Umestone
Blue shales
Blue limestone
Brown clay shales
Bed colored clay shales
Blue limestone
Mixed shales, red and blue
Blue sand shales
Gray clay shales
Bark blue sandstone
Blue shales, " arenaceous ". .
Gray limestone
Blue shales, "clay"
Gray limestone
l^nt colored sand shales
.Total :
26
12
5
2
19
1
9
12
2
7
3
11
2
3
3
5
1
6
4
1
1
2
12
5
19
5
2
4
2
12
10
6
45
3
9
12
3
300
4
6
6
8
• • • «
6
6
7
8
3
3
7
6
6
I. P. McElhany, Tester.
9
6fi
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
LE4:
Strata pa.ssed through at Bed Oak, Montgomery county, for Bed Oak Coal and
Mining Company,
^
02
m
<X>
-^
^
*
0^
c?
(X»
r- <
Ph
►q
Drift deposit
Dark sand shales with clay partings
Impure sandstone
Light colored sand shales «.
Marley shales
rand shales witli sandstone partings ,
Gray sand shales ,
Variegated shales ,
Light l)Ine colored limestone
Dark agrillaceous shales ,
X-imestone
Gray clay shales
Gray Limestone
Soft, yellowish sandstone with flint partings
Bluish marley shales
Gray limestone ,
Clay shales ,
Ferruginous limestone
Gray clay sliales ,
Blue motley shales
Thin-bedded, fossiliferous, impure limestone.
Gray, blue and red shales with limestone partings
Gray clay shales
Dark argilaceous shales .•
Impure Time with fossils
Blue and yellow sandstone with shale partings
Light concretionary and fragmentary limestone
Light colored sand sliales
Compact, regularly bedded limestone
Dark colorea shales
Massive light gray limestone.
Black carbonaceous shales ;
Gray, earthy, clay shales
Blue limestone ,
Light sand shales with sandstone partiilgs
Blue marley shales
Light, compact, impure limestone
Bluish clay shales with impure limestone partings
Bluisli, unpure, shaley limestone, sometimes compact.
Gray, clayey shales
Dark cai i)()iiace()us shales
(lYiiy sliales *
lUiie sliales
LlL'ii cclorcMl marley shales —
Gray li'neslonc
i'xV<L\ Marley sliahn
i^V'iwi. or red shales
j)!'! <: >i(mI clay shales
JJ;^hL blue. Iiiu'-.i;ra:iied s'.iales,
Dark bine shales
Dark limestone
BliK^- sandstone
(I ray sliales
5
3
1
5
8
4
3
6
2
3
12
3
8
2
2
1
25
3
12
13
10
3
4
9
2
6
4
2
6
23
6i.
81.
O .
01.
')
6
> •
6
9
V2
u...
12i...
291...
2
• • «
8
• • r
4
• m
6
6
6
1883.]
REPORT OF STATE MIXE INSPECTOR.
> —
6:
Stratas passed through at Red Oak — Continued.
U4
Gray limestone
Light colored marley shale.
Limestone
Blue sand shales
Limestone with shale parsings
Blue maiiey shales
Shales, green and variegated
Gray, compact limestone
Shales, dark and blue \ .
Gray limestone with gi'een marl partings ,
Total.
7, 6
o . . . .
li 6
G
14
17
8
6
6
■I- .*
5(v5
McElhany Bros., Testers.
This hole was commenced in the upper coal measure, just below the creta-
ceous formation.
Strata passed throuqhat Milo^ Warren county^ for the Milo Coal and Mining Co.
4^
O
Drift deposit
Gray shales, '.
Blue clay shales ,
Brown sandstone
Oray shales
Dark sandstone with shaley partings
Shales, light blue with bitumous shale at base.
Coal.
8' . . . .
Light gray shales
Thin-bedded, fossiliferous, impure limestone
Gray indurated shales
Black fissile carbonaceous shale
Gray and blue clay shales
Blue limestone
Light blue marlight
Bluish clav shale
Brown and red clay shale
Shales variegated with tliin beds of limestone shales.
Dark carbonaceous ,
Bituminous shale
Coal.
o
4
21
8
1
7
1
5
1
12
1
1
3
8
8
9
6
3
6
8
> •
8
3
> •
3
Blue clay shale
Gniy marie •
pue limestone
Liglitbhie clay shales
^i'K^-ffmiiiod micacerious shale
Gray clav shale '.
f ^'iisli ".hales
Gray c'ay shales
^«jn(!j.L()n(» and sund shales
'I'^'^rli »losalteruatin<2: witli thin layers of limes; oiu*.:
'. \ '''ii':i^ I K'"ay limestone
^ituniiiiuus shale
I arb(niac(M)ns shales
-Liiglit colored, silicious sh;iley innrh'. nith black sh:il'.\v {::irlii
and impure coal and ))hick* jack
^ray limestone with marl pavtiii"^^
"^ay clay shcvutb
10
2 10
8
• •
4
S
(>
«
(>
1()
i
IH
30
.^,
i
o
l>'
(',
<;
68
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
rE4
Stratas passed ihrovgh at JBdUo — Gordinv/^ .
Black sand shales
Bluish-colored clay Sfi&les
Bluish, impure limestone ^
Black clay shales
Dark-colored shales with lime partings -
Blue sand shales with sulphur bands
Blue sand shales
Dark sandstone
Black carbonaceous shales
Gray clay shales
Blue clay shales
Light blue sand and clay shales, with thin layers of fine-grained,
micareous sandstone
Compact, gray sandstone, with sulphur partings
Daj'k carbonaceous sand shale, alternating with thin layers of sand-
stone of same color, and sulphur
Dark carbonaceous sand shales
Dark blue and black shales
Limestone compact, blue and gray, with sulphur bands
Total 368
2
6
3
1
1
6
5
2
1
6
6
16
6
7
26
12
17
• •
8
3
6
6
8
6
6
> *
6
6.
6
I. C. McElhany, Ikster,
V
Strata passed through at Adel, Dallas county, in hole No, IJust east of city Imiits^
Drift deposit
Impure, shaly sandstone.
Coal
Bluish sand shales
Light clay shales
Red f errugenious shales
Light clay shales
Impure shell limestone, with sulphur
Dark argillaceous shales
Light marley shales
Light, fine-grained sand shales
Mixed shales
Blue sand shales
Light clay shales
Dark clay shales
Mixed shales
Red ferruginous shales
Mixed shales
Dark bituimuous shales
Gray shales with sulphur partings
Light clay shales
Dark shales
Bituimuous shales
Marly light shales
Dark shales
Bituminuous shales
Light sand shales
Light clay shales...
Dark-blue shales --
Impure coal aad BuJ^b • » . .
Fire clay •..,
Marly snales. . .
• f
23
9
6
1
2
8
5
15
23
22
10
6
4
12
23
3
8
6
12
3
9
4
5
14
1
1
3
2
6
6
9
9
9
^
ri
1
1883.]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
69
Strataa passed through at Add-^Continued,
-4-3
OQ
Bituminous shales
Fault coal
rire clay
Sandy shales
Dark blue shales
light sand shales
Gray marl " not through ".
Total.
7
3
3
2
7
4
339
D. R. AND I. P. McElhany, Testers.
Slratas passed through in hole No. 2^ at Adel, south of (he city.
OQ
•g
Drift deposit.
Blue shales. .
Coal
Pire clay
Blue sand shales
Bed and gray clay shales
Impure shelly limestone
Dark colored shales
Bituminous shales
Light marley shales
Impure limestone with sulphur partings.
Mixed shales
Blue sand shales
light clay shales
Variegated shales
Bed ferruginous shales
Mixed shales
Gray sand shales with sulphur partings.
light clay shales
Mixed shales
light argillaceous shales
§ark carbonaceous shales
Bituminous shales
Light sand shales
park clay shales
Light sand shales
Bituminous shales with coaU
Light clay shales
:Park sand shales
Limestone, gray
Light calcareous shales
Total 237
80
6
3
11
6
3
1
1
3
4
26
20
9
7
6
31
10
5
15
17
8
5
12
10
1
2
7
7
1
2
10
6
6
6
6
> •
6
6
I. P. AND D. R. McElhany, Testers.
70
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
[E4
Strata passed through at Freedom^ Lucas County
Drift deposit
Thin layer of linaestohe. .
Impure coal
Gray shales, clay ,
Arenaceous blue shales. . .
Carbonaceous shales
Gray calcareous shales. . .
Dark carbonat3eous shales
Bituminous shales
Coal
Light gray shales.
50
12
2o
1«
12
6
1
1
2
4
6
Total 127
6
6
9
16
D. R. AND I. C. McElhany, Testers.
Strata passed through in hole No. 1^ southwest of city limits of Des Moines^
Polk county.
Drift deposit
Sand shales
Blue clay shales ,
Blackjack ,
Gray shales
Sand shales with sandstone partings .
Dark colored shales
Black clay shales . .'
Sandstone, dark\
Gray shales with dark partings
Blue sand shales
Dark-blue shales with rock partings. . ,
Sandstone with shale partings
Gray clay shales
Limestone ,
Gray clay shales ,
Blue clay shales ,
Gray marly shales with rock partings,
Black carbonaceous shales
Blue limestone ;»
Blue sandstone
Dark shales
Gray, impure sandstone
Total 206..
35
5
2
4
14
6
9
18
4
7
4
13
13
7
1
8
13
4
12
6
8
5
6
6
2
6
I. C. AND D. R. McElhany, Testers.
1883.]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
71
Strata passed through in test No. S, near the city of Des Moines^ sovtheust of city
limits.
4^
DO
Drift deposit ,
Mixed shales
Buff colored shales.
Blue clay shales
Light sandstone
Sand shales, blue. . .
Bituminous shales..
Coal
Dark shales charged with coal. . .
Light gray shales
Sandstone with shale partinpfs. . ,
Sand shales with stone partings.
Dark shales
Black bituminous shales
Coal and rock
Impure fire clay
Fh:e clay rock.- ,
Buff shales
Sandstone
Gi-ay shales
Dark blue and black shales
Black and gray shales mixed
Impure coal and rock ,
Total.
5|. . .
o . . .
12:...
o
mi . . ,
18...
o . . .
li
1;. . .
3!
51.
121.
7
7
o
2
1
2
11
14
5',
6
6
6
6
6
142!...
I. P. and D. R. McElhany, Testers.
72
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
IE 4:
Statement of strata passed through in a drill hole for the Corydon Coal ar^^cL
Mining Cmpany at Corydon^ Wayne county, Iowa.
OQ
a?
Drift deposit
Gray argillaceous shales.
Gray sandstone *
Blue arenaceous shales..
Coal
Gray argillaceous shales.
Cap rock
Bituminous shales
Coal
Clay,
Variegated clay shales with rock partings.
Blue and gray clay shales
Blue carbonaceous clay shales
Bituminous shales and blackjack
Coal
Gray clay shales
Shelly limestone
Blue sand shales
Gray limestone ♦
Blue clay shales with rock partings
Limestone, impure
Gray sandstone
Blue clay shales
Light sand shales
Gray sandstone
Light clay shales
Gray limestone
Blue sand shales
Light clay shales with rock partings
Hard, impure limestone with sulphur
Light blue arenaceous shales witn impure limestone partings,
Light gray argillaceous shales
270
1
1
43
1
8
1
2
5
10
11
12
2
2
2
1
2
6
1
3
7
4
9
2
1
21
5
4
14
16
6
6
8
■ •
6
8
6
• •
6
6
» •
6
» •
6
» •
6
I. P. McElhany, Prospector.
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 73
Table of devotions from the Des Moines river west on C., B, & Q, B. B.
I
From Des Moines river to Frederick.. .
From Des Moines river to Albia
Prom Des Moines river to Cedar Creek
From Des Moines river to Tyrone
From Des Moines river to Melrose
From Des Moines river to Russell
From Des Moines river to Chariton
From Des Moines river to Cleveland. . .
From Des Moines river to Creston
From Des Moines river to Corning
From Des Moines river to Villisca
FromDes Moines river to Red Oak
76
295
138
161
211
376
378
238
653
458
364
373
Elevations from Skunk river at Colfax^ west on C.^ B, 1, & P, B. B.
X
From Skunk river to Four-mile
From Skunk river to Des Moines river
From Skunk river to Van Meter
From Skunk river to Adair
Prom Skunk river to Atlantic
From Skunk river east to Grinnell
Prom Skunk river east to Newton
From Des Moines river east to Boone, on C. & N. W. R. R
Prom Des Moines river east to Ames
Prom Des Moines river east to Nevada
Prom Des Moines river east to State Center
5
9
80
624
435
222
168
233
15
93
168
The Iowa river at Marshalltown is twenty feet lower than the Des Moines
river at Moingona, and the Skunk river, east of Ames, at the railroad
bridge, is five feet lower than the river at Moingona.
And from Moingona to Ogden the elevation is one hundred and Eighty-
one feet, and to Grand Junction one hundred and forty feet.
10
74 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Elevaticyn east of Des Mohws River on Illinois Central Railroad,
(D
^±_
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Carbon 105
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Judd 105
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Duncomb 101
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dod^e to Webster City 40
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Boone river 25
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to south fork of Iowa river 131
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Iowa river 119
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Iowa Falls 109*
From Des Moines river at Ft. Dodge to Ackley 88
Elevation norths on Central Iowa Railway,
From Eddyville to Oskaloosa
From Eddyville to Grinnell
From Eddyville to Marshalltown . . .
From Eddyville to Eldora
From Eddyville to Steamboat Rock.
From Eddyville south to Coalfield. .
From Eddyville south to Albia
183
342
213
392
316
32
259
Jl
1883.] EEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 75
HAULING COAL BY STEAM POWER.
The Jefferson County Coal Company located their hoisting shaft
80 that the bottom of the shaft was on a hill, as the coal dipped^
going north from the shaft for about fifty yards, and the grade was
so steep going up to the sh^ft that it was hard work for a mule to
pull one car; so they arranged the drum at the hoisting engine so
tile engineer could throw it out of gear, and at the same time throw
another drum in gear, to which a three fourth inch iron wire rope is
attached, that extends down the hoisting shaft, with which the coal
is now hauled out of the dip. The empty cars pull the rope back
da^wn into the dip. This simple arrangement saves this company
considerable in the line of expenses, and increases the output of the
Dii lae, as the hoisting engineer hauls the coal, three cars at a time, up
th^ grade with the hoisting engine without extra expense, saving the
cc>xxipany two mules and two drivers, or about four dollars per day.
T-^he Consolidation Coal Company haul all of their coal out of the
tlxx^ee mines at Muchakinock by machinery. No. 1 mine has a sta-
^^^^nary engine of twenty-two horse-power, with an endless wire rope
^^x*ee fourths of an inch thick, which hauls twelve tons of coal at a
^^ij. This machinery gives good satisfaction, and enables them to
^*^^d about seven hundred tons per day. The coal is hauled from a
®^^tion in the mine, about one half mile from the dump. They also
^^^Te a small engine attached to the slack car by a half inch wire
^^^^ Je, which hauls the slack out of the way, that is of as much advan-
^^^e as almost any piece of machinery about the mine, taking into
^^^ nsideration the expense in connection with the amount of work
^-^licomplished, as taking the slack out of the way is sometimes con-
^ tierable bother and expense.
No. 3 mine, of the same company, has a stationary engine of fifteen
orse-power, with single rope; the empty cars pull the rope back into
e mine, and gives good satisfaction.
No. 2 mine, of the same company, has a single engine of one hun-
^3.red and fifty horse-power, using friction drums. The endless rope
^Tom one drum hauls twenty-two tons of coal at a trip; another end-
less rope, run by a separate drum, runs the revolving screens; an-
other rope, from a separate drum, hauls the slack car out of the slack
pit up an incline, where it dumps itself, and is run back into the
k
76 REPOET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
, slack pit; another endless rope, from a separate drum, running over
pulleys for a distance of two hundred yards, and runs the fourteen
foot fan for ventilating the mine; while another endless rope, run by
a separate drum, furnishes power to run the turning lathe, and blow-
ing the fire in the blacksmith shop. The one large engine keeps every-
thing going in good shape, furnishing plenty of power for all to work
at the same time.
The C shaft, of the Starr Coal Company at What Cheer, has an
engine placed down in the mine for hauling the coal out of a dip,
which they encountered in the south side of their mine. The steam
" st^am is furnished from the boilers on the surface. The hauling of
the coal at this mine with steam 'power is a great saving to the com-
pany, as the grade is very steep, and one car was all one mule could
pull up the grade, while the engine hauls up five and six.
The hauling machinery at the A shaft of the White Breast Coal
Company, at Cleveland, Lucas county, 1 gave a description of in the
report of Lucas county, and will not repeat it here.
There are several other mines where it would be economy to put in
steam power for hauling the coal underground. There are mines
where the extra mules needed for handling the coal with mule power
if sold, would furnish the money to buy the machinery, and the ma-
chinery would do the work better, and the company would save the
expense of two dollars per day apiece for mule drivers.
LABOR TROUBLES.
There was no lengthy strike for the first year of this report, al-
though there was considerable dissatisfaction among the miners in
the different parts of the State in the early part of the winter, as
they expected a raise in the price of mining. I
There was a short strike in the Oskaloosa and adjoining districts,
but it was of short duration, as most all the companies consented to
pay the demands of the miners, if the Consolidation and Excelsior
companies would consent to the demand, which they refused to do,
and the miners concluded it was better to work at the old price than
to take the chances of defeat, and resumed work at the old price of
three and a half cents per bushel.
1883. J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 77
There was a strike at Angus, in Boone county, in the latter part of
the winter, that lasted about one month. The real cause I never
learned. Both parties claimed the victory.
Last spring the miners at Des Moines come out on a strike against
a reduction of one half cent per bushel on the price of mining, which
lasted about six weeks. The miners were compelled to give way, and
went to work at the reduction. During the time of this strike there
was considerable bad feeling among the miners, and about the time
they became convinced they were going to lose, some unknown wretch
set fire to the dump building in South Des Moines, which burned
down, and they also burned a store building in the same locality; and
about the same time some parties threw a portion of a keg of pow-
der, with a fuse attached, into a house in East Des Moines, where a
negro family were living, and the ex})lo8ion blew out the end of the
house and all the windows, and burned several of the inmates, and
one little girl, 3,bout ten years old, very badly, but none fatally. And
in a day or two, the miners, at a called meeting, passed resolutions
denouncing such acts of violence; at the same meeting a majority
vote was cast in favor of resuming work.
Miners, like any other class of people, have men among them who
are very excitable, and during the time of strikes, when excited, are
what might be termed cranks^ and sometimes commit depredations
that are looked down upon by a great majority of their fellow miners;
but the general public is not acquainted with these facts, and classes
all miners as law breakers when such depredations as the above are
committed. For this reason miners should be very careful in their
meetings, and advocate moderation and a respect for law, as it will
take years to live down the prejudice caused by such acts of violence.
The miners of the White Breast Coal Company came out on a
strike, in May iast, against the size of the screens, which were one
and one half inch mesh; the miners demanded that the screen be re-
duced to one inch mesh, and the company refused the demand; in
June the company brought colored men to take the place of white
men on strike, and that is the condition at those mines to-day.
Neither party will yield, and when the strike will end is hard to
tell, as both miners and operator seem as firm as when the strike was
first inaugurated.
Workmen have a right, either individually or in mass, to demand
an advance, and to refuse to work if the demand is not complied
/
78 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
with; they also have a riglit to refuse to accept a reduction in wages,
to call meetings and discuss questions affecting their wages, to organ-
ize societies for their mutual benefit, and to stop work if they think
proper.
The operators have rights as far reaching as those of the miner;
they have a right to discharge any man or company of men and to
employ men in their places, and where men are on a strike the opera-
tors have a right to employ new men, on any conditions they choose,
to take the place of the workmen on strike. But the system of
strikes in settling disputes is wrong; many a long strike disastrous to
both minor and operator, could be avoided if men would allow their
better judgment to have control. One great trouble with miners' so-
cieties, there are often hot-headed and indiscreet members whom it is
difficult to repress, and it has often happened that such societies have
been led by them into rash and unjust actions, but a society such as
we noAv have in this State, wisely conducted, will be an instrument of
good; it is the exercise of a right that belong to miners as well as
operators, tlie right to combine for the purpose of maintaining or
raising tlie Value of their services, and now that there is such a
society, it is the duty of all to take part m its deliberations in order
that the thoughtful and prudent may govern its actions. The proper
solution of the difficulties arising between capital and labor is a sub-
ject of great importance, and one that has engrossed the leading
minds of the world. Great writers on political economy have given
to us their ideas upon the great social problem, with a diversity of
opinions equal to their number, and to these are added the carefully
prepared and well studied opinions ^f some of the eminent neM^s-
paper edit(»rs of the present time, and still the problem is not solved,
as the c(^ntlict between labor and capital still continues, and with a
view of mitigating the evil arising from this warfare prompted the
calling of a convention of miners at Oskaloosa, Iowa, July 10—11,
I8S.'}, to devise some means of settling disputes, and if possible to
settle forever in this State
THE SniEEX (H'KSTTON.
AVIiifii Is tlie direct cause of the protracted strike with the miners*
at tlw W'liitc r>''('ast min> s. Tlic following are the
)F;-1vAT. .. ■( f oi»v:.
of t!>" : •.' : '"I'^i- " f"!: * • o^'la^iOn of JVImere-. of
the S,...,.; ,.; \,..-..;.. . ■ . = ;' M)-;[l, 18S;\
1883.J
REPORT or bTATE MINE INSPECTOR.
79
The convention was called to order at 10:30 o'clock, a. m., July 10,
by John Dykes, of Flagler. j\Ir. James McDifflt, of Lucas, was
chosen as temporary chairman, and Mr. A. M. Kirkendall, of Brazil
Station, secretary.
On motion, the chair appointed the following committee on cre-
dentials: S. II. Dickens, of Angus; J. J. Sullivan, of Excelsior, and
Thos. Hunter, of Lucas.
On motion, Chas. Eaden was elected door-keeper.
The committee on credentials reported the following named dele-
srates as entitled to seats in the convention:
NAMES AND MINES.
a«w
o
Wm. Sutton, Lucas
A. W. Ilalden, Centerville
Scott Elsberg, Lehigh ,
John Dykes, Flagler
Wm. Hite, Swan
Wm. Gordon, Des Moines
Wm. Carter, Des Moines
O. M. Dallas, Kalo.
Jas. Keran, Angus
S. H. Dickens, Angus
A. Johnson, Angus
Thos. Pratt, Angus
John Spears, Boonsboro
E. O. l5land, Boonsboro
Robert Fisher, Oskaloosa
Jas. McDiffit, Cleveland
Thos. Hunter, Cleveland
J. F. Reams. Oskaloosa
Frank Richardson, Excelsior
Con. Sullivan, Jr., Excelsior
J. J. Sullivan^ Excelsior ,
S. Travers, Kirkville
A. M. Kirkendall, Ikazil
Hugh McDermit, Centerville
John White, Jr., Van Meter
J. Davis, Knoxville
Wm. Williams, Des Moines
C^/lias. Eaden, Cedar
John Nayler, Draper
(4. C. Cooper, Knoxville Junction
Robert Parker, Hickory Grov(\ . .
I). Garrington, Beacon"!
Thos. Phillips, Whai (^heer
John Reed, What Cheer
W. ir. BrowiiinfT, Kirk>ille
S. K. Murrow, Kirkville
J . Davidson, Kirkville
S. II . Dickens. Snake; Cv oV
.'S3
oO
50
50
60
50
40
65
75
96
200
168
119
119
15
233
300
105
230
75
180
20
80
25
40
7
40
120
24
23
7r,
3--)
200
200
/•)
00
■J.\
100
"''')lal J iTiiber of uiiiieis '•onr(^v('nt"d ;;, t7S
80 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Number of delegates, thirty-seven, all of whom were admitted to
seats and votes in the convention, according to their^ respective num-
ber of constituents.
On motion, J. J. Sullivan, John Dykes, T. Hunter, A. W. Halden,
and T. Pratt were appointed a committee on order of business, which
order of business, when submitted, ruled the convention during the
session.
A member of the Associated Press desired admission, but was
refused.
On motion. Mr. Wm. Hite, of Swan, was elected President of the
convention by acclamation, and J. J. Sullivan and A. M. Kirkendall
elected secretaries.
. On motion, it was agreed to allow all miners a seat in the conven-
tion, without voice or vote, but as it was afterward ascertained that
their presence retarded business, all were excluded except the del-
gates.
It was agreed, upon motion of T. Hunter, of Cleveland, that each
delegate express his instructions regarding organization, when it was
found that a unanimous feeling existed throughout the State in favor'
of a thorough organization.
After a recess of ten minutes, on motion of J. J. Sullivan, it was
agreed to appoint a committee on preamble and constitution, when
J. J. Sullivan, W. H. Browning, J. Dykes, J. Spears, and J. McDiffit
were appointed.
On motion of William Sutton it was agreed to levy on each mem-
ber of the association ten cents, to defray expenses of organization.
On motion of J. Reed each delegate was called on to express his
views on the screen question, by call of roll. On motion it was
agreed to request every mine in the State of Iowa to elect oheck-
weighmen.
Adjourned until Wednesday, July 11, at 8 o'clock a. m.
1883.] REPOKT OF STATE MIKE mSPECTOR. 81
OsKALOosA, Iowa, July 11, 1883.
President Hite called the convention to order at 8 o'clock a.m. On
call of roll every delegate was found to be present. Minutes of pre-
ceding day read and approved.
Committee on constitution submitted articles of incorporation, which
were adopted.
Report of committee on preamble and constitution was received.
It was resolved to pay the President and Secretary each fifty dollars
per month.
On motion, it was also agreed to allow the Trustees _|2.50 per day
and expenses while on duty.
On motion, it was agreed that the President and Secretary be in-
structed to complete the untinisl\ed work on constitution and rulrs.
On motion, the President and Secretary were ordered to publish
in pamphlet form the address submitted by committee on constitu-
tion.
On motion, the Secretary was instructed to give the proceedings of
the convention to the press.
On motion, it was agreed that no place should declare a strike ex-
cept by a two third vote of all concerned, and with the sanction of
the executive board.
Resolved^ That all places now on a strike communicate with the
different delegates of this convention, and solicit aid for them, and
that anything we wished published be given to the Oskaloosa Mes-
senger.
A resolution was adopted asking the Illinois miners to restrict, as
far as possible, the amount of coal they are sending into the market
of Iowa miners now on a strike.
On motion a committee was elected to examine the present mining
laws and amend the same where necessary, and present the amend-
ments before the next legislature. A levy shall be laid upon all the
members of the association to bear the expenses of said committee.
The following committee on mining laws were elected: President
O'Brien, Secretary Sullivan, James Dooley and John Fletcher.
On motion, the President was recognized as general organizer of
the association, but every delegate was urged to organize branches
in their respective localities, and proceed to collect and forward the
ten cent levy to the Secretary.
11
82 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
On motion, the miners of Chariton mine were advised to resume
work as soon as they can get terms satisfactory to themselves.
On motion, Knoxville Junction miners were advised to resume
work, but to refuse to fill any of the White Breast Coal Company^s
contracts.
On motion, it was resolved to establish, as soon as possible, the
weighing of coal in the same conveyance in which it is brought out
of the mines, allowing two thousand pounds to a ton and eighty
pounds to a bushel.
On motion, the general office and headquarters of the association
was located at Des Moines.
On motion, it was agreed to issue a circular calling a joint conven-
tion of miners and operators of the State of Iowa, to discuss the
various questions now arising between the operators and miners of
the State. J.J, Sullivan of Excelsior, G. M. Dallas -of Kalo, and
William Carter of Des Moines were appointed a committee to issue
said circular.
On motion, the convention went into the election of officers for the
association.
F. P. O'Brien, J. C. Thomas, John Dykes, Walter Hunter, and
William Hite were nominated for President of the association.
John Dykes declined the nomination, and after several ballots, F. P.
O'Brien, of Kirkville, received the requisite number of votes, and
was declared duly elected. On motion, his election was made unani-
mous.
After supper the convention was opened by the President, and
proceeded with the election of officers.
J. J. Sullivan and J. C. Thomas were nominated for Vice-Presi-
dent. J. J. Sullivan declined the nomination, and J. C. Thomas, of
Angus was elected by acclamation. The following were nominated
for Secretary: L. M. Powell, J. J. Sullivan, and Thomas Pratt. On
the second ballot J. J. Sullivan of Excelsior received the requisite
number of votes and was declared duly elected. On motion his
election was made unanimous.
The nominations for Treasurer were John Fletcher and William
B. Bennett. John Fletcher was declared elected, and his election
was made unanimous.
The nominations for Trustees were William Hite of Swan, John
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE mSi'ECTOR. §3
Dikes of Flagler, and William Carter of Des Moines, who were
elected by acclamation.
. At this time James Dooley, of What Cheer, entered the hall, and
was tendered a vote of welcome and invited to express his views on
the organization, which he did in a few short but sensible and well-
timed remarks; after which he was tendered a vote of thanks for his
t
sympathy with the movement and acceptance of the position assigned
him on the committee on mining laws.
On motion, it was resolved to welcome within x)ur fold all colored
men who espouse and advocate our cause.
A vote of thanks was tendered the President and Secretary of the
"convention.
After a session of two days and a part of two nights the conven-
tion adjourned to mee t again at the call of the President, and the
delegates dispersed to their several widely distant homes, with a
fixed determination to scatter the seeds of union wider and farther
still.
Signed, William Hite, President.
A. M. KiBKENDALL, Secreto/Ty,
J. J. Sullivan, Assistant- Secretary ,
« ■ •
• • • • I
I
'. f • ■
J • . •: • i" :• .'• '*
84 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
MINERS' AND OPERATORS' MEETING.
On July 26th a conference of coal miners and operators was held
and the situation discussed.
The coal miners and mine operators of Iowa met in joint confer-
ence at Red Men's hall in Des Moines. Every mine in the State was
represented on the part of the miners, presenting about sixty dele-
gates of marked ability and abundance of common sense.
The complete attendance of delegates, together with the mine and
the number of men they represent were as follows:
REPRESENTATIVE.
li
P O
Robert Sutton, Lucas
R. Williams, Knoxville Junction . .
John Gurney, Cedar
William Lewis, Knoxville
John Hunter, Cleveland
B. Baker, Des Moines
P. J. ConkliUv Van Meter
William Williams, Des Moines . . . .
William Hight, Swan
J. Davidson, Kirkville
H. Johnson, Oenterville
P. Staunton, What Cheer
B. Chaplin, Flagler
E. Ritcberson, Excelsior
E. J. O'Callaghan, Coalville
William Young, Cfenterville
R. Corvin,ttAlo... .:
Rdbert HiU, Boonsbbro
JjfLmes Maldoane, East Des Moines
Ci J. Evans, Raccoon
J* Plinney, Brazil
Jdhn Bulger, JBut^Sta,.^- ^^■..*
James McDinett, Cleveland
Thomas Pratt, Angus
John Dykes, Floyler
3. H. Dickehs, Angus
.•■V
Total
60
35
135
10
300
16
40
38
SO
SO
25
iOO
18
500
125
14
74
250
150
45
280
400
50
100
3204
The operators' side did not present as full a delegation, but those
who did attend showed by their action and feeling that they proposed
to deal fairly and equitably upon all questions that were brought for-
ward« and at the close of the meeting it was quite evident that the
miners wete more than highly pleased with the conference.
Mr. H. A. Foster, of Angus; Mr. Norman Haskins, of Des Moines^
represented his coal interests here and at Elida, the Knoxville CoaL
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 85
Company, and the Knoxville Junction coal mines; Mr. Thomas Beck,
the Swan mines, and also the Etna mine in East Des Moines; Mr. J.
E. Stout and J. M. Markham, of Angus, represented mines one and
two of the Keystone Coal Company; E. W. Gay lord and Superintend-
ent J. McKee, the Standard mines at Angus; Mr Martin Hicks, the
Great Western mine at Albia; Mr. D. D. Philby represented the Coal
Exchange of Brazil and Centerville, eleven companies; Mr. Kenneth
McRae', the Diamond mine, East Des Moines; W. D. Townshend, the
Pleasant Hill mine, Des Moines; J. A. Flagler, the Union mine at
Flagler; W. G. Harvison, the Miller mine. East Des Moines; and H.
Miller, the Miller mine, Albia.
F. P. O'Brien, of Kirkham, presided. J. J. Sullivan, of Excelsior,
and J. Fletcher, Des Moines, acted as secretaries on behalf of the
miners, and A. H. Perry, of Des Moines, secretary on behalf of the
operators.
Some discussion arose over the points of difference between the
miners and operators. President O'Brien said he wished to state to
the operators present that the object of their meeting was to bring
about a just settlement that would be favorable to the parties and the
strikes could be avoided. Strikes are equally detrimental to miner
and operator, and our aim and object is to arrange for the settlement
of difficulties by arbitration. If arbitrators, one representing each
opposing interest, fail to agree, then a third party shall be called in,
whose voice shall be final. While settlements are pending, work can
be continued so that the wheels of industry may be kept moving and
the interests of all parties the better subserved. Mr. O'Brien con-
cluded by saying that "we are willing and glad to have operators
meet ^ith us in order that we may exchange^rviews .and have a^^ un-
derstanding, and I hope this meeting will bring about results which
will be a benefit to us all, and that we may never regret the action or
conclusions agreed upon here to-day."
Mr. John Boulger said that the great question separating the in-
terests of laborer and employer was the screen question. He claimed
to have had an extensive experience in mining, having worked in
mines all the way from Maine to California, and through all that
eventful experience the screens had been growing larger and larger,
until now they resemble cattle guards on the railways; and every-
thing went through them except the largest lump coal. He favored
the abolition of the screen system entirely, and that the miners should
86 REPORT OF STATE MIXE INSPECTOR. [E4
be paid by the ton or by the bushel for what they dug, the companies
to screen it to suit themselves. Two thousand pounds should also
constitute a ton, and eighty pounds a bushel. This coal which goes
through the screens is sold as stock by the operitors, and the miner
should receive pay for it.
Speeches were made by several others, but the above were the prin-
cipal speakers.
The address, which the miners have printed and circulated among
themselves, shows that they stand ready to be influenced by reason.
It is as follows :
" The necessity of an association of miners, and of those branches of
industry immediately connected with mining operations, having for
its objects the physical, mental and social elevation of the miners,
has long been felt by the thinking portion of the miners generally.
" Union is the great fundamental principle by which every object of
importance is to be accomplished. Man is a social being, and if left
to himself, in an isolated condition, would be one of the weakest
creatures; but associated with his kind he does wonders. Man can
do jointly what he cannot do singly, and the union of minds and
hands — the concentration of their powers — beconie almost omnipot-
ent. Nor is this all. Men not only accumulate power by union but
gain warmth and earnestness. There is an electric sympathy kindled
up amongst them, and the attractive forces inherent in human nature
are called into action, and a stream of friendly regard for each other
binds them together, and emulates the whole.
" To protect ourselves from injustice and defend honest enterprise
in the mining business, it is necessary that all stand on a common
ground and mutually defend our rights.
" How long, then, will miners remain isolated, antagonistic to each
other? Does it not behoove us as miners to use every means to ele-
vate our position in society by a reformation in character, by obliter-
ating all personal animosities and frivolous nationalities, abandoning
our pernicious habits and degrading pursuits, and striving for the at-
tainment of pure and high principles and generous motives, which
will fit us to bear a manly, useful and honorable part in the world.
"Our unity is essential t© the attainment of our own rights and the
amelioration or our present condition, and our voices must be heard
in the legislative halls of our land. There it is where our complaints
must be made and our rights defined. Our rtmody, our safety, our
■■ii
rfc
f.
1833.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 87
protection, our dearest interests and the social well-being o( our fam-
ilies, present and future, depend upon our unity, our duty and our
regard for each other.
"In laying before you, therefore, the object of this association, we
desire it to be understood that our objects are not merely pecuniary,
but to mutually instruct and improve each other in knowledge, which
is power; to study the laws of life; the relations of labor to capital,
.'kI literature, science, or any other subject relating to the general wel-
fare of our class. Have not experience and observation taught us
what one of the profoundest thinkers of the day has said, that *all
human interests and combined human endeavors and social growth
in this world have, at certain stages of their developments, required
organization and labor, the grandest of human interests, requires it
now.' There must be an organization of labor; to begin with it
straightway, to proceed with it, and succeed with it more and more.
Come, then, and rally around the standard of union, the union of
States, and the unity of miners, and with honesty of purpose, zeal
and watchfulness — the pledge of success — unite for the emancipation
of our labor, and the regeneration and elevation physically, mentally
and morally of our species."
The convention then adjourned till 3:30 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
XJpon reassembling, the operators, through their secretary, pr«-
^^Uted the following resolution:
•Resolved, That we are at all times ready to meet the miners to dis-
^*^ss all questions of mutual interest with a view of settling such
^^ nations amicably, and that we would recommend that a committee
^^ operators and miners be appointed to confer with the operators
*5^^ miners of the State to devise ways and means by which the ques-
**^Oii of weighing and screening coal and all other questions at issue
nci^y i)e satisfactorily settled, and that this committee report at a date
^ot later than August 20.
The miners readily adopted and accepted this resolution, and the
'^^1 lowing committees were appointed:
On behalf of the operators — S. A. Flagler, H. A. Foster and Nor-
^*^un Haskins.
On behalf of the miners — John Boulger, Des Moines; John Dykes,
^lagler; and S. H. Dickens, Angus.
This committee will canvass the State and endeavor to get each
^8 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
mine operator to attend another convention, subject to the call of
this committee.
After several speeches by Messrs. Haskins, Foster, Flagler, Phelly^
on the operators' side, and President O'Brien, Sullivan, Dykes and
others, on the miners' side, the convention adjourned, both sidea
pleased with the conference.
At the second convention of operators and miners, held at De»
Moines, August 15th, the following business was transacted;
The convention of coal operators and miners took place at the
hour named, at Exposition hall. The forenoon was occupied by the
miners in secret session, discussing the matters as pertaining to their
business, and what course they should pursue relative to the screen
difficulty, the question of arbitration, and what \^as needed in their
behalf in a State mining law. The meeting was a pleasant one, and
each and all present seemed willing to do almost anything to further
good feelings between themselves and the operators. The latter
class, or that portion that had taken part at the late joint convention,,
and those that were here this time to participate, they considered
their friends, and would aid them in their competition with outside
operators, and do all in their power to make their business successfuL
They deprecated strikes, because it was a losing affair on both sides,,
and thought that these meetings between employers and employea
had a great effect, and that one understood the other far better than
ever before.
On the other hand, the operators also had their conference, and
had arrived at about the same opinion as the miners, and. thus all
had come together in the afternoon with the best of feelings, and
there was not, during the entire convention, a harsh word or a word
of recrimination used. The main object of this second convention
was to confer together and take steps to have the incoming legisla-
ture frame some mining law that would be applicable to the whole
State, and still not grind either side. The following is a full report
of the convention:
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Meeting called to order by S. A. Flagler, of Ottumwa, and, on mo^-
tion, Norman Haskins, of Des Moines, was elected chairman, and A*
Perry, of Des Moines, secretary on behalf of the operators, and J. J.
Sullivan, of Oskaloosa, secretary on behalf of the miners.
1883.] EEFOET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. gg
Thirty-two mines and operators were represented by duly accred-
ited delegates, .and the coal field generally represented. None of the
miners in Mahaska, save Beacon and Knoxville Junction, were repre-
sented.
The committee of operators and miners appointed at the last meet-
ing asked for a few moments' more time in which to prepare their
report, which was granted.
Mr. Flagler, chairman of the committee, made the following report:
To THE Convention of Operators and Miners.
Gmtkmen — YouT committee appointed to devise ways and means by
which the question of weighing and screening coal, and all other questions
at issue, may be satisfactorily settled, beg leave to report as follows:
1. That in our judgment it is advisable to procure the appointment by
law of a State board of labor, to take cognizance of and settle any and all
differences which may arise between employes and employers in this State.
2. That we consider that in the coal business, as in all others, such pro-
duct as is regularly and habitually sold in the trade, is merchantable, and
should be so declared by statute, and that such product as cannot be sold is
unmerchantable, and should not be paid for.
3. That such portion of the coal products as will pass through a diamond
bar, or wire mesh screen, the bars of which are not more than one half of
one inch apart, or a flat ^bar screen, with the bars not over three quarters of
an inch apart, is unmerchantable.
4. We suggest to the convention the appointment of a joint committee
of operators and miners to prepare a memorial to be presented at the next
session of the legislature, asking for the passage of such laws as will secure
the above-named results.
Samuel A. Flagler, John Boulger,
Norman Haskins, John Dykes,
H. A. Foster, S. A. Dickens,
For the operators. For the miners.
Numerous letters from operators and miners in different parts of
t-he State were received and read, expressing their hearty approval of
the object of the convention, and offering their regrets for not being
able to be present. Among the number was the following, from Sen-
ator James F. Wilson:
Fairfield, August 4, 1883.
'^0 THE Committee of Opeators and Miners, Des Moines, Iowa:
^entkmew— Your circular of invitation to attend a convention of opera-
tors and miners at Des Moines, August 15th is at hand. Other engagements
^ill prevent me from attending the convention, but I can assure you lliat
12
90 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. \B 4
the object of the convention, as embodied in the resolution printed in the ;]
circular, has my full and active sympathy.
Yours truly, ' -^
JA3IES F. Wilson.
A motion was made and carried, that the report of the committee |
be taken up and adopted or rejected, section by section. Mr. Hite, J
of Swan, on behalf of the miners, and Mr. Miller, of Albia, and Mr. ; '
Wilson, of Lehigh, of the operators, spoke in regard to the amount'
of good to be obtained by arbitration. ]
The first section was then taken up, and an amendment offered arid
; carried that the work sjiould not cease while the matter was being
arbitrated. The section, as amended, was adopted.
After a desultory debate pro and con on the second, third and I
^ fourth sections of the report, lasting fully an hour, a fifteen-minute ^^
recess was taken, for the miners to consult as to what action they
f
should take in the matter of screens used. The operators also used - j
the time in talking the matter over. Another half hour was again '"[i
used in discussion, when, on motion, the operators retired for ten
minutes to confer. On re-entering the hall the resolutions were unan-
imously adopted.
The report of the committee was adopted as a whole.
On motion a committee of four from the miners and four from tb.^
operators was appointed as a legislative committee to prepare »
mining law. The operators named as their committee Messrs. No^"
man Haskins, of Des Moines, Taylor Ramsey, of What Cheer, Jam^^
McCaughan, of Des Moines, and S. A. Flagler, of Ottumwa; and fo^
the miners, J. J. Sullivan, of Oskaloosa, John Boulger, of Des Moine^>
James Dooley, of What Cheer, and James Davidson, of Kirksvill^*
On motion, a committee of two from t!ie operators and two fror*:*^
the miners, and they to select the fifth, to constitute a board of arbi^
tration until passage of mining law, was appointed. Committee ot^
part of miners: John Boulger, of Des Moines, and W. H. Thomas^
of Angus; operators: S. A. Flagler, of Ottumwa, and Thomas Beck^
of Des Moines.
The convention then adjourned.
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 9 1
From the foregoing pages, in which I have given the action of the
miners and operators in their conventions, it will be seen that the
next General Assembly will be called upon to pass a law governing
the screens used at the mines for screening coal. The rule at nearly
all the mines in this State is to screen the coal before it is weighed.
The space between the bars of the screen vary from three fourths of
an inch to one and one half inches. There has been a growing com-
plaint among the miners that they should receive pay for their nut
coal as well as th« lump, as the operators sell both kinds. Some of
the operators claim that they pay a larger price for the lump, and in
that way pay for the nut; and if they pay separate for the nut they
would be compelled to reduce the price on the lump coal accordingly.
Both sides of this question will have many arguments in favor of the
justice of their claim, and, as the General Assembly \^ill be called
upon to investigate and legislate upon the subject, they should
thoroughly understand all the circumstances surrounding each min-
ing district and the condition of the market to which their coal is
shipped, and the rules governing the screening of coal in the mining
districts with which our mines have to compete in the market. And,
with a view of obviating hasty legislation, I would recommend that a
committee on mines be appointed in both branches of the legislature,
and that an investigating committee be appointed to visit the differ-
ent mining districts to examine personally into the system of weigh-
ing and screening coal now in practice.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The requirements of the mining law in regard to the Inspector
enumerating all accidents in and about the mines (see section three),
demands of the Inspector an impossibility, for this reason: the law
<ioes not require the operators of mines to report any but fatal acci-
dents, and those are all the Inspector can enumerate in his report;
^^e serious accidents are not reported to him and he has no way of
finding out about them, unless they happen while he is at the mine.
1 would, therefore, recommend that section 2, chapter 202, laws of
the Eighteenth General Assembly, be amended by adding to said
section at the end thereof the following: " and the owner or agent of
92 REPORT OF STATE MINE. INSPECTOR. [E4
all coal mines shall report all accidents happening in and around the
mines to the Inspector, giving cause of the same. Such notice to be
in writing."
There has been some trouble in getting returns of fatal accidents, '.
as the following communication from the coroner of Lucas county/,
will explain: i
Chariton, Iowa, August 14, 1883.
Park C. Wilson, Esq., Dear Sir— With this you wiil find the transcript
of inquest held at East Cleveland, on the 11th instant, a day or so having
elapsed after the dead was buried, having no information of the occurrence ;
till the afternoon of the 10th ii^stant, when there was no chance of seeing the
corpse; did not go until the 11th, when, after finding superintendent I was.""
somewhat surprised that he entertained the opinion that as the man was not
dead when brought up, that there was no necessity of giving me notice.
This is two or three times I have been treated in the same manner. On su
former occasion I showed 'him the law, and he has it at his command.
I would be gratified if some one whose advice or opinion would hav&
greater influence than mine, would advise him on the subject. I have hSLA
the advice of some of the best lawyers here; all of them say there can be
doubt of my duty to hold an inquest.
On the second occasion referred to, I threatened him with the law; but,
my chagrin, I could find no law fixing a penalty for such neglect.
Now, I see that you have to make report to the Governor, who, I hop^^
will in his wisdom make to the next legislature such suggestions as he un^^.
think proper in the premises.
It is unpleasant for me to have to hold an inquisition concerning the deat^- ^
of one who is already interred; for if the evidence justifies the belief that s^^
unlawful act had been committed, I should feel bound to have the remairP-^
disinterred.
Hoping you will excuse this intrusion, and begging tha|i you may be kin^
enough to favor me briefly with your views on the subject, and oblige,
Very respectfully yours,
H. S.^MHiiiAN,
Coroner of Lucas county. ^
P. S.— If it is not too much trouble, I would like to have the Governor's
attention called particularly to the subject of penalties.
H. S. M.
I would recommed that section seven be amended by adding to said
section at the end thereof, the following: " And the owner or agent J
of all coal mines hereafter wrought out and abandoned, shall deliver
the map of said mine to the Inspector to be filed in his office."
e:
I".
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 93
And that section eleven be amended by inserting after the words,
**and there shall be provided" in the eighth line thereof the follow-
ing words: "A safety catch of approved pattern and."
And I would further recommend that sections 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, ^nd
19, of our present mining law be repealed, and an effective law with
suitable penalties substituted therefor for the following reasons:
Section 8. The provisions of the law in regard to the second
opening will apply to slope or drift openings, where the openings are
never covered with buildings, and the only danger arises from caving
or falling in of the openings; but where a mine is opened by a shaft
** fifty feet therefrom is too close for an escape-shaft, because in case of
fire at the hoisting shaft the heat from the burning buildings would
not admit of any one coming up an escape-shaft situated only fifty
feet from the hoisting shaft.
Section 9. I would recommend that it should not be lawful for the
operator of any mine opened by a shaft, afiter the expiration of the
time given by law within which to make the second opening, to em-
ploy or permit any person to work in said mine until the second
opening is made, and that the second opening at all mines opened by
a shaft, should not be less than one hundred feet from the hoisting
shaft.
Section 10, of the mining law, I have had considerable trouble in
trying to enforce, for the reason that the law does not state the
amount of ventilation or air that should be furnished each person
employed in the mine. My experience in the last three years in try-
ing to provide good ventilation is, that I have met with about as
*
much effective opposition from the miners as I have from the opera-
tors, as in every case there has been some men willing to testify that
the Ventilation is good, and as the law now is it is only a matter of
opinion, and no matter how little air there is in circulation if the
miners are willing to testify that the ventilation is good, then the
judge will refuse to grant the injunction. The law should state the
amount of air that should be furnished each man or animal per min-
ute, and then, when the Inspector measured the volume of air and it
fell below the amount specified by law there would be no inducement
for the operator to force his miners to testify falsely, as the scientific
test would then settle the question. I would therefore recommend
that the operator of every coal mine shall provide and maintain for
-every such mine an amount of ventilation of not less than one hun-
94 EEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
dred cubic feet per minute for each person, and five hundred cubic
feet for each animal employed in such mine, and that all mines gov-
erned by the provisions of this act shall be provided with artificial
means of producing ventilation such as fans, exhaust, steam, furnacis,
or other contrivances of such capacity and po\^er as to produce and
maintain an abundant supply of air for all the requirements of the
mine.
Section 13 of the law I desire to call especial attention. This sec-
tion is being continually violated. No boy under twelve years of
age should be permitted to work in any mine, and parents or guar-
dians of boys should be required to furnish an affidavit in regard to
the ages of their boys, when there is any doubt in regard to the age
of such boys; and no person between the ages of twelve and sixteen
years should be permitted to work in any mine unless he can read
and write; and in all cases of miners applying for work, the agent or
owner of the mine shoald see that the provisions of this section was
not violated, and any person neglecting or refusing to comply with
the provisions of this law, should be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof should be punished by fine or im.prison-
ment.
Section 19 should be made to conform to sections 8 and 9, so as to
provide the second opening at every mine in the State, as' a man's
life is just as dear to him, or his family, if he is working where there
is only three or four men as if he was working where there was that
many hundred, and should be furnished the same protection.
Respectfully submitted.
Park C. Wilson.
August 16^ 1888, Inspector of Mines.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
IOWA STATE MINING LAW.
-^e 'it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:
Sesctiox 1. That there shall be appointed by the Governor, with
tlie advice and consent of the Senate, one .^tate Mine Inspector, who
sliall hold his office for two years; subject, however, to be removed
^y "tlie Governor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Said
m8j>ector shall have a theoretical and practical knowledge of the dif-
f eront systems of working and ventilating coal mines, and of the na-
ture and properties of the noxious and poisonous gases of mines, and
^f xxining engineering; and said inspector, before entering upon the
<iisoharge of his duties, shall take an oath or affirmation to discharge
^^^^ same faithfully and inipartially, which oath or affirmation shall
^^ indorsed upon his commission, and his commission so indorsed
®^^llbe forthwith recorded in the office of the Secretary of State;
^^<9. such inspector shall give bonds in the sum of two thousand dol-
lai-i&3 ($2,000\ with sureties to the approval of the Governor, condi-
^^^xied for the faithful discharge of his duty.
Sec. 2. Said inspector shall give his whole time and attention to
^*^^ duties of his office, and shall examine all the mines in the State
^^ often as his duties will permit, to see that the provisions of this
^^t are obeyed; and it shall be lawful for such inspector to enter, in-
^X^€ct and examine any mine in this State, and the works and machin-
^^y belonging thereto, at all reasonable times, by night or by day, but
^^ as not to unnecessarily obstruct or impede the working of the
^~^ines; and to make inquiry and examination into the state and con-
"^ition of the mine as to ventilation and general security as required
*^3r the provisions of this act. And the owners and agents of such
ines are hereby required to furnish the means necessary for such
13
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ij^
mined or excavated. Said map or plan shall be kept at the office of
such mine. The owifer or agent shall on or before the first day of
September, 1880, and annually thereafter, cause to be made a state-
ment a.nL plan of the progress of the workings of such mine up to
said date which statement and plan shall be marked on the map or
plan herein required to be made. In case of refusal on the part of
said owner or agent for two months after the time designated to
make the map or plan or the addition thereto the inspector is author-
ized to cause an accurate map or plan of the whole of said mine to
be made at the expense of the owner of thereof, the cost of which
shall be recoverable against the owner in the name of the person or
persons making said map or plan.
Sec. 8. After six months from the passage of this act it shall not
t>e lawful for the owner or agent of any coal mine operated by shaft
^^i" slope to employ more than fifteen persons at one time to work
^Ixerein or permit more than fifteen persons at one time to work in
®^xch mine, unless there are t6 every seam of coal worked in such
^■^^ine two separate outlets separated by natural strata of not less than
*^^ty feet in breadth by which shafts or outlets distinct means of
Egress must be always available to afford easy escape from such mine
-"^^ case of explosion, cavings or falling in of either shaft. But, in
^ase^of mines operated as in this section first provided, if in the
Judgment of the inspector an additional shaft is deemed necessary
"^hen the same shall be provided, subject, however, to the decision of
t.lie circuit court of the county in which the mine is situated.
Sec. 9. All mines hereafter opened shall be allowed one year to
xnake outlets as provided in section 8 when such mine is under two
hundred feet in depth, and two years when such mine is over two
hundred feet, but not more than twenty men shall be employed in
such mines at one time until the provisions of section 8 are com-
plied with, and after the expiration of the periods above mentioned
should said mines not have the outlets aforesaid they must reduce
their number to fifteen persons.
Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of said inspector to see that all coal
mines are well and properly ventilated, and that such quantities of
air are supplied to the miners at their several places of working in
each mine as is requisite for their health and safety.
The verfitilation required by this section may be produced by any
suitable appliances, but in case a furnace is used for ventilating pur-
/
100 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E3
poses it shall be built in such a manner as to prevent the commii. x
ication of fire to any part of the works, by lining the upcast wi
incombustible material for a suflScient distance up from said- fumaoo.
Sec. 11. The owner or agent of every coal mine operated by a
shaft or slope, in all cases where the human voice cannot be distinctly
heard, shall forthwith provide and maintain a metal tube, or otlier
suitable means, for communication from the top to the bottom of sarxd
shaft or slope, suitably calculated for the free passage of sounmd
therein, so that communication can be held between persons sX
the bottom and top of the shaft or slope, and there shall be provide ^^
a sufficient cover overhead on all carriages used for lowering a"Knd
hoisting persons, and on the top of every shaft an approved saie'^^^T
gate, and also approved safety-spring on the top of every slope, a ^^^
an adequate brake shall be attached to every drum or machine u&— ®^
for raising or lowering persons in all shafts or slopes, and a trail sh— =-*^
be attached to every car used on a slope, all of said appliances to ^
subject to the approval of the inspector.
Sec. 12. No owner or agent of any coal min6 operated by sh gri^^
or slope shall knowingly place in charge of any engine used for lo -^•^
ering into or hoisting out of such mine persons employed there^^ ^
any but experienced, competent and sober engineers, and no eu^^Jk
neer in charge of such engine sliall allow any person except such *
may be deputed for that purpose by the owner or agent, to interfe '^^
with it, or any part of the machinery; and no person shall interfe ^*^^
or in any way intimidate the engineer in the discharge of his dutie^-^^
and the maximum number of persons to ascend out of or descei ^^
into any coal mine on one cage shall be determined by the inspecto^^ ^j
but in no case shall such number exceed ten, and no person shall ric^'^
upon or against any loaded ca^e or car in any shaft or slope.
Sec. 13. No boy under twelve years of age shall be allowed V^
work in any mine, and it shall be the duty of the agent of such mia<?
to see that the provisions of this section are not violated.
Sec. 14. In case any coal mine does not in its appliances for the.
safety of the persons working therein, conform to the provisions of
this act, or the owner or agent disregards the requirements of this
act for twenty days after being notified by the inspector, any court
of competent jurisdiction, in session or vacation, may, on application
of the inspector, by civil action in the name of the State, enjoin or
restrain the said owner or agent from working or operating such mine
1883.] REPORT OF. STATE MINE INSPECTOR. IQl
with more than ten miners at once until it is made to conform to the
provisions of this act, and such remedy shall be cumulative and
shall not take the place of, or affect any othet proceedings against
such owner or agent authorized by law for the matter complained of
in such action.
Sec. 15. Any miner, workman or other person who shall know-
lUgly injure or interfere with any air-course or brattice, or obstruct,
Ot throV open doors, or disturb any part of the machinery, or dis-
ol)ey any order given in carrying out the provisions of this act, or
^ide upon a loaded car or wagon in a shaft or slope, or do any act
'V^hereby the lives and health of the persons, or the security of th«
Xnines and machinery is endangered; or if any miner or person em-
ployed in any mine governed by the provisions of this act, shall neglect
or refuse to securely prop or support the roof and entries under his
control, or neglect or refuse to obey any order given by the superin-
tendent in relation to the security of the mine in the part' of the
mine under his charge or control, every such person shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be pun-
ished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or imprisonment
in the .county jail not exceeding thirty days.
Sec. 16. Whenever written charges of gross neglect of duty or
malfeasance in office against any inspector shall be made and tiled with
the Governor, signed by not less than tifteen miners, or one or more
operators of mines, together with a bond in the sum of five hundred
dollars, payable to the State, and signed by two or more responsible
freeholders, and conditioned for the payment of all costs and ex-
penses arising from the investigation of such charges, it shall be the
duty of the Governor to convene a board of examiners, to consist of
two practical miners, one mining engineer and two operators, at such
time and place as he may deem best, giving ten days' notice to the
inspector against whom charges may be made, and also the person
whose name appears first in the charges, and said board when so
convened, and having first been duly sworn or affirmed truly to try
and decide the charges made, shall summon any witness desired by
either party and examine them on oath or affirmation, which may be
administered by any member of the board, and depositions may be
read on such examination as in other cases, and report the result of
their investigations to the Governor, and if their report shows that
said inspector has grossly neglected his duties, or is incompetent, or
102 REPORT OF STATE MINE IISrSPECTOR. LE4
has been guilty of malfeasance in office, it shall be the duty of the
Governor forthwith to remove said inspector and appoint a successor,
and said board shall award the costs and expenses of such investiga-
tion against the inspector or the person signing said bond.
Sec. 17. In all coal mines in this State the miners eniployed and
working therein shall at all proper times have right, of access and
examination of all scales, machinery, or apparatus used in or about
said mine to determine the quantity of coal mined for the purpose
of testing the accuracy and correctness of all such scales, machinery
or apparatus, and such miners may designate or appoint a- compe-
tent person to act for them, who shall at all proper times have full
right of access and examination of such scales, machinery, or appara-
tus, and seeing all weights and measures of coal mined, and the ac-
counts kept of the same, provided not more than one person on behalf
of the miners collectively shall have such right of access, examination
and inspection of scales, weights, measures and accounts at the same
time, and that such person shall make no unnecessary interference
with the use of such scales, machinery or apparatus.
Sec. 18. The owner, agent, or operator of any coal mine shall keep
a sufficient supply of timber where required to be used as props, so
that the workmen may at all times be able to pioperly secure the
workings from caving in, and it shall be the duty of the owner, agent
or operator to send down all such props when required.
Sec. 19. The provisions of this act shall not apply to or affect
any coal mines in which not more than fifteen persons are employed
at the same time. Provided, That upon the application of the pro-
prietors of or miners in any such mine the inspector shall make or
cause to be made an inspection of such mine, and direct and enforce /
any regulations in accordance with the provisions of this act that he
may deem necessary for the safety or the health and lives of the
miners.
Sec. 20. Chapter 31, acts of the Fifteenth General Assembly is
hereby repealed.
Approved, March 30, 1880.
^883.J REPORT OF feTATE MINE INSPECTOR. J 03
MINING LAWS OF ILLINOIS.
An Act Providing for the Health and Safety op Persons Em-
ployed IN Coal Mines.
Approved May 28, 1879; in force July i, 1819; as amended by Acts
approved June 18, 1883, and June 21, 1888; in force July 1, 1883.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly: That the owner, or agent, or
operator, of each and every coal mine in this State shall make, or
cause to be made, at the discretion of the inspector, or person act-
ing in that capacity, an accurate map or plan of the workings of such
coal mine, and of each and every vein thereof, showing the general
inclination of the strata, together with any material deflections in the
said workings, and the boundary lines of said coal mines, and deposit
a true copy of said map or plan with the inspector of coal mines, to
be filed in his office, and another true copy of said map or plan with
the recorder of the county in which said coal mine is situated, to
be filed in his office, both of which said copies shall be deposited as
aforesaid within three (3) months from the day when this act shall
go into effect; and the original, or a copy of such map or plan, shall
also be kept for inspection at the office of such coal mine; and diMng
the month of January, of each and every year after this act shall go
into effect, the said owner, agent, or operator, shall furnish the in-
spector and recorder, as aforesaid, with a statement and further map
or plan of the progress of the workings of such coal mine, continued
from the last report to the end of the December month just preced-
ing; and the inspector shall correct his map or plan of said workings
in accordance with the statement and map or plan thus furnished;
and when any coal mine is worked out or abandoned, that fact shall
be reported to the inspector, and the map or plan of such coal mine
in the office of said inspector shall be carefully corrected and verified.
The several coal mine inspectors in this State shall furnish copies of
all maps or plans of mines, to be filed with the Bureau of Labor Sta-
iiistics. [As amended by an act approved June 18, 1883.]
1Q4 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. . IE4
Sec. 2. Whenever the owner, agent, or operator of any coal mine
shall neglect or refuse to fifrnish the said inspector and recorder, a&
aforesaid, with the statement, the map or plan, or addition thereto, as
provided for in the first section of this act, at the times and in th.e
manner tfierein provided, the said inspector is hereby authorized 'fco
cause an accurate map or plan of the workings of such coal mine 't-o
be made at the expense of said owner, agent, or operator, and tl3e
cost may be recovered by law from said owner, agent or operator, ^^
the same manner as other debts, by siiit in the name of the inspect> -^^r
and for his use.
Sec. 3. In all coal mines that are or have been in operation pri ^^r
to the first day of July, in the year of our Lord 18*79, and which su^*"^
worked by or through a shaft, slope or drift, if there is not alreac^J
an escapement shaft to each and every said coal mine, or communic^ -^*
tion between each and every coal mine, and some other contiguoi-^^^
mine; then there shall be an escapement shaft or other communic^^
tion, such as shall be approved by the mine inspector, making at lea^ *
two distinct means of ingress or egress for all persons employed c^^
permitted to work in such coal mine. Such escapement shaft cr^
other communication with a contiguous mine as aforesaid, shall b^
constructed in connection with every vein or stratum of coal worked
in such coal mine, which shall be at least three and one half feet higt^
and at least five feet wide, and in no instance shall the heighth of^
said roadway be less than the thickness of the vein or stratum of^
coal through which it is driven; and the time to be allowed for sucti
construction shall be one year when such mine is under one hundred
(100) feet in depth; two years when such mine is over one hundred
(100) feet in depth and under three hundred (300) feet, and three-
years when it is over three hundred (300) feet and under four hun-
dred (400) feet, and four years when it is over four hundred feet
(400) feet in depth, and five years for all mines over five hundred
(500) feet, from the first day of July, a. d. 18*79; and in all cases where
the working fcrce of one mine has been driven up to or into the^
workings of another mine, the respective owners of such mines^
while operating the same, shall keep open a roadway at least five
feet high and five feet wide, thereby forming a communication, as
contemplated in this act; and for a failure to do so shall be subject ta
the penalty provided for in section ten of this act, for each and every
day such roadway is unnecessarily closed; each and every such escape
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ] 05
ment shaft shall be separated from the main shaft by such extent of
natural strata as shall secure safety to the men employed in such
mines, such distance to be left to the discretion of the mine inspector
or person acting in that capacity; and in all coal mines that shall go
into operation for the first time after the first day of January, a. d.
1880; and in all cases where such mine or mines shall hereafter be
put in operation in this State, the owner thereof or the lessee or oc-
cupant of the same, shall construct such an escapement shaft as i»
now rqeuired by law in this State at the rate of two hundred feet per
annum until such escapement shaft shall have been fully completed:
Ajzd provided, further, that nothing in this section shall be construed
to extend the time heretofore allowed by law for constructing escape-
ment shafts in mines going into operation for the first time before
said first day of January, a. d. 1880. [As amended by an act ap-
proved June 18, 1883.]
Sec. 4. The owner, agent or operator of every coal mine, whether
operated by shaft, slope or drift, shall provide and maintain for every
811 ch mine a sufficient amount of ventilation, to be determined by the
inspector, at the rate of one hundred cubic feet of air per man per
nainute, measured at the foot of the down cast, which shall be forced
JiTid circulated to the face of every working place throughout the
laaine, so that said mine shall be free from standing gas of whatsoever
tind; and in all mines where fire-damp is generated, every working
place where such fire-damp is known to exist shall be examined every
nxoming with a safety lamp, by a competent person, before any other
persons are allowed to enter. The ventilation required by this sec^
tion may be produced by any suitable appliances, but in case a fur-
iiace shall be used' for ventilating purposes, it shall be built in such a
^Banner as to prevent the communication of fire to any part of the
Works, by lining the up-cast with incombustible material for a suffi-
cient distance up from said furnace: Provided, it shall not be lawful
to use a furnace for ventilating purposes, or for any other purpose,
ttat shall emit smoke into any compartment constructed in, or ad_
joining, any coal hoisting shaft or slope where the hoisting shaft or
slope is the only means provided for the ingress or egress of persons
employed in said coal mines. That it shall be unlawful, where there
18 but one means of ingress and egress provided at a coal shaft or
^ope, to construct and use a ventilating furnace that shall emit smoke
^^ a shaft, as an up-cast, where the shaft or slope used as a mean
U
]Q{\ REPORT OF STATE MLNE INSPECTOR. [E4
of ingress and egress by persons employed in said coal mines is the
only means provided for furnishing [air to persons employed therein.
[As amended by an act approved, June 21, 1883.]
Sec. 5. The owner, agent or operator shall provide that bore-holea
shall be kept twenty feet injadvance of the face of each and every
working place, and [if necessary, on both 'sides, when driving toward
an abandoned mine or part of a mine suspected to contain inflamma-
ble gases, or to be inundated with water.
Sbc. 6. The owner, agent or operator of every coal mine operated
by shaft shall provide suitable means of signaling between the bot-
tom and top thereof, and shall also provide safe means of hoisting
and lowering persons in a cage covered with boiler iron, so as to keep
safe, as far as possible, persons descending into and ascending out of
such shaft; and such cage shall be furnished with guides to conduct
it on slides through such shaft, with a sufficient brake on every drum
to prevent accident in case of the giving out or breaking of the ma-
chinery; and such cage shall be furnished with spring catches in-
tended and provided, as far as possible, to prevent the consequences
of cable-breaking or the loosening or disconnecting of the machinery;
and no props or rails shall be lowered in a cage while men are de-
scending into or ascending out of said mine: Provided, that the pro-
visions of this section in relation to covering cages with boiler iron
shall not apply to coal mines less than ope hundred (100) feet in
depth, where the coal is raised by horse-power. No person under the
age of fourteen years, or females of any age, shall be permitted to
enter any mine to work therein. Any party or person neglecting or
refusing to perform the duties required to be performed by sections
three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), and eight (8), sha)l be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished by fine in the discre-
tion of the court trying the same, subject, however, to the limitations ,
as provided by section ten of this act. [As amended by an act ap-
proved June 18, 1883.]
Sec. T. No owner, agent or operator of any coal mine operated
by shaft or slope shall place in charge of any engine, whereby naen
are lowered into or hoisted out of the mines, any but an experienced,
competent and sober person not under the age of eighteen years; and
no person shall ride upon a loaded cage or wagon used for hoisting
purposes in any shaft or slope, and in no case shall more than twelve
persons ride on any cage or car at one time, nor shall any coal be
,j
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MI^E INSPECTOR. 1()7
• hoisted out of any coal mine while persons are descending into such
coal mine; and the number of persons to ascend out of or descend
into aoy coal mine on one cage shall be determined by the inspector;
the maximum number so fixed shall not be less than four, nor more
than twelve, nor shall be lowered or hoisted more rapidly than six
hundred feet to the minute.
Sec. 8. All boilers used in generating steam in and about coal
mines shall be kept in good order, and the agent, owner or operator,
as aforesaid, shall have said boilers examined and inspected by a com-
petent boilermaker, or other qualified person, as often as once every
six months, and oftener if the inspector shall deem it necessary, and
the result of every such examination shall be certified, in writing, to
the mine inspector; and the top of each and every shaft, and the en-
trance to each and every intermediate working vein, shall be securely
fenced by gates properly covering and protecting such shaft and en-
trance thereto; and the entrance to every abandoned slope, air or
other shaft shall be securely fenced off; and every steam boiler shall
be provided with a proper steam gauge, water gauge and safety valve;
and all underground, self-acting or engine planes, or gangways, on
which coal cars are drawn and persons travel, shall be provided with
some proper fneans of signaling between the stopping places and the
^nd of said planes or gangways, and sufficient places of refuge at
the sides of such planes or gangways shall be provided at intervals
of not more than twenty feet ?=:part.
Sec. 9. Whenever loss of life, or serious personal injury, shall
occur by reason of any explosion, or of any accident whatsoever, in or
about any coal mine, it shall be the duty of the person having charge
of such coal mine to report the facts thereof, without delay, to the
Jifiine inspector of the district in which said coal mine is situated;
and if any person is killed thereby, to notify the coroner of the
county also, or, in his absence or inability to act, any justice of the
peace of said county; and the said inspector shall, if he deem it
necessary from the facts reported, immediately go to the scene of
said accident, and make such suggestions and render such assistance
as he may deem necessary for the safety of the men. And the in-
spector shall investigate and ascertain the cause of such explosion or
accident, and make a report thereof, which he shall preserve with the
other records di his office; and to enable him to make such investi-
. gations he shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses,
108 REPORT OF STAT^ MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
and administer oaths or affirmations to them, and the cost of such in-
vestigations shall be paid by the county in which such accident ha»
occurred, in the same manner as costs of coroners' inquests are now
paid. And the failure of the person in charge of the coal mine in
which any such accident may have occurred, to give notice to the in-
spector or coroner, as provided for in this section, shall subject such
person to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25), nor more than
one hundred dollars ($100), to be recovered in the name of the People
of the State of Illinois, before any justice of the peace of such county^
and such fine, when collected, shall be paid into the county treasury
for the use of the county in which any such accident may haVe oc-
curred. [As amended by an act approved June 18, 1883i]
Sec. 10. In all cases in which punishment is provided by fine
under this act for a breach of any of its provisions, the fine for a first
offense shall not be less than fifty dollars ($50), and not more than
two hundred dollars ($200), and for the second offense not less than
one hundred dollars ($100) or more than five hundred dollars ($500),
in the discretion of the court, except as specially provided for in sec-
tion nine of this act.
Sec. 11. This State shall be divided into five inspection districts,
as follows, viz.:
The first district shall be composed of the counties of Boone,
McHenry, Lake, De Kalb, Kane, Du Page, Cook, La Salle, Ken-
dall, Grundy, Will, Livingston, Kankakee, and Iroquois.
Second district, the counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winne-
bago, Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, Lee, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau,
Mercer, Stark, Putnam, Marshall, Henderson, Warren, Knox,
Hancock, McDonough, Schuyler, Adams, and Brown.
The third district, the counties of Fulton, Peoria, Woodford,
Tazewell, McLean, Ford, Mason, Cass, Menard, Logan, De Witt,
Piatt, Champaign, and Vermilion.
The fourth district, the counties of Pike, Scott, Morgan, San-
gamon, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Macoupin,
Montgomery, Christian, Fayette, Macon, Moultrie, Shelby, Ef-
fingham, Douglas, Coles, Cumberland, Jasper, Edgar, Clark,
Crawford, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence.
The fifth district, the counties of St. Clair, Clinton, Washing-
ton, Marion, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Hamilton,
White, Monroe, Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Franklin, William-
1883.] EEPOKT OF STATE MINE IXSPECTOB. . 109
son, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander,
Pulaski, and Massac.
The Governor shall, upon the recommendation of a board of exam-
iners, selected for that purpose, composed of two practical coaL
miners, two coal operators, and one mining engineer, to be appointed
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of this State, all of whom shall be
sworn to a faithful discharge of their duties, appoint] five properly
qualified persons to fill the offices of inspectors of coal mines of this
State (being one inspector for each district providedjfor in this act),
whose commissions i^hall be for the term of one year, but they shall
at all times be subject to removal from office for neglect of duty, or
malfeasance in the discharge of duty, as hereinafter^ provided for;
and the inspectors so appointed shall have attained the age of thirty
years, be citizens of this State, and have a knowledge of ^mining engi-
neering sufficient to conduct the development of coal mines, and a
practical knowledge of the methods of conducting mining for coal in
the presence of explosive gases, and of the proper ventilation of coal
mines. They shall have had a practical mining experience of t^n
years, and shall not be interested as owner, operator, stockholder,
snperin ten dent, or mining engineer of any coal mine during their
term of office, and shall be of good moral character and temperate
liabits, and shall not be guilty of any act tending to the injury of
miners or operators of mines during their term of offixj^. ^ T^^y shall
^e provided by the State with the most approved modern instruments
for carrying out the intention of this act. The inspectors, before
assuming the duties of their several offices, shall take an oath of
office, as provided for by the constitution, and shall be required to
«nter into a bond to the State in the sum of five thousand dollars
(l5,000), with sureties to be approved by the Governor, conditioned
opon the faithful performance of their duties in every particular, as
''^quired by this act; said bond, with the approval of the Governor
indorsed thereon, together with the oath of office, shall be deposited
^ith the Secretary of State. The salaries of the inspectors provided
^or by this act shall be eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800) per annum,
«ach, and the Auditor of Public Accounts is hereby authorized to
^raw his warrant on the treasury in their favor, quarterly, for the
amount specified in this section for the salary of each inspector:
*^ovided, that the county board of any county may appoint an assist-
^lit inspector for such county, who shall act 'under the direction of
lipp
;it
iri *
1 1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4 i^^
the district inspector in the performance of his duties, and shall iik
receive not less than three dollars ($3), nor more than five dollars d
($5) per day, for the time actually employed, to be paid out of the
county treasury; and he may be removed by such county board at
any time. [As amended by an act approved June 18, 1883.]
Sec. 12. The inspectors provided for by this act shall devote their
whole time and attention to the duties of their office, and make per-
sonal examination of every mine within their respective districts,
and shall see that every necessary precaution is taken to insure the
health and safety of the workmen employed in such mines, and that
the provisions and requirements of the mining laws, of this State
are faithfully observed and obeyed and the penalties of the same en-
forced. They shall also make annual reports to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of their acts during the year in the discharge of their du-
ties, with their recommendations as to legislation Jiecessary on the
subject of mining, and shall collect and tabulate upon blanks fur-
nished by said Bureau all desired statistics of the mines and miners
within their districts, to accompany said annual report; they shall
also furnish such information as they may have obtained on thi&
subject, when called for, to the State Geologist. Upon a petition
signed by not less than three reputable coal operators, or ten coal
miners, setting forth that any inspector of coal mines neglects b-is^
duties, or that he is incompetent, or that he is guilty of malfeasance
in office, or guilty of any act tending to the injury of miners or oper-
ators of mines, it may be lawful for the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
this State to issue a citation to the said inspector to appear, at x\^
less than fifteen days' notice, on a day fixed, before them, when t^^
said Bureau shall proceed to inquire into and investigate the alle^^*"
tions of the petitioners; and if the said Bureau find that the said i-^"
spector is neglectful of his duty, or that he is, by reason of caui^^ ®*
that existed before his appointment, or that have arisen since his ^^P"
pointment, incompetent to perform the duties of said office, or th^^*^
he is guilty of malfeasance in office, or guilty of any act tending *^
the injury of miners or operators of mines, the said Bureau shall ^^^e-
clare the office of inspector of the said district vacant, and a proper:^"^^/
qualified person shall be appointed to fill the office in compliant- ^^
with the provisions of this act; and the cost of said investigation '"»^7
the said Bureau shall be borne by the removed inspector; but if XiTM^^
allegations of the petitioners are not sustained by the final decisL^^^ .
{
1883.] EEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ] 1 1
of the said Bureau, the costs shall be paid by the petitioners. The
board of examiners provided for in section eleven of this act, shall
be appointed at the annual meeting of the Bureau of Labor Statistics,,
and shall hold their offices for one year. They shall meet annually
at the State capital on the first Monday in September, in each year,
and special meetings may be called at any time by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics when the office of coal mine inspector becomes from
any cause vacant. They shall receive as compensation the sum of
three dollars ($8) per day, each, for time actually employed in the
duties of their office, and actual traveling expenses, to be verified by
affidavit; Ftovided^ that in no case shall the per diem* received by
any member of said board exceed the sum of thirty dollars ($30) per
annum. The Auditor of Public Accounts is hereby authorized to
draw his warrant in favor of each member of the board of examiners
at the close of their annual session, for the full amount due them for
attending annual and special sessions, and expenses, upon vouchers
sworn to by them, and approved by the Secretary of the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, and the Governor. [As amended by an act ap-
proved June 18, 1883.]
Sec. 13. It shall be lawful for the inspector provided for Jn this
act, to enter, examine, and inspect any and all coal mines and ma-
chinery belonging thereto, at all reasonable times, by day or by night,
but so as not to obstruct or hinder the necessary workings of such
coal mine, and the owner, agent or operator of every such coal mine
is hereby required to furnish all necessary facilities for pnteiing for
such examination and inspection, and if the said owner, agent or
operator aforesaid shall refuse to permit such inspection or to fur-
nish the necessary facilities for such entry, examination and inspec-
tion, the inspector shall file his affidavit setting forth such refusal,
with the judge of the circuit court in said county in which said mine
is situated, either in terra time or vacation, or, in the absence of said
judge, with the master in chancery in said county in which said mine
is situated, and obtain an order on such owner, agent or operator so
refusing as aforesaid, commanding him to permit and furnish such
necessary facilities for the inspection of such coal mine, or to be ad-
judged to stand in contempt of court,iind punishel accordingly; and
if the said inspector shall, after examination of any coal mine and
the works and machinery pertaining thereto, find the same to be
worked contrary to the provisions of this act, or unsafe for the
112 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. fE 4
workmen therein employed, said inspector shall, through the State*B
attorney, of his county, or any attorney, in case of his refusal to act,
acting in the name and on behalf of the State, proceed against the
owner, agent or operator of such coal mine by injunction without
bond, after giving at least two days' notice to such owner, agent or
operator; and said owner, agent or operator shall have the right to
appear before the judge or master to whom the application is made,
who shall hear the same on aflSdavits, and such other testimony as
maybe offered in support as well as in opposition thereto; and if
sufficient cause appear, the court, or judge in vacation, by order shall
prohibit the further working of any such coal mine in which persons
may be unsafely employed contrary to the provisions of this act, un-
til the same shall have been made safe and the requirements of this
act shall have been complied with, and the court shall award such
costs in the matter of the said injunction as maybe just; but any
such proceedings so commenced shall be without prejudice to any
other remedy permitted by law for enforcing the provisions of this
act.
Sbc. 14. For any injury to person or property, occasioned by any
willful violations of this act or willful failure to comply with any of
its provisions, a right of action shall accrue to the party injured^ for
any direct damages sustained thereby; and in case of loss of life by
rea»(fti'~Of ' such willful violation or* willful failure as aforesaid, a right
of action shall accrue to the widow of the person so killed, his lineal
heirs or adopted children, or to any other person or persons who were,
before such loss of life, dependent for support on tjie person or per-
sons so killed, for a like recovery of damages for the injuries sus-
tained by reason of such loss of life or lives.
Sec. 15. Any miner, workman, or other person, who shall know-
ingly injure any water-guage, barometer, air-course or brattice, or
shall obstruct, throw open any air-ways, or carry any lighted lamps
or matches into places that are worked by the light of safety lamps;
or shall handle or disturb any part of the machinery of the hoisting
engine; or open a door in the mine and not have the same closed
again, whereby danger is produced either to the mine or those at
work therein; or who shall enter into any part of the mine against
caution; or who shall disobey any order given in pursuance of this
act; or who shall do any willful act whereby the lives and health of
persons working in the mine, or the security of the mine or mines, of
1883.] KEPOET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ] ] 3
ttie machinery thereof, is endangered, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by fine or im-
prisonment, at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 16. The owner, agent, or operator of any coal mine shall
keep a sufficient supply of timber, where required to be used as
props, so that the workmen may at all times be able to properly
secure the said workings from caving in; and it shall be the duty of
the owner, agent, or operator to send down all such props when re-
quired.
Sec. 17. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions
of this act are and the same are hereby repealed.
Sec. 18. That all mines hoisting coal by steam power from shaft
or slope, having no other means of ingress or egress afforded to per-
sons employed therein than by said shaft or slope, shall, within
ninety days after July the first, a. d. 1883, have all engine and boiler-
touses roofed and sided with fire proof materials, and they shall be
situated not less than fifty feet from the mouth of the said shaft or
^lope; that the hoisting derricks erected over said hoisting shaft or
*^«ar said slope, if inclosed, and all the coal chutes, buildings and
^nd constructions within a radius of fifty feet of the mouth of said
t^oisting shaft or slope, shall be covered and sided with fire-proof ma-
'terials; and the person in charge, the owners or operators thereof,
^hall provide a steam pump and have the same conveniently situated,
^nd a sufficient supply of water and hose always ready for use in a,nf
J)art of the buildings, chutes or constructions within a radius of fifty
:feet of said coal-hoisting shaft or slope; and if the person in charge
^f any such coal shaft or slope shall refuse or neglect to comply
"with the provisions of this act, then the inspector of coal mines for
the county in which the said shafts or slope are situated shall pro-
ceed, through the State's attorney of his county, or any attorney, in
case of his refusal to act, acting in the name and on behalf of the
State, against the owner, agent, or operator of said shaft or sldpe, by
information without bond, after giving at least two days' notice to
such owner, agent or operator; and the said owner, agent or operator
shall have the right to appear before the judge or master to whom
the application is made, who shall hear the same on affidavits, and
such other testimony as may be offered in support as well as in oj)p(>-
sition thereto; and if it be found that the owner, agent or operator
of said shaft or slope has refused or neglected to comply with tho
15
114 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOE. [E4
provisions of this act, the court, or judge in vacation, by order, shall
prohibit the further working of any such coal shaft or slope until the
owner, agent or operator shall have complied with the terms of this
act. [An act approved June 21, 1883; in force July 1, 1883.]
Sec. 19. That all miners and employes engaged in mining coal
shall use copper needles in preparing blasts in coal, and not less than
five (5) inches of copper on the end of all iron bars used for tamp-
ing blasts of powder in coal, and the use of iron needles and iron
tamping bars not tipped with five inches of copper is hereby declared
to be unlawful. Any failure on the part of a coal miner or an employe
in any coal mine to conform to the terms and requirements of this act
shall subject such miner or employe to a fine of not less than five dol-
lars, nor more than twenty-five dollars, with costs of prosecution, for
each offense, to be recovered by civil suit, before any justice of the
peace ; said fines, when collected, to be paid into the treasury of the
county where the offense was comlnitted, to the credit of the fund
provided for the payment of the county inspector of mines. [An act
approved June 21, 1883; in force July 1, 1883.]
An Act to provide for the weighing of Coal at the Mines.
Approved June 14, 188S ; in force July 1, 1883,
Section 1. I^e it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, rep-
resented in the General Assembly : That the owner, agent or operator
of each and every coal mine or colliery in this State shall furnish, or
cause to be furnished and placed upon the switch or railroad track
adjacent to said coal mine or colliery, a "track scale" of standard
manufacture, and shall weigh all coal hoisted from said mine or col-
liery before or at the time of being loaded on cars, wagons, or other
vehicle of transportation : Provided, that in cases where track scales
cannot be used, or the product of such mine or colliery will not jus-
tify the expense of a track scale, the owner, agent or operator of same
shall be permitted to furnish (in lieu of a track scale) a platform
scale of sufiicient capacity to weigh each box as it is hoisted from
such mine or colliery.
.] EEPOET OF STAHE MINE INSPECTOR. 1 1 5
Sec. 2. All coal produced in this State shall be weighed on the
8<5Siles as above provided, and the weight so determined shall be eon«
Bi.<5lered the basis upon which the wages of persons mining said eoa]
stiall be computed.
Sec. 3. It shall be lawful for the miners employed in any coal
na-ine or colliery in this State to furnish a check weigher at their own
expense, whose duty it shall be to balance said scales, and see that
the coal is properly weighed, and keep a correct account of same, and
for this purpose he shall have access at all times to the "beam box"
of said scale while such weighing is being performed. The agent
employed by persons mining coal, to act as check weighman, shall be
an employe in the mines where the coal to be weighed was produced,
and a citizen of the State and county wherein the mine is situated.
He shall, on application to the owner, agent or operator of .the mine
producing the coal to be weighed, be furnished with a written per*
Diit that shall entitle him to enter and remain in the room or place
where the accounting by him of the weights of coal is to be done,
ft^d the said permit shall not be transferable: Provided^ that the
pr'o^sions of this act shall apply only to coal mines .doing business
oa and shipping coal by railroad or by water.
Sec. 4. Any person, owner or agent operating a coal mine or col»
M&X'y in this State, who shall fail to comply with the provisions of
^^is act, or any person who shall obstruct or hinder the carrying out
0^ its requirements, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
P'^xiished accordingly.
An Act to Revise the Law in Relation to Mines.
Approved March 2^^ 187 J^.; in force July^ 1, 1874.
Section 1 . £e it enacted' by the People of the State of Illinois, rep*
resented in the Getteral Assembly : Whenever any mine or mining
place shall be so situated that it cannot be conveniently worked with-
out a road or railroad thereto, or ditch to drain the same or to con*
vey wateK thereto, and such road, railroad or ditch shall necessarily
pass over, through or under other land owned or occupied by others,
the owner or operator of any such mine or mining place may enter
1 1 6 REPORT OF STATE MINE mSPECTOR. [E 4
tipon such lands, and construct such road, railroad or ditch, upon
complying with the law in relation to the exercise of the right of
eminent domain ; and the commissioners of highways of any county
tinder township organization, and the county board in counties not
tinder township organization, may, when the public good requires,
cause to be laid out and opened public highways, or private roads or
cartways, as the public good naay require, in the same way as now is
or may hereafter be provided by law for the laying out and opening
of public highways or private roads or cartways, and may permit the
owner, lessee or operator of any coal mine to lay down and operate a
horse or dunamy railway thereon, or upon any highway or private
toad or cartway now or hereafter laid o^t and opened for public or
]J)ublic and private use, but always in such a manner and way, and
tipon such place thereon, as not to unnecessarily interfere with ordi-
nary public travel.
An Act to Amend Chapteb 30 op the Revised Statutes (1845),
ENTITLED "CbIMINAL JuBISPRUDENCE."
Approved February 13, 1863 ; in force February IS, 1863,
Section 1. £e it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, rep-
fesented in the General Assembly : If any person shall, by threat, in-
timidation, or otherwise, seek to prevent any other person from
Irorking at, any lawful business on any terms that he may see fit,
iuch person so offending shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not exceeding
one hundred dollars,
Sec. 2. If any two or more persons shall combine for the purpose
of depriving the owner or possessor of property of its lawful use
and management, or of preventing by threats, suggestions of danger,
or other means, an person or persons from being employed by such
owner or possessor of properly, on such terms as the parties con-
cerned may agree upon, such person so offending shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, thereof, shall be. fined
in any sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the
county jail not exceeding six months.
1833.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. II7
Sbic. 3. If any person shall enter the coal banks of another with*
out the expressed or implied consent of the owner or manager thereof,
after notice that such entry is prohibited, such person shaiU, oi)
coQviction thereof, be fined, in the discretion of the court, in any
Bum. not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the county
jail not more than six months.
Sec. 4. If any person shall enter the coal banks of another witl^
intent to commit any injury thereto, or by means of threats, intimir
Nations, or other riotous or unlawful proceedings, to cause or induce
any person employed therein to leave his employment, such person
filiall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof,
stall be subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or im?
pH.soned in the county jail not exceeding six months, or both.
Sec. 5. This act to take effect and be in force from and after it9
passage.
MINING LA.WS OF OHIO.
INSPECTOB OP MINES.
{As revised and amended.)
Section 290. The inspector of mines shall be appointed by the
Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and shalj
hold his office for four years; and no person shall be appointed unlesa
he is possessed of a competent knowledge of chemistry, geology, and
mineralogy, and has a practical knowledge of mining engineering,
and of the different systems of working and ventilating cioal mines^
and of the nature and properties of the noxious and poisonous gaseg
of mines, particularly fire damp.
Sec. 291. Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of th^
office, the inspector shall give bond to the State in the Sum of five
thousand dollars, with sureties, to be approved by the Governor, con;-
ditioned for the faithful performance of his duties; the bond, with
his oath of office, and approval of the Governor indorsed thereon,
shall be forthwith deposited with the Secretary of State.
1 ] ^ REPORT OF STATE MIXE INSPECTOR, [E 4
Skc. 292. The insf>ector shall give his whole time and attention
to the duties of his office, and shall examine all the mines in the
State as often as his other duties will permit, to see that the provis-
ions or this chapter are obeyed; and the inspector may enter, inspect^
and examine any mine in the State, and the works and machinery be-
longing thereto, at all reasonable times, by night or by day, but so as
not to unnecessarily obstruct or impede the working of the mine, and
to make inquiry into the state and condition of the mine, as to ven-
tilation and general security; and the owner and agent of such mine
are hereby requircfd to furnish the means necessary for such entry"
and inspection, of which inspection the inspector shall make a record,
noting the time and all the material circumstances; and the persoa
having charge of any mine, whenever loss of life occurs by accident
connected with the working of such mine, or by explosion, shall give
notice forthwith, by mail or otherwise, to the inspector of mines, and
to the coroner of the county in which such mine is situated, who
shall hold an inquest upon the body of the person or persons whose
death has been caused, and inquire carefully into the cause thereof;
and shall return a copy of the finding and all the testimony to the
inspector.
Sec. 293. The inspector, while in office, shall not act as an agent,
or as a manager, or mining engineer, or be interested in operating any
mine; and he shall annually make report to the Governor of his pro-
ceedings and the condition and operation of the mines of the State,'
enumerating all accidents in or about the same, and giving all such
other information as he thinks useful and proper, and making such
suggestions as he deems important as to further legislation on the
subject of mining.
Skc. 204. The inspector shall have an office in the State house, in
which shall be carefully kept the maps and plans of all mines in the
State, and all records and correspondence, papers, and apparatus, and
property pertaining to his duties, belonging to the State, and which
shall be handed over to his successor in office.
Skc. 295. There shall be provided for the inspector all instru-
ments and chemical tests necessary for the discharge of Jiis duties
under this chapter, which shall be paid for on the certificate oj the
inspector, and which shall belong to the State.
Sec. 296. The owner or agent of every coal mine shall make, or
cause to be made, an accurate map or plan of the working of such
1S83.J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 119
mine, on a scale of not less than one hundred feet to the inch, show- «
ing the area mined or excavated, and the location and connection
with such excavation of the mine of the lines of all adjoining lands,
and the name or names of each owner or owners, so far as known,
marked on each tract, a true copy of which map the owner or agent
shall deposit with the inspector, and another copy of which shall he
kept at the office of such mine; and the owner or agent shall, every
four months thereafter, file with the inspector a statement and plan
of the workings of such mine up to that date, which statement and
plan shall be so prepared as to enable the inspector to mark the same
on the original map or plan herein required to be made; and in case
of refusal on the part of the owner or agent to make and file the map
or plan, or the addition thereto, the inspector is authorized to cause
an accurate map or plan of the whole of said mine to be made, at the
expense of the owner thereof, the cost of which shall be recoverable
against the owner, in the name of the persons making the map or
plan, which shall be made in duplicate, one copy being delivered t»
the inspector and the other left in the office of the mine; and he
shall, on being paid the proper cost thereof, on demand of any per-
son interested in the working of such mine, or owner of adjoining
lands, furnish an accurate copy ©f any njap or plan of the working of
such mine.
Sec. 297. It is unlawful for the owner or agent of any coal mine
worked by a shaft, wherein over fifteen thousand square yards have
been excavated, to employ or permit any person to work therein,
unless there are, to every seam of coal worked in each mine, at least
two separate outlets, separated by natural strata of not less than one
hundred feet in breadth, by which shafts or outlets distinct means of
ingress and egress are always available to the persons employed in
the mine; but it is not necessary for the two outlets to belong to the
same mine; the second outlet need not be made until fifteen thousand
yards have been excavated in such mine; and to all other coal mines,
whether slopes or drifts, two such openings or outlets must be pro-
vided within twelve months after fifteen thousand yards have been
excavated therein; and in case such outlets are not provided as herein
stipulated, it shall not be lawful for the agent or owner of such mine
to permit more than ten persons to work therein at any one time. In
case a coal mine has but one shaft, slope, or drift, for the ingress or
egress of the men working therein, and the owner thereof does not '
120 BEPOBT OF STATE MIXE IXSPECTOR. fE4
own suitable snrface-groand for another opening, he may select and
appropriace any adjoining land for that purpose and for approach
thereto, and shall be governed in his proceeding in appropriating
such land by the provisions of law in force providing for the appro-
priation of private property by corporations, and such appropriations-
may be made, whether he is a corporator or not; but no land shall be
appropriated under the provisions of this chapter until the court i»
satisfied that suitable premises cannot be obtained by contract apot^
reasonable terms.
Sec. 298. The owner or agent of every coal mine, whether shafts
slope, or drift, shall provide and maintain for every such mine, 2LtM
amount of ventilation of not less than 100 cubic feet, per minute^
per person employed in such mine, which shall be circulated and dis^
tributed throughout the mine in such a manner as to dilute, render
harmless, and expel the poisonous and noxious gases from each and
every working place in the mine, and no working place shall be
driven more than one hundred and twenty feet in advance of a break-
through, or air-way; and all breakthroughs, or air-ways, except those
last made near the working faces of the mine, shall be closed up and
made air-tight, by brattice, trap doors, or otherwise, so that the cur-
rents of air in circulation in the mine may sweep to the interior of the
mine, where the persons employed in such mine are at work, and all
mines governed by the statute shall be provided with artificial means
of producing ventilation, such as forcing, or suction fans, exhaust
steam, furnaces, or other contrivances, of such capacity and power,,
as to produce and maintain an abundant supply of air, and all mines
generating fire-damp shall be kept free from standing gas, and every
working place shall be carefully examined, every morning with a
safety-lamp, by a competent person, or persons, before any of the
workmen are allowed to enter the mine.
Sec. 299. The owner or agent of every coal mine operated by
shaft, in all cases where human voice cannot be distinctly heard,
shall, forthwith, provide and maintain a metal tube from the top to
the bottom of such shaft, suitably calculated for the free passage of
sound therein, so that conversations may be held between persons at
the bottom and top of the shaft; and there shall also be provided an
approved safety catch, and a sufficient cover overhead, on all car-
riages used for lowering and hoisting persons, and in the top of every
shaft an improved safety gate, and an adequate brake shall be attached
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 12 J
lo every drum or machine used for lowering or raising persons in ali
shafts or slopes.
Sec. 300. No owner or agent of any coal mine operated by a shaft
or slope shall place in charge of any engine used for lowering or
hoisting out of such mine persons employed therein, any but experi-^
enced, competent, and sober engineers; and no engineer in charge of
such engine shall allow any person, except such as may be deputed
for that purpose, by the owner or agent, to interfere with it or any
part of the machinery, and no person shall interfere or in any way
intimidate the engineer in the discharge of his duties; and in no case-
shall more than ten men ride on any cage or car at one time, and no-
person shall ride upon a loaded cage or car in any shaft or slope.
Sec. 301. All safety lamps used for examining coal mines, or
which are used in any coal mine, shall be the property of the owner
<>f the mine, and shall be under the charge of the agent thereof, and
in all mines, whether they generate fire<lamp or not, the doors used
in assisting or directing the ventilation of the mine, shall be so hung
^n<i adjusted that they will shut of their own accord and cannot
•*^ta.i\d open, and the mining boss shall keep a careful watch over the
^'^r^tilating apparatus and the air- ways, and he shall measure the ven-
^il^-tiion at least once a week, at the inlet and outlet, and also at or
n^?^T the face of all the entries, and the measurements of air so made
'*>h^,Jl \^Q noted on blanks, furnished by the mine inspector; and on the
^'^^it: day of each month the mining boss of each mine shall sign one
^^ such blanks properly filled with the said actual measurements and
f«^^i-^ard the same to the mine inspector.
^EC. 302. No boy under twelve years of age shall be allowed to
wc>j.|^ in any mine, nor any minor between the ages of twelve and six-
tec^^ years, unless he can read and write, and in all cases of minors
^•r^j^lying for work, the agent of such mine shall see that the provis-
^^t:i8 of this section are not violated.
Sec. 303. In case any coal mine does not, in appliances for the
s^'f ety of the persons working therein, conform to the provisions of
^^^is chaptei, or the owner or agent disregards the requirements of
^^^\s chapter, any court of competent jurisdiction may, on application
^^ the inspector, by civil action in the name of the State, enjoin or
restrain the owner or agent from working or operating such mine,
'^'ith more than ten miners at once, until it is made to conform to the
provisions of this chapter; and such remedy shall be cumulative, and
16
122 EEPOKT OF STATE ^HNE INSPECTOR. [E 4
shall not take the place of or affect any other proceedings against
such owner or agent authorized by, law for the matter complained of
in such action.
Sec. 304. When written charges of gross neglect of duty or mal-
feasance in office against any inspector is made and filed with the
Governor, signed by not less than fifteen coal miners, or one or more
operators of mines, together with a bond in the sum of five hundred
dollars, payable to the State, and signed by two or more responsible
free-holders, and conditioned for the payment of all costs and ex-
penses arising from the investigation of such charges, the Gk)vernor
shall convene a board of examiners, to consist of two practical coal
miners, one chemist, one mining engineer, and one operator, at such
time and place as he deems best, giving ten days' notice to the in-
spector against whom the charges are made, and also to the person
whose name first appears in the charges, and the board, when so con-
vened, and having been first duly sworn truly to try and decide the
charges made, shall summon any witnesses so desired by either party,
and examine them on oath, which may be administered by a member
of the board, and depositions may be read on such examinations, as in
other cases; and the board shall examine fully into the truth of such
charges, and report the result of their investigation to the Governor;
iind the board shall award the costs and expenses of such investiga-
iiion against the inspector or the persons signing the bond according
to their finding, against said inspector or in his favor, which costs
and expenses shall include the compensation of such board, of five
dollars per day for each member, for the time occupied in the trial,
and in traveling from and to their homes; and the attorney general
shall forthwith proceed to collect such costs and expenses, and pay
the same into the State treasury, being in the first instance paid out
of the State treasury, on the certificate of the president of such
board.
Sec. 305. In all coal mines in the State, the miners employed and
working therein, the owners of the land or other persons interested
in the rental or royalty of any such mine, shall at all proper times
have full right of access and examination of all scales, machinery or
apparatus used in or about such mine to determine the quantity of
coal mined, for the purpose of testing the accuracy and correctness of
all such scales, machinery or apparatus; and such miners, land-own-
.rrs, or other persons may designate or appoint a competent person to
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSrECTOR. 123.
act for them, who shall at all proper times have full right of access
and examination of such scales, machinery or apparatus, and seeing
all weights and measures of coal mined, and the accounts kept of
the same; but not more than one person on behalf of the miners col-
lectively, or one person on behalf of the land-owners or other persons
interested in the rental or royalty jointly, shall have such right of
access, examination and inspection of scales, weights, measures and
accounts at the same time, and that such persons shall make no un-
necessary interference with the use of such scales, machinery or ap-
paratusj and the miners employed in any mine may, from time to
time, appoint two of their number to act as a committee to inspect,
notoftener than once a montJi,the mine and the machinery connected
therewith, and to measure the ventilating current, and if the owner,
i^gent, or manager so desires, he may accompany said committee by
himself or two or more persons whom he may appoint for that pur-
pose; the owner, agent or manager shall afford every necessary facil-
ity for making such inspection and measurement, but the committee
shall not in any way interrupt or impede the work going on in the
mine at the time of such inspection and measurement, and said com-
mittee shall, within ten day* after such inspection and measurement,
make a correct report thereof to the inspector of mines, on blanks to
be furnished by said inspector for that purpose; and if such com-
mittee make to the inspector a false or untrue report of the mines,
such act shall constitute a violation of this section.
Sec. 306. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or
affect any coal mine in which not more than ten men are employed at
the same time ; but on the application of the proprietor of or miners
in any such mine, the inspector shall make, or cause to be made, an
inspection of such mine, and shall direct and enforce any regulations
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter that he deems
necessary for the safety of the health and lives of miners.
Sec. 306 (a). The inspector of mines may, with the approval of
the governor, appoint an assistant, who shall be a practical miner of
not less than five years' experience, and who shall perform such du-
ties as may be required by the inspector, and receive a salary at the
rate of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) per annum, and the inspector
may, with the consent of the governor, remove such assistant at
])leasure and appoint a successor, and may allow the assistant travel-
ing expenses out of his contingent fund.
11 2A REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Sec. 6871. Whoever knowingly violates any of the provisipns of
sections two hundred and ninety-eight, two hundred and ninety-nine,
three hundred, three hundred and one, three hundred and two, and
three hundred and five, of the revised statutes, or does any act whereby
the lives or health of the persons or the security of any mine and
machinery are endangered, or any miner or other person employed in
any mine governed by the statute, who intentionally and willfully
neglects or refuses to securely prop the roof of any working place
under his control, or neglects or refuses to obey any order given by
the superintendent of a mine in relation to the security of the mine
in the part thereof where he is at work, and for fifteen feet back
from the face of his working place, shall be fined not more than fifty
dollars or imprisoned in the county jail not more than thirty days, or
both.
MINES.
Sec. 4374. A person owning land adjoining a mine worked for
the production of coal, ore, or other mineral substance, or a person
having an interest in such mine, having reason to believe that the
protection of his interest in the mine, or in like minerals on his ad-
joining land requires it, upon making affidavit to that effect before a
justice of the peace or other proper officer, may enter such mine, and
have an examination or survey made thereof ; but such examination
or survey shall not be made until one day's notice thereof is given to
the parties in interest, nor at unreasonable times, but in such time
and in such manner as will least interfere with the workings of the
mine, if the same is being operated at the time.
Sec. 4375. When the affidavit has been made and notice given,
the person in charge of such mine shall, on the application of the
party giving the notice, transport by the ordinary mt thod in use at
such mine for entrance and exit, a surveying party of not more than
five persons, furnish to such party a competent guide and supply them
with approved safety-lamps ; and for every person so transported, he
shall be entitled to receive, from the person requesting such survey,
the sum of fifty cents, unless the shaft exceeds two hundred and fifty
feet in depth, when he shall be entitled to the sum of one dollar for
each person, and five dollars per day for the guide.
Sec. 4370. If the parties working or occupying such mine sustain
any damage, for which compensation should be made by reason of
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 125
such examination or survey having been made at unreasonable times,
or in an improper or unwarrantable manner, the person making the
same or causing the same to be made, shall be liable therefor.
Sec. 4377. The parties working or occupying such mine shall not
hinder or obstruct the examination or survey, when made at -a reason-
iible time and in a reasonable manner, under a penalty of not less
than fifty nor not more than five hundred dollars for each offense, to
1)6 recovered before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 4378. The party who makes the application for the survey,
may, upon refusal of the owner or person in charge of the mine to
comply with the foregoing provisions, recover judgment, as upon de-
fault, in a court of competent jurisdiction, against the owner of such
mine, in such sum as such party may declare, under oath, he believes
to be justly dife him for coal or other mineral belonging: to him, taken
by the owner of such mine without his permission ; and the statute
of limitations shall not be operative as against such claim ; but the
•demand and refusal to enter such mine, shall be first proven to the
satisfaction of t)ie court or jury, and the refusal of the party in
charge of the mine, shall be held to be the refusal of the owner.
Sec. 43 7 d. The provisions of this chapter shall be available to
any person who, on his oath, states that he is the owner or author-
ized agent of any owner of land which he believes contains coal, or
other valuable mineral substance, within one mile of such shaft, al-
though it do nolr adjoin any mine of the owner of such shaft; the
affidavit required shall be sufficient if it state that the lands in which
the affiant is interested are in the vicinity of such shaft, and not
more than one mile distant therefrom ; and service upon any owner
or superintendent of such shaft shall be sufficient.
OFFENSES AGAINST PROPEETY.
Sec. 6881. Whoever, in mining for coal or other minerals, will-
fully and without lawful authority, trespasses upon the lands of an-
other, shall be fined not more than one hundred nor less than five
dollars, or imprisoned not more than ten days, or both ; and any con-
tinuation of such trespass, for twenty-four hours after the commence-
ment of any prosecution under this section, shall be deemed a sepa-
rate offense, and all prosecutions hereunder shall be commenced
within one year from the time the offense becomes known to any
•owner of the property injured.
126 REPORT OF STATE MIXE INSPECTOR. [E ^
OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH.
Skc. 6925. Whoever throws or deposits, or permits to be thrown
or deposited, any coal dirt, coal slack, coal screenings, or coal refuse
from coal mines, or any refuse or filth from any coal-oil refinery or
gas works, or any whey or filthy drainage from a cheese factory, upon
or into any of the rivers, lakes, ponds, or streams of this State, or
upon or into any place from which the same will wash into any such
river, lake, pond, or stream, shall be fined in any sum not more than
two hundred o^ less than fifty dollars.
FBAUD.
Spx). 7070. Whoever sells and delivers any stone coal, except at
the weights and measures prescribed by law, shall be fined not more
than fifty nor less than five dollars, or imprisoned not more than
thirty nor less than five days.
WEIGHTS AND >IEASURES.
Se(^. 443. A bushel of the respective articles hereafter mentioned
shall mean the amount of weight, avoirdupois, in this section speci-
fied, viz: ,
Of coke, forty pounds.
Of bituminous coal, eighty pounds.
Of cannel coal, seventy pounds.
Sk(\ 4444. The standard bushel of stone coal, coke and unslacked.
lime, shall contain twenty -six hundred and eighty-eight cubic inches;
and the lawful measure for measuring such articles shall contain two
bushels, and be of the following interior dimensions: Twenty-four
inches diameter at the top, twenty inches at the bottom, and four-
teen and one tenth inches deep.
Ski\ 445. When facilities can be had, all sales of coal shall be by
weii^ht, and two thousand pounds, avoirdupois, shall constitute a ton
thereof; but, where coal cannot/ be weighed, it may be sold by meas-
urement.
SKi\ 440. Whoever sells stone coal in violation of the provisions
of this chapter shall be liable to the person to whom the coal is sold
and delivered, in treble damages, to be collected in a civil action be-
fore any court of competent jurisdiction; if the defendant in such
action does not reside in the count v where the mine is located, ser-
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 127
Tice may be had upon him by copy of the summons left at his place
of business; and any judgment recovered in such case^hall be a lien
upon all property of the defendant, in the county, from the day of
service; but this section shall not apply to any person or corporation
mining or selling less than fifteen, thousand bushels of coal annually.
SCHOOL OF MINES.
Sec. 8435. That the trustees of the Ohio Agricultural and Me-
chanical College be, and they are, hereby required to establish in said
college a school 6f mines and mine engineering, in which shall be
provided the means for studying scientifically and experimentally the
survey, opening, ventilation, care, and working of mines, and said
school shall be provided with complete mining laboratories for the
analysis of ores, coals, and other mineras, with all the necessary ap-
paratus for testing the various ores and coals, and also with the mod-
els of the most improved machinery for ventilating aud operating all
the various kinds of mines with safety to the life and health of those
engaged.
(8436) Sec. 2. Said trustees may require one of the professors
now authorized to be employed in said institution to give instruction
in the most improved and successful methods of opening, and opera-
ting, and surveying, and inspecting mines, and in the methods of
testing and analyzing coals and other minerals, especially those
found in the State of Ohio. It shall also be the duty of such pro-
fessor to register all experiments made in testing the properties of
<;oals and other minerals, and such results shall be published in the
annual reports of said trustees. It shall also be the duty of said
professor to preserve in a cabinet, suitably arranged for ready refer-
ence and examination, suitably connected with this school of mines,
.samples of the specimens from the various mines of the State, which
may be sent for analysis, with the names of the mines and their
localities in the counties from which they were sent, and the analysis
and a statement of the properties attached. It shall also be his duty
to furnish analysis of all minerals found in the State, and sent to him
for that purpose by residents of this State.
(8437) Sec. 3. There is hereby appropriated out of the general
revenue fund the sunoi of four thousand five hundred dollars, to be
-expended in providing apparatus, equipments, cabinets, etc., as men-
tioned in the first and second sections of this act.
128 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
Sec. 4. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its
passage.
PENNSYLVANIA MINING LAW.
AX ACT PROVIDING THE MEANS FOE SECURING THE HEALTH AND SAFEr^
OF PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE BITUMINOUS COAL MINES OF PENJ^'
SYLVAN lA.
Section 1. lie it enacted: That the owner or agent of every bt^
tuminous coal mine or colliery shall make, or cause to be made^
within six months after the passage of this act, an accurate map oi^
plan of the working of such coal mine or colliery on a scale not ex-
ceeding one hundred feet to the square inch, and showing the bear-
ing and distances, which shall be kept for usc of the inspector in the
office at the mine of said coal mine or colliery; and said owner or
agent shall cause, on or before the 10th of January in every year, a
plan of the progress of the working of such coal mine during the
year past, to be marked on original map or plan of the said coal mine
or colliery; and the inspector shall have the right at all times to have
possession of any such map or plan at the mines, to draw a copy
therefrom for his own convenience. Provided, If the owner or agent
of any coal mine shall neglect or refuse, or from any cause fail, for
the period of two months after the time prescribed, to furnish the
map or plan as hereby required; or if the inspector shall find or have
reason to believe that any map or plan of any coal mine, furnished in
pursuance of the provisions of this act, is materiUly inaccurate or
imperfect, he is hereby authorized to cause a correct map or plan of
the actual workings of said coal mine to be made at the expense of
the owner thereof, the cost of which shall be recoverable from said
owner as other debts are recoverable by law. Providedy That if the
map or plan which he claimed to be incorrect shall prove to have
been correct, then aforesaid expenses shall be paid by the said in-
spector, and may be recovered from him in like manner.
Sec. 2. It shall not be lawful, after six months from the passage
of this act, for the owner or agent of any bituminous coal mine to
employ any j)erson at work within said coal mine, or permit any per-
son to be in said coal mine for the purpose of working therein, unless
1883.] REPOUT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 129
they are in communication with at least two open ings^ separated by
natural stra.ta of not less than one hundred and fifty feet in breadth,
if the mine be worked by shaft or slope, and of not less, thian ytwppty-
four feet, if the mine be worked by drift: I^ovided, If tbe.minQ.ibe
worked by drift, two openings, inclusive of air-shaft, shall only be
required, if the air-shaft can be used for ingress and egress in case of
emergency; that not more than twenty persons shall be employed in
the mine at any one time after the expiration of the six months un-
til the second opening shall be reached and made available; and in
case of furnace ventilation being used before the second opening is
reached, the furnace shall not be placed within forty feet of the foot
of the shaft, and shall be well secured from danger from fire by
brick or stone walls of sufficient thickness, and the mine while
being driven for making and perfecting a second opening; the owner
or agent shall provide and maintain a metal tube from the top to the
bottom of the slope or shaft, suitably adapted to the free passage of
sound, through which conversation may be held between persons at
the bottom and at the top of the shaft or slope; also the ordinary
means of signaling to and from the top and bottom of the shaft or
slope, and an approved safety catch, and sufficient cover overhead on
every carriage used for lowering and hoisting persons; and the said
owner or agent shall see that sufficient flanges or horns are attached
to the sides of the drum of every machine that is used for lowering
and hoisting persons in and out of the mine, and also that adequate
brakes are attached thereto; the main link attached to the swivel of
the wire rope shall be made of the best quality of iron, and shall be
tested by weights or otherwise, satisfactory to the inspector of minea
of the district, and bridle chains shall be attached to the main link
from the cross pieces of the carriage, and no single link chain shall
be used for lowering or raising persons into or out of said mine, and
not more than six persons shall be lowered or hoisted by the ma-
chinery at one time, and only sober, competent and experienced en-
gineers shall be employed.
Sec. 3. When a second opening is made, one opening shall be set
apart exclusively for purposes of ingress and egress, and shall not be
clogged or obstructed with machinery, pumps, or currents of heated
air or steam; if the opening is a shaft it shall be fitted with safe and
convenient stairs, at an angle of not more than sixty degrees descent,
and with landings at easy and convenient distances; all water com-
17
] 30 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. i
ing from the surface or out of the strata in the shaft shall he <i!
ducted by rings or otherwise to he prevented from falling down
shaft so as to wet persons who are ascending and descending
stairway of the shaft; if the opening in a slope, it shall be provi <5
with safe and available traveling-ways.
Sec. 4. The owner or agent of every bituminous coal m-i:J
whether shaft, slope, or drift, shall within six months after t
passage of this act provide and thereafter maintain for every su
mine ample means of ventilation, affording one hundred cubic £&
per minute for each and every person employed in said mine, '*rliic
shall be circulated around the main headings and cross headings ^
an extent that will dilute, carry off, and render harmless the noxioua
gases generated therein; and all mines generating fire-damp shall !>
kept free of standing gas, and every working-place shall be carefully
examined every morning with a safety lamp by a competent persoi^
before any workmen are allowed to enter.
Sec. 6. In order t6 better secure the proper ventilation of every
coal mine and promote the health and safety of the persons employed
therein, the owner or agent shall emi)loy a competent and practical
inside overseer, to be called mining boss, who shall keep a careful
watch over the ventilating apparatus, the air-ways, traveling-ways,
pumps and pump timbers, and drainage; and shall see that as the
miners advance their excavations, all loose x)oal, slate and rock over-
head are carefully secured against falling in ov upon the traveling-
ways, and that sufficient timber is furnished, of suitable lengths and
sizes for the places where they are to be used, and placed in the
working places of the miners; and it shall also be the duty of the
mining boss to measure the current of air at least once a week, at
the inlet and outlet, arid at or near the face of the headings, and
keep a record of such measurement, and report the same to the in-
spector of his district once in every month; the safety-lamps used
for examining mines, or which may be used in working therein, shall
be furnished by and be the property of the owner of said mines, and
shall be in the charge of the agent of such mine; and in all mines
generating explosive gases, the doors used in assisting or directing
the ventilation of the mines shall be so hung and adjusted that they
will close themselves, or be supplied with springs or pulleys so that
they cannot be left standing open; and bore-holes shall be kept not
less than twelve feet in advance of the face of every working place.
1883.]. REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. J 31
and, when necessary, on the sides, if the same is driven towards and
in dangerous proximity to an abandoned mine, or part of a mine,
suspected of containing inflammable gases, or which is inundated
with water.
Sec. 6. Any miners, workmen or other persons who shall inten-
tionally injure any shaft, lamp, instrument, air course or brattice, or
ol>struct or throw open air- ways, or carry lighted pipes or matches
«
^'^to places that are worked by safety-lamps; or handle or disturb any
part of the machinery; or open a door and not close it again; or en-
ter any place of a mine against caution; or disobey any order given
in carrying out the provisions of this act; or do any other act whereby
he lives or health of persons, or the security of the mines or the ma-
<^*hinery are endangered, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and may be punished in. the manner provided in the sixteenth section
of this act. All machinery about the mines shall be properly fenced
off, and the top of each shaft and the entrance of every abandoned
«lope and air or other shaft shall be securely fenced off; and there
f^hali be cut in the side of every hoisting shaft at the bottom thereof
a traveling-way sufliciently high and wide to enable persons to pass
the shaft in going from one side of the mine to the other without
passing over or under the cage or other hoisting apparatus.
Sko. 7 If any person, firm or corporation is, or hereafter shall be
Seized in his or their own right of coal lands, and it shall not be prac-
ticable to comply with the requirements of this act in regard to drain-
age and ventilation by means of openings on his or their own land|
and the same can be done by means of openings on adjacent lands, he
or they may apply by petition to the court of quarter sessions of the
pfoper county, after ten days' notice to the owners, their agent or at-
torney, setting forth the facts under oath or affirmation particularly
describing the place or places where such opening or openings can be
made, and that he or they cannot agree with the owner or owners of
the land as to the amount to be paid for the privilege of making such
opening or openings; hereupon the said court shall appoint three disin-
terested and competent citizens of the county to view the grounds des-
ignated^ and lay out from the point or points mentioned in such peti-
tion a passage or passages for air and water not more than sixteen
feet in diameter by the shortest and most convenient route to the
coal of such person, firm or corporation, preferring in all instances
an opening through the coal strata where the seam is practicable; the
•,1
111.*'
132 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
said viewers shall at the same time assess the damages to be paid by
the petitioner or petitioners to the owner or owners of such land for
the privilege of making said openings, which damages shall be fully
paid before such opening is made; it shall be the duty of said view-
ers to give notice by at least three written or printed handbills posted,
on the premises at least live days prior to the time of meeting to
attend to the duties of their appointment, setting forth distinctly
the time, place and object of their meeting, and also to give personstl
notice to the parties, their agents and attorneys, where it can be don^»
and shall, within thirty days after their appointment make report o^
their proceedings to said court, stating the amount of damages
awarded, accompanied by a map or plan of said openings; and if r
appeal be taken to said court within ten days after notice to theopp
site party in interest of the filing thereof, it shall be marked co
firmed by the clerk and the petitioner or petitioners may proceed
make said opening or openings; the pay of the viewers and oth^x*
costs shall be the same as in road cases, and shall be paid by the pefci—
tioner or petitioners.
Sec. 8. As soon as practicable after the passage of this act ttx^
persons exercising the office of presiding judge of each of the sever^*'^
courts of common pleas in the fifth, tenth, and fourth judicial di ^"
tricts shall appoint one reputable miner of known experience and i '^
practice at the time (in the fifth district the president, judge of tl»- ^
court of common pleas number one, shall make said appointment ^»
and the Governor shall appoint two mining engineers of like reput ^
and experience and practice at the time, who shall constitute a boar^^
of five examiners, whose duty it shall be to inquire into the chara(^^
ter and qualifications of candidates for the office of inspector o ^^
mines under the provisions of this act. The examiners first appoints^
ed in pursuahce of this section, shall meet in the city of Pittsbur
on the fifteenth day of May next, and after being duly organized
having taken and subscribed before any officer authorized to adminis
ter the same, the following oath, namely: "We, the undersigned, d
solemnly swear (or affirm) that we will perform the duties of exam
iners of applicants for appointment as inspector of bituminous coa
mines to the best of our abilities and that in recommending or
jecting said applicants we will be governed by the evidence of qualL —
fication to fill the position, under the law creating the same and no "fc
by any consideration of political or other personal favor; that w^
x\
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. J 33
will certify all whom we may find qualified, according to the true
intent and meaning of the act and none others to the best of our
judgment; shall proceed to the examination of those who may pre-
sent themselves as candidates for said oflice; and they shall certify
to the Governor the names of all such applicants as they shall find
competent to fill the office under the provisions of this act, which
names, with the certificate and the oath of the examiners, shall be
mailed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth to be filed in his office,
and shall be valid when recommended by four of the examining
board." The qualifications of candidates for said office of inspector
of mipes to be inquired into and certified by said examiners, shall be
as follows, namely: They shall be citizens of the United States, of
temperate habits, of good repute as men of peisonal integrity, shall
have obtained the age of thirty years and shall have had at least five
years' experience in the workings of the bituminous coal mines of
Pennsylvania and upon the examination they shall giv# evidence of
such theoretical as well as practical knowledge of the working of
coal mines and noxious gases as will satisfy the examiners of their
capability and fitness for the performance of the duties imposed upon
inspectors of mines by the provisions of this act. Ttie board of exam-
iners shall, also, at their said meeting, divide the bituminous coal
counties of the State into 'three inspection districts as nearly equal in
regard to the labor to be performed as is possible, taking^ixito consid-
eration the number of mines and the extent of territory; at every
subsequent calling of the board of examiners this division may be
revised as experience may prove to be advisable. The board of ex-
aminers shall each receive five dollars per day and all necessary
expenses to be paid out of the State treasury upon the filing of the
certificates of the examining board in the office of the Secretary of
the Commonwealth, as hereinbefore provided.
The Governor shall from the names so certified appoint one person
to be inspector of mines for each district, as fixed by the examiners
m pursuance of this act, whose commission shall be for four years to
be computed from the fifteenth day of May next. As often as va-
cancies occur by death, resignation or otherwise in said offices of
inspectors of mines, the Governor shall fill the same, by appoint-
ment for the unexpired term, from the names on file in the office of
the Secretary of the Commonwealth, until the number shall be ex-
hausted; and whenever this shall occur the Governor shall cause the
154 RErORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [ET
aforesaid board of examiners to meet, who shall examine person ^
that may present themselves for the vacant office of inspector, in tli^
same manner as herein provided and the board of examiners shali
certify to the Governor one person to be commissioned by him for
the office of inspector for the unexpired term, and any vacancies
that may occur in the examining board shall be tilled in the district
where the vacancy occurred. And every four years the Governor
shall appoint two mining engineers as before and shall notify the
persons exercising the office of president judge of the courts of
common ple^s of three of the judicial districts of the State, contain-
ing bituminous coal mines, selecting them in such order as to allow
each district an equal share of such appointments, each to appoint
one miner and the five so appointed shall constitute a new board of
examiners whose duties, term of service, and compensation, and
vacancies that may happen, shall be the same as those first provided
for by this section, and from the names that may be certified by
them, the Governor shall appoint the inspectors provided for in this
act. Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent the reap-
pointment of any inspector of bituminous mines, The inspectors
of mines shall each receive for their services an annual salary of two
thousand dollars to be paid quarterly by the State treasurer, and
they shall each reside in the district for which they shall be appoint-
ed. Each inspector is hereby authorized to procure such instruments
and chemical tests and stationery, from time to time, as may be
necessary to the proper discharge of his duties, under this act, at the
expense of the State, which shall be paid by the State treasurer, up-
on accounts duly certified by him and audited by the proper depart-
ment of the State. All instruments, plans, book memoranda, notes,
etcetera, pertaining to the office shall be the property of the State
and shall be delivered to their successors in office.
Sec. 9. Each inspector of bituminous coal mines shall, before
entering upon the discharge of his duties, give bond in the sum of
five thousand dollars with sureties to be approved by the president
judge of the district in which he resides, conditioned for the faithful
discharge of his duty, and take an oath (or affirmation) to discharge
his duties impartially and with fidelity, to the best of his knowledge
and ability.
Sec. 10. No person who shall act as a manager or agent of any
coal mine or as a mining engineer, or to be interested in operating
f
\«SS.l REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 135
any coal mine, shall at the same time act as an inspector of coal
mines under this act.
Sec. 11. For any injury to person or property occasioned by any
violation of this act or any willful failure to comply with its provi-
sions by any owner, lessee, or operator of any coal mine or opening,
a right of action against the party at fault shall accrue to the party
injured for the direct damages sustained thereby; and in any case of
loss of life by reason of such violation or willful failure a. right of
action against the party at fault shall accrue to4)he widow and lineal
heirs of the person whose life shall be lost, for like recovery of dam-
ages for the injury they shall have sustained.
Sec. 12. The inspectors of bituminous coal mines shall each de-
vote the whole of his time to the duties of his office; it shall be his
duty to examine the mines in his district as often as possible to see
that all the provisions of this act are observed and strictly carried
out, and he shall make a record of all examinations of mines show-
ing the condition in which he finds them, the number of mines in
his district, the number of persons employed in and about each
Diine, the extent to which the law is obeyed, the progress made in
the improvement sought to be secured by the passage of this act,
the number of accidents and deaths resulting from injuries received
^^ the mines and all other facts of public interest concerning the
^^ndition and progress of mining in his district, which record shaH,
^Q or before the first Monday of each month, together with stU mat-
^^J's and things furnished him in accordance with the provisions of
^'^is act, be filed in the office of the Secretary of Internal Afi:airs, to
"^ by him recorded and included in the annual report of his depart-
''^^nt; he shall also from the time of his commission make strict and
^^t*eful inquiry and examination into the condition of the ventilation
^^d drainage of the mines.
Sec. 13. That the inspectors may be enabled to perform the duties
*^^rein imposed upon them, they shall have the right at all times to
^Uter any bituminous coal mine tp niake examination or obtain infor-
mation; they shall notify the owners, lessees or agents immediately
of the discovery of any violations of this act and of the penalty im-
posed thereby for such violations, and in case of such notice being
disregarded for the space of ten days they shall institute a prosecu-
tion against the owner, owners, agent or lessee of the mine und.er
the provisions of section sixteen of this act, in any case, however,
186 REPORT OF STATE MINE mSPECTOR. [E 4
where in the judgment of the inspector of either district delay may
jeopardize life or limb he shall at once notify the inspectors of the
other districts whereupon they shall at once proceed to the, mine or
colliery where the danger exists; and examine into the matter and
if after full investigation thereof they shall be agreed in the opinion
that there is immediate danger they shall apply in the name of the
Commonwealth to the court of common pleas in the county in which
the mine may be located for an injunction to suspend all work in and
about such mine or colliery; whereupon said court if the cause ap-
pear to be sufficient after hearing the parties and their evidence as in
like cases shall issue their writ to restrain the working of said mine
or colliery until all cause of danger is removed; and the costs of said
proceedings including the charges of attorney prosecuting said appli-
cation shall be borne by the owner of the mine or colliery: Provided^
That no fee exceeding the sum of twenty-five dollars shall be taxed
in any one case for the attorney prosecuting such case: Provided,
Further, that if said court shall find the cause not sufficient then the
case shall be dismissed and the costs shall be borne by the inspector
instituting the proceeding or the county, in the discretion of the
court.
Sec. 14. Whenever by reason of any explosion or other accident
in- any bituminous coal mine or the machinery connected therewith,
lo»€h«#'Hfe or serious personal injury shall occur it shall be the duty
of the person having charge of such mine or colliery to give notice
thereof foif'thwith to the inspector of the district, and if any person
is killed thereby, to the coroner of the county, who shall give due
notice of th6 in-quest to be held; it shall be the duty of the inspector
upon being notified as herein provided, to immediately repair to the
scene of the accident and make such suggestions as may appear nec-
essary to secure the future safety of the men; and if the results of
the explosion do not require an investigation by the coroner, he shall
proceed to investigate and ascertain the cause of the explosion or
accident and make a record thereof which he shall file as provided
for; and to enable him to make the investigation he shall have power
to compel the attendance of persons to testify, and administer oaths
or affirmations; the costs of such investigation shall be paid by the
county in which the accident occurred, in the same manner as costs
of inquests held by the coroners or justices of the peace are paid.
Sec. 15. The court of common pleas of any county in the proper
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 137
district upon a petition signed by not less than fifteen reputable citi-
zens, not less than five of whom shall be miners, owners, or lesses of
mines, and with the affidavit of one or more of said petitioners at-
tached setting forth that any inspector of mines neglects his duties
or is incompetent or that he is gnlty of malfeasance in office, shall
issue a citation in the name of the Commonwealth to the said inspec-
tor to appear on not less than fifteen days' notice upon a day fixed
l)efore said court at which time the court shall proceed to inquire into
And investigate the allegations of the petitioners; if the court find
that the said inspector is neglectful of his duties or is incompetent to
perform the duties of his office or that he is guilty of malfeasance in
office the court shall certify the same to the Governor who shall de-
<5lare the office of said inspector vacant and proceed in compliance
with the provisions of this act to supply the vacancy; the cost of said
investigation shall if the charges are sustained be imposed upon the
inspector, but if the charges are not sustained they shall be imposed
upon the petitioners.
Sec. 16. The neglect or refusal to perform the duties required to
be performed by any section of this act by the parties therein re-
-quired to perform them or the violation of any of the provisions or
requirements hereof shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall upon
conviction be punished by a fine of not less thaatiwo hundred dollars
Dor not exceeding five hundred dollars at the discretion of the court;
and all penalties recovered under this act shall be paid into the treas-
ury of the State.
Sec. 17. The inspector shall exercise a sound discretion in the en-
forcement of the provisions of this act and should the operator or
owner be dissatisfied with any decision at which the inspector may
arrive, it shall and may be lawful for such operator or owner to apply
by petition to the court of quarter sessions of the county wherein
such mine is located and said court shall thereupon appoint three rep-
utable, competent and disinterested persons whose duty it shall be to
forthwith examine such mines and hear the proofs and allegations of
the inspectors and operators or owner, and make such report under
oath, to court, of the facts as they exist together with their opinion
thereon; and if said report sustains the decisions of the inspector
then the party making application to court shall pay the cost of such
proceedings, and if the report is against such decision then the in-
spector shall pay the costs unless the court order otherwise. The re-
18
138 REPORT OF STATE MIJSE INSPECTOR. [E4
port of said board shall become absolute, unless exceptions thereto
shall be filed within ten days after notice of the filing thereof to the
owner, operator or inspector, and if exceptions are filed the court
shall hear and determine the same and the decision shall be final and
conclusive.
Sec. 18. The provisions of this act shall not apply to any mine
where ten men or a less number are employed, or to any mine which
does not generate fire-damp, black-damp, or other dangerous or nox-
ious gases.
Sec. 19. All laws or parts of laws, inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this act, are hereby repealed.
An Act to amend an act, entitled, "an act to provide the means fox*
securing the health and safety of persons employed in the bitu^
minoua coal mines of Pennsylvania."
Section 1 . Be it enacted, etc, : That the last clause of the eight-
eenth section of the act of the General Assembly, entitled: "An act
to provide the means for securing the health and safety of persons
employed in the bituminous coal mines of Pennsylvania," approved
the eighteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hun-
dred and seventy-seven. After the word "employed," in the second
line of said section, which is as follows: "Or to any -mine which does
not generate fire-damp, black-damp, or other dangerous or noxious
gases," is hereby repealed.
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOK. 139
ABSTRACT OF BRITISH MINING LAW.
The following is copied from the last annual report of the Stato
Mine Inspector of Ohio:
Application of Act — Inspector's — Managers — Restrictions as to Em^
phynient Under Ground — Itestrictions as to Employment Above
Gh'ound — Who may be E?nployed about an Engine — Penalty for
Misrepresentation of Age — Wages not to be paid in Public Houses
-^Weighing — Prohibition of Single Shafts — Fencing Abandoned
Mines — General Rules — Special Pules — Dangerous Practices not
Expressly Prohibited — Penalties — Miscellaneous — Register, ReturnSj
Plans, Abandonment of Mities, Notices, Coroners^ Inquests — Ex'
emptions — Thin- Seam Mine, Saturday Half -Holiday, Ireland,
Weighing Provisions, Single Shafts — General Rules,
1. The act applies to coal mines, mines of stratafied ironstone,
mines of* shale, mines of lire-clay.
Definition of mine. — The, term "mine" includes every shaft in the
course of being sunk, and every level and inclined plane in the
course of being driven, for commencing or opening any mine, or for
searching for, or proving minerals, and all the shafts, levels, planes,
machinery, tramways, and sidings, both below ground and above
ground, in and adjacent to a mine, and any such shaft, level, and
inclined plane, and belonging to the mine. The term "shaft" in*
eludes pit. Where two or more parts of a mine are worked sepa*
rately, each of such parts may, after notice, be constituted a separate
.mine for the purpose of the act. A Secretary of State, ho-wever,
may object thereto, and the owner or agent must acquiesce in such
objection, or refer the matter to arbitration.
3. The commencement of the act is, for England and Scotland,
Ist January, 1873; for Irelend, 1st January, 1874.
4. Inspectors of mines are to be appointed by a secretary of
State, and a district to be assigned to each. The existing inspectors
are to continue to act.
6. An inspector may not himself be, or practice, or be the part*
ner of one who is or who practices, as land agent or mining engi*
J^eer, or as a manager, viewer, agent or valuer of mines, or as
arbitrator, in mining cases, and may not be otherwise employed in
l40 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
or about any mine, whether such mine is one to which the act
applies or not.
6. In order to ascertain whether the provisions of the act are
observed both above ground and below ground, the inspector is
authorized to examine any mine by day or by night, so, however, as
not to impede the working thereof; and owners, agents, and man-
agers, and all employed in or about the mine, are bound to render
him every assistance in conducting such examination.
7. He is to make to a secretary of State an annual report of his
proceedings, to be laid before Parliament, and, when directed, is to
make a special report as to any mine accident attended with loss of
life or personal injury. Such special report will be made public in
the mode, and at the time directed by a secretary of State.
8. Mule, — Subject to the exceptions mentioned below, every mine
Inust be under the control and daily supervision of a certificated
tnanager.
9. Exception 1, — The rule requiring a manager does not apply to
any mine in which less than thirty persons are ordinarily employed
below ground, unless the inspector of the district insists upon it.
10. Exception 2, — The rule requiring a manager does not apply
to any mine, the average daily output of which does not exceed
twenty-five tons, unless the inspector of the district insists upon it
11. -- Exception S, — In special circumstances, notified to the in-
spector of the district, a manager may be temporarily dispensed
With.
12. The certificate, given by a secretary of State, is either a cer-
tificate of service, given only to persons who before the 10th of
August, 1872, were acting, and have since then acted, in the capacity
of manager of mine, or who since the 10th of August, 1867, have
iicted in a like capacity for more than twelve months; or a certificate
of competency given after examination, and upon proof of sobriety,
fexperience, ability and general good conduct. The examination is
conducted by examiners appointed by a district board, and the mem-
bers of such district board are appointed by the Secretary of State,
and consists of three owners, agents or managers of a mine within
the district; three persons employed in or about a mine within the
district, not being owners, agents or managers; three mining engi-
neers, agents managers or coal viewers within the district, and an
inspector of mines. The area of the district is fixed by a secretary
of State.
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. l^J
13. The owner or agent may nominate either himself or any otheF
person as manager, but the mailager must not be a contractor for get?
ting the mineral, or in the employ of a contractor.
14.nA Secretary of State, on a representation made that a certifi*
cated manager is, by reason of incompetency or gross negligence,
unfit to discharge his duties, or has been convicted for an offense
against the act, may order a court of inquiry to be held, and, on the
report of the court, cancel or suspend the certificate. He may also
restore a certificate canceled or suspended.
15. A register of certificated managers is kept under the direct
tions of a Secretary of State.
16. Women and girls of any age may not be employed at all.
17. Boys under twelve may not be employed at all, unless the
mine is specially exempted by the Secretary of State by reason of the
thinness of the seam; when subject to certain conditions, stated ii)
the exemption, boys between ten and twelve may be employed.
18. Boys of twelve and under thirteen, and male young persons
of thirteen and under sixteen, may be employed not more than fifty^
four hours a week, or more than ten hours a day, and' are to be al-
lowed an interval of twelve hours for rest between each two consec-
utive periods of employment, except between Friday and Saturday,
when an interval of eight hours will suffice.
19. A week begins at 12 p.^m. on Saturday, and ends 12 p. m. the
Saturday following.
20. A period of a person's employment begins at the time of his
leaving ';:he surface, and ends at the time of his returning to the surr
face.
21. The inamediate employer of any boy of twelve and under
thirteen, and of any male young person of thirteen and under six-
teen, is not to take him below ground until he has reported his inten-
tion 80 to do to the manager, or to some person appointed by the
manager.
22. Children under ten, of either sex, may not be employed at all,
23. Children of ten and under thirteen, of either sex, may be em-
ployed, but not for more than six days a week, and not for more than
six hours a day if employed for more than three days in a week, and
iiot for more than ten hours a day if employed for only three days,
or less than three days in a week.
24. For children so employed, an interval of twelve hours for rest
142 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. . [:
Inust be allowed between two consecutive periods of employme
except between Friday and Saturday, when an interval of eight hoi
will suffice.
25. Schooling, — The parent or guardian of, or person having t
custody or control of any child so employed, must see that the ch
attends school (except in the case of there being no school which t
child can attend within two miles of his or her home, or of 1
mine). Such attendance must be for at least twenty hours in ev(
two consecutive weeks of employment; and any attendance is not
count if it is in excess of three hours at a time, or five hours in
day, or of twelve hours in a week, or on Sunday*, or before 8 a.
or after 6 p. m.
26. It will be the duty of the immediate employer, after empl
ing a c^iild for a fortnight, to obtain from the teacher every Monc
morning during the continuance of the employment a certificate
the child's attendance at the school during the preceding week, a
to deliver the certificate to the owner, agent, or manager, who m
keep the same in the office at the mine for six months, for product
to the inspector.
27. Also the person who pays the childls wages must, after a 6
gle application of the teacher, pay regularly every week the cost
the child's schooling (not to exceed 2d. a week, or one twelfth of
child's wages), and he may deduct from the child's wages any sum
paid.
28. A teacher who is unfit, or who misconducts himself, is Ha
to be disqualified by an inspector of mines for granting certifica
of attendance, subject to an appeal to the educational department.
29. Young persons of thirteen and under sixteen, of either s
and women above thirteen, may not be employed more than fifty-f<
hours a week, or more than ten hours a day, and must be allowed
interval of twelve hours for rest between two consecutive periods
employment, except between Friday and Saturday, when an inter
of eight hours will suffice.
30. Children of ten and under thirteen, of either sex, young p
sons of thirteen and under sixteen, of either sex, and women abo
thirteen, may not be employed between • p. m. and 5 a. m., or on Si
.days, or after 2 p. m. on Saturdays; also they are to be allowed int
vals for meals, namely: half an hour during a period of employme
which exceeds five hours; one and a half hours during a period
J883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. I43
employment which exceeds eight hours. A mine in Ireland may be
exempted by the Secretary of State from the j)rovi8ion8 as to the
Saturday half holiday. (Se exemption set forth below, paragraph 72).
31. The person who is in charge of any engine, windlass, or gin,
howsoever worked, which is used for the purpose of taking persons
up or down along any shaft, inclined plane, or level (being either an
entrance to a mine, or a communication from one part of a mine to
another), or who is in charge of any part of the tackle of such en-
gine, windlass, or gin, must be a male at least eighteen years of age.
If the engine, windlass, or gin, is worked by an animal, then, not the
driver but the person under whose direction the driver acts, is to be
deemed the person in charge; but in that case the driver must not be
under twelve years of age.
32. Any parent or guardian misrepresenting the age of any per-
son with a view to procuring him employment in contravention of
the act will be liable to punishment.
38. Not to he paid in Public Hottse^ etc, — Wages are not to be paid
on any premises used for the sale of intoxicating liquor, or in any
place contiguous to such premises.
•U. Payment by day on yardage is allowed, but in any mine, un-
less expressly exempted, (see below, paragraph No. 73), where the
amount of wages depends on the amount of mineral gotten, wages
are to be paid according to the standard weight in pounds avoirdu-
pois of the mineral gotten.
35. The weighing machines and weights are subject to the inspec-
tion of the inspector of weights and measures.
36. Check-weigher, — The persons employed in a mine may if they
proper, appoint a check-weigher at their own cost. The check-
weigher must be a person employed either in the same mine, or in
another mine belonging to the same owcer. He is entitled to have
every facility afforded to him to take a correct account of the weigh-
ing, but he is not to impede the working of the mine, or interfere
with the weighing; and in his absence, the weighing may be carried
on without him. He is liable to be removed by the magistrate for
niisconduct, and in that case, another maybe selected to fill his place.
37. The weighing provisions expressly sanction agreements to bo
male between the employers and employed for deductions on account
of "dirt" or "shorts," the words of the act being, " Nothing herein
contained shall preclude the owner, agent or manager of the mine
144 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E
from agreeing with persons employed in such mine that deductiar
shall be made in respect of stones or materials other than miners
contracted to be gotten, which shall be sent up from the mine wit
mineral contracted to be gotten; or in respect of any tubs, baskets, c
hatches being improperly filled, in those cases which they are fille
by the getter of the mineral, or his drawer, or by a person immed
ately employed by him." Such deductions are to be determinedly
the banks-man, or weigher and check-weigher, or, in the event of di:
fereuce, by a third person, to be mutually agreed on between th*
owner, agent, or manager, on one hand, and the persons employed i
the mine on the other.
38. Itule, — Subject to the exceptions stated below, and to any es
emptions specially granted, every mine must have two shafts or tw
outlets in communication with every seam of work, which are capa
ble of affording distinct means of ingress and egress to the person
employed in the seam. These shafts need not belong to the sam
mine. They must be separated by natural strata of not less thante:
feet in breadth, though openings may be made through the strata fo
sucl; purposes as ventilation and drainage. Such openings, howevei
must, in the case of mines where inflammable gas has been foun«
within the preceding twelve months, be only temporary. Betwee
the two shafts or outlets there must be a communication not leg
than four feet wide and three feet high. At each of the shafts c
outlets, or on the works belonging to the mine, there must be kej>
for raising or lowering persons, proper apparatus in actual use, c
available for use within a reasonable time.
39. Exception No, 1, — The rule does not apply in case of a ne
mine being opened for the purpose of searching for or proving mi:
erals, so long as not more than twenty persons are employed belo"
ground at any one time in the whole of the different seams in conne
tion with the shaft.
40. Exception No. 2. — The rule does not apply to any working f o
the purpose of making communication between two or more shaft
so long as not more than twenty persons are employed below grounc
at any one time in the whole of the different seams in connection
with the shaft or outlet.
41. Exception No. 8. — The rule does not, in the case of mines
which before the passing of tbe act were not required to have a
double shaft, come into operation till the first of January, 1875,
1883. J REPORT OF STATE MINE IKSPECTOR. 145
42. In certain cases temporary or permanent exemptions are al-
lowed. (See below, paragraph 74.)
43. Where a mine is abandoned, or the working thereof discon-
ued (at whatever time such abandonment or discontinuance occurred),
the top of the shaft and any side entrance from the surface must be
kept securely fenced by the owner of the mine or the persons inter-
ested in the minerals thereof.
44. The act prescribes general rules (set forth at length hereun-
der, paragraph 70 J, which are to be observed so far as is reasonably
practicable, in every mine.
45. In addition to the general rules, but not at variance with them,
each mine must have its own set of special rules, framed to meet the
special circumstances of the mine.
46. Object, — The object of special rules is to prevent dangerous
accidents, and to provide for the proper discipline of those employed
in the mine.
47. Force, — Special rules have the same force as if they were con-
tained in the act.
48. How made, — Special rules are prepared in the first instance on
behalf of t^e owner, and are, together with a notice, to be posted up
iuring a fortnight on the premises; such notice to be printed and to
=>e to the effect that at the end of the fortnight the rules will be snb-
*iitted to the inspector of mines for the district, and that in the
Meantime any person employed in the mine is entitled to forward
''^y objection to the inspector at his address, as stated in the notice.,
^n the expiration of the fortnight they are to be signed by the owner,,
^gent or manager, and transmitted to the inspector, together with a
-^rtiticate that the rules and the notice have been posted up as afore-
said.
49. A secretary of State,, may within 40 days, object to the
Special rules if they are insufficient or unreasonable, and require
them to be modified. These requisitions must be complied with or
^Ise referred to arbitration.
50. After 40 days, special rules, if not objected to, become estab-
lished, and are to be signed by the inspector of the district.
51. At what time to he made, — In mines having special rules in
operation on the 1st of January, 1873, proper steps must b^ taken bo-
fore the 1st of April, 1873, to submit a new set of special rules to -l:e
inspector. Meantime the existing special rules will continur ijj
19
1^46 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
force. In the case of a new mine being opened, or the working of
an old mine being renewed, the act allows three months within
which special rules may be submitted.
62. Amendment. — At any time special rules may be amended in
like manner at the instance of the owner, agent or manager. Also
the Secretary of State may at any time propose amendments, which
must be complied with, or referred to arbitration.
63. Publication, — A copy at full length of the special rules when
made, and also of this abstract, together with the name and address
of the inspector of the district, and the name and address of the
owner, agent or manager of the mine must be kept posted up on the
premises, and a copy thereof supplied gratis on application.
64. Any person who pulls down documents so posted up is liable
to punishment.
56. If in any respect a mine is carried on in a manner which,
i;hough not expressly forbidden by the terms of this act, or by special
rules, is, nevertheless, dangerous, the inspector may require the mat-
ter to be remedied, and the owner, agent or manager is bound to
^comply with the requisition, or else submit to a reference to arbi-
tration.
66. Breach of a general rule by any person, or a special rule by
rany person bound to observe the same, is an offense against the act.
And in the event of such an offense being proved to have been com-
anitted, the owner, agent, and manager will also each of them be
•guilty of an offense against the act, unless he proves that he had
taken all reasonable means to prevent the offense by publishing, and,
to the best of his knowledge, enforcing rules. A like liability arises
with respect to other provisions of the act, the breach of which is
declared an offense against the act.
57. The penalty for an offense against the act (except when an-
other penalty expressly specified) is if the offense be" committed by
a person employed in or about the mine not exceeding £2; if com-
mitted by the owner, agent or manager, not exceeding £20, and a
further penalty not exceeding £1 per day for every day that such
offense continues to be committed, after a written notice from the
inspector.
68. Where, however, the court is of the opinion that the offense
is one which is reasonably calculated to endanger the safety of those
<^m ployed in or about the mine, or to cause serious personal injury or
J
1883.J REPORT OF bTATE MINE INSPECTOR. 147
dangerous accident, and was committed willfully by the personal act,'
personal default, or personal negligence of the accused, and that
pecuniary penalty will not meet the circumstances of the case, the
punishment may be imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for
three months.
59. An appeal lies in case of imprisonment, or half the maximum
penalty has been adjudged.
60. An offense can only be prosecuted within three months after
the date when it was committed.
61. An offense by an owner, agent or manager cannot be summa-
rily prosecuted, except either by an inspector of mines or with the
consent of the Secretary of State.
62. The owner, agent or manager may be sworn and examined as
an ordinary witness, if charged in respect of any contravention or
non-compliance of another person.
63. Penalties for neglecting to send notices of accident, or for
any offense against the act which has occasioned loss of life or per-
sonal injury, may be directed by a Secretary of State to be paid to
the sufferers, or to relatives of deceased sufferers, but not to any
person who has contributed to the neglect or offense.
64. A person who is the owner, agent or manager of any mine in
^hich the coal mines regulation act applies, or the father, son or
^i*other of such owner, agent or manager, is disqualified from sum-
^^^arily adjudicating on any offense committed against the act.
65. Megister. — The owner, agent, or manager, must keep in the
<^iBce at the mine a register containing particulars prescribed by sec-
tion thirteen as to all persons whose hours of employment are regu-
lated by the act; and, also a memorandum of the certificates of
school attendance. The register is to be produced to the inspector
^v-lao may inspect or copy it.
66. Returns are to be sent annually by the owner, agent, or man-
ager of each mine to the inspector of the district, namely: On Jan-
uary 1st, a return in the form of schedule four to the act, and gn or
before February 1st, a return, in form to be prescribed by a Secretary
of State, specifying the particulars mentioned in section thirty-eight
of the act.
67. Plans. — The owner, agent, or manager is to keep in the office,
at the mine, an accurate plan and section, or tracing thereof, show-
ing the workings up to at least six months previously, and is to pro-
r
14S * REPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
duce it to the inspector of mines to examine, but not to copy; and,
if requested, is to mark on the plan the workings up to production.
68. Plans and Abandonment, — Within three months of the aban-
donment of a mine, a plan and section, or tracing thereof, showing
the boundaries of the workings, are to be sent by the owner to the
Secretary of State, as a mining record, not, however, to be seen, until
after the lapse of ten years, except by an inspector, or by consent.
69. Notices must be sent by the owner, agent or manager of a
mine to the inspector of mines for the district, as follows: Of the
appointment of a manager, together with his name and address, im-
mediately after his appointment; and in case of the temporary ap-
pointment of an uncertificated manager, the notice shall state the rea-^
son for such appointment; of any accident causing loss of life, or seri-
ous pergonal injury, within twenty-four hours after such accident; of
any accident from explosion of gas, powder, or steam boiler, causing^
any personal injury, within twenty-four hours after such accident; of
any death resulting from personal injury, caused by an accident pre-
viously reported, within twenty-four hours after the death comes to
the knowledge of the owner, agent, or manager. The following is to
be made within two months after the event to be notified: Of the
commencement of any working for the opening of a new shaft; of
the abandonment of a shaft; of the recommencement of the working
of a shaft after an abandonment of more than two months; of any
change in the name of the mine, or in the name of the owner, agent
or manager; of any change in the officers of any incorporated com-
pany owning a mine. Notice must also be given by the owner or
agent (iiot by the manager), of the fact that two or more parts of a
mine are worked separately, with a view that each may be deemed ta
constitute a separate mine for the purposes of the act.
70. Coroner's Inquests, — In the case of an inquest being held con-
cerning a death being caused by a mine accident, unless the inspec-
tor or some other person on behalf of a Secretary of State is present,,
the toroner is to adjourn the inquest, and to send to the inspector
four days' notice of the time and place of the adjourned inquest. If,
however, only one life has been lost, by the accident, and forty-
eight hours' notice of time and place of Lolditig the inquest has been
sent to the inspector, the inquest need not be adjourned if a major-^
inrv think it unnecessary. At the inquest the inspector
camine any witness subject to the order of the coro~
t^mv ■*"-
1883.J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 140
iier. If the inspector is not present, and evidence is given of any
neglect having caused or contributed to the accident, or of any de-
fect in or about the mine appearing to require a remedy, the coroner
is to send to the inspector notice thereof in writing. In the event of
A fatal accident occurring in a mine and an inquest being held, no
person who is employed in that mine, or is concerned in its manage-
ment or has a personal interest in that mine, is ^qualified to serve on
the jury.
71. JEmployment of Boys in Thin Seam Mines, — A Secretary of
State may exempt a thin seam mine from the provisions (see above
paragraph No. 17) prohibiting employment, below ground, of boys
under twelve. In a mine so exempted, boys of ten and under twelve
may be employed under ground, but not for more than six days a
week; not for more than six hours a day, if employed for more than
three days in a week; not for more than ten hours a day, if employed
for only three days or for less than three days in a week. An inter-
val of twelve hours rest shall be allowed between each two consecu-
tive periods of employment, except between Friday and Saturday,
when an interval of eight hours will suffice. The period of such em-
ployment of a boy is deemed to begin at the time of his leaving the
surface and to end at the time of hi^ return to the surface. The
week is deemed to begin at 12 p. m. Saturday, and to end at 12 p. m.
on the Saturday following. The immediate employer of any boy of
ten and under twelve is not to take him below ground until he has
reported his intention so to do to the manager or to some perse n ap-
pointed by the manager; boys of ten and under twelve are subject to
the same provisions with regard to schooling as are prescribed (see
Above paragraphs 25, 26, 2*7, 28) for children under thirteen em-
ployed above ground.
'72. Saturday — Half-holiday — Ireland, — A Secretary of State may
exempt any mine in Ireland from the provisions (see above paragraph
30) prohibiting the employment below ground of women, young per-
sons or children, after two o'clock on Saturday afternoon.
Vs. Weighing Provisions, — A Secretary of State may grant exemp-
tion the from weighing provisions (see above paragraph 34) or post-
pone their operation with respect to any mine or class of mines, as to
which he is satisfied that such exemption or postponement is requi-
site or expedient by reason of the exigencies of the case. In any
^ine 80 exempted, wages may be paid according to measure or gauge,
150 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
and local measures and gauges may be adopted, subject, however, to
inspection by the inspectors of weights and measures. A check-mieas-
urer may be appointed in like manner as a check-weigher.
74. Single Shafts. — A Secretary of State may exempt a proved
mine from the provisions (see above paragraph 42) prohibiting single
shafts if satisfied that the quantity of mineral proved is insufficient
to repay the outlay of the sinking or making of a second shaft or out-
let. In a mine so exempted, there must not be employed below
ground at any one time in the whole of the different seams in con-
nection with the shaft or outlet, more than twenty persons; or, if the
mine is not a coal mine or mine with inflammable gas, more than
such other large number as the Secretary of State may allow. If the
mine is not a coal mine or mine with inflammable gas and the Secre-
tary of State is satisfied that sufficient provision has been made
against danger fro'm other causes than explosion of gas by using stone,
brick or iron, in the place of wood in the lining of the shaft and
construction of the side- wall; in a mine so exempted there must not
be employed below ground at any one time, in the whole of the dif-
ferent seams in connection with the shaft or outlet, more than the
number of persons the Secretary of State may allow. If satisfied
that the workings of a seam have reached the boundary of the prop-
erty, or the extremity of the mineral field, and that it is expedient to
work away the pillars already formed in the course of the ordinary
workings, notwithstanding that by so working away the pillars one
of the shafts or outlets may be cut off. In a mine so exempted there
must not be employed below ground at any one time, in the whole of
the different seams in connection with the shaft or outlet, more than
twenty persons; or if the mine is not a coal mine or a mine with in-
flammable gas, more than such larger number as the Secretary of
State may allow, if satisfied by reason of an aocident one of the
shafts or outlets has become unavailable for the use of the persons
employed in the mine; a mine so exempted may only be worked sub-
ject to the conditions specified in the exemption. In the case of a
mine not at the time of passing the act required to have two outlets
provided that an application is made in England or Scotland within
six months after the first of January, 1873, or in Ireland within six
months after the first of January, 1874, and the Secretary of State is
satisfied that the mine is nearly exhausted; if the Secretary of State
refuse to grant such exemption the matter may be referred to arbi-
tration.
188S.J REPORT OF STATE MIXE INSPECTOR. I5I
75. Also in the case of a mine not at the time of the passing of
tlie act required to have two outlets, a Secretary of State may grant
an extension of time (see above paragraph 41) for providing an addi-
tional shaft or outlet if an application is made to him within six
months preceding the first of January, 1875. In the event of the
Secretary of State refusing such extension of time, the matter may
he referred to arbitration.
76. The following are the general rules: An adequate amount of
ventilation shall be constantly produced in every mine to dilute and
render harmless noxious gases to such an extent that the working-
places of the shafts, levels, stables, and workings of such mine, and
the traveling roads to and from such working places shall be in a fit
state for working and passing therein . In every mine in which in-
flammable gaa has been found within the preceding twelve months,
then once in every twenty-four hours if one shift of workmen is em-
ployed, and once in every twelve hours if two shifts are employed;
during any twenty-four hours a competent person or competent per-
sons, who shall be appointed for the purpose, shall, before the time
for commencing work in any part of the mine, inspect with a safety-
lamp that part of the mine, and the roadways leading thereto, and
• shall make a true report of the condition thereof so far as ventilation
is concerned, and a workman shall not go to work in such part until
the same and the roadways leading thereto are stated to be safe.
Every such report shall be recorded without delay in a book which
shall be kept at the mine for the purpose, and shall be signed by the
person making the same. In every mine in which inflammable gas
has not been found within the*^receding twelve months, then once in
twenty-four hours a competent person or competent persons, who
shall be appointed for the purpose, ?hall, so far as is reasonably prac-
ticable, immediately before the time for commencing work in any
part of the mine, inspect that part of the mine, and the roadways
leading thereto, and shall make a true report of the condition
thereof so far as ventilation is concerned, and a workman shall not
go to work in such part until the same and the roadways leading
thereto are stated to be safe Every such report shall be recorded
'Without delay in a book which shall be kept at the mine for the pur-
pose, and shall be signed by the person making the same.
All entrances to any place not in actual course of working and ex-
tension shall be properly fenced across the whole width of such en-
152 EEPOET OF STATE MINE IXSPECTOR. [K^
trance, so as to prevent persons inadvertently entering the same. -^
station or stations shall be appointed at the entrance to the mine, ^^
to different parts of the mine, as the case may require, and a woirf^'
man shall not pass beyond any such station until the mine, or pa*^
of the mine beyond the same, has been inspected and stated to "t^®
safe.
If, at any time, it is found by the person for the time being i ^
charge of the mine, or any part thereof, that, by reason of noxiec* s
gases prevailing in such mine or such part thereof, or of any caus^
whatever, the mine or the said part, is dangerous, every workman ^^
shall be withdrawn from the mine or such part thereof as is so foun.^
dangerous, and a competent person, who shill be appointed for tlB-^
purpose, shall inspect the mine or such part thereof as is so foun
dangerous, and if the danger arises from inflammable gas, shall
spect the same with a locked safety-lamp, and in every case shal 1^
make a true report of the condition of such mine or part thereo:^,
and a workman shall not, except in so far as is necessary for inqui Tar-
ing into the cause of danger, or for the removal thereof, or for e^s^-
ploration, be readmitted into the mine, or such part thereof as ws^-s
found dangerous, until the same is stated by such report not to bz^e
dangerous. Every such report shall be recorded in a book whic^s-li
shall be kept at the mine for the purpose, and shall be signed by tV — ae
person making the same. In every working approaching any pla^ci^e
where there is likely to be an accumulation of explosive gas, no lain Mp
or light other than a locked safety-lamp shall be allowed or used; amr^d
whenever safety-lamps are required by the act, or by the special ruL -^s
made in pursuance of the act, to be used, a competent person, w^no
shall be appointed for the purpose, shall examine every safety-laracnp
immediately before it is taken into the workings for use, and asc^^r-
tain it to be secure and securely locked, and in any part of a^mine :in
which safety-lamps are so required to be used, they shall not be u» ^d
until they have been so examined and found secure and securely
locked, and shall not, without due authority, be unlocked; and in tytie
said part of a mine a person shall not, unless he is appointed for tfce
purpose, have in his possession any key or contrivance for opening
the lock of any such safety-lamp, or any lucifer match, or apparatus
of any kind for striking a light.
Gunpowder, or other explosives or inflammiable substance, shall
only be used in the mine under ground, as follows: It shall not be
1883.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 153
stored in the mine; it shall not be taken into the mine except in a
case or canister containing not more than four pounds; a workman
shall not have in use, at one time in any one place, more than one of
such cases or canisters; in charging holes for blasting, an iron or
steel picker shall not be used, and a person shall not have in his pos-
session; in the mine under ground, any iron or steel picker; and an
iron or steel tamping rod or stemmer shall not be used for ramming
either the wadding or the first part of the tamping or stemming on
the powder; a charge of powder which has missed fire shall not be
unrammed; it shall not be taken into, or be in possession of any per-
son in any mine except in cartridges, and shall not be used except
*in accordance with the following regulations, during three months
after any inflammable gas has been found in any siich mine, namely:
A competent person, who shall be appointed for the purpose, shall,
immediately before firing a shot, examine the place where it is to be
^sed, artd the places contiguous thereto, and shall not allow the shot
to be fired unless he finds it safe to do so; and a shot shall not be
•filled except by 01^ under the direction of a competent person, who
shall be appointed for the purpose. If the said inflammable gas
issues so freely that it shows a blue-cap on the flame of the safety-
lamp, it shall only be used either in those cases of stone drifts, stone
"Hrork and sinking of shafts, in which the ventilation is so managed
that the return air from the place where the powder is used passes
into the main air-course without passing any place in actual course
of working, or when the persons ordinarily employed in the mine
are out of the mine, or out of the part of the mine where it is used.
Where a mine is divided into separate panels, in such manner that
each panel has an independent intake and return air-way from the
main air-course and the main return air-course, the provisions of this
rule, with respect to gunpowder or other explosive, inflammable sub-
stance, shall apply to each such panel in like manner as if it were
a separate mine. Where a place is likely to contain a dangerous
-accumulation of water, the working approaching such place shall not.
exceed eight feet in width, and there shall be co^istantly kept, at
a sufticient distance, not being less than five yards in advance, at
least one bore-hole near the center of the working, and sufficient
flank bore-holes on each side. Every underground plane on which
persons travel, which is self-acting or worked by an engine, windlass
or gin, shall be provided (if exceeding thirty yards in length) with
20
151 jiEPOET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOE. [^4:
some proper means of signaling between the stopping-places- and the-
ends of the plane and shall be provided in every case at intervals of
not more than twenty yards, with sufficient man-holes for places of
refuge.
Every road on which persons travel under ground where the load
is drawn by a horse or other animal shall be provided, at intervals of
not more than fifty yards, with sufficient man-holes, or with a space
for a place of refuge, which space shall be of sufficient length and.
at least three feet in width between the wagons running on the train-
road and the side of such road.
Every man-hole and a space for a place of refuge, shall be con*
stantly kept clear, and no person shall place anything in a man-hole-
or such space to prevent aiccess thereto.
The top of every shaft which for the time being is out of use, or
used only as an air-shaft, sh^U be securely fenced.
The top and all entrances between the top and bottom of every,
working or pumping-shaft shall be properly fenced, but this shall not',
be taken to forbid the temporary removal of the fence for the pur-
pose of repairs or other operations if proper precautions are used..
Where the natural strata are not safe every working or pumping-
shaft shall be securely cased, lined or otherwise made secure.
The roof and side of every traveling-road and working-place shall-,
be made secure, and a person shall not, utiless appointed for the pur-
pose of exploring or repairing, travel, or work in any such traveling-
road or working-place which is not so made secure.
Where there is a downcast and furnace-shaft and both such shafts ■
are provided with apparatus in use for raising and lowering persons, .
every person employed in the mine shall upon giving reasonable -
notice have the option of using the downcast-shaft.
In any mine which is usually entered by means of machinery, a .
competent person of such age as prescribed by the act, shall be ap-
pointed for the purpose of working the machinery which is em-
ploye:! in lowering and raising persons therein, and shall attend for-
the said purpose during the whole time that any person is below
ground in the mine.
Every working-shaft used for the purpose of drawing minerals or-
for lowering or raising of persons, shall, if exceeding fifty yards im
depth and not exempted in writing by the inspector or the district,
bo provided with guides and some proper means of communicating
1883.] EEPOET OF STATE MINE INSPECIOE. 155.
distinct and definite signals from the bottom of a shaft and from
every entrance for the time being in work, between the surface and
the bottom of the shaft, to the surface, and from the surface to the
bottom of the shaft and to every entrance for the time being in
work between the surface and the bottom of the shaft.
A sufficient cover overhead shall be used when lowering or raising
persons, in every working-shaft, except where it is worked by a wind-
lass, or where the person is employed about the pump or some work
of repair in the shaft, or where a written exemption is given by the
inspector of the district.
A single-linked chain shall not be used for lowering or raising
persons in any working-shaft or plane, except for the short coupling
chain attached to the cage or load.
There shall be on the drum of every machine used for lowering or
raising persons, such flanges or horns, and also, if the drum is con-
ical, such other appliances, as may be sufficient to prevent the rope
from slipping.
There shall 'be attached to every machine worked by steam, water,
or mechanical power, and used for lowering or raising persons, an .
adequate brake, and also a proper indicator (in addition to any mark
on the rope) which shows to the person who works the machine the
position of the cage or load in the shaft.
Every fly-wheel, and all exposed and dangerous parts of the ma-
chinery used in or about the mine, shall be, and be kept, securely
fenced.
Every steam boiler shall be provided with a proper steam gauge
and water gauge, to show respectively the pressure of steam and the
height of water in the boiler, and with a proper safety valve.
After dangerous gas has been found in any mine, a barometer and
thermometer shall be placed above ground in a conspicuous position
near the entrance of the mine.
No person shall willfully damage, or without proper authority re-
move or render useless any fence, fencing, casing, lining, guide,
means of signaling, signal, cover, chain, flange, horn, break, indica-
tor, steam gauge, water gauge, safety valve, or other appliances or
thing provided in any mine in compliance with the act.
Every person shall observe such directions with respect to working-
as may be given to him with a view to comply with the act or the
special rules. A competent person or competent persons, who shall
15f^ EEl^OET OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
be appointed for the purpose, shall once at least in every twenty-four
hours examine the state of the external parts of the machinery, and
the state of the head gear, working places, levels, planes, ropes,
chains, and other works of the mine which are in actual use, and
once at least in every week shall examine into the state of the shafts
by which persons ascend or descend, and the guides or conductors
therein, and shall make a true report of the result of such examina-
tion, and such report shall be recorded in a book to be kept at the
mines for the purpose, and shall be signed by the person who made
the same.
The persons employed in a mine may from time to time appoint
two of their number to inspect the mine at their owij cost, and the
persons so appointed shall be allowed, once at least in every month,
accompanied, if the owner, agent or manager of the mine thinks fit,
by himself or one or more officers of the mine, to go to every part of
the mine, and to inspect the shafts, levels, planes, working places,
return air-ways, ventilating apparatus, old workings and machinery,
and shall be afforded by the owner, agent and manager, and all per-
sons in the mine, every facility for the purpose of such inspection,
and shall make a true report of the result of such inspection, and
such reports shall be recorded in a book to kept at the mine for the
purpose, and shall be signed by the person who made the same.
The books mentioned in tht? General Rules, or a copy thereof shall
be kept at the office of the mine, and any inspector, under the act,
and any person employed in the mine, may at all reasonable times,
inspect and take copies of, and extracts from any such books.
107800
SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT
OF THB
State Mine Inspector,
TO THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
FOB THE YEABS 1884 AND 1885.
PRINTKD BT ORDER OF THB GENERAL ASSEMBLY*
DES MOINES:
0EO. E. ROBERTS, STATE PRINTER.
1885.
•1 ^
p-- ■ . -.
I
' I i
: 107800 'i
Vl :0N8.
» «. V,
BIENNIAL REPORT.
Dbs Moines, Iowa, August 13, 1885.
To hU ExceUencyy Bubbk R. Shebmak, Chvenwr of Iowa:
Snt— In compliance with chapter twenty-one of the laws of the
^entieth General Assembly, I herewith submit my second biennial
^port of the Department of Mines for the two years ending June
30, 1885.
In this report I will give an approximate estimate of the coal out-
piit of the State, a list of fatal accidents, together with the decision
of the coroner's jury of the county in which the accident occurred
^or the two years, a brief statement of the labors of the Inspector,
And recommendations for the perfecting of the present mining law,
with such other matters as I have deemed of importance to the min-
ing industry of the State.
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOB.
[E4
COAL OUT-PUT OF IOWA FOR FIVE YEARS.
COUNTIES.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1886.
Mahaska —
Keokuk
Lucas
Polk
Boone
Webster
Wapello —
Appanoose..
Monroe
Marion
Greene
Jasper
Dallas
Jefferson. . . ,
Warren
Scott
Hardin
Adams
Hamilton...
Wayne
Van Buren.
Davis
Page
Taylor
Henry
Cass
Guthrie
Total.
917,495
468,010
468,274
473,893
337,724
184,300
131,816
107,348
98,143
93,997
81,630
42,436
47,884
39,124
12,987
3,804
1,317
3,708
1787
77
98
489
686
78
67
36
3,600,000
701,397
611,849
413,217
327,819
286,891
218,478
207,721
97,976
90,326
90,927
62,631
40,189
36,201
22,121
11,081
3,711
1,126
1,691
874
61
216
301
118
84
66
41
3,127,700
927,387
600,040
487,821
668,821
466,981
248,560
237,821
128,896
93,436
90,986
88,861
46,883
38,208
38,887
12,828
3,714
1,203
3,891
1,998
1,892
1,678
627
748
94
66
43
3,881,300
932,714
430,940
410,729
619,921
473,073
214,014
240,720
168,986
98,427
97,086
96,327
46,321
37,185
8,172
13,727
3,821
1,075
3,981
1,878
4,947
1,778
1,207
1,109
127
87
6,137
3,903,438
762,785-
372,816-
439,966.
462,896
468,191
145,296.
187,911
246,89&
101,61T
100,011
89,687
90,42&
32,98a
1,116.
12,825
6,93r
885
3,89&
918
26,812.
1,193
33,655
1,819
617
196
4,59&
3,685,737
The foregoing table giving the out-pat cf coal for the years rep-
resented, is only an approximate estimatey as all the mines have not
made reports to this office of their total out-put.
For the year 1885 there were returns sent to this office from foai^
hundred and seventeen mines, leaving seventy-two mines not reporteci ^
It will be noticed that the out-put for 1885 is 317,701 tons less tha^^
for the year 1884. This deficiency or falling off is attributed to sev
end causes, one of which was the protracted strike at What Cheer^^
in Keokuk county, and at Angus, in Boone county, as either mining'
camp had a large daily out-put and when they went on a strike it gav^
the operators of Illinois a fine chance for taking contracts in a terri —
tory that geographically belongs to Iowa.
Another cause is that the oompetitioa from Illinois is growing
stronger each year as they have in gome localities reduced the price of^
mining to forty cents per ton, whilst Iowa is paying from seventy-five-
cents to $1.00 per ton, and there are other causes that I will not take the
1885.] BEPOBT OF STATE MIKE IKSFBCTOB. 5
time or space to enumerate, that have a tendency to handicap both oper-
ator and miner in this State in their efforts to keep up the out-pat of
their mines and at the same time to maintain the present price both
of coal in the market and of the price paid for mining. There are
certain localities that geographically belong to Iowa bat by a system
of discrimination in freight rates and by rebate of freights other
States have been enabled to come into successful competition with
Iowa mines and in some instances have been enabled to undersell our
Iowa coal in the markets, but these causes involve the question of
transportation, and as the State only has power to deal with State
•commerce we cannot reach the difficulty through our State Legisla-
ture as the regulation of interstate commerce is a matter within the
jurisdiction of Congress.
LIST OF FATAL ACCIDENTS.
Thomas Fox — Killed August 1, 1883.
The jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said Thomas Fox came
to his death at or about 10:30 o'clock a. m., August 1st, 1883, at a
proBpecting hole K. £. and near the Miller coal shaft. From the tes-
timony given before us it appears that he came to his death by a
blow from the windlass crank, being purely accidental and not other-
wise.
L. J. Wblls, )
Joseph Williams, >• Jurors.
L. D. SiMMS, )
I. W. Griffith, Coroner, Polk county, Iowa.
James Spear — Killed August 8, 1883.
The said jurors do say that he came to his death on the 8th day of
August, 1883, in the coal mine belonging to the White Breast Coal
and Mining Company, situated in White Breast township, Lucas
county, Iowa, by the falling of a rock upon him. That it was entirely
accidental, and that no blame attachs to anyone.
Henry Scheblt, )
Alfred Stuart, >• Jurors.
Alexander ISpencer, )
H. S. MiLLAK, Coroner, Lucas county, low i.
^ REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E i
Pbteb Clabk — Killed August 31, 1883.
The said jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said Peter Clark
came to his death by a fall of slate while engaged in his daily avoca-
tion as a miner in Climax Mine No. 2, located at Angus, Boone
county, Iowa, and according to weight of evidence adduced said Peter
Clark, deceased, had timber sent into His place in said mine previous
to his being killed, and had placed several timbers to keep the top
secure for his own safety and while in the act of wedging coal a piece
of slate, whose edge was resting on the coal, gave way without anj
warning, causing his death ; but nad timbers been sent to him when
required said accident might have been avoided.
W. A. SWILBB, ^
B. G. Wood, > Jurors.
William H. Thomas, )
Geobge Doban, Coroner, Boone county, Iowa.
William Gboyunb — Killed Sbptembbb 21, 1883.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that the said William
Groyune came to his death by the falling of slate from the roof of a
break through in the mines of the Jefferson County Coal Co., in which
the men were working at the time of the accident, and that no blame
attachs to the managers or employes of said company.
William Spebby, J
Albebt Spenobb, > Jurors.
RiCHABD Gbeen, )
Thomas D. Evans, Coroner of Jefferson county, Iowa.
Joseph Beck — Killed Septembeb 29, 1883.
The said jurors do say upon their oaths that the said Joseph Beck
came to his death at or about 9 o'clock a. m., September 29, 1883, in
the Standard coal mines, in Saylor township, Polk county, Iowa, bj
means of the caving of the roof, being accidental, and, under the
circumstances, unavoidable.
J. F. Ankbkby, )
L. J. Wells, >• Jurors.
Geo. Petefish, )
I. W. Gbipfith, Coroner of Polk county, Iowa.
1886.1 BEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 7
RiCHABD Waters — Killed Octobsb 16,1883.
The jurors upom tkeir oaths do say that the late Richard Waters
came to his death by aocidentally stepping nnder the cage while it was
being lowered, and caught on the landing by the cage.
J. H. Webster, )
Bekj. Atllott, > Jurors.
WiLLLAJc Blaib, ]
Geo. DoRAir, Coroner of Boone county, Iowa.
Jambs McDebmot — Killed Noyembbb 22, 1883.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, after having heard all the
evidence, and having examined the body of said deceased James Mo-
Dermot, do find that the deceased came to his death by accidentally
being brushed between the edges of the cage and the roof as said
cage was passing up the north shaft of Starr A mine, at What Cheer,
Iowa, between the hours of 11 and 12 o'clock a. m., on the 22d day of
Kovember, 1883 ; said mine being operated by and under the control
of the Starr Coal Company.
Robert Forsyth, )
Thomas Linsley, >■ Jurors.
H. C. Adams, )
James M. Cokkell, Coroner of Keokuk county, Iowa.
Carl Beckstrom — Killed November 24, 1883.
We, the jury, now bitting and holding an inquisition on the dead
\>odj of Carl Beckstrom, now lying dead in Polk county, Iowa, find
that the said Carl Beckstrom came to his death while working and
mining coal in the Standard coal mine, by reason of the roof falling
accidentally; and we find that the said Carl Beckstrom came to his
death accidentally, by reason of said roof falling down, and not oth-
erwise ; no negligence being attached to said company or its em-
ployes.
L. Stohloreen, )
A. W. Peterson, > Jurors.
Ed. Lewis, )
A. H. BoTKiN, J. P., Acting Coroner for Polk county, Iowa*
3 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
Jambs Cusby — ^Killed Noyembeb 30, 1883.
The jurors upon their oaths do say, after hearing the evidenoe, and
having examined the case of said deceased, James Carry, we do find
that the deceased came to his death by the accidental explosion of a
keg of powder, caused by a spark falling from the lamp which was
attached to the cap of Alex. McBride,a miner, and no blame attachs
to any one.
J. W. D. SWISHBB, )
Thomas Cubtain, >• Jurors.
A. M. Claby, )
Jambs M. Coknbll, Coroner of Keokuk county, Iowa.
Geo. Holmes — Killed Decembbb 5, 1883.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that the said Geo. Holmes
came to his death by an unavoidable accident, over which he nor any
other person had any control, while at work in the Climax coal mine.
RoBEBT Long, )
Fbank Slee, V Jurors.
Clabekcb Luddbn, )
Geo. Dobak, Coroner of Boone county, Iowa.
Daniel Allen — Killed Decembbb 5, 1883.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that the said Daniel Allen
eame to his death in room No. 3, fourth south entry of mine No. 1 of
the Wapello Coal Company's mine, situated in Richland township,
Wapello county, Iowa, on the 5th day of December, 1883, between
the hours of 6 and 8 o'clock p. m., from an accidental fall of slate ;
and we further find that the said Allen did not exercise proper cam-
tion, in returning in too soon after the firing of a shot.
L. D. McGlasson,
A. Roop, |- Jurors.
J. C. KUBTZ, )
S. A. Spillman, Coroner of Wapello county, Iowa.
I
Pat. Quiglby — Killed Januaby — , 1884.
In the case of Pat. Quigley, who was injured in what is known as
Logan and Canfield coal mine, who died from injuries received while
at work in said mine, I investigated said case without a jury, and find
the facts as follows : He was driving a three-foot entry, more par-
(If
n
ad'
1886.1 BBPOBT OF STATE MIKE IKSPBCTOB. 9
lionlarly for his own conyenience, and a piece of roof fell on him. It
was a matter over which he nor no one else had any control, and the
relations of the deceased lay no blame on the company.
The reason for not holding an inquest was that the body was
boned before I arrived — they not getting the notice that I was com-
ing. These are substantially the facts.
Geo. Dosan,
Coroner of Boone county, Iowa.
JOHK F. TUBNING ElLLBD JANUARY 6, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that the deceased came to
lis death by recklessly passing under a stone that he knew was about
to fall, and that no blame can be attached to auy party or parties but
iiimself.
JoHK Cantbbbbby, )
Albgk. Mitchell, v Jurors.
Hekby Boldek, )
H. S. MiLLAK, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
David Sheabeb^Eilled Januaby 15, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that David Shearer came
iK> his death by the accidental falling of a trap door, at the Indianola
Joining Company's coal shaft, of January 15, 1884, and that said ac-
cident was not owing to the criminal negligence of any one, so far
&8 we can determine.
^ W. W. Cabpentbb, )
W. T. Hamilton, >• Jurors.
M. W. Shephbed, )
Chas. G. Shaw, Coroner of Warren county, Iowa.
Fbedbic Lief — Killed Janijaby 16, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that Fredric Lief came to
^is death by unavoidable fall of slate in mine No. 1, A entry, Boone
^0. 40, Muchakinock mines, Mahaska county, Iowa. We find that
'Bdid fatal accident happened on January 16, 1884.
Thomas Newell, )
T. J. Hendebson, >• Jurors.
W. B. KiLNEB, )
J. C. Babbingeb, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
>,
10 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
John Coubtnbt— Killed Januabt 16, 1884.
The said jurorfi upon their oaths do say that said John Courtney
was driying a team attached to a loaded oar of coal, on the Central
Iowa Railroad switch, to the Acme Coal Company's mines ; that he
was driying with the lines over one shoulder and under his arm, the
ends dragging behind. The lines probably became caught under the
oar wheel, stopping the horses and throwing him under the car, kill-
ing him instantly. We find no one to blame for the accident. We
find that the above accident happened on Wednesday, January 16,
1884.
T. J. HSNDBBSOK, )
W. B. KiTNBB, >• Jurors.
Thomas Nbwbll, )
J. C. Babbinobb, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
John McLsan — Eillbd Januaby 24, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that said John McLean
came to his death by an accidental fall of elate in room No. 3, Acme
Coal Company's mine, on Thursday, January 24, 1884. We cannot
find that any one is to blame for the accident.
C. W. Jordan, )
John H. Pkbby, >• Jurors.
W. B. KiTNKB, )
J. C. Babbinger, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
David Davbnpobt — Eillbd Januaby 27, 1884.
The said jarors upon their oaths do say said David Davenport
came to his death by accident, by excitement and smoke, caused by
fire in stable in B shaft of White Breast Coal and Mining Company.
L. L. Mabkaman, )
John Hbimans, > Jurors.
Jambs Flood, )
H. S. MiLLAN, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
Hbnby Jonbs — E[iLLBD Fbbbuaby 4, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, after having heard the evi-
dence and examined said body, we do find that the deceased came to
his death by being accidentally crushed in the machinery attached to
1885.J BEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 1 J
an engine of the Central Iowa Coal Company, located at Swan, Marion
county, Iowa.
A. W. Rouse, )
R. S. BowBss, > Jurors.
L. L. HUNTSB, )
M. 6. Shook, Coroner of Marion county, Iowa.
Hjknby Holdebmak — Killed Febbuaby 16, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that said Henry Holderman
came to his death by the falling of slate while working in a room in
the mine operated by J. A. Smith, on Saturday, February 16, 1884 ;
and that said accident was caused by his own carelessness.
James Cabboll, )
Albebt W. Swalm, [■ Jurors.
W. R. Lacy, )
J. C. Babbingeb, Coroner of Mahaska county, Iowa.
James Watts — Killed Mabch 9, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say the deceased came to his
death by the fall of a quantity of slate upon him while in the mine of
the White Breast Coal and Mining Company, by his own carelessness,
and that no blame attaohs to any one.
F. E. Kelly, )
L. L. Mabkaman, >• Jurors.
John Bbbtway, )
H. S. MiLLAK, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
Nelson Hall — Killed Mabch 27, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that he came to his death
by being run over by the coal cars in shaft No. 1, West Cleveland,
LTicas ooanty, Iowa, and no fault attaohs to the White Breast Coal
Company, or anybody else.
Geobge W. Kays, )
Jambs Welch, v Jurors.
Wm. Snedakbb, )
H. S. MiLLAN, Coroner of Lucas county, Iowa.
12 REPORT OF STATE MIKE INSPECTOR. [S4
Joseph Edwabds — Killed Apbil 3, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that the deceased came to
liis death by his own neglect, and no blame attaches to any one else.
G. H. Chase, )
Eli McCbackek, >- Jurors.
A. M. Reed, )
H. S. MiLLANy Coroner, Lucas county, Iowa.
Dayid Edwabds — Killed April 29, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that the said David Ed-
wards came to his death by being crushed by a fall of slate, being
perfectly accidental.
J. C. Brooks, )
T. M. WiLCOxsoN, >■ Jurors.
JoHK Steibley, )
£. H. Sage, Coroner, Wapello county, Iowa.
Thomas Hirst, Jr. — KttJiEd May 1, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that on the Ist day of May,
jit about the hour of 4 o'clock p. m., said Thos. Hirst, Jr., came to his
4eath by being crushed by the falling of slate in mine No. 2, Carver
Coal Mines. Purely accidental; no blame attached to any person or
persons.
A. T. Failyer, )
H. K. Kirkpatrice:, >• Jurors.
Alvin Roop, )
£. H. Sage, Coroner, Wapello county, Iowa.
John Jeffries — ^Killed May 20, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say John Jeffries came to his
•death by an accidental and unavoidable fall of slate, while driving
temporarily in third west entry on north side in No. 3 .mine, Ezcei-
«ior Coal Company^s mines, at Excelsior, on the 20th day of Mav,
1884, about 2 o'clock p. m. We do not find any blame for the acci-
•dent.
W. F. Mask, )
T. J. Hendersok, > Jurors.
F. D. BOYER, )
J. C. Barrikqeb, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
1885.] BEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 1 f^
Lbb Habgbaye — KnjiTBT) JuNB 4, 1884.
The said jurors do say he came to his death in mine No. 2, of the
White Breast Coal and Mining Company, by the falling of slate upon
him while at work in said mines, it being altogether accidental and
without felony.
J. P. VOBHIBS, )
JoHX Ryan, V Jurors.
W. MOSENA, )
H. S. MiLLAN, Coroner, Lucas county, Iowa.
AbTHUB BuBTON — KiLLBD JuLY 17, 1884.
We, the jurors, find that Arthur Burton came to his death by the^
cage descending in the shaft and striking him upon the head, and
that it was wholly accidental and caused by the carelessness of said
deceased, and that no blame is attached to the Star Coal Mining Com-
pany or any of the employes.
H. 6. Palmbb, )
J. H. Lbathebs, [-Jurors.
Oliybb Sbaton, )
Jambs McConkbll, Coroner, Keokuk county, Iowa.
P. P. McMullbn — Killed August 1, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, that the said P. P. Mc-
Mullen came to his death on the 1st day of August, 1884, caused by
and the result of an injury received on the 3d day of July, 1884, in
tbe main entry of the coal mine of the Standard Fuel Company, in
in Poweshiek township, Jasper county, Iowa, from and by slate from
the roof falling on him while helping the pit boss, George Emery, and
others, in the removal of slate that had fallen from the said entry on
the night before the said injury. And that the said injury and death^
of the deceased w«as a result of the negligence failure to remove the^
loose slate of the roof before attempting to remove the slate that had
fallen the night before.
J. A. Mattebn, )
J. R. RoDGBBS, > Jurors.
J. L. Cook, )
Hugh Newell, Coroner, Jasper county, Iowa.
14 REPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [B4
OeOBOE ClABK — ElLLBD AuousT 7, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say that said George Clark
oame to his death August 7, 1 884, by burns and scalds, caused by the
explosion of the steam boiler of the Warren County Goal and Tile
Company's works, at Indianola, Iowa, which explosion occurred Au-
gust 6, 1884.
Dan G. Peck, )
Amos Embbbb, >• Jurors.
W. W. Cabpbnteb, )
Chables Shaw, Coroner, Warren county, Iowa.
A. R. McCuNB — Killed August 11, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, that after hearing the evi^
dence, and examining the body, we do find that deceased came to hi»
death by a heavy body of slate falling from the roof of the Central
Iowa Coal Mine. His head was caught between the slate and a large
piece of coal, smashing the skull; the right eye was entirely out, and
nose cut into, causing instant death. This accident cannot be attrib-
uted to any cause of negligence on part of Central Iowa Coal Com-
pany.
J. T. Black, )
C. W. Scoles, >• Jurors.
B. ROLLEB, ]
M. J. Shook, Acting Coroner, Marion county, Iowa.
Miles Holcomb — Killed Octobeb 24, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, that said person came to
his death by being thrown between or on the coal car while working
in the coal mine of W. D. Johnson, on the 24th day of October, 1884,
by becoming careless, and not locking the wheels the proper time,
causing dislocation of the neck.
W. D. Texyblin, )
Samuel Akdbbsok, >• Jurors.
Samuel Blukk, )
Geobge Dobak, Coroner, Boone county, Iowa.
John Mobgan — Killed Octobeb 30, 1884.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, that John Morgan's death
resulted from the falling of slate in his own room, carelessly left
it
«ii
1886.1 BBPOBT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 15
▼ithout prop. No blame is attached to the superintendent of the
mine, or anyone of the workmen therein.
Alxzandeb Findlay, )
Stanfobd Doud, V Jurors.
Isi. C. MoCbuly, )
Georgb p. Walkbb, J. P., Acting Coroner for Van Buren county,
Iowa.
Makfobd Oodbn — Klllkd Jakuaby 3y 1885.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say, that the said Manford Og-
den came to his death by an accident which occurred at the Corey
Coal Mine, on the 3d day of January, 1885, in Prairie township Eeo-
^ak county Iowa, which accident occurred by neglect of duty by de-
ceased.
P. M. Walejeb.
M. H. McFablan.
His
J. + Hall.
Mark.
Bd Jaoksok, J. P., Acting Coroner for Keokuk county, Iowa.
Edwabd Mabtin — ^Eillbd August 8, 1885.
The said Edward Martin was injured in the Eureka Coal Mines,
X>e8 Moines, Iowa, by falling roof, and died in about ten hours after-
^v^strd. No inquest.
Signed Eubbka Coal Company.
August 8, 1885.
Jambs Toitbb — ^Killbd Mabch 6, 1885.
The sud jurors, on their oaths, do say that the said James Toner
^^aoie to his death on or about 1 o'clock a. m., March 6, 1885, at the
Standard Coal Mine No. 8, situated in Delaware township, Polk
ooQnty, Iowa, by means of falling state on or in the main entrance
in said mine, and that it was the result of unavoidable acci-
^^nt, and that the entry for a distance of about nine feet, where the
^<^ident occurred, was insufficiently timbered.
J. D. Bbkkbtt, )
S. RiGGs, > Jurors.
J. A. CULSOK, )
!• W. Gbiffith, Coroner, Polk county, lowa^
16 REPORT OF STATE MINE IKSPEOTOR. [E 4^
Wm. Hougb — Killed Mabch 33, 1885.
The said jurors, upon their oath, do say, after having heard the ev-
idence and examined the body, we find that the deceased came to hit*
death while working in the coal bank; he was crashed to death in- ij
stantly. |
JOHK J. KbBB, )
N Hugh H. Mtbbs, > Jarors.
HiBAM Stbbbiks, )
W. W. Entlbb, a Justice of the Peace and Acting Coroner for
Van Buren county, Iowa.
WILLLA.M DOBSEY — £[lLLED MaBCH 27, 1885.
The £aid jurors, upon their oaths, do say that the said William:
Dorsey came to his death by an accidental and unavoidable fall of\
slate in room No. 1, entry F, mine No. 5, Consolidated Coal Com-^
pany's mines at Muchakinock, Iowa, on Friday, March 27, 1885, about'
9 o'clock A. M., and further, jury find no one to blame for accident.
W. S. Kbnwobtht, )
6. W. Shocexet, V Jaron.
M. £. Bbnnbtt, )
J. C. Babbingbb, Coroner, Mahaska county, Iowa.
Robbbt D. B. Shaw — Ktlled Mabgh 30, 1885.
The said jurors, upon their oaths, do say that deceased oame to
death by an accidental fall of slate in straight entry Excelsior -<
Company's mines, Excelsior, Mahaska county, Iowa, on March
1885.
D. H. Lisnbb, )
J. W. HiNBsi«Y, > Jmonu
James Cabboll, )
J. C. Babbinobb, Coroner, Mahaska oounty, Iowa. ^ ''
Samuxl F. Beausb — Kttj.ed Apbil 17| 1885.
t^
The said jurors, upon their oaths, do say that he oame to his deatilir
by the accidental falling of rock in the mine of AlbiaCoal Company^
in Monroe county, Iowa, and that said accident was unavoidable, and
that no blame can be attached to any one.
EuasLovb, )
David Rows, [ Juronu
J.R Watsok, )
Wm, Wbbb, Coroner, Monroe county, Iowa.
1886.] BEPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. I7
There are forty fatal accidents reported for the two years ending
June 30, 1885. Of that number twenty-eight were from falls of roo';
three by being caught by the cage; two killed by coal cars in the
mines; one by boiler explosion; one was run over by railroad car on
the ooal track; one by suffocation caused by smoke from a burning
male stable in the mine; one killed in the shaft; one killed by the
explosion of a keg of powder; one by being caught by his engine;
one by being struck by the crank of a windlass while prospecting.
In the accidents reported above those that occur from falls of roof
are in excess of those from all other causes combined, but as I have
given the decision of the coroner's jury in each case, comments here
-will not be necessary.
LABORS OP THE INSPECTOR.
Xhe work of the last two .years has not been very satisfactory to
, as there has been more work than one inspector could pcsHibly
dOy as the mines are scattered over so much territory extending from
aboat three miles north of Fort Dodge in Webster county south to
the State line, and from Buffalo nine miles west of Davenport in
S<K>tt county west to the Nodaway River in Adams and Page coun-
tieSy embracing a territory of about one hundred and twenty-five
'f' miles north and south by about two hundred miles east and west.
I . The old mining law took no notice of mines working less than iif-
i teen men. But the Twentieth General Assembly repealed all the
la^^B on mining and enacted the present law, which controls every
shaft mine in the State, and every slope or drift mine working five
\ men and upward, and when the number of mines working less than
f ^ fifteen men and their location is understood, it will be readily seen
that the work of the Inspector has been about doubled to what it
[ :wuM under the old law.
In the latter part of March, 1884, immediately after the present
law went into efEeot I procured one thousand copies of the mining
lawy printed in pamphlet form and started on my tour of inspection.
I had a fair idea of the work before me and knew that if I under-
took to make • thorough inspection of the underground works of
every mine visited I oould not possibly get around to all the mines
8
»
i
r
I.
r
\
y
t
«
I
]g REPORT OF STATE MIKE INSPEGTOB. [£4
by the first of July, 1885, and for that reason I did not visit the un-
derground works but confined myself to the work of outside improve-
mentSy such as safety catches for the cages and to see that all the
mines furnished the proper means of escape in case of fire or an
overflow of water.
It will be noticed by reference to the present law that there is a
great change from the old law in regard to escapes, which I consider
to be about as essential as any portion of the law, as a great deal of
the coal of this State is overlaid with water and sand, and if a fall
of roof should occur the underground works would soon be filled
with water, and if the mine was not provided with the proper escapes
there would be a liability of fearful loss of life; for this reasoa
I confined myself to the work of visiting the mines, giving them a
copy of the mining law and a written notice to comply with the
same.
As before stated, I commenced this work in the latter part of
March, 1884, and in the latter part of January, 1885, 1 had finished
the tour of the State, visiting over four hundred and fifty mines;
had located over one hundred escape shafts, and at nearly every shaft
in the State safety catches had been provided.
Since the present law went into effect there has been seven mines
flooded with water, but in every instance the escapes had been pro-
vided, and while some of the mines filled with water very rapidlj}
there has been no loss of life from that cause, all of the anoerground
force escaped, but in some instances everything else was left in the
mines and still remain, as the fiow of water is so great that the cmft-
panies could not get pumps enough to overcome the water suffieient
to get into the mines, and they have been entirely abandoned.
I am glad to say that nearly all of the mines in the State at
the present time comply with the present mining law in everj
respect except in ventilation, as there are some mines that are poorly
ventilated and there always will be some poorly ventilated, unless
there is a larger inspection force employed by the State to do the
work, as one man cannot visit the inside workings of all the mines of
this State and attend to the office work, and do the work as it should
be done; for if he should visit one mine a day for every working
day in the year, he would then lack about one hundred and seventj-
five mines of visiting all the mines in the State.
1
J H£iX)BT OP STATE MINE INSrECTOB. 19
SUMMARY OP WORK DONE.
POLK COUNTY.
In the early part of January, before I had finished visiting^all the
(mnes of the State, and while the railroads were snow blockaded in
ie?eral plaoes, I thoaght to improye the time by visiting the under-
aproand works of the mines of Polk coanty, especially those in the
immediate vicinity of the city of Des Moines.
The first mine visited was the Giant Mine No. 3. I was very
much surprised when I found the mine in the condition it was in, as
everything all through the mine had an abandoned appearance; they
were working forty-one men mid two mules, while the volume of air
was only 1,800 cubic feet per minute; the doors and stoppings
were out of repair all through the mine, and the air was allowed to
take its own course.
/ The mine was ventilated by a ten-foot fan that had a record of
26,000 cubic feet per minute when there was over one hundred men
employed, but at the time of this visit the air was allowed to pass
ahnost direct from one shaft to the other without hindrance. I asked
the mine foreman to explain why he had let the mine run down so
badly; he said his instructions from the superintendent were not to
pot any more expense on the mine, as it was pretty nearly wrought
oat and the company intended soon to abandon it, but on talking with
the superintendent afterward I think the mine boss had misunder-
stood his instructions. I applied for an injunction to the District
Court, which granted my petition, and on January 19th the notice
was served. The superintendent came to see me and asked what was
the matter; I explained to him the situation underground in his mine
and told him as soon as he got everything in good shape I would
Uft the injunction and let him go to work again with his full force;
he immediately ordered all the men to be put to work making the
i^eoessary improvements that the law would allow him to work under-
gronnd (which was ten men), and it was only a few days until I was
'^quested to go and inspect the mine, which I did and found the
Ventilation restored so that at a point on the first visit where there
20 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [£4
was no ventilation they now had over 7,600 cubic feet, and the full
volume was 14,831 cubic feet per minute. I canceled the injunction,
the company paying the costs.
OiarU Mine, No. 1. — I found this mine in fair condition. The eai(
side of the mine was working forty-five miners, four drivers and one
roadman; the volume of air for that side of the mine was 6,457
cubic feet per minute, and was well-conducted to the working-plaw
of the men. The west side of ^e mine had only lately been opened
out, and as there was only a small amount of coal to be recovered the
mine foreman thought it would be economy to open the works oot
with singly entry; there were only seventeen miners employed on thrt
side of the mine; the rooms were only in a short distance from
the entry; the ventilation was good; but I fear when the rooms an
driven back well to the boundary the boss will find that he made a
mistake in opening out that side of the mine with single entry. Tfaii
mine is being operated in the lower vein and their territory runs out
east from the shaft under the underground stream that has caused so
much trouble at four other mines in the same neighborhood by flood*
ing with water, but the boss concluded that a half loaf was better
than no bread, so he only takes out part of the coal, leaving a portion
of the vein up to support the roof, which is a great advantage, as the
air has no effect on the coal that is left, while if all the coal was re-
moved the action of the air passing along the entries and through the
rooms would cause the roof to slack or crumble, and would soon gi?e
them trouble, as the slate is not very thick between the coal and sand
and water over it; if one fall should occur in a room in a place
where they could not timber it, the fall would soon extend up far
enough to let down the water, which would give them a great deal of
trouble if it did not flood the mine entirely.
Garver Mine. — The Gkirver Coal and Mining Company were work-
ing eighty-nine miners and seven mules, with a full volume of air of
5,568 cubic feet per minute; the doors and stoppings were in verj i
poor condition all through the mine. They were working the second I
and third veins of coal and when 5,568 feet of air was distributed B<>
as to give each seam its proper proportion of the volume of air, I
found it was entirely too small.
I applied for an injunction on the mine which was granted bf
Judge McHenry of the District Court, but the eoal company with
their attorney went to the Judge and . made such a fuss about how
they were oppressed, and the great injustice they were noiade to sailer
885.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 21
rli the hands of the Mine Innpeotor, that the Jadge canceled the in-
anotion and set a date for trial, giving the company two week's time
.nd at the end of the two weeks the mine was still in poor condition
Old the company asked still further time which was granted, giving
lie company ten days more time; at the expiration of the ten days I
risited the mine and found the volume of air increased from 5,568
nibio feet per minute to 20,205 feet. The volume of air for the lower
rein was 7,750 cubic feet per minute^ while the volume of air for thia
ipper seam was 12,515 feet; while there was a large increase in
the volume of air there were portions of the mine that were very
poorly ventilated, but I had become convinced that it was no use try-
ing to enforce the la^ in the District Court, so I relieved the com-
ft
pany by them paying the costs and served another notice on them.
Intending if they had not complied with the law at the end of the
twenty days to apply for an injunction through the Circuit Court and
flee if I could find a judge that would enjoin a corporation for not
complying with the mining IskW* The company went to work, put in
a new fan, took the obstructions out of the air ways, and before
tlie end of the twenty days had the mine in good condition.
Standard Fuel Company. — ^This company were employing one hun-
dred and thirty-one men and six mules. The full volume of air was
11,036 cubic feet per minute. The sanitary condition of the mine was
very poor. The airways were too small to allow the volume of air to
pA88,to properly ventilate a mine working as many men as they were,
odier circumstances being taken into consideration, although they
had provided overcasts and stoppiug where they thought they were
needed ; but in some instances they had done just the opposite to
what should have been done, and from the above and other causes
the sanitary condition of the mine was very poor, and in some places
not fit for men to work. I applied for an injunction on the mine, re-
straining them from operating with more than ten men until made to
conform to the provisions of the mining laws, which was granted by
the judge of the district court, but the company asked the judge to
release them, which he did, giving them the same time that he did
the Garver Coal Company. The officers of the conipany then called
on me, and were very much exercised at what they seemed to think
was oppression, but the superintendent is a good underground man,
and I made a special request of him to visit the underground works
of his mine, which he said he had not done for a long time. He con-
lented to go and make a thorough examination, and after he had made
2S SEFOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. IS4
the iiiBpeotion he oune to the oonolusion that he was not hdng of-
pressed any more than his oompany were oppresaing their woiksM^
by failing to famish them with proper ventilation at their woiUag
places in the mine. He ordered the airways made larger, and fol-
lowed out other suggestions that I had made to him, and on Jannif
29 I visited the mine again, and found the full volume of air hadbeai
increased from 9,036 cubic feet per minute to 37,973 feet. This Tot
ume of air was divided into five different currents, and the only tronUe
then existing was the divisions had not been properly made. Forii>
stance : one divide, where there were only eighteen men working, hii
24,552 feet of air per minute. But all of those defects were remedied
as we went through the mine, with the exception of the last east entrjr,
running south on the east side of the mine. This entry was ranning
up hill, and the boss thought it was necessary for him to put wm
•bstruction on this entry, as it was running up hill, so as to force the
air into an entry on the opposite side of the main entry, that was no-
ning to the dip, or down hill. He thought that cold air would nsla-
rally force itself into an entry running up hill, and as the wesdwr
was extremely cold, he thought the entry going to the dip would not
get its proper amount of air unless aided in some way ; but the re-
verse is the case, as cold air will naturally seek the lowest place in i
mine, and unless the air is forced to travel in entries that are eleva-
ting they will not get their proper amount of ^r. I explained this to
the boss, and demonstrated the fact by measuring the amount of iff
then traveling on the two entries. At. the end of the entries gwif
up the hill the current of air would not turn the wheel of the ane*
mometer, while on the entry running to the dip there was almost two
hundred feet of air to the man per minute. The boss readily sawlue
mistake, and promised to remedy it. The next day I therefore wA
drew the suit pending, by the oompany paying the costs.
PioMer Coai Oompany — ^This mine is in good condition. Tiu
full volume of air was 20,125 cubic feet per minute. The compaa]
had forty-five miners employed. There were several new doors in th<
mine, showing that the mine had lately been overhauled. This is th
oldest mine now in operation in the county, and as the territory doc
extend very far east or west from the shaft, they are confined t
a narrow strip. They have taken all the coal out as they advances
going south from the shaft, until at the present time it is about a mil
from the shaft to where they mine their coal ; and as the air shaft
situated about one hundred yards from the hoisting shaft, when it
Itt5.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 28
^ tiken into ooiurideration that both the entry and airway are closely
timbered, it will be seen that the friction of the air in passing along
these airways is very great. The mine is ventilated by a force fan,
nn at about two hundred and fifty revolutions per minute, and taking
all ihe disadvantages that have to be overcome in this mine, into con-
■deration, I consider its sanitary condition very good. The boss has
an anemometer of his own, and that enables him to make all divides
in his air that are necessary, and make them accurate. An air meter
k something that every mining boss should have furnished him. If
: tiiii was done it would enable the mine bosses to make the proper
dindes in the air currents passing through their mines.
SeHp$e Mine. — This mine had met with a small accident the morn-
ing I visited it, by having a fall in the air-way from the top of the
ai^shaft to the fan. They had covered it temporarily with hay and
hoards, but the air- way doors and stoppings were in good repair, the
entries were all driven to the boundaries and the rooms were about
lU wrought out so there was not work left but bringing back the pil-
lan; at the present time the mine is about ready to be abandoned.
J)i8 Jfainei CoaX Company. — ^This mine was in good condition in
every respect. They were working twenty men and two mules.
The volume of air was 7,520 cubic feet per minute. At the
time of this visit the mine had not beenin operation one year
I and had no escape shaft, but the law allowed them one year to fur-
nish the second opening, and while they did not have the escape they
hid complied with the law by not employing over twenty men under
ground. I called the attention of the manager to the fact that the
time given by law for him to furnish the second opening had about
eq>ired ; he made arrangements with the Union Coal Company and
eonneoted with their mine under ground, and in that way furnished
an escape for both mines.
Unicn Goal Company. — ^This mine was not in very good condition.
They were working thirteen men and one mule. The full volume of
air was 8,518 feet per minute. The mine was without the second
opening, but their underground works were driven up to those of the
Des Moines Coal Company. It was only the work of a dav or two
until they were all right in this respect, and also in regard to ventil-
ation as the hanging of one door and the repairing of one or two
stoppings would force the air to where it was needed.
PUfuani jBUI Coal Company. — ^This mine had a volume of air of
4,450 feet per minute, with fourteen men employed. There was some
24 REPORT OF STATE MLNE INSPECTOR. [E 4
little repair needed, oDe door had been broken down, but all the
repair needed could soon be made and then the ventilation would be .
restored. The mine was without the proper escape shaft, but they
made arrangements with the Van Ginkle Mine to connect their under-
ground works and in that way comply with the law.
Yan Oinkle Coal and Mining Company were working fourteen
men and two mules. The full volume of air was 3,420 cubic feet per
minute, and was well conducted to the working place of the men.
The underground works were well taken care of. They were with-
out an escape for the men that could be considered practical, as they
bad blown through into the adjoining mine, but had never made any
arrangements for a permanent traveling way from one shaft to the
other; they completed the arrangements in a few days after my
visit.
I visited all the mines of any importance in the county except the
Polk County Mine and the Eureka Mine, my reasons for not visiting
them at this time, I found that my commencing suit against the
mines on the east side had made the companies operating on the
south side look after their mines and had put them in good repair,
and I was not looking for mines that were complying with the law,
but the opposite, and for this reason they were not visited. I have
not the room in this report to give a minute detail of all the mines
and will only refer to the majority of them, in a general way.
Since my last report this county has about held its own as regards
the out-put of coal. There are twenty-three mines in the county,
some have been wrought out and abandoned, some have been flooded
with water, but other mines have been opened, so that the capacity
of the mines in this county remains about the same. Since making
my last report there has been four mines flooded with water : The
Miller Mine was flooded in the fall of 1883. The Extra, Diamond
and Standard No. 1 were flooded early in the winter of 1884. These
four mines are located east of the city, just outside the corporation
line, but there is an underground stream of water just east of them
and the coal dips to the east from the shafts, and as it turns east the
coal gets gradually thicker and for this reason they drove their
underground works east in order to get the advantage of working the
thick coal, and the farther they went east from the bottom of the
shaft the less solid material they had over the coal; finally they got
to a point where the roof was not strong enough to suppoi^ the
'J
1886.] BEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECrOR. 25
heavy weight of land and water over the works, and when the fall
came the mine soon filled with water.
The Pittsburg Coal Company have abandoned their shaft, located
on the south side of the river and removed the machinery, but their
reasons for abandoning the mine I am at present unable to say.
The Walnut Creek Coal and Mining Conpany have opened a mine
ahout four miles west of the city of Des Moines, and are making ex-
tensive outside improvements. The mine is situated on the narrow
gauge railroad running north from Des Moines.
The Altoona Coal and Mining Company have opened a shaft mine
at Altoona, on the main line of the Chicago, Rock Island A Pacific
Railroad, and are doing quite an extensive business.
The Wabash Coal Company and the Runnells Coal Company have
opened slope mines on the line of the Wabash Railroad, and both
mines are handling considerable coal.
There are three seams of coal being mined in this county, but a
large majority of the mines of the county are operated by shaft.
There appears to be a large dip in the coal measures, passing from
northeast to southwest, and in this county the city of Des Moines
seems to be about the center, as the concretionary limestone is ex-
posed in the bed of the Des Moines river eyery few miles, from the
southern portion of the State to a point just below Red Rock, in Ma-
rion county, showing a gradual elevation up the river to that point,
bat above Red Rock the concretionary limestone appears to take a
horizontal position, or perhaps dips a little, as we advance up the
river, and is hid from view until we reach a point a short distance
helow Fort Dodge, and in this swail or dip the lower coal seam is of
sufficient thickness to work, and in fact it attains a thickness in places
of seven feet; but below Red Rock I do not believe it will ever be
found with sufficient thickness to be worked with profit. In places
here in the city the second and third veins are sixty feet apart, while
above and below the city they are close together, and in Boone county
they are only about eight feet apart.
WEBSTER COUNTY.
This county at the time of making out my last report was quite a
large ooal-producing county, but the pockets of coal were so small
and the coal so easily developed, that as soon as railroad transporta-
tion was furnished a great many mines were opened, and at the pres-
4
26 &EPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOB. [E.4
ent time most of the ooal in the vioinity of Kalo has been recovered.
The county has thirty-seven mines in operation, bat a great many of
them are small mines, working only eight or ten men in the winter
season and doing nothing in the summer time.
The Ft. Dodge Coal Company are the largest ooal producers of any
company in the county. Their slope mine was lying idle at the tiuie
of my visit, as the demand that the company had for coal could be
supplied from the other mine, which is a shaft, and was employing
fifty-one miners, six mules and six drivers, with a full volume of air
of 11,832 feet per minute. This volume was produced by natural
ventilation. The pit boss had the fan started as soon as I arrived At,
the mine, but I had it stopped, as I wanted to know just how the vex^-
tilation had been. The air was divided at the bottom of the slope or
manway into two currents, one current for the north and the other
for the south side of the mine. The north side of the mine was work-
ing eight miners, one mule and one driver, with a volume of air o^
2,700 cubic feet per minute. On the south side of the mine they were
working thirtyfive miners, four mules and four drivers. The volunm.^
of air was 2,200 cubic feet per minute. I requested the pit boss t^o
put an obstruction in the air- way on the north side of the mine, an^
shut oft some of the air from that side of the mine, and that wouL^
force more air into the other side of the mine; and I requested th.^
boss to start the fan. I also called the attention of the superintend'
ent to the fact that it was necessary to keep the fan running, whiob
he said he would do until cold weather come again next winter. This
eompany ship their coal on the Illinois Central Railroad west, into
western Iowa. This company owns an interest in what is known as
the Parle Shaft, on the west side of the river, but they were not op-
erating the mine at the time of my visit. The coal from this mine ift
shipped on the Minneapolis A St. Louis Railway. They have had
considerable trouble with the roof of the Parle shaft, and when they
commence operating the shaft again it will be under a different sys-
tem.
Oraig Coal Company. — This company is operating two mines, Drift
No. 2, and No. 4. The No. 4 mine at the time of my visit was work-
ing fifty miners, two mules and two drivers, and three day men un-
derground. The full volume of air was 2,956 cubic feet per min-
ute. There was no air shaft, but they had placed the smokenstack of
a boiler at the mouth of an old drift, and a basket hanging under it
full of fire, was what they were relying on to ventilate the mine.
1886.] BEFOBT OF STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. 27
There was a very poor door hnng on the month of the drift, bnt the
door was not sufficient to exclude the air from the surface, and if it
had been a tight door the air from the mine would have put out the
fire that was in the basket.
Carlson Coal Company — ^This company were working thirty min-
ers and four pushers, with a full volume of air of 1,800 cubic feet per
minute. The mine was worked long-wall, and was in very poor con-
dition. I applied for an injunction restraining both of the above
named mines from operating with more than ten men, until made to
oonform to the provisions of the mining law. But from some cause
the papers praying for an injunction were delayed in some way, and
the judge did not get them for some time. (The above mines are the
ones referred to in my communication to the Governor, which will
be found in the report of the mines at Boonesboro, Boone county).
When the papers were placed in the hands of the judge he granted
the injunctions, and about the same time I received the following
oommunication.
Gbaig CJoal company, )
Fort Dodgb, Iowa, April 26, 1885. f
Porlb TFttoon, J^^j^., Inspector of Mines:
Deab Sib— We have now completed the air shaft and furnace in our new
drift opening, and if you deem it necessary shall be pleased to have you
come and test the same.
We think we have now a sufficiency of ventilation.
Yours very truly, Craig CJoal Co.
On receipt of the above communication I went immediately to Fort
Dodge and found that the injunction papers had not been served, but
were in the hands of the sheriff. I requested him to hold them until
I could have time to inspect the mine, as I did not think it necessary
to put extra cost on the company if they had made their mine to
oomply with the law. The sheriff consented to hold the papers until
he heard from me. I then went to Kalo and the next morning I
inspected the mine. I found they had sunk an air shaft, had built a
furnace, and the volume of air had been increased from 2,956 feet to
11,960 feet per minute, and the ventilation of the mine was good. I
then told the company that I would cancel the injunction if they
would pay all costs, which they did.
I then requested the sheriff to serve the papers on the Carlson
Goal Company. I got on the train and started to Angus, and
28 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR- [E 4
when we stopped at Kalo Mr. John Honaker, superinteodent of the
Carlson Coal Company, got on the train and wanted to know why I did
not inspect his mine. I told him it was not necessary as he had not
made any improvements in or around his mine since my last visit,
and I knew the condition of his mine without taking the time to in-
spect it. He said lie was confident his mine was the hest ventilated
mine in the county. After we had got to the second station below
Kalo he said he demanded his mine inspected before any injunction
papers were served on his company. I told him I would go back and
inspect his mine, which I did, and found that there was fifty- four
cubic feet of air per man per minute. I told him he would be com-
pelled to submit to the injunction, but that at any time he would
ventilate his mine I would gladly cancel the injunction by his com-
pany paying all costs.
Craig Coal Company. — Mine No. 2 of this company were working
eighteen miners, one mule and one driver. This is a new mine and
the works were only in a short distance. They do not use any
powder and the sanitary condition of the mine at the tim^ of my
visit was good.
Standard Coal Company. — The mines of this company three years
ago were the largest producers of any mines in E[alo, but at the
present time they are leased to private parties and only produce a
very small amount of coal, and what coal is produced is by robbing
entry pillars.
Walter Ervine operates a drift mine in what is called Craig Hol-
low, about one mile from the railroad, but he relies mostly on local
trade, employing fifteen or twenty men in the winter season, bnt does
not do much in the summer time.
Thomas Collins operates a drift mine and hauls his coal to the
railroad in wagons. Frank Collins is a partner with his father in the
slope at Coalville, and also owns a shaft on Lizzard Creek, about
three miles west of Fort Dodge.
There are twenty-seven mines in the vicinity of Fort Dodge, Coal-
ville and Kalo, but aside from those mines that I have mentioned
they are all relying on local trade or haul their coal to the railroads
in wagons.
Lehigh — I have not been able to visit the inside works of the
mines at this place. I went there for that purpose the same time I
visited the other mines of the county, but at the time of my visit the
mines were lying idle. The suspension was caused by the railroad
1886.] BEPOBT OF STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. 39
bridge over the Des Moines river not being safe to cross with the
railroad engine. The mines had not been working for three or foar
days, and would not for the same length of time. I coald not wait
and did not want to inspect mines that had been lying idle for that
length of time. I intended visiting the mines the last time I visited
the Craig and Carlson mines, bat when I got to Jadd the train men
on the Crooked Creek Railroad told me that the miners of Lehigh
were on a strike. So I got back onto the train and went some
other place. Therefore the nndergronnd works of the mines of
Lehigh have not been inspected since the new law went into effect.
There has been considerable prospecting done in this county in the
last two years, but no new mines of any importance have been
opened.
In passing down the river from Fort Dodge, the coal measures
present a good view, and will lead to the impression that Webster ia
one of the best coal counties in the State, but upon careful examina-
tioQ that idea will be abandoned.
The outcropping of the coal in the bluffs of the river and its trib-
utaries on both sides of the river show a remarkable uniformity in
the thickness of the coal at the outcropping, and these surface indi-
oat^ions can be found at a considerable distance from each other, so
t^at from a surface view it would seem almost certain that this is
hnt the outcropping of an extensive coal . field, but upon close exam-
ii^ation it will be found that the whole field in this county is confined
^o the immediate vicinity of the river and is made up of small pock-
ets of coal that do not extend any distance with uniformity.
In a great many places where the coal outcrop is four feet in thick-
ness on opening a mine the coal will dip as they advance into the
hill and increase in thickness until, perhaps, a thickness of six or
^eyen feet is reached m a distance of perhaps seventy-five yards^
^hen the floor of the coal will begin to elevate and the coal getting
St*adually thinner until it becomes too thin to work with profit or
^B wanting altogether; as the coal loses its thickness back in the
Ixill the roof gets poorer until the clay and sometimes sand comea
^f>wn onto the coal, and every indication about the mines goes to
prove that the coal does not extend any distance back from the river
Or oreeks in this county, and should a pocket of coal be found any
distance back from the river the indications are that the roof would
be poor or that such a thin strata of slate would be found between
the coal and sand and water that the coal could not be recovered.
30 BEFOBT OF STATE MINE INSPEGTOB. fS 4
BOONE COUNTY.
On December 15th by request I visited the mines of Boonsboro.
The first mine visited was the one operated by W. D. Johnson A Co.
Goal Company; they were working fifty-two miners, five mules, five
drivers, and five draymen underground, while the full volume of air
was only 5,785 cubic feet per minute; the air ways were very small,
and the air was not conducted to the working-place of the miner.
The traveling wa y to the escape shaft was obstructed by falls of
roof, the ladder in the escape shaft was perpendicular, and did not
reach the bottom of the shaft by about fifteen feet. I asked the pit
boss why the mine was allowed to be in that condition. He said the
superintendent would not allow any improvements to be made.
I next visited the mines of the W. C. Shepard Jd Company. I
found No. 2 deficient in ventilation. and the timbering on the entries
was very poorly done, and in places the entries were dangerous for
men to pass under.
Mine No. 1 was without covering on the cages. They were work-
ing thirty-eight miners, three mules, three drivers, and three day men
underground. The full volume of air was 1,680 cubic feet per min-
ute; the traveling way to the escape shaft was obstructed by falls of
roof, and the mine all through was in poor condition. I applied for
an injunction restraining the two companies above named from oper-
ating their mines with more than ten men until made to conform to
the requirements of the mining law. The judge granted the injunc-
tions and I went on with my work of inspection until in April I
found that the companies were disregarding the injunctions by work-
ing a full force of men. I was at E[alo, in Webster county, when I
heard that the companies had not complied with the law by reducing
their force. But I went immediately to Webster City where the
District Court was in session and notified the judge what the coal
companies were doing, and in a day or two I received a notice to
appear at Ames before a justice court to have my deposition taken,
which notice I complied with. There I got an order from the court
to go and inspect the mines again and report their condition to the
court at that time, which order I tried to carry out. I inspected the
mine of W. D. Johnson Jd Son Coal Company and found it in worse
condition than when I inspected it before. The volume of air was
not as large as on the former visit; the traveling way to the escape
1885.] SEPOBT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 81
was still obstmoted by falls of roof, and they still had the perpendio-
alar ladders in the escape shaft
One mine of W. G. Shepard's was not being operated; the other
mine the company refused to furnish me the means necessary for its
inspection. I notified the saperintendent in the evening that I
wished to inspect the mine early the next morning. He promised he
would have steam already to let me down, but the next morning
there was no steam; the mine was not going to run that day. I
asked him for some way of getting into the mine; he answered that
he had all he could do that day and did not have time to go down to
the mine. I went to see if I could get down, but there was no way
of going down only to climb down a perpendicular ladder, and as
that was not the kind of ingress or egress contemplated in the law, I
did not go down into the mine. The next day the court finished tak-
ing my deposition.
The coal companies were represented by an attorney and the under-
^ound foremen at each of the mines. The attorney for the companies
said he was not ready to take depositions on his side of the case, and
the court adjourned; but there was an understanding between the
district attorney and the attorney for the coal companies that they
should give ten days' notice of the taking of the depositions on their
side of the case. But, instead of getting the ten days' notice, I got
the notice the next morning after they had finished taking them. The
>>ext day, after the court finished taking my deposition, at Ames, I
^dressed the following communication to the Governor:
DBS MoiKBS, Iowa, April 20, 1886.
^ his BxceUeney^ Buren B. Sherman, Oovemor of Iowa:
I>BAB Sir— I write you this a. m. in regard to the difficulty I am meeting
With in the enforcement of the mining law. In the latter part of December,
i884, 1 applied to Judge Henderson, of the Eleventh Judicial District, for
te Injunction on three mines at Boonesboro, Boone county; which was
Si^anted by the judge; but the companies disregarded the injunctions and
^ntinued to operate their mines with a full force of men, and all the time
^e sanitary condition of the mines was very poor. The mines are deficient
hx ventilation and without the proper means of escape. The traveling ways
<4 the escape shafts are obstructed by falls of roof, and the ladders in the
escape shafts are perpendicular ladders and do not comply with the law.
I notified the judge by verbal notice that the companies were disregarding
^e injunction. I received notice, April 4th, to appeal at Ames, to have my
^^Aposition taken; and there I received orders from the court to go and in-
82 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSTECTOR. [B 4
spect the mines and report their cocdition; which orders I tried to eatiy
out. ^
One of tlie mines I inspected, and found it in worse condition than when
I applied for the injunction, and the other company refused to furnish the
means necessary for inspection, and I so stated under oath, on Wednesday,
April 8th, the day the court finished taking my deposition. I urged on the
district attorney the nec^essity of immediate action on the part of the court
in the matter, as the men working underground at these mines are coi&-
pelled to work in an atmosphere wholly unfit for respiration, endangering
their health and lives.
It is now over four months since I caused an injunction to be placed on
these mines. I have done all I can in this matter, and I consider it an out-
rage on the working miners of Iowa that the courts fail to enforce the min-
ing law when cases are put into their hands.
On April 6, 1885, I applied for an injunction on two mines at SUo, in
Webster county, and on Saturday, April 18th, I received the following com-
munication fi'om one of the working miners at one of the mines abofve
referred to:
'' KaiiO, Iowa, April le, 1886.
" Mr. Park C. WiUon :
Dear Sik— I write you according to promise with regard to the ventUatian '
of this mine. This company has done nothing to improve the ventilation,
and it will be a great deal worse as the weather gets warmer. The men are
dissatisfied because you did not give us the benefit of the law, and all the
old miners desire you to come here as soon as possible«^One man had to
quit work on account of the ventilation. He had suffered so long from bad
air, with no prospect of it being any better, that he had to give it up.
'" Please come as soon as possible.
" Yours respectfully, H."
Your Excellency can see that I have done all I can in this case. It is now
two weeks since I applied for an injundnLon on the mines above referred to.
I can do no more, and if the courts fail t<5 granl an injunction or enforce
their injunctions when granted, I certainly am not responsible. I do not
wonder sometimes that Your Excellency is called upon to send troops to
keep down riots around some of the mines, for I begin to think that the
wants of the miners are ignored alike by operators and courts.
Awaiting your orders, I am, respectfully yours,
Pabk C. Wilson,
suae Mine Intpeeter.
Deceoember 16th I visited the mines of George Rogers A Co. They
have two mines, one slope and one shaft. The shaft is situated on
the second bottom, about one half mile from the Des Moines riveri
and IS 42 feet deep; but since my visit they had a fall of roof| and
1
1885.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 38
tlie mine filled with water, but not so bat what the water can be over-
oome. The slope they are operating is on the opposite side of the
river from the shaft, and was sank to operate the upper vein of a
mine that had flooded about three years ago on account of driving
too olose to the river with the works^of the lower vein. After the
'works of the lower vein had flooded, he abandoned the shaft and
snnk this slope to enable him to operate the upper vein. They have
an inoline several hundred feet in length, extending from the bottom
of the slope to the top of the hill; using steam power for hauling the
coal, which is landed on top of the dump, where they can load it into
the railroad cars.
MXUford Coal Co. — This company was operating a shaft 105 feet
deep. They had no escape shaft, but the mine had not been in oper-
ation one year. They were working thirty-two miners, but reduced
the underground force to twenty men, and in that way complied with
the law. The shaft is situated on the west side of the river. They
haul their coal in wagons and load it into cars; part of the time they
have a temporary bridge across the river, and at other times they
rely on a boat.
ChoM. A. Sherman db Go. are operating a shaft situated about one
mile west of Boonesboro. The coal is hauled from the shaft up an
incline to the top of the bluff by a stationary engine placed on the
blaff, and from there they have a tram road running to the railroad
track, where the coal is loaded into the railroad cars.
James Bulkley, Samuel McBimie, McBimie & Waddell, and Fluck-
ard ic Nelson, are all operating mines just west of Boonesboro; their
coal is either sold to the local trade or hauled in wagons to the rail-
road and landed on the cars.
James G. Wilson is operating a mine at Pilot Mound. His out-put
is sold exclusively for local consumption.
Hutchinson Brothers, John demons and Joseph York, of Zenors-
yille, are operating mines for the local trade. About four years ago
all the miners at Zenorsville had a splendid winter trade, but since
the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad extended their road north
of Ames it cut off a large country trade; but they still sell consider-
able coal in the winter season, but in the summer-time they are almost
entirely idle.
The Moingona Goal Company are still operating their No. 4 mine
St Moingona. This mine is worked long-wall. They are taking out
84 BEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
considerable coal, bat not so much as in former years. The company
are developing a mine at Angas in the same county.
The Northwestern Coal Company are operating their mine west of
Moingona, on the main line of the Chicago and Northwestern Bail-
road.
The Clyde Coal Company have opened a mine np the river from the
Northwestern Coal Company; bat the mine got flooded with water,
and the troable they had overcoming the water delayed them consid-
erable in developing the mine.
Climax Coal Company, — This company have taken the machinery
away from their No, 1 mine, and are now asing the old hoisting
shaft as an escape and f arnace shaft.
No. 2 shaft of this company were working seventy-five miners,
thirteen males, eleven drivers, three draymen and two cagers. The
fall volame of air was 6,160 cabic feet per minate; bat was very
poorly distribated, and the sanitary condition of the mine was very
poor. The traveling way to the escape shaft was obstracted by falls
of roof, and there was so mach carbonic acid gas traveling with the
air that we could not keep oar lamps barning. The assistant 8ape^
intendent, pit boss and myself, in trying to go from the hoisting shaft
to the escape shaft, got in the dark, and the pit boss went back to the
hoisting shaft and got lamps filled with coal oil before we coald pro-
ceed, and before we coald get through we got in the dark a second
time, and had to send for larger lamps filled with coal oil, so as to get
light sufficient to light as through the traveling-way from one shaft
to the other. We were in this traveling way over two hoars. This
mine is now ventilated by a furnace, and they were compelled to
make an opening through the door between the furnace and the es-
cape shaft to let some fresh air into the furnace, or the black damp
would put out the fire in the furnace. I consider that it was a great
mistake taking the fan away from this mine, as they could have ven-
tilated the mine if they had kept the fan, but with the furnace they
never can ventilate that mine as it should be done. I consider the
mine in a very dangerous condition for this reason: If a fire should
occur at the hoisting shaft the air in the mine would be reversed, and
then the carbonic acid gas from the old works in the mine, and the
gas and smoke from the furnace, would all be drawn on to the travet
ing-way, and men could not pass through to the escape shaft, and all
would perish. I applied for an injunction restraining the company
85.] BEFOBT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 86
rom operating this mine with more than ten men at onoe nntil made
io conform to the provisions of the mining law.
Climax mine No. 8 was not in operation at the time of my visit, as
tbey could supply their demand for coal from No. 2 mine.
Eagle Coal Company. — I found this company's mine in good con-
lition in regard to ventilation and general security. They were em-
ploying under ground seventy miners, six day men, six drivers and
six males, with a full volume of air of 14,650 cubic feet per minute,
v^liich was well distributed to the working place of the miners. The
Diine was ventilated by a fan, run at about one hundred and fifty
reyolutions per minute, and the volume of air could be increased if
Qecessary by increasing the speed of the fan.
There has not been any extensive developments of coal in this
Donnty in the last two years. Aogus, Moingona and Boonsboro are
the principal points of production. The two last named are old min-
ing camps, and some of the mines are about exhausted. There are
two seams of coal being mined in this county. The seams are sepa-
rated by about eight feet of soap-stone, with a thin strata of shale
immediately overlaying the lower seam. Most of the coal of the
sonnty is confined to the immediate locality of the streams, and all
^e prospecting on the highlands shows that the coal found any dis-
>Ance back from the streams id in small pockets, and in most cases
)V6rlaid with water and sand, and with poor roof.
JEFFEBSON COUNTY.
About three-fourths of the superficial area of this county is under-
ud with the coal measures, but at the present time there is not much
Oftl being mined in this county. The town of Perlee, seven miles
orth of Fairfield, has been quite a mining town for several years, but
t the present time there is only two small mines in operation
The Jefferson County Coal Company abandoned their mine about
ne year ago. There was plenty of coal left where they were ope-
iting, but the company claimed they could not operate their coal
ad compete with other mines on the same line of railroad, and for
lat reason they abandoned their works. There are twelve mines in
>eration in the county, but they are all depending on the local trade,
lere are no mines in operation in the county that sell any coal to
9 railroads, therefore the out-put of coal this last year, and for
ne time to come, will be very small, as the large coal beds farther
86 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ;E 4^
west will have a tendency to keep the Jefferson county mines oat o^£
the market.
VAN BUREN COUNTY.
This county lies in the southeast corner of the Iowa ooal field
although the coal measures extend east into Lee county some dii^s
tance, the measures are almost entirely barren of coal, while Va — ^
Buren county has at least three-fourths of the superficial area unde^^
laid by deposits belonging to the coal formation, but a workable cos^
seam will not be found to extend over more than one-half of the te^^
ritory so underlaid. There are two seams of coal, ranging froni ty^^ <
to four feet in thickness. The Des Moines river runs diagonals.^
through the county, from northwest to southwest, and has cut i^fcji
channel through the coal measures, leaving them exposed in the bluSfis
on either side, with the exception of one or two places, where a BmsLlM
depression in the lime rock in which a basin of coal is formed, ai2(£ .
is still remaining exposed in the river bed. There are several large
creeks emptying into the river on either side, that have also out their
channels through the coal measures, and leave the concretionary
limestone exposed in their beds, and in fact, the concretionary lime-
stone is exposed in almost every water course in the county, and out-
crops in the bluffs of the Des Moines river, on one or both sides,,
almost throughout the entire county. The drift formation of this
county presents about the same features as those of other counties,,
with an average thickness of about sixty feet, while the coal meas-
ures will not exceed a thickness of one hundred and thirty feet, and
a drill hole two hundred feet in depth will test the coal in any por-
tion of the county, as the lower seam of coal rests directly upon the-
concretionary limestone, with only from three to six feet of clay and
shale between. But owing to the fact that all the water-courses in
the county are well supplied with timber, there has never been much
development of coal, even for local consumption; and the position of
the county in the coal field is such that coal can be mined further
north and. west cheaper, and have the advantage in transportation;,
for this reason the coal of the county has never been extensively de-
veloped.
There are nineteen mines in operation in the county, but they are
only operated to supply the local demand. Some of them do a con-
siderable business in the winter season, but a majority of them are
entirely idle in the summer.
1885.] JIEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOB. 87
KEOKUK COUNTY.
The mines in this ooanty have only been visited onoe sinoe making
my last report, and at that time the nndergonnd works were not in
speoted. This oonnty has considerable coal, bnt, like other counties,
the coal lays in basins or pockets. A majority of the superficial area
is underlaid with the coal formation, bat not more than one fourth of
the territory so underlaid bears a seam of coal thick enough to work
with profit. Skunk river runs through the county from west to east,
snd the concretionary limestone is exposed in several places in the
-county, and for this reason some supposed that the county had very
little coal; but, like the counties west and south, the lower seam is
Tery thin or entirely wanting, while the second seam attains a thick-
ness in places of seven and eight feet. One of the best basins of
ooal as yet developed in this State, is the deposit at What Cheer.
There are twenty mines in operation in this county, and eleven are
situated at What Cheer; a very large majority of the coal out put
of the county is produced at this point.
There have been no new developments in the last two years, but
ill the mines are being operated about as reported in my last report.
The railroad transportation for the mines of What Cheer has been
increased, since making my last report, by the Chicago & North-
western Railroad building a branch road from their main line, start-
ing at Belle Plaine, running south through What Cheer, and on to
Muchakinock, in Mahaska county, where the railroad company own a
largQ coal property.
All of the other mines in the county rely altogether on the local
trade, and do. but very little in the summer season.
WAPELLO COUNTY.
This county has twenty-two mines in operation, a large majority of
^which are in the vicinity of Ottumwa. The largest mines in the
•county are those of the Carver Coal Company. Their mines are lo-
<$ated at Kirkville, where they employ a large force of men. Since
making my last report they have opened a shaft mine, which takes
the place of one of the slopes that they formerly operated. The
mines around Ottumwa do not ship any coal on the railroad, but are
operated exclusively for the local and city trade.
The Des Moines river runs diagonally through the county and has
out its channel through the coal measures, leaving them exposed in
38 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
the bluffs at either side of the stream. And the same can be said of
the creeks^ emptying into the Des Moines river. In following the
creeks from Vhere they empty into the river, the coal measures are
exposed for^a][distance of from six to ten miles from the river before
the coal is .hidden from view by the overlying stratas and the drift
deposits. The county is considered, by some, to be well supplied
with coal, but while there are three seams of coal ranging from a
few inches to six feet in thickness, like Jefferson county, there is not
much uniformity in the thickness, although some very fine deposits
of coal, belonging to the second seam, have been developed. The
upper seam is sometimes found at a thickness of two and a half feet,
and the second seam, the only one of any importance in the county^
reaches a thickness, in some localities, of seven feet; while the lower
seam, in my opinion, is of no importance, as it is too thin to work
with profit in any locality in the county, and, from a careful esti-
mate, I am forced to the conclusion that fully three fourths of Wa-
pello county is barren of coal thick enoagh to work with profit.
MAHASKA COUNTY.
This county is the largest coal-producing county in the State. The
reason is because the railroads have given it a direct market north
into a country entirely destitute of coal. There are thirty-nine mines
in operation in this county, and quite a number of them ship their
entire out-put by railroad into the northern market. Muchakinock^
with four mines producing about one hundred flats of coal per day;
Excelsior, with three mines producing about the same amount, ship
their entire out-put, while the American Coal Company, Acme Coal
Company, Standard Coal Company, and the Western Union Fuel
Company ship almost their entire out- put into the northern market*
The pay roll of the companies above referred to, when working a full
force of miners in the winter, amount to over five thousand dollars
per day.
There have been no extensive developments of coal territory in
this county in the last two years. The Consolidation Coal Company
have opened a shaft mine a short distance north of Muchakinock,
which they named No. 5. The Knoxville Junction Coal Company
sold their mines, located at Knoxville Junction, to the American Coal
Company. The sale was made in the spring of 1884, J. K. Graves of
Dubuque, and W. A. and H. W. McNeill of Oskaloosa, being thj^^
purchasers. They aUo leased the old Iowa Coal Works at Beacon ^
I
1886.1 BEPOBT OP STATE MLN^E IN8PECTOB. 89
bat never operated the mine, and the Iowa Coal Company rcquehted
them to give up the lease, whioh they did, and then Mr. Phillips, the
old Superintendent for the Iowa Coal Company, leased the mine;
but as the mine had been idle all summer, there was oonsiderable ex-
pense in getting the mine in good shape. He had hardly got it in
good working order when the dump building burned down. He then
abandoned the shaft, and is now opening a slope so as to connect
with the old works on the north side of the shaft, which will furnish
some work for the Beacon miners. About ten years ago Beacon was
the largest mjning town in Iowa, but for some cause it has been grad-
ually going down, until at the present time there is only work for
yery few men, while there ip plenty of coal in close proximity
to the town. All of the other mines in the county are operated for
the lecal trade. A majority of the mines are on the east side of
the Des Moines river, although there is considerable coal on the
west side; but as yet there have been no extensive developments
on the west side.
The coal of this county is about as easily developed as any
in the State, as both of the Skunk rivers and also the Des Moines
river traverse the county from northwest to southeast, and all three
of these rivers, as well as their tributaries, have cut their channels
through the coal measures, leaving the measures exposed or thinly
covered along their banks.
MABION COUNTY.
This county has not made any great improvement in the last two
years in the development of her coal. In my last report I referred
to the Red Rock Coal and Mining Company as preparing to make
one of the largest mining plants in the State, as they had bought a
• large tract of land supposed to be coal lands, but the land w$t8
located and bought by men that still cling to the old theory ^< that if
coal was exposed in the banks of a creek that of course it extended
clear through the hill, and the further they got into the hill the
thicker the coal would get," but their theory did not hold good in
this case. The company invested a large capital without ever pros-
pecting only what little surface prospecting c^ uld be done along the
creeks, and the investment was made altogether on theory without
any actual knowledge of what the land contained. It may seem out
of place to refer to this matter in a report, as some may consider it a
private matter, but I deem it advisable, as it may keep others from
40 BEPOBT OP STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. [E 4
making a like mistake, and as most all of onr eztensiye milling de^
velopments are made with eastern capital such mistakes will have a
tendency to keep eastern capitalists from investing their money in an
enterprise of this kind in Iowa, while there is plenty of undeveloped .
coal in this State, and I consider Iowa coal lands the best investment
there is in the State. This county has more mines than any other j
county in the State — ^there are forty-four mines in operation, but a !
majority of them are what is called country banks. Flagler is the \
largest coal producing point in the county; the No. 5 slope of the
Union Coal Company and the Oak Hill mines are located here; the '
mines of South Cedar creek in the southeast comer of the county are
still hauling their coal to the railroad in wagons; the Swan Coal
Company have opened a shaft mine at Swan and are doing consider-
able business; there are mines in operation in almost every township
in the county, but as before stated they are country banks and are
not operated very extensively in the summer time.
MONROE COUNTY.
This county has twenty-three mines in operation, and a majority of
them ship a considerable portion of their out-put on the railroad.
All the mines of Smoky Hollow haul ther coal either to Fredric or
Avery in wagons and load it onto the cars, and considerable coal is
brought from north of Fredric and loaded onto the C, B. & Q. rail-
road. None of the mines in these two localities are operated very
extensively, as the coal is easy of access, and any one owning land
on either of the creeks can open a mine with very little expense.
The Union Coal Company have bought the mine formerly owned
by the Eureka Coal Company, and have made some good improve-
ments.
* The Iowa and Wisconsin Coal Company are operating a shaft
about two miles west of Albia, and the Enterprise Coal Company are
also operating a shaft mine in the same locality. Both mines are
located on the main line of the C, B. & Q . railroad, and are doing
considerable business. The Great Western Coal Company are not
operating their mine at present ^perhaps never will again, as they
have not the coal in shape to work with profit; the shaft is lo-
cated on the west edge of their leased land, the Albia Coal Com-
poiiT join them on the west, and the old works of an abandoned
mine join them on the north and comes within about one hundred
Tmrdi of the shaft; a large fault lays a short distanoe east of the
1886.] BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 41
diaft^ ftnd they have no way left only to abandon the mine or drive
fhroiigh this fault which will never pay expenses. The Albia Coal
Company oaloolated at one time on oonneoting underground works
with the Great Western mine so as to provide an escape, but aband-
oned that idea and sunk an escape shaft at the south side of their
mine.
The coal measures of this county are not so much exposed as they
trie in Marion and Mahaska counties, for the reason that this county
hyg farther away from the Des Moines river, and a great many
creeks head in this county that before they empty into the river, and
After they have passed out of the county, they have out their chan-
nels through the coal measures, while in this county on some of the
creeks there are no exposures except the drift material.
APPANOOSE COUNTY.
1*he coal in this county will average about two feet and ten inches
in t^hickness, and extends with more uniformity of thickness than the
costl of any other county in the state. It belongs to the middle coal
nLe38ures and is of good quality for domestic purposes. Centerville,
the county seat, is the center of the mining industry of the county,
M there are eleven mines within a radius of two miles. A majority
of the mines are operated by room and pillar, but a few have
^opted the long-wall system. There are forty-one mines in opera-
^on in the county, but a majority of them are operated exclusively
^or the local trade. There are five mines at Centerville that ship
their coal on the cars, having railroad facilities, and several other
^ines whose operators haul their coal in wagons and load it onto the
^^rs. The mines of the Centerville Coal Company and the Scandi-
navian Coal Company are located on the Wabash railroad, and the
^'atson, the Diamond mine No. 2 and the Standard Coal Companies
are located on the southwestern branch of the C, R. I. & P. Rail-
I'oad.
The Co operative Coal Company, of Centerville, sunk a shaft over
a year ago, but for some cause they could not get the railroad com-
pany to build a track to their mine, and as the shaft is too deep to be
Operated successfully with horse power, they have done nothing with
it since.
Neither of the mines at Numa is being operated at present. The
engine house and dump building burned down last winter, and have
Hot been rebuilt.
6
42 KEPOBT OF STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. [E
The Cincinnati Coal Company are operating a shaft at Cincinnat
on the line of the Burlingtpn & Southwestern Railroad ; and at Calc
well, on the same line of railroad, there is a slope mine, owned by tb
White Breast Coal Company.
The mines at Brazil are located on the Wabash Railroad, and al
ship their coal by rail. The Co-operative Coal Company are not o;
erating their mines at this place.
The mines of Walnat City are all country banks, but coal is haule
from some of them to Centerville, a distance of ten miles, and sold i
competition with coal from mines that are being operated just on
side the city limits. The mines of Walnut City are scattered over
radius of about five miles, but none of them are nearer than thr
miles of the town.
The mines of Griffinsville and Confidence are operated by shallc
shafts. These mines are in the western edge of the county, and a
m
between the Chariton rivers.
In this locality the coal measures are considerably exposed, and e
ery indication shows a large deposit of the second coal-measure co2
and should railroad transportation ever be furnished this localil
there undoubtedly will be splendid coal easily developed.
There has never been any general prospecting done in this count
for the coal of the lower coal measures; there has been one or t^
holes put down in different localities, but without success; t
depth, or any reliable record of the holes, I am unable to give.
WAYNE COUNTY.
There are seven mines in this ^county, all country banks ezce
three — two at Seymour and one at Piano.
On May 2V, 1885, I visited the mines at Seymour. I found t
Thatcher mine in very poor condition. The cages were out of :
pair, and without covers. The entries at the bottom of the shs
were in a dangerous condition. The airways all over the mi
were in poor shape, and in places they were entirely closed. The «
cape shaft did not comply with the law, as the partition separati:
the escape shaft from the furnace shaft did not exclude the heated i
and smoke from that side of the shaft used as an escape shaft, a
they were deficient in ventilation. There were thirty-four m
employed underground, and the volume of air was 534 cubic feet p
minute. I would have applied for an injunction on this mine, as I hi
1896.J BEPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 43
notified Mr. Thatcher, but he had sold the mine, and the parties that
then owned it had never received any notice. It was owned and ope-
rated by H. W. McNeill, of GBkaloosa. The mine had been opened
on the long wall system, but had been very poorly managed ;
when the present owner took charge of the mine he got a man from
niinois that was accustomed to the system of long wall work He
had only been at the mine a short time, bat had made considerable
improvement — so I was told by the miners. I served a notice on the
oompany, as contemplated by law, but have not had time to visit the
mine since.
The mine of the Occidental Goal Company of Seymour was in good
oondition in regard to ventilation and general security underground,
but there were no covers on the cages ; they were without signals in
the shaft ; there was no escape shaft, but the mine had not been in
operation one year. The escape shaft was located while I was there.
They were employing more men underground than the law allowed,
bnt they voluntarily reduced the force to twenty men. The full vol-
ume of air was 4,560 cubic feet per minute, with twenty-one men em-
ployed in the mine. On the north side of the mine, where there were
fourteen men working, the volume of air was 2,800 cubic feet per
minute. On the south side of the mine, working seven men, the vol-
ume was 1,760 feet per minute. The company made arrangements
while I was there to have the cages covered and signals provided,
and when that was done the mine would comply with the law. The
oompany claimed they would have the escape f»haft provided before
the expiration of the time given by law, which in this case would be
two years from the time they commenced operating the mine, as the
shaft is over two hundred feet in depth. The two mines at Seymour
Ai^e on the southwestern branch of the G., R. I. & P. R. R.
The Piano Goal Gompany, at the time of this visit, was in the
hands of a receiver, and they had failed to provide an escape shaft,
ftiid as the mine had been in operation more than one year, it was un-
bwfal for them to operate the mine until they complied with that
provision of the law. I notified B. F. Silknetter, the man appointed
M receiver for the company, calling his attention to the law, and he
unmediately closed the mine ; under the circumstances it is hard
to tell when they will be able to start the mine again ; but one thing
i> certain : they will not start to operate the mine again until they
have provided an escape shaft, so that the underground force can es-
cape should an accident occur at the hoisting shaft. This mine is
44 BEFOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOB.
looated on the Humeston and Shenandoah branch of the Wa]
Bailroad.
Of the four other mines in the county, the one at Kniffin is
largest, employing from twenty to thirty men in the winter seas
all are operated for the country trade.
There was some prospecting done at Corydon, the county seat^c
two years ago. In this hole they passed through three seams of o
The upper seam was sixteen inches in thickness, the second sc
thirty-two inches, and the third seam six inches. The last seam ^
at a depth of 371 feet from the surface, the second seam was 327 i
from the surface, and the first seam was 326 feet from the sorfi
but there has been nothing done in the way of developing the coa
this point.
LUCAS COUNTY.
This county has twelve mines; but the principle mines of
county are at Cleveland and Lucas, seven miles west of Chant
The White Breast Coal Company have two mines located at Gl<
land that are operated very extensively, as they are able to hoist c
one thousand tons per day at each one of the shafts. The mines
worked on the room and pillar plan, with double entry, using 8t<
power for hauling the coal to the bottom of the shaft.
The Chariton Coal Company's shaft is located about one mile no
west of the White Breast mines, and is the deepest shaft in the Si
being 342 feet deep.
The Zero Coal Company are operating a shaft at Zero, on the '
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and ships their <
on the cars. The three mines at Lucas and Cleveland ship their
tire out-put on the cars west into Western Iowa and Nebraska, and
operated about as steady as any mines in the State. The four mi
above referred to are operating the coal of the lower coal meast
and the second vein of that coal measure; the other mines in
county are only operated for the country trade, and some of then
nothing in the summer.
WARREN COUNTY.
This county does not produce much coal for the number of m
it has, for the reason that the railroads do not run through the cot
in the right direction to furnish the coal companies transports
for their coal, as the railroads running north brings the min<
1885.] BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 45
this ooanty in competition with Polk county coal, at Des Moines^
going south they come in competition with Lucas county coal at
Cleveland and Marion, and Monroe county coal that is shipped west
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; the only road in
the county running west only runs to Winterset, the first county
seat west, and as that road starts from Des Moines, it forces the
mines of Warren county to ccme in competition with Polk county
ooal in the Winterset market. So that this county is compelled to
come into competition with other mines north or south, where the
ooal is. thicker and can be put on the market cheaper than Warren
county coal. There are twenty-nine mines in the county, but they
are all country banks except Lumsdon Bros, and Russell & Company,,
of Summerset; none of the mines of this county are operated very
extensively at any time in the year.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
This county is not much of a coal producer; there are eighteen mines
in operation, all located along the Boono river, but most of them are
entirely idle in the summer time. There is considerable coal recov-
ered along the bluffs of the Boone river by stripping off the surface;,
the position of the county in regard to the coal field gives the mines
a good country trade in the winter as there are no mines north of
them; all the coal consumed in the county, besides what they pro-
duce, has to be shipped in by the railroads. This county has per-
haps more coal than both Hardin and Marshall counties, but coal so
near the northern edge of the coal field is always found in small
basins, and this county is not an exception to the rule in this respect^
the township of Homer and the one immediately north of it has con-
siderable coal.
HABDIN COUNTr.
This county has but two mines that come under the present law.
There are some small mines, but they only employ three or four men.
This county is on the extreme northeastern edge of the Iowa coal-
field, and the mines are located on the Iowa river, a few miles north
of Eldora. The three seams of coal belonging to the lower coal meas-
ures are found here, but they are very muchthinned out and lie in ba-
sins, BO that their thickness is very irregular. A few years ago they
had coal in what was then known as the Chaffin mine, about six feet
46 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOB. {E^ ]
in thickness; but that was an exoeptional case, as most of the coal will }
only average about two feet in thickness. Coal commands a higher i
price at the mines here than at anyother locality in the State, but the
irregularity of the seam and thetrouble from water causes mining op-
erations in this locality to be very expensive.
MABSHALL COUNTY.
This county has only one mine and at the present time is not being
operated. The land on which the mine is located belongs to D. M*
Moninger, and I think it doubtful if it is eyer operated again. This
will never be much of a coal county. Although a considerable por*
tion of the superficial area of the county is underlaid with the coal
measures, a large portion of the area is barren of coal thick enough
to work with profit; as the coal is all overlaid with sand and water,
the cost of handling so much water added to the extra cost that
will necessarily have to be paid for mining coal of thirty inches in
thickness, will handicap the man who undertakes to operate a mine in
this county.
JASPEB COUNTY.
This county has twenty mines in operation, but those that have the
largest capacity are located about three miles up the river from Col-
fax. There have been small mines in operation, supplying the coun-
try trade for several years in this locality. About four years iago,
D. S. Couch, of the Jasper County Coal & Railway Company, bought
some land and opened out a slope mine, built a railroad from Colfax
out to his mine and was soon shipping considerable coal, but as soon
as this company commenced operations it attracted considerable at-
tention to that particular basin «f coal, and now there are four other
mines in operation, and the furthest of the ^ve shafts are not over
one mile apart. The Diagonal Railroad have built a switch down to
the mine from their main line, starting at Valeria, which gives the
Standard Fuel Company, the Vulcan Coal Company, the Black Heath
Mining Company and the Pittsburgh Mining Company an outlet
northeast with their ooal. The ooal in this locality will average
about five feet in thiokneas, and is of good quality.
The Jasper County Mining and R^lway Company are operating
mines at Draper on the branch railroad from Newton to Monroe;
their mines are operated by drifta and they handle considerable coal
in the winter eeason. All the other mines in the county are operated
1885.] BEPOBT OF STATE MIKE INSPEGTOB. 47
for the looal trade, and the majority of them do a good basiness in
ihfi winter time:
E ALL A 8 COUNTY.
This county has fourteen mines in operation, bat there is only one
mine in the county operated for the railroad trade, and that is the
mine of the Chicago & Van Meter Coal Company located at Van
Meter on the main line of the Chicago, Bock Island A Pacific Rail-
road. This company is working coal belonging to the lower coal
measures. All of the other mines in the county are working the
ooal belonging to the middle coal measures and are operated ezclu-
siyely for the local trade. The second coal measure coal of this
county is not as thick as it is further south; there is more irregular-
ity in the thickness, but the quality is about the same.
GUTHRIE COUNTY.
This county has twenty-three mines operating in a seam belonging
to the middle coal measures. The coal varies from sixteen inches to
two feet in thickness, and is a good quality for domestic purposes.
The mines are located along the Middle and South fork of the Coon
rivers and their tributaries, and are located in the eastern part of the
oonnty. The most western mines in the county are at the rapids of
the Middle Coon river. Some of the mines have been in operation
for several years, and all are operated for local trade.
SCOTT COUNTY.
The mines of this county are located about nine miles west from
Davenport, and about two miles north of Buffalo. There are nine
mines being operated in an area of about two miles. Sojne of these
nunes are worked quite extensively in the winter as the farmers come
quite a distance after coal, while considerable coal is hauled in
wagons to Davenport and sold in the city market, and coal is also
wagoned to Buffalo and sold to the river trade. This basin of coal
iB^not connected with any other portion of the Iowa coal field, as the
foboarbonif erous rocks come to the surface between this body of coal
and the Iowa coal field proper, showing that there can be no connec-
48 REPORT or STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
tion between the two. The ooal in this basin will average aboat
thirty inches in thickness; is of good quality.
GREENE COUNTY.
The mines of this county are located in the south east corner of the
county, the Standard mine not being more than two hundred yards
from the county Ime. There has been considerable improvement in
the way of development of coal in this county in the last two yean,
caused by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad building a
switch down to the mines, which enables the coul eompanies to load
their coal on the cars direct from their dumps. There are eight
mines in operation in the county, and the most of them have a rail-
road trade. A majority of the coal of this locality is shipped on the
C, M. & St. P. Bailroa4, but some is shipped on the Minneapolis i
St. Louis road. The mine at Grand Junction is only operated for
town and country trade.
ADAMS COUNTY.
The miners of this county are working the cone of the upper ooal
measure, which varies in thickness from twelve to twenty-two
inches in thickness. There are ten mines in operation in the county,
all in the neighborhood of Carbon. The mines of this county do a
good business in the winter season as there is no coal west, north nor
east of them, and the farmers of the north part of the county all
depend on the Carbon mines for fuel, as railroad coal sells at the rail--
road stations at from thirteen to seventeen cents per bushel, while the
mines at Carbon pay seven cents per bushel for mining and sell the
coal for ten cents. The mines are worked on the long wall plan.
PAGE COUNTY.
The mines of this county are all located along the Nodaway river^
Those at Clarinda are worked on the room and pillar plan, while those
at Shambaugh are worked on the long wall system. The ooal belongs
to the upper coal measures.
There has never been any prospecting done in this county for seams
of coal below the one .they are working only at one place. Mr. Sam-
1885.] BEFOBT OF STATE MINE INSPEGTOB. 49
nel Pinkerton of Shambaagh drilled a hole down from the bottom of
his shaft (which is 110 feet deep) until he reached a depth of about
400 feet, but without any success.
TAriiOR COUNTY.
The mines of this county, like Page and Adams counties, are
operating the coal of the upper coal measures. There are seven
mines in the county all operated by shafts, and are all operated to
supply a local trade. The coal of this coal measure is never found
oyer twenty-two inches in thickness, and will not average more than
sixteen inches.
BEFOET OP STATE MINE INSPBCTOB.
NAMES or MINES AND LOCATION.
AFPANOOaB COtrUTY.
NAHB OF COUFAKT OB flBH.
il
Cincinnati Coal Company. . . .
William Scrichfleld
B. Van lilanegan
John Young
Moses Lynch
MlltonSmitli
William Hoberts
Edward Moaby
Jai-ob Knapp
B. B. Parker
Diamond Coal Company
Diamond Coal Company
Centerville Coal Company —
Wataon Coal Company
James Wilson
Thomas McClard
Scandinavian Coal Company.
G.H.Talbert
Samuel Norria
John Gordon
Co-operative Coal Company . .
Walnut Coal Company
Philby Coal Company
Tipton Coal Company
Hawkeye Coal Commny. . . . ,
B. F.Silknetter
William Bradley
James Johns
John Dickenson
Ellis Moore ,
A.M. Elgin
A. M. Elgin ,
George McCloud
N.KNash
Jenison Huston
E. Poster ,
J. A. Lynch ,
Mace Jackson
John Bemy
A. F. Graham ,
Thomas Fiowsel
§;:
1 Shaft .
1 Slope .
1 Slope .
1 Shaft ,
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shalt .
1 Shaft".
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
2 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
4 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft.
I Shaft.
1 Drift .
1 Drift .
I Shaft.
1 Shaft.
1 Shaft.
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft.
1 Drift .
1 Drift .
1 Drift .
2 Drift .
1 Drift .
I Shaft .
1 Drift .
1 Drift .
] Drift .
1 Drift .
1 Drift .
I Shaft .
1 Shaft ■
POST-OFFICl.
Cincinnati.
Cincinnati.
Cincinnati.
Grifflnville.
Griffinville.
Confidence.
Confidence.
Iconium.
Livingston.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Centerville.
Urazill.
Brazill.
Brazill.
Brazill.
Brazill.
Noma.
Numa.
Dean.
Dean.
Walnut City.
Walnut City.
VFalnut City.
Walnut City.
Walnut City.
Walnut City.
Walnut City.
Wahiut City.
Walnut City.
Dennis.
Dennifl.
Jm
KEPOST OF STATE UINE INSPECTOR.
NAMES UP UINES-OOHTmusD.
ADAKs oomrrr.
? COMPANY OR FIRM.
FOST-OFFICB.
Sypert & Jodgb .
Thomas Gabble..
S. B. i4elson . .
Samuel Drake . . .
William Pickard
A. Bell
P, Smith
Geo. Harden
A. Britton
H. Uendricka, . .
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
1 Shaft.
1 Shaft .
1 Shaft .
I Shaft .
1 Shaft .
Shaft .
Shaft.
Shaft .
Shaft.
Shaft .
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
Carbon.
BOONS COUNTY.
W. D. Johnson & Co. Coal Co rNo. 1 Shaft.
W. C. Shepard Coal, Tile and Brick Co.. iNo. 1 Shalt .
■W. C. Shepard Coal, Tile and Brick Co.. iNo. 2 Shaft.
W. C. Shepard Coal, Tile and Brick Co. .jNo. 3Bhaft.
Charles A. Sherman No. 1 Shaft .
George Kogera No. 1 tjhaft .
George Kogers No. 2 Slope .
Uillftrd Coal Co No. 1 Shaft .
James Bulkley No. 1 Shaft.
Samuel McBiraie No. 1 Shaft .
McHirnie&Waddell No. 1 Shaft .
Fliickai-d& Nelson No. 1 Shaft .
JohnBotta No. 1 Shaft .
WiUiam Knox No. 1 Shaft.
William McBimie Ko. 1 Shaft .
James Wilson No. 1 Shaft .
William ZunUe No. 1 Shaft .
Dallas Smith No. 1 Shaft .
Moingona Coal Co No. 4 Shaft .
Moingona Coal Co No. SShaft .
Hntchinson Bros No. 1 Slope .
Joseph York No. 1 Slope .
JohnClemona No. l Slope .
John Clemons No. 2Shaft.
Northweatem Coal Co No. ] Shaft .
ClydeCoalCo No. 1 Shaft .
Peter Scott No. 1 Drift .
i'atterson & Francis No. 1 Drift .
John B.Dyer No. 1 Drift .
John W.Potter No. 1 Drift .
Gilchis& Knox No. 1 Drift .
Climax Coal Company No. 1 Shaft .
Climax Coal Company No. 2 Shaft .
Climax Coal Company No. B Shaft .
Eagle Coal Company No. i Shaft ,
TJnion Coal Company No. 1 Shaft .
Boonesboro.
Booneeboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro.
Boonesboro,
Pilot Mound.
Pilot Mound.
PiJot Mound.
Moingona,
Angus.
Zeuorsville.
Zenoraville.
Zeuorsville.
Zenorsville.
Moingona.
Moingona.
Moingona.
Moingona.
Luther.
Woodward.
Woodward".
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Ogdeo.
BEFOBT OF STATS MIKE I
KAH£B OF MmES-ComnnJBD.
DAIJ:.AS COUITTT.
NAMK OF COMPANY OR FIRM,
POBT-OFFICS.
J. W. ItedBeld Mo. ISbaft.
Alexander Leeper No. 1 Shaft .
Stephen Cloud No. 1 Shaft .
Jobn I'eppard No. 1 Shaft .
ThomaBllotts No. I Shalt.
John Davis No. 1 Shaft ,
Amos Thompson No. 1 Shaft .
Martin Fox No. 1 Drift .
Benjamin Petit No. 1 Drift .
Allen McPherson No. 1 Shaft .
J. W. Love No. 1 Drift .
Mrs. Mary Duck No. 1 Shaft .
Miss Flovilla Bailey No. 1 Drift .
Chicago A Vaa Meter Coal Co No. 1 Shaft .
OTTTBBIB COTJUTY.
Alexander Lamb. No. 1 Shaft.
Andrew Muldoon No. 1 Shaft,
Daniel McNally No. 1 Drift .
George Cooper No. 1 Drift .
Benjamin Milla No. 1 Shaft .
Andrew Cove No. 1 Shaft .
Joseph Gleason No. 1 Shaft,
jamea Burnham No. 1 Shaft .
Isaac Ford No. 1 Shaft .
J. A. Fraaier No. ] Shaft .
J. A. Sprina; No. 1 Shaft .
WilUam Bugler. No. 1 Shaft .
Nathan Mallow No. 1 Shaft .
Peter Digart No. 1 Shaft .
D. U.Beese No. 1 Shaft .
Galager& Sentney No. 1 Shaft.
Charles Christy No. I Shaft .
Edward Lewis No. 1 Shaft .
jamesButler ■ No. 1 Shaft .
Daniel Fillmore ,,., No. 1 Shaft .
Robert Chambers No, 1 Shaft .
John Davids.. No, 1 Shaft .
Merchant Winters No. 1 Shaft .
lUedSeld.
Redfield.
Hedfleld.
Redfleld.
Redfield.
Redfield.
Bayard.
Bayard.
Bayard.
Bayard.
Linden.
Linden.
Van Meter.
Stuart.
Stuart.
Stuart.
Stuart.
Stuart.
Stuart.
Dale City.
Date City.
Dale City.
Patiora.
Panora.
Pariora.
Panora.
Panora.
Pauura.
Fausler'a.
Fan si er' 8,
Fansler's.
Pansier 's.
Fansler's.
Fansler's.
Fansler's,
Fansler's.
BBFOBT OF STATB
S INSPOTOB.
sa
NAMES OF MINBS-GONTiNnBD.
GBBENB OOUlfTT.
JUAMK OF COMPANY OB FIRM.
BB
POST-OFFICB.
Standard Coal Company
Keystone Coal Company
E^stone Coal Company
dimax Coal Company
Carpenter Bros
Armstrong Bros
Isaac Bussev
Grand Junction Coal Company
No. 1
No. 1
No. 2
No. 8
No. 1
No. I
No. 1
No. 1
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Shaft..
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Angus.
Grand Junction.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
David Wade
8.C.lie8ter
WiUiam Silvers. .
John Walker
lliomas House...
Isaac Morrow
Benjamin Burton
Bobert Martin. . .
Nathan Claflin. . .
Arnold Claflin. . .
Joseph Cregg. ...
Mike WardtT....
Bicdiard Lane
Jerry Bobins
All. Ciw
Grouse Kos
James Shea
Joseph Bell
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift ..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift.
No. 1
Drift..
No. 1
Drift..
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Webster
Kamrar.
Elamrar.
Homer.
aty.
aty.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
City.
HABDIN COUNTY.
John Hall
John Madden
No. 1 Drift .. Eldora.
No. 1 Drift .. Eldora.
MARSHALL CJOUNTY.
P, M. ^oninffer, .....
.• No. 1 Shaft . . Galvin.
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPBOTOR.
NAMES OF UINES-GOHTiHTrBD.
JABFBB CODHTT.
NAME OTf COMPAHT OK FIRM.
II
•Si
P08T-0FFICE.
NO. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. :
No.
No.
No. 1
No. 2
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No. :
No. :
No.
No.
No.
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Slope . .
Drift . .
Drift..
Shaft!!
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Slope . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Jaaper (Sunty Coal and Kailway Comp'y
Colfax.
Jasper County Micine and Railway Co. .
Jasper County Mining and Railway Co. .
Jaaper County Mining and Railway Co. .
Draper.
Draper.
Draper.
WUliam Snooks
Brown & Stewart
Newton.
Newton.
McAllister & Tenent
Newton Coal Company
J. J. Pritcbard
CM. Noma
Newton.
Newton.
Prairie City.
Pnurie City.
Russell & Crew
Callows Stewart
W. S.8perr>'
Jacob Westenhoose. . .
AmoB Taylor
Daniel Bair
S.C.Fry
John Beall
Jackaon Zimmerman . .
William Sullivan
John McGregor
Andrew Schutz
No. 1
No. 1
S ope . .
No. 1
^ ope..
No. 1
5 ope . .
No. 1
3 ope . .
S ope . .
No, 1
3 ope . .
No 1
Shaft . .
No. 1
Shaft . .
Perlee.
County Une.
County Line.
County Line.
Biimtugbam.
Liberty vilie.
Liberl^'ville.
Lockiidge.
Salina.
KEOKUK COUNTY.
Starr Goal Company
Starr Coal Company
Starr Coal Company
Starr Coal Company
Granger Coal Company . .
Granger Coal Company . .
Granger Coal Company . .
Vnlcan Coal Company..
JoknBlatt
Robert MofCet
Martin Fisber
Sigoumey Coal Company .
Crescent Coal Company
William Tumbull
William Bennett
William Lewman
Charles Cordes
F. M. Stephenson
BEFOBT OF STATE iSSKE INSFEOTOB.
NAMES OF MINES-GoHTiiniBD.
i,TT0A8 oomnr.
NAHB OT COXFAITT OB FmH.
Wbite Breast Goal Gompuiy No. A Shaft .
White Breast Coal Gompanr ....'. No. B Shaft .
Chariton Coal Company No. 1 Shaft.
AD. MinshaU No. 1 Drift .
PanlCrile No. 1 Drift .
Thompson Woodbury No. l Drift .
William GrifBn No. 1 Drilt .
George Wiilooghby No. 1 Drift .
James Hall No. 1 Drift .
J.F. Spiker No. 1 Drift .
Henry Carney No. 1 Drift .
Zero Coal Company — No. IShrft.
II
POBT-OJTIOa.
iCleveland.
Cleveland.
Lucas.
Chariton.
Chariton.
Chariton.
Chariton.
Chariton.
Chariton.
Chariton.
Chariton.
IZero.
BIOH OOCMTT.
Union Coal and Mining Company
Oak Hill Coal Company
John A. Scott
Jolm A. Scott
William Penfleid
8. S. Roberts
Henry Bosquet
William Franklin
Willi am Thompson
Giiit Harmsese
liundest Van Steinbei^en
B.F. WQson
J. Bingham
B. Richards
Williams & Company
J. M. Terry
Otho Clark
T. K. Mobley
M. A. Crookham
Samuel Oxenreider
Eudolph Miller
Samuel Myers, Jr
Huston Fugle
Alphiis Bauer
Ford Coal Company
J. B. Taylor
J. B. Taylor
Martin & Ash
David Reese
Stephen Jones
A. J. WilUams
Levi Patterson
Central Iowa Coal Company
Bed Rock Coal and Mining Company. . .
Bed Bock Coal and Mining Company. . ,
Bed Bock Coal and Mining Company . .
Hamilton Coal Company
Drift.
Drift .
Drift .
Drift .
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Slope .
Slope.
Shaft.
Drift .
Drift .
Drift .
Drift .
Shaft.
Slope .
Slope.
Slope.
Shaft.
Drift .
Drift .
Drift .
Drift.
Shaft .
Drift.
Drift .
Drift .
Drift.
Drift .
Drift .
Drift .
Shaft.
Shaft.
Drift .
Drift .
Drift .
Shaft.
, Flagler.
, Flagler.
. Otley.
. Otley.
. Utley.
. Otley.
. Pella.
. Pella.
. Pella.
. Pella.
. Pella.
. Pella.
. Gosport.
. i Columbia.
. [Pleasant ville.
,'Pleasantville.
.|Pleasantville.
.iPleasantville.
jPleasantville.
. iLacona.
. iLacona.
. iLacona.
, Lacona.
. Lacona.
. Ford.
. Ford.
. Ford.
. Ford.
. Ford.
. Ford.
. Ford.
. Des Moines.
. Des Moines.
. Dea Moines.
. Des Moinee.
. Des Moinea.
. Des Moines.
UEPOBT OF STATE HINB IN8PBCTOB.
NAUE8 OF MINBB-OoirnNuaD.
MABIOK OOUHTT— OOMTIM UBD.
NAKB OF OONPAMY OR FffiM.
1»
55
p
POBT-OFnCE.
No.
No.
NO.
No.
No.
No.
NO.
No.
Slope . .
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Drift..
Shaft..
Drift..
Drift..
MarysTille.
Busaey.
Attica.
David Rice
MOMBOB COUNTT,
AveifCoal Company
Samuel WIgnal
Charles Carto
James Bidden
James Blddlebaugh
Eureka Goal Company
B. H. Ingram
Albia Coal Compan V
Great Western Coal Company
Iowa and Wisconsin Coal Company
Enterprise Coal Company
G. W.Hartzer ^7..
John Memley
Moses Hatch
E.Newman
Thomas Taylor
H.B. Teller
Hickory Grove Coal Company
Allen Bauer
W. B. Dinwiddle
W. A. Gray
Geoi^ W. Cowles
Jemima Wilson
Union Coal Company
-,. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. I
No. 1
No. I
No. I
N0..1
So. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
Slope.
Slope.
DlTft.
Drift .
Slope.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Drift.
Drift .
Shaft.
Drift .
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft
Avery.
Avery.
Avery.
Avery.
Avery.
Avery.
Albia.
Albta.
Albia.
Albla.
Albia.
Albia.
Albia.
Albia
Albia.
Albia.
Albia.
Hickory Grove.
Dallas.
Selection.
Selection.
Fredrick.
BEFOBT OF STATE lONJi UI8PflOTO«.
NAUB8 OF USSB&-CotmMumo.
MtHABTTA OOUXTT.
it
SAME OF COMPAKT OB FTBH.
Consolidation Coal Company . . .
Consolidation Coal Company , . .
Consolidation Cool Company , . .
Consolidation Co&l Company . . ,
L, B. Tliompaon
Excelsior 1 oal Company
ticelsior Coal Company
Excelsior Coal Company
Antlrew Moore
U.H. Vance
Uarsball Underwood
Henderson England
William Eyana
Robert EvaoB
Samuel Ream
William Hallowel!
Iowa Coat Company
Iowa Coal Company
James Morrow
John Chilcoat
George L. Shtimaker
5 ntoD Coal & Mining Co
. Chapman
Jacob Heightman
Hugh Smith
American Coal Company
American Coal Company
A.cme Coal Company
ffeatem Union Fuel Company. .
Nathan Hiissey
Samuel Cable
Samuel tjmith
Howard & Sons
Standard Coal Company
John Burgess
Joseph Davenport
W.N. Hoover
William Barrowman.
Slope.
Shaft!
Drift .
Shaft.
Shaft .
Shaft.
Shaft '.
Shaft .
Slope.
Slone .
Slope .
DriTft .
Drift .
Shaft .
Slope .
Shaft.
Drift .
Slope .
Drift .
Shaft '.
Slope .
Shaft!
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft,
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
FOer-OFFICE,
Muchakinock.
Muchakinock.
Muchakinock.
Muchakinock.
Muchakinock.
Excelsior.
Excelsior.
Excelsior.
Eddyville.
Eddyville.
Eddyville.
Eddyville.
New Sliaron,
New Sharon,
Tracy, Marion Co.
Tracy, Marion Co.
While Oak.
EddyvUle.
Lei gn ton.
Leigh ton.
OUvet.
New Sharon.
New Sharon.
UskaloDsa.
Oskaloosa.
Oakaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskalooaa.
Oakaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa.
PAOB OOIIKTT.
Idarshall & Cooper.
Bbodea & Clowsier
Bobert Ailcina
W. McClain
J.M. Wilson
Samuel Pearson
Isaac Jones
Samuel Finkertoa .
No
No.
No.
No.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Slope.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Shaft.
Clarluda.
Clarinda.
Shambaugh.
Shambaugh.
Shambaugh.
Shambaugh.
Shambaugh.
Shambaugh.
68
BBFOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
NAMES OF MIKES— OoNnNUBD.
FOLK COUHTT.
KAMB OF COMPANY OB FIRM.
o
as
P08T-0FFICI
Goon Valley Goal and Mining Gompany . .
Walnut Goal and Mining Gompany
Garver Coal Gompany
Giant Goal Gompany
Giant Goal Gompany
Giant Goal Gompany
Eureka Goal Gompany
Wabash Goal Gompany
Pioneer Goal GompiEmy
Polk County Goal Company
Diamond Goal Gompany
Des Moines Goal Gompany
Aetna Coal Gompany
Bunnells Coal Gompany
Union Goid Company
Pleasant Hill Goal Company
Eclipse Coal Gompany
Two aivers Coal and Mining Gompany.
G. VanGinkle ;
Joshua Chambers
L. D. Lang.
WiUiam Leid
William J)awson
Altoona Coal and Mining Company
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Slope . .
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Shaft..
Slope . .
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Drift . .
Drift ..
Shaft . .
Drift . .
Shaft..
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Des Moines.
Avon.
Avon.
Avon.
Rising Sun.
Altoona.
SCOTT COUNTY.
Phelix Mactin
Phelix Mactin
No. 1
No. 2
No. 1
No. 2
No. 2
No. 2
No. -2
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
Shaft . .
Drift . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Buffalo.
Buffalo.
Samuel James
Buffalo.
Samuel James
Bennett & Flair
Buffalo.
Buffalo.
Charles G. Bowan
Buffalo.
Charles G. Bowan
Buffalo.
Bobert Williams
Buffalo.
Marion Murrey
Buffalo.
Edward Winfield
Buffalo.
BEFOBT OF 8TATB UINS INSFEOTOB.
NAIOS OF UNES-OoKTizruBD.
TATLOB OUUjn'l.
siia aw ooKTAST ob rmic.
1^
POBT-OnOB.
Ho. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
Sbaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
Shaft..
ff-H-iSsmeu::::"::::::::::;:::::::;
JwSlfoiair:::;::::;:::::::::::;::;::;
VUlisca.
TAK BUBBN CODKTT.
No. 1
No. ]
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. I
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No 1
Drift . .
Drift . .
Drift . .
Drift . .
Drift . .
baft..
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Slope . .
DrSt ..
Drift . .
Drift . .
Drift..
Drift..
Drift..
Drift..
Shaft . .
Bonaparte.
Bonaparte.
Bonaparte.
MeSBros.T^. ::'.::::::::::::;:;::::
Chnsty & Israel
Bonapart«.
William Doud
Boamer& Murphy
CH.Seott
Farmington.
Utica.
Ambrose Warner ■ ■ ■ ■
Utica.
Billflboro.
Thomas Rice
tliUBboro.
E.P.Brownfield
T.E.Taylor
Hillaboro.
UEPOBT OF 8TA.TB MIKB INSPZOTOB.
NAMES OF lUNES-OovnvTOD.
SAUE OP OOKPXSTY OB TIBH S.3 ^3 S
la .a a
!g M
MillB dfc Everett No. 1 Drilt ,
O. B. Tortlett No. 1 Drift .
S. miderbrand No. 1 Drift .
Craig Goal Compauy No. 1 Drift ,
Craig Coal Company No. 2Uritt ,
Craig Coal Company No. 3 Drift .
Parle Coal Compauy No. ] Shaft ,
CarlHou Coal Company ■.,. No, 1 Dijft ,
Standard Coal Company No, 1 Drift .
Standard Coal Company No, 2 Drift ,
Jolio Barnes No, I Drift .
William Stanbra No. IDrift,
Walter Erviu No. 1 Drift ,
Wmiam Hydeman No. IDrift,
John Lloyde No, IDrift.
James Lynch No. 1 Shaft.
Prank Colhcs No. 1 Shaft ,
David Strain No. 1 Slope .
Thomas Collins No. 1 Slope.
Miunm & Keefe No. 1 Slope.
Mumm & Keefe No. 2 Slope .
L. Dupleas No. ISlope.
Alf. Davis No. ISlope.
Webster Rhodes & Company No. 1 Slope .
James Martin No. 1 Slope .
Fort Dodge Coal Company No. 4 Slope.
Fort Dodge Coal Company No. 5 Shaft.
Crooked Creek Coal Company No. 1 Slope.
Crooked Creek Coal Company No. 2 Slope.
Crooked Creek Coal Company No 3 Slope.
Cory Coal Company No. 1 Slope .
John C- Kine No. ISlope ,
Thomas Parks No. 1 Slope .
Vinton Peterson No. 1 Slope .
W. Barrowman No. ISlope
George Williams No. 1 Slope .
Burlin Smith No. ISlope.
James l^ewls No. 1 Slope.
Jamea Harper No. 1 Shaft
P08T-omCE
. Ealo.
. Ealo.
.Ealo.
. KalD.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
. Ealo.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
.Ealo.
. EbIo.
. Fort Dodge.
. Fort Dodge.
. Fort Dodge.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Coalville.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh:
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
. Lehigh.
■ Lehigh.
BEFOBT OF STATil MINE UISFEOTOB.
NAMES OF UINBS— GoNTnnrBD.
WAPBIXO OODNTT.
NAHB OF COHPAITT OB FIBH.
Carver Coal Uompany
Carver Coal Company
Carver Coal Company
SUaa Kitterman
J^. E. ChamberB
Ira Phillips
Jacob Mieir
Michael Mieir
Jacob Beam
f.red Metzsar
?V. J.Baker
J^acob Schick & Co
5^. OchBchlMter
^Uliam Shepherd
-^ilUam Cartel
^jlliam Uunley '.
{VirkpBtiic & Son
*4.H.Godley
J^lbp DattB
g?homa8 McGlothlin
feugh Clark
jBldoD Coal and Mining Company
la
P06T-0fPlCB.
No. 1
No.
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No- 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
.shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Drift
Shaft
Slope.
Slope
Slope
. OttumwB.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
, Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa,
. Ottumwa.
. Ottumwa.
. BIdon.
. Kldon,
, Eldon.
. Eldon.
. Ottumwa.
WAYNE
t. F. Thatcher No. 1 Shaft . . Seymoui.
Occidental Coal Company No. 1 Shaft . Seymour.
relet Bipper No. 1 Shaft,. Kniffin,
21artin Davla No. 1 Shaft .. Piano.
Piano Coal Company No. I Shaft . . Piano.
U'homaa Burland No. I Shaft., i arvard.
David Munn No. I Shaft.. Ormanville.
yieas Balin No. 1 Shaft .. Ormanville.
REPORT OF STATE HINB IN8PECTOB.
SA2i£S OF UIN£S-GoirnKUKD.
WABBBK COCMTT.
NAME OF COMPAMT OB FIBK.
1^
POBT-OFnCB.
No. 1
No. 1
No. >.
No. 1
No. 1
No. I
No. 1
No. ]
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. I
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
No. 1
Drift . .
Drift..
Drift . .
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Shaft . .
Shaft , .
Shaft . .
Drift . .
Shaft..
Drift..
Shaft . .
Slope . .
Drift..
Drift..
Drift..
Drift..
Dnft ..
Slope . .
Dnft..
Shaft . .
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Khaft..
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Drift..
Shaft..
Shaft . .
Liberty Center.
Mio
W. A. Wright
Uio.
SandyviUe.
Sandyville.
CharleaVoice
Cariiale.
George Dillard
Springhill.
1866.] BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPEGTOB. (^
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I have very few amendments to nrge to the mining law. Some
may think strange that there should be a demand made for amend-
KientB to a law only passed the last session of the Legislature, bnt the
>resent mining law has about doubled the work of the Inspector, and
tnder the old law there was too much work for one man to do ; so
hat since the passage of the pf esent law it becomes an absolute ne-
'essity, as justice cannot be done to operator or miner unless some-
hing is done so that the inspection force can be increased. Thd most
essential amendment would be to allow at least two more Inspectors.
-t wiU be seen by reference to the foregoing tables that there are 489
i^ines in operation in this State, and it is not necessary to enter into
^ lengthy argument to convince any one that there is too much work
^Ot one man to do. I would therefore recommend that the law be so
^tnended that there could be three Inspectors — one chief Inspector
^^d two assistants. I am convinced that that would be better than
'O divide the State into districts, as all reports could be embodied in
^ne, and the work be done better, time could be economized, and
better results would follow. I am confident that a law similar to the
>ne now in operation in Ohio, in regard to the inspection force, would
:>e what is needed in this State. I have had to work under disadvan-
:4iges on the account of having to run all over a judicial district to
^d a district attorney, but as the law authorizing counties to elect
:2onnty attorneys will go into effect in 1886, I deem it not necessary
bo make any changes in the mining law in that respect.
I am confident that with three inspectors to enforce the mining law,
that much good can be accomplished, as all the operators could then
be forced to comply with the law, and in that way both operators
And miners would be satisfied.
64
BSFOBT OF STATE MIKE INSPEOTOB.
[E4
TABLE OP THE PBESSUBE OP AIB AT DIPPEBENT HEIGHTS
OP THE BABOMETEB.
Height of Barome-
ter.
Pressure per square inch.
Pressure per square
foot.
27.0 inches.
13.25 pounds.
1906.28 pounds.
27.26 "
13.37
1926.89 "
27.6 "
13.49 "
1943.66 "
27.76 "
13.61
1961.23
28.0 "
13.74 "
1978.90 "
28.25 "
13.86 "
1996.66 "
28.6 ''
13.98 "
2014.24 "
28.76 '•
14.11 "
2031.91 "
29.0 "
14.23 "
2049.68
29.26 "
14.86 "
2067.24
29.6
14.47
2084.91 *'
29.76 "
14.60 "
2102.68 "
30.0 *'
14.72 "
2120.25 *'
80.25 "
14.84 "
2137.92 "
30.6 "
14.96 "
2166.69 "
30.76 "
16.09 "
2173.26 "
31.0 "
16.21
2100.98 "
To find the pressure per square inch in pounds, multiply the reading of
the barometer in inches by .4908. To find the pressure per square foot in
pounds, multiply the reading of the barometer in inches by 70.6762.
GASES MET Wipi IN MINES.
The gases generated in coal mines are fire-damp, after-damp, some-
times called choke-damp, black-damp, and white-damp.
Fire-damp is light carburetted hydrogen, and consists of one vol-
ume of the vapor of carbon, and two volumes of hydrogen condensed
into one volume. This gas is never met with in the mines of this
State.
Black-damp is the carbonic acid gas of chemistry, and is the prin-
cipal gas met with in the mines of this State. It is composed of two
atoms of oxygen and one atom of carbon, and by weight, oxygen
72.73, carbon 27.27, and by volume one each; and it is rather more
than one and one half times as heavy as an equal volume of common
air, the specific gravity of common air being 1,000^ while that of car-
bonic acid gas is 1,524.01. This gas is accumulated from several
1885.J BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 65
causes: The respiration of men and animals, the combustion of the
workmen's lights, the decomposition of timber and small coal in the
gobs, the explosion of powder, the ezcrementitioas deposits of men
and animals, and it also exudes from the roof and floor of the mine*
Black-damp in its pure state is a deadly poison, and will neither
sapport life nor light. When ten per cent of black-damp is diffused
throngh the air of a mine, a light cannot be maintained, but when
mixed with a certain portion of pure air, a miner can remain for con-
siderable time after his light has refused to bum. Its effect on the
miner is such as to produce headache, languor, loss of appetite and
general debility. This gas is mistaken for something else from the
position it is sometimes found to occupy in the mines, as a great
many miners think that if they are working in a place elevating from
the entry that black-damp will not molest them, as the gas is heavier
than common air it would force itself out into the air-way and would
not remain in a room driven at an elevation off the stairway; but this
is not the case.
Black-damp is sometimes held in suspension in a room elevating
from an air-way; for instance, if a room is turned off the air-way,
and the current of air is passing the mouth of the room and has no
chance to exert any of its force at any other place in the room, then
if black-damp should accumulate, and no car or anything else to cause
a current in the room — under such circumstances, black-damp will
^Qcamulate and remain until a current of air is brought to bear upon
it.
But some claim that as black-damp is one and one half times as
beavy as common air, that it is not reasonable to suppose that it can
be held in suspension at an elevation from the air-way by the passing
Current of air in the air-way. Let us see: Take, for instance, an air-
way five feet wide and five feet high — the sum of its four sides would
be twenty feet of resisting surface for each foot in length of the air-
way. Now, suppose the room-mouth is five feet wide and five feet
bigh, then the room-mouth would present the same resisting surface
H8 the air-way; and as the room-mouth is five feet high and five feet
^de, it would give an area of twenty-five feet exposed to the pres-
sure of the moving column of air. The atmospheric pressure varies
according to the density of the air. For instance, if the barometer
:ireads thirty inches (see table of the pressure of air at different bights
of the barometer), the pressure on all surfaces exposed to the air is
^,120.25 pounds per square foot; therefore, on the mouth of the room
(^{^ RErOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E
above referred to, there would be a total pressure of 53,006.25 poundiE
But there is another fact to be taken into consideration in connect
ion with air pressure: that if we increase the speed of the air in thi
air* way, we also increase the pressure in the following proportion:
If we double the quantity of air in an air-way, we have four times
the pressure, and nine times the pressure will produce three times
the quantity, and sixteen times the pressure will give four times the
quantity, and so on in like proportion. And if the pressure of
2,120.25 pounds per square foot would give a volume of air of one
thousand cubic feet per minute; and if the volume of air is in-
creased to two thousand cubic feet, the pressure would then be 8)481
pounds per square foot, or a pressure on the room-mouth of 122,025.10
pounds; and if we increase the volume of air to three thousand feet
per minute, then the pressure would be 19,082.25 pounds per square
foot, and at the room-mouth it would be 477,056.25 pounds. And if
the volume of air is increased to four thousand feet, we would have
a pressure per square foot of 33,924 pounds, and on the room-month
there would be a pressure of 848,100 pounds. In increasing the vol-
ume of air from one thousand cubic feet to four thousand, we have
increased the pressure at the room-mouth from 53,006.25 pounds to
848,100 pounds; but as we have made no arrangement for this air
pressure to exert its influence on any other portion of the room only
at the mouth, and as this increased pressure is required to overcome
the extra friction of the air current, let us look a little further; for
instance, if the current of air, when the volume was one thoosaod
cubic feet per minute, traveled one hundred feet per minute, when
the volume was increased to four thousand cubic feet it would be
compelled to travel four hundred feet per minute, and would meet
with four times the friction, or rubbing surface, in the same length
of time. But the air traveling at the speed of four hundred feet per
minute, instead of coming in contact with the rubbing surface with
a momentum gained from a velocity of one hundred feet, as in the
first instance, strikes against the rubbing surface with a momentum
gained from a velocity of four hundred feet, and the increased resist-
ance from the greater momentum acquired four times greater than
before, and would require the pressure to be increased to sixteen
times the original pressure, as shown by the figures above. There-
fore, the quantity of air obtained will vary as the square root of the
pressure applied, and the pressure will vary as the square of the ve-
locity of the air column, or quantity obtained. And, as before
\
188 J.] BEPORT OP STATE MINE INSPEOTOB. (J7
itated, we hare not made any arrangement whereby the air can cir-
eolate through this room, therefore, in increasing the volume of air
from one thousand feet to four thousand feet, we have only increased
the pressure in the room four times, while in the entry we have in-
creased it sixteen times. If blaok-damp would force itself out of
the room under the above circumstances, it would have to be
fonr times as heavy as common air. This fact should be thoroughly
understood by mine foremen, to' enable them to more intelligently
combat with this deadly ienemy of the miner, and if this subject was
more thoroughly understood, mioe bosses would be more willing to
provide ways for the air to circulate through the rooms, and would
be more particular to see that cross-cuts were provided at the proper
time and in the proper place.
I do not wish to convey the idea that I would have a pit boss de-
crease the current of air under the above circumstances, not by any
means; but I have carried out the above figures so as to bring to the
minds of those having charge of the distribution of the ventilating
current the necessity of providing large and roomy airways, and of
splitting or dividing the current of air so as to reach the miner with
a fresh supply of air at his working place in the mine. I find in some
localities that the pit boss has the rooms driven forty or fifty yards
without holing from one room to another, and will then complain of
the ventilation in the rooms, when there is a large volume of air pass-
ing along the entry from which the room is turned, when, if he would
have the miners make a break through from one room to another, he
would relieve the ventilating pressure, and by providing break-
throughs between the rooms he would increase the size of the space
through which the air would have to pass, thereby reducing the ve-
locity of the air current, and in that way reduce the friction of the
air and the pressure necessary to produce a given amount of air.
Some may take exception to this, and claim that the friction is not
reduced on account of the rubbing surface being increased, but, as
before stated, the quantity of air obtained will vary as the square
root of the pressure applied, and the pressure will vary as the square
of the velocity of the air column or quantity obtained. Now, it must
be remembered that about nineteenlwentieths of the air pressure is
required to overcome the friction (I am now speaking of Iowa mines),
aad if we double the velocity of the air in the same airway we in the
first place cause twice the quantity of air to meet the resistance in a
given time; and in addition to this, of this double quantity, meets
63 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPEGTOB. [El
every resistance with a doable velocity or momentnm. The double
quantity of air and the double velocity, taken together, is the reason
why we have a four fold resistance. Again, if we treble the velocity
of the air we thereby cause three times the number of particles to
meet the resistance in each moment of time, and this alone wooli
treble the resistance. But, in addition to this, the treble quantitj
meets the resistance with three times the momentum, which trebles
the three-fold resistance that arises from the three-fold number of
particles of air that meet the resistance each moment of time; anil
for this reason we have a ninefold resistance for a three^fold qaaihf
tity of air in a given time, and so on in like proportion. Therefore^
from these laws we learn that the quantity of air that will pan
through any mine is greater or less as the ventilating pressure ii-
greater or less, but not in the same proportion; when the airways an
the same the quantity of air only alters in the proportion of the square
root of the pressure; so that a four fold pressure only gives a donbli
quantity of air, and a nine-fold pressure only gives a treble quantitj
of air. But on the other hand, one-fourth of the pressure still givai
one-half of the air, and one-ninth of the pressure gives one-third
the air. The changes in the quantity of air are sluggish as compared!
with the changes in the ventilating pressure, only varying as its square
root. The quantity of air, however, is more sluggish still in refe^
ence to the power employed to cause it to circulate. The quantitf
of air only varies as the cube root of the power and of the quantitf
of coal burnt to produce it; so that eight times the coal only doubles
and twenty-seven times the coal only trebles the quantity of air oi^
culating in a mine, no matter what kind of mechanical ventilation i»
employed so long as the airways remain in the same condition. There*
fore, we must not expect any great general improvement in the yen*
tilation of mines from a mere increase of power, as any increase ii^
the quantity of air in the same airways is slow, small, and costly^
compared with the necessary increase of power required to prodncfr
it. Therefore, the quantity of air increases as we decrease or lessen
the extent of the rubbing surface, but not in the same proportion, bvt^
only as the square root of the extent of the rubbing surface. If w^
could do away with three-fourths of the rubbing surface, other thingi
being the same, we could only double the quantity of air in the minet
if the rubbing surface were reduced to one-ninth the quantity of
circulating per minute would only be increased to three times its pre*
vious amount. On the other hand, if the extent of workings and nib-
866.] BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOB. 69
ling Burfaoe were inoreased fonr timeB, or nine times their previous
unounti while the area of the airways and the ventilating pressure
rould renudn unaltered; the air would only be lessened to one-half
ir one-third of its previous amounts respectively by such extensions,
if we suppose the size of the airways and the number of splits of air
to remain the same, as well as the ventilating pressure in each case.
From these laws then we learn that either to increase the ventilat-
ing pressure, or to lessen the extent of rubbing surface exposed to
the air circulating in mines, is a very slow and very costly mode of
proceeding to increase the amount of ventilation, as the quantity of
iir circulating in a given time alters so slowly with any alteration
that may be made in the ventilating power or pressure in the mere
extent of rubbing surface that may be presented to it.
For general improvements we must, therefore, look chiefly in some
other direction, owing to these being slow and costly modes of in-
eieasing the ventilation of a mine. The same general laws of resist-
ance shows us that if we could reduce the velocity of the air con-
sistently with increasing the quantity circulating in a minute, we
should greatly lessen the friction in comparison with the quantity
of air circulating, and so obtain an increased quantity for the same
amount of friction or by the same ventilating pressure. This object
is accomplished by splitting the air, so that instead of allowing the
whole of the air to traverse the whole of the workings in one con-
tinuous current, it should be divided into different districts of work-
ings, and also brought out in separate channels to a point near the
upcast shaft after it has done its work. In this way the extent of the
Tabbing surface is not lessened on the whole, but the area offered to
the air is greatly multiplied; and although the velocity of each cur-
Tent will be reduced, still on the whole the quantity of air in all the
iiplits or divides is very much greater than if they were only one single
-current in the mine, even when the ventilating pressure is the same.
Therefore, the conclusion that must be arrived at is this: that when-
•ever by any process we can reduce the velocity of the ventilating cur-
rent and maintain the same amount of air in circulation we have re-
duced the friction, and if the friction has been reduced the power
necessary to overcome the friction has been dispensed with to the
«ame extent; and if the volume of air remains the same after the ve-
locity and friction have been reduced, then undoubtedly the pressure
Decessary to produce the given amount of air has been reduced also;
ind when a mining boss thoroughly understands the above facts, and
70 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [B4
will divide separate splits or divides for his ventilating current, so
that all his underground force can have a fresh supply of air from the
intake, and after this curreDt*of air has done its work convey it m
soon as possible so the upcast shaft, he has reduced the velocity, re-
duced the friction, reduced the pressure, and dispensed with the need
of a certain amount of power to maintain the same amount of air.
White-damp, or carbonic oxide, is composed of one atom of oxygen
and one atom of carbon. By weight, it contains 56.69 per cent of ox-
ygen and 43.31 per cent of carbon. Its specific gravity is 975,195,
being little less than common air. This gas is more deleterions to
animal life than carbonic acid gas, as air containing a very small per
cent of white-damp is unfit for respiration. Black-damp will not sup-
port combustion, while white-damp will admit the miner's lamp to
burn amidst a deadly atmosphere. White damp is produced by im-
perfect combustion, and can be recognized when burning by its flick-
ering blue flame, which may often be. seen in the gob fires of this
State. White-damp is frequently met with in the mines of this State,
as the refuse of our coal seams are subject to spontaneous combas*
tion ; and in some of the mines the coal is blasted off the solid, and a
very great amount of powder is consumed, and both, as before stated,
produce white-damp.
STRIKES AND LABOR TROUBLES.
There have been several strikes in the last two years in different
portions of the State. The strike referred to in my last report as not
being settled, at the White Breast mines, in Lucas county, was finallf
settled by supplanting colored labor, and at the present time
a majority of the miners at the White Breast mines are colored men.
The strike was settled without any acts of violence being committed.
The only strike of importance, and the one that caused the most
bitter feeling between operators and miners, was the strike at Wbat
Cheer and Angus. It may seem strange that I would class the strikes
at these two places as one strike, but the circumstances are these :
The miners at both places made a demand for an increase in wages
at the same time, and the operators at Angus told their miners to g<^
work, and if What Cheer operators paid the price demanded, the
1885.1 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 71
miners at Angus should have the same advanoe, as the ooal from both
places was going into the same market. The miners at Angas ac-
cepted this proposition, and went to work, while the miners at What
Cheer stood oat for the price demanded. This was the state of things
under which the What Cheer miners were placed at the commence-
ment of their strike. They if ere contending against the operators of
What Cheer, who owned large mining interests in Illinois, and as
soon as the mines of What Cheer were laid idle, the operators made
a larger demand for coal from their Illinois mines, and what they
failed to get from the Illinois mines they could get from Angus, as
aU the mines at Angus were running full time, so that it made very
little difference to the What Cheer operators whether they operated
their mines at What Cheer or not, as long as they could get all the
eoal they wanted to supply their demands. The operators at What
Cheer at one time attempted to introduce colored miners, but there
was a general uprising of the miners, and by upsetting a wagon loaded
with household goods belonging to some of the colored folks, and
throwing the wagon, household goods and all, into the creek, the idea
of introducing colored labor was abandoned, and the colored people
were withdrawn from the mines and sent back to Mahaska county.
Bat all things have an end, and so did the strike at What Cheer. The
miners became convinced that they were waging a useless warfare,
and went to work. In a few days the miners at Angus made the de-
mand of their operators, which was refused, and then they struck.
After they had been on strike about ten days the operators made a
proposition to pay an advance of the difference between the freight
rates between What Cheer and Angus to Minneapolis. This propo-
sition the miners refused, and both operators and miners settled down
to see who could hold their breath the longest. The operators re-
fused to confer with the miners' committee, and the miners would not
confer with the operators only through their committee, and thus
matters stood. The miners of Angus were in the same condition
during their struggle as the miners of What Cheer had been during
theirs, for the reason that the Illinois mines were still working, and
the coal that was stopped from going into market from Angus was
being supplied from Illinois and What Cheer ; so that in both cases
the demand for coal was being supplied, and could be as long as only
one mining camp struck at a time. The operators at Angus, after the
mines had been idle for some time, brought in men from Minneapolis
and other places north, to take the places of the men on strike. The
72 BBPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR- [E4
miners sent out circulars and committees, asking for help. This call
upon the part of the miners was liberally responded to by the miniDg
camps in other portions of the State, and considerable aid was raised
for them at a meeting held at the court house in Des Moines. Bat
during this time the operators were increasing the working force in
the mines, until the striking miners became boisterous in their dem-
onstrations toward the men that were working, and a call was made
on the Governor of the State to send troops to prevent a riot. The
Governor responded by sending two companies of State troops, bnt
one company was withdrawn the same day, and the other companf,
or a portion of it, remained for fourteen days, and was then, with-
drawn, as everything seemed perfectly peaceable, and in fact was
peaceable. But about the time that the last of the troops were with-
drawn was about the time that there was a large meeting held in the
court house in Des Moines, at which some very inflammatory speeches
were made by men that had more political aspirations than brains, or
a care for the miners' interests, and the speeches made at this and
other meetings by such men led a certain portion of the miners at
Angus to believe that they would be sustained in any action they
might take, and in a short time they made an assault on the men that
were working. The result was that two or three of the men that had
been working were unmercifully beaten, and one of their number
killed. Immediately after the killing of this man the sheriff of
Boone county took one company of State troops and went to Angus,
and remained until the men resumed work.
This action on the part of the striking miners of course resulted in
the withdrawal of public sentiment and the more rational of the
miners saw the situation and accepted the terms offered by the oper-
ators in regard to the price paid for mining. By the operators con-
ceding something to the miners in regard to the fuel of the miners,
so that work was resumed after a strike of about four months dura-
tion, both parties claiming the victory. Thus ended the most bitter
strike that has ever been in the State. I am convinced that there
never would have been any acts of violence committed at Angus if
men who were entirely outside of the coal interest had minded their
own business ; but if they felt a sympathy for the miner, had put
their hands in their pockets and given some money to help support
the women and children of the men on strike, instead of making
speeches, thinking to tickle the ear of the striking miner and thereby
secure his support at some future time.
188i.l REPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPEOTOR. 78
In my humble opinion there never was a time when there was any
need of troops at Angus until after the meeting that was held in the
court house in the city of Des Moines. The trouble is that miners,
like all other classes of men, have those among them who are very
excitable, and during times of strikes, when excited, are what might
be termed cranks, and sometimes commit depredations that are looked
down on by a great majority of their fellow-miners, and the more
conservative miners have enough to do to hold that element in check
when there is nobody interfering but operators and miners. But as
before stated, when men, with more aspirations than brains, interfere,'
men who have no sympathy with the striking miner, and cares noth-
ing about him, unless it is to get a fee or to secure his influence polit-
ically. When such men interfere in times of strikes they excite the
more excitable ones to a point beyond where the conservative ones
can control them, and as consequence violence is committed ; and
when acts of violence are committed, the general public, not being
acquainted with the facts, class all miners as law-breakers, when such
is not the case by any means.
For this reason miners should be very careful in their meetings,
(and this advice might be applied to those outside of the coal busi-
ness holding meetings during times of strikes), as all parties should
advocate moderation and respect for law, remembering that it takes
years for miners to live down the prejudice caused by such acts of
violence.
Workmen have a right, either individually or in mass, to demand
an advance in wages and to refuse to work if the demand is not com-
plied with ; and they also have a right to refuse to accept a reduction
in wa^es, and to call meetings and discuss questions affecting their
interests, and to stop work if they think proper; but the operators
also have rights. They have a right to discharge any man or com-
pany of men who do not suit them, and to employ men in their places,
and when men are on a strike the operators have a right to employ
new men if they can, on any conditions they choose, to take the place
of workmen on strike, and the rights of one are as sacred as the
other. But the system of strikes in settling disputes is all wrong.
Not a year passes but we are compelled to witness some coflict in
which labor is arrayed against capital over the adjustment of wages,
and it will continue to be so as long as the system of strikes prevails.
Many a long strike, disastrous to both parties, could be avoided if
10
74 BEPORT OF STATE MINE 1N8PECTOB. [E 4
men would aoqaaint themgelveB with all the oiroumstances and allow
their better judgment to have control.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
The proper solution of the labor problem is very difficult, and the
difficulties arising between capital and labor is one of great import-
ance and one that has engrossed the leading minds of the last century
all over the world. Great writers on political economy have given to
us their ideas upon the great social problem with a diversity of opin-
ion almost equal to their number. And to those might be added
carefully prepared and well studied opinions of some of the eminent
newspaper editors of the present time. But still the problem is not
solved, as the conflict between labor and capital still continues. And
yet every one realizes the fact that the wcrld was never so rich in
accumulated wealth, comforts of civilization, culture, intelligence and
charity. The average condition of the people is better than in any
former period.
Civilization through the agitation of the industrial question has
reached a higher point and light is breaking all over the civilized
world. The material progress made during the last fifty years sur*
passes that of all other periods of history. In Europe and the United
States wealth has increased ^since 1850 three times faster than the
population. Machinery multiplied until its productive power in the
United States and England alone is equal to the power of a thousand
million men. Prof. Huxley has well said "that the 7,600,000 work-
ers in England can produce as much in six months as would have re-
quired one hundred years ago the entire working force of the world
one year to equal." In the United States wealth has increased from
1850 to 1884 forty-two thousand, two hundred and forty millions of
dollars. And according to Mulhall's estimate since 1830 Great Brit-
ian has almost trebled her wealth; France has quadrupled hers, and
the United States has multiplied in wealth six fold. And at present
we are growing nearly four millions richer at sunset than sunrise each
day. The accumulations of Europe and the United States make up
daily $11,000,000 and the increase in population 11,000 daily. It is
1886.1 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 75
QBtimated that it requires less than one-half of the manual labor that
^as required in 1865 to produce an equal amount of subsistence.
The domain of nature has been invaded by science until her secret
forces have been made subservient to the will of man. During this
period great progress has been made in political and intellectual de-
velopment. The schools, colleges, asylums, hospitals, churches and
benevolent institutions found everywhere are the monuments of in-
creasing charity, and in this great march of progress the United
States takes the lead. In this rich world this Nation of ours stands
the richest. The valuation of property in 1884 was fifty-one
thousand, six hundred and seventy millions in round numbers,
w-liile that of Oreat Britain — mother and rival — was more than
six thousand millions less. This is a pleasant theme on which to
d^ell, but while we recount with pride and pleasure the progress
xiaade by the nations of Europe and more particularly by the
XTnited States, we cannot forget that an undertone of discontent
<Xomes up from the people which should make us pause. In the very
Nation where this advance has been so great there is wide spread de-
^Tession in trade and commerce, and dissatisfaction among the work*
^Xig people. While all these splendid triumphs in material progress
^H works of charity and benevolence, the conditions necessary to th^
^rst social progress have been too much neglected. In Europe this
discontent is due to two causes. One the unfinished struggle for
t>olitical freedom on the part of the people which has been in pro-
gress since the eighteenth century, the protest against privileged
^^lasses, monarchy and imperialism. The people learning that they
^re the source of all political power want their will registered as the
Xaw that alone should govern them. This discontent has taken differ-
ent forms in different nations. It has taken the form of Nihilism in
Russia, Socialism in Oermany, Communism in France, Radicalism in
England and Manonegraism in Spain. These nations have also to
4eal with another cause, and the one on which the United States is
called upon to deal is the industrial question, involving the relation
l>etween ^'capital and labor," employes and employed, the rate of
wages and the proper distribution of wealth, which is the recurring
question of all civilization and the problem of all ages. The nationa
of Europe are obliged to meet both problems at the same time, while
the settlement of this first problem has made the United States the
greatest nation of the world and its people the happiest. The youth
of America should never cease to remember and reverence the devo-
Y6 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. IE 4
tion and heroism of our forefathers who achieved independence and
planted a free goTemment in young America.
Uonor to the wisdom and patriotism of the immortal Washington
who snccessfally led the armies of America until they established and
secured a government by the people and for the people which stood
the test of foreign wars; and equal honor should be given to the im-
mortal Lincoln and Orant, who by their wisdom and patriotism en-
abled the armies of the Northern States from 1861 to 1865 to estab-
lish the fact beyond a doubt that a free government could stand the
test of civil war, which leaves the United States as she enters on the
second century of her existence, still free from all the questions that
are agitating the Old World, except the industrial problem.
This question is gaining in importance from several causos; the
great increase in population, large immigration from Europe amount-
ing in four years — from 1880 to 1884 — ^to over twenty-four hundred
thousand people, over crowding cities, rapid absorption of public
lands, consolidation of wealth and the importation of contract labor
are reproducing in the eastern and some of the western states many
of the economic and social conditions of Europe. In this land of
which we love to boast, in the midst of great wealth, with powers of
production unsurpassed, with material success unparalleled, and in a
land of plenty there is in places the beginning of want. It is esti-
mated that 350,000 workers are without employmert upon whose
labor more than a million women and children are depending for
food, shelter and clothing And the number could not be esti-
mated who are working on half time and in this way supporting their
own existence and the existence of those dependent upon them.
This great army of workers stands and waits in vain for the oppor-
tunity to earn by honest toil the necessaries of life. Many of those
who have employment are forced by competition to accept a rate of
wages that yields a bare subsistence.
The gap that divides the rich and poor grows wider and deeper
4aily; with unmistakable signs in the cities of a tendency to classes.
In cities the workers are forced into crowded tenement houses where
foul air breeds disease and death. The tendency of the population
of the United States is to large cities. One hundred years ago one-
thirtieth of the population was in town — now more than one fifth is
in cities and towns.
These evils have grown with our growth, and are largely the out-
come here, as in Europe, of the existing industrial system.
1885.] REPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ff
They oaase sudden outbursts of condemnation or indignation
against wealth, capitalists or corporations.
It would be folly to condemn, as a whole, a system which, with all
its faults, has merits, and which has brought us thus far on our on-
ward march and placed us in advance of any other nation on the
globe. But in a century the United States will have a population of
200,000,000. It is necessary, therefore, to seriously consider whether
we should take the risk of going on under a system that permits such
evils as now exist, and encourage industrial war between employer
and employed, which, in other natio.ns, has gathered more victims
through want than all other wars that have cursed the world.
Whenever the people have not sufficient food, shelter, and clothing
death always reaps a rich harvest.
The question is both industrial and social, and concerns not the
capitalists nor the wage-receiver exclusively, nor one more than the
other, but the whole body of society, and the State itself. It involves
a great principle, in the presence of which individual interests become
insignificant. No question more serious or of a graver moment ever
came before the American people. And upon its right settlement
may not only depend the future of society but ultimately the fate of
the great republic. This nation is not without experience. A social
and industrial question in the early history of our country took the
form of slavery, and cast its shadow over our land, finally resting
down in dense darkness over one half of it. It grew noiselessly at
first, but soon reached such dimensions that it not only threatened our
nationl existence, but brought on the greatest war of modem times..
And to preserve the Union and to wipe out the blot of slavery the
lives of nearly a million men were laid down, and five thousand mill-
ion dollars expended, while woe^ misery and desolation were brought,
to unnumbered households throughout the land. It was probably too
much to expect that slavery could have been expelled from our social
system without war. But we should profit by experience, as we can
now see clearly Jiow much better it would have been if the people,
the real sufferers, who did not want it could have been spared war.
If the great law which governs the evolutions of society and man-
kind, and always makes for right and justice, had not been forced by
the ignorance and passions of men to employ war and destruction to
accomplish its purpose. If the leaders and statesmen of those times
charged with the welfare of the people and the safety of the Repub-
lic, had reasoned calmly and wisely together, and sought the way».
78 REPOBT OF STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. IE ^
that make for peace, not only would the Union have been preserved^
but slavery would have been abolished. Therefore, if only one branct^
of this industrial problem has recorded such bitter experience in it#
eettlement, what may we not expect of, instead of peaceable meth-
ods, war should be invoked to settle other and larger industrial and
social problems, in which the people everywhere would take part.
The picture is too dark, everything that is good in man, all our wis-
dom, patriotism, prudence, goodness, charity, the teachings of our
religion, the love for our children, and the hope for our posterity,
should be invoked to keep us from this awful result. This great
Republic, in its morning life, before wrong and injustice have had
time to crystalize, with no inherited disposition to ccute^ with all
power, in a people advancing in intelligence, and with the future
clearly in view, and the question pressing for solution, this would
seem the time to begin, and our country the place to solve the prob-
lem. To prevent industrial war, to bring about a better distribution
of wealth, to regulate the force of competition, to secure to labor a
larger share of the products it helps to create, shorter hours of work,
thereby insuring longer hours for leisure and improvement, and to
4
lessen the cares and distresses of poverty is an ambition worthy of
American manhood. Struggling humanity awaits the action of this
great Republic, to see if, after giving man a government on a Chris-
tian basis, it will give him industry on a Christian basis, and thus
take the next great step in civilization. The question whether
labor in America will, in the future, sustain, improve upon, or degrade
from its once high condition, is one beside which every other national
problem, social, religions, and political, is a matter of trifling mo-
ment; for, upon this depends the destiny of the greatest State, and
the life of the most beneflcient government which the world has ever
8een. This Republic is in better condition at the present time to
grapple with the industrial question than it ever will be again, and
the longer it is put off the harder it will be to settle, for, with our
present sparse population in most of the States, the general diffusion
of property, both real and personal.
The accumulation of savings are guarantees of peace and order for
the present, and permit us to hope that danger is far remote, and that
no revolution threatens the form and substance of society and gov-
ernment. We should, therefore, calmly approach the consideration
of the question now, and gather information, study causes, avoid the
errors of other ages, and seriously consider in a spirit of fairness
1885.1 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. 79
^virlat as individoalB and as a nation we ought to do; not wait until
our territory is densely populated — ^until New York, San Francisco
and other seaboard cities shall give way to cities like London; nor
xuitil Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City and other cities of like dimen-
sions shall be supplanted with a population equal to New York; nor
-antil hundreds of our inland towns have grown to the size of Chi-
oago.
If the settlement of this industrial question is put off until such a
tiime, then other evils will have crept in, and this republic will find
xtself confronted by many of the obstacles now met with in the Old
"World. Statistics tell us that to-day the tenement population of
Hew York City, amounting to 600,000, live in 20,C00 houses. Here
Is a population nearly as large as that of Chicago, and larger than
tihat of Boston, St. Louis or Cincinnati. In the tenth ward of New
"York City there are about 1,000 tenement houses. In 200 of them,
:from fifteen to twenty families live in each. In the eleventh ward,
the population is 68,799 — 29,043 native and 29,754 foreign-bom —
the most thickly populated district in the world.
As before stated the tendency of our population is to large cities,
and as our territory becomes more densely populated, this tendency
to large centers will increase. And should we procrastinate the set-
tlement of the industrial question until such a time, we will find that
we have been listening to the song of a siren. It is not the part of
wisdom to sit still and hope that social and industrial questions will
adjust themselves without giving man any concern. Remedies only
follow effort and preparation. We have advanced sufficiently under
the inspiration of liberty and knowledge to know that our industrial
system should be on a better basis; that strikes, violence and friction
between employer and employed should cease, and instead there
should be unity of interests, peace and harmony, and with the object
of bringing about a fair distribution of the wealth produced.
Labor has organized itself into societies all over the world, but its
discussions are one-sided and conflicting. Some demand the ordinary
way of remedying the evil, such as forcible division of property,
nationalization of land, socialism and communism; but such remedies
furnish no relief for existing evils, and have a tendency to widen the
breach already existing between capital and labor. There is no natu-
ral antagonism between capital and labor. These two forces must act
together or not at all. The antagonism is between employes and em-
ployed, and comes of error on both sides. The employer seeks to get
80 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
as mnoh labor as he can for the smallest wages, while the employed
aims to do the smallest amount of labor for the most wages he caik
get. This, through the law of competition, leads to a constant war-
of interests where there should be harmony.
This question has another phase besides the proper distribution of*
wealth, or the proper adjustment of wages. The social features add
another difficulty to its solution. It is true that in the United Statea
the wages have advanced in the last twenty-five years, but the wants.
to be satisfied in order to support life on the same relative plane as
before have also increased. And this is right. As the world grows
in power of production, man ought to grow in tastes and needs. His-
desire for a larger and higher state of existence does grow, and ought
to grow as fast as the means of satisfying that desire increase^
Therefore, the true question is not whether workers receive more
than before, but whether they produce more and get a larger propor-
tion of what is produced than before. In this country, where more
intelligence and therefore more efficient labor is found then else-
where, labor secures comparatively higher wages. Workers of tho
lower grades of intelligence or skill are denied their share of th^
benefits of a higher civilization if they have to compete, not only
with the pauper labor of Europe, but with imported contract lahor**^
Paupers, gathered largely from the almshouses of Europe, arrive aL—
most daily in New York, and seek employment at lower wages thaz:^
American labor and get it. The result is, they begin the process o:C
becoming Americans by displacing American workers, who have fans.-
ilies depending upon them for their daily bread; and with the knowl-^
edge that wealth brings social power, position, luxuries and influenc^^
to which they, though bom with passions, ambitions and hopes, mus'^
remain strangers, and that to all intents and purposes, both they aa<?
their children in whom they rejoice, must be forever shut out from
associations with the rich, arousing a feeling often harder to subdue
than the knowledge that they do not get a fair share of what their
labor helps to produce.
The time for labor to get its fare share is not after wealth has been
created and distributed, but at the time of its creation. If all prop-
erty was equally divided among the people and there was no change in
the industrial system those that have the most now would get a larger
share soon after the division. The right to property legally acquired
under the existing system ought never to be disturbed. The question,
is to secure better distribution in the future.
18850 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. gl
There is not and never can be too muoh wealth in the world. All
the wealth is needed that the ability and power of Individ aals and
corporations can legally produce. Wealth honestly acquired stands
for frugality, thrift, self-denial, personal-effort and personal sacrifice.
Labor stands for quite as much and is equally deserving. They are
the greatest forces m civilization, without which it would perish.
Both alike require and should have in an equal degree all the aid,
encoaragement and protection that the law of individuals can afford
them. If capital is in distress, labor is in trouble ; if it leaves a
ooontry labor leaves. Injury to capital through individual or state
action is damaging to labor. Labor can never gain any advantage
from the oppression of capital. Society has to a certain extent grown
away from a true appreciation of the dignity and importance of
labor. There was a time when there was no capital, but there never
was a time since man's existence when there was no labor. In the
beginning of societies labor, as it is the real creator, received all it
produced and the worker was treated with respect. In our complex
civilization man could not exist without the fruits of his labor. Every-
thing that ministers to his wants, tastes, comfort and ease is the result
of labor. Therefore, labor in all its departments should be justly
remanerated and elevated, and the true dignity of labor recognized.
I<abor should not be degraded to the level of merchandise and treated
^ a commodity to be bought and sold and governed entirely by the
^W8 of supply and demand, as that would have a tendency to do away
^th one redeeming feature of our industrial system, for degraded
labor has lost its ambition to raise above its degraded condition; and
if that state of affairs was brought about the poor man's son who has
been raised in poverty would not have the ambition to raise above
the condition under which he was raised. While under our present
System the poor man's son of to day may be the man of easy circum-
stances, and his boy who may profit by his father's habits of economy
and self-sacrifice, may be the millionare of the next generation. Man
comes into this world and is taught ; property and wealth surround
you and are essential to your existence. You need all you can get,
and inside of certain limits, often not well defined you must get all
you can and it will be yours. In accumulating property you may per-
mit your neighbor to starve though you have more than you need or
can use. Yet there is no binding law to oblige you to help him.
How little progress has been made in civilization in this regard
over the beasts. What a short distance man has traveled from them;
11
g2 BEFOBT OF STATE MIXE IXSTEGTO&. [£ 4
without coiMcfeDce they do nearly as welL Their law, the only one
they knowy is that the strongest takes. Man knows a different law,
bat too often follows :he law of the bmte. The restraints laid apon
man by civilization in the acquisition of property are bat few more
than were imposed npom him in a state of natare. What he got
then by his own exertions and by force was his. What he gets now,
taking advantage of the weak by enperior power or by conniDg, is
his also. Man most be lifted np from this lower level of his nature
by edacation. The sabject of edncation has never received tbe
proper consideration in connection with onr indastrial system.
In the employment of labor there is no attention paid to edncation.
The habit of employing boys in oar mines and manofaetories before
they can read and write should be prohibited by law, as it hae a
tendency to bring to manhood a class of wage workers who are as
ignorant and consequently as vicious in their habits as the pauper
class that are brought over from Europe of which we have such need
to fear. To the present industrial organization inherited from
Europe there have been added by permission of law features largely
of American origin, overcapitalization of corporations, watering of
stocks, cornering of food products, reckless creation of bonded debts
by States, cities and corporations, all of which are against good
morals, tend to promote demoralization and depression in business
and reduce the rate of wagep, and should be prohibited by law. A
large part of the work done in the world is by corporations. They
constitute a great force in production and will increase, because
man derives advantages and benefits from them which would not be
had otherwise.
Corporations properly conducted are all right, if stock-watering
and other evils are kept out, as incorporation is but a form of co-
operation under the law. The evils that have grown out of corpora-
tions come from the abuse of their powers and privileges. The
States have the power and should ezprt it in imposing conditions
upon their creation. Heretofore corporations have been organizing
mainly as the instruments of capFtal, but may we not hope that with
national laws forbidding the importation of European paupers and
contract labor, and with State laws prohibiting the employment of
any one under sixteen ye:irs of age in any of our mines or manufac-
turing establishments, unless they have acc^uired a certain standard
of education; that the wage wo.ker would be educated in a few
years so that he could combine in his own interests and become in-
1885.] REPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. gS
corporated under the laws for peacef al and legal action to do their
work in a way that will bring them the largest return. Wage work-
ers have made progress through combination, and to some extent have
bettered their condition, but never when they have resorted to
violence or attempted coercion of their fellow workers, as that is but
another form of slavery. Experience has proved that strikes and
lock-outs which lead to violence and destruction of property, and
sometimes lives, afford no satisfactory relief.
Wage-workers cannot afford to resist the law. By obeying the
law, by defending their own interests with knowledge and foresight,
and by wisdom and prudence in their conduct, they create a public
sentiment which in the end brings justice. The wage worker must
learn that the way to aid himself is not through violence or coercion,
bat through obedience to the law, and that he can, by proper effort,
do more to elevate himself and better his condition than can be done
for him; that thrift, fiugality and economy are needed; that waste
and intemperance are his worst enemies.
Bat there is also much for the capitalist to learn and do. He must
learn that as a matter of policy it is safer and better to be just; that
by agreeing to divide profits on an equitable basis with the wage-
worker he will make more in the long run; and that competition,
supply and demand are not the only laws that should govern the in-
dastrial world. He must learn that wealth is only a trust, and out
of the abundance that has come to him he can afford to spare a por-
tion of it on deeds of charity, in helping the deserving poor and un-
fortunate.
The methods which promise the best results in solving the indus-
trial problem, after knowledge becomes more universal and society
better prepared for their adoption, are boards of arbitration and
oo-operation ; but both of these remedies require an education en-
tirely different from what we now have, as both employer and em-
ployed should be educated so they could rise above their prejudices
and recognize the great fact that all men are born equal. Arbi-
tration, as a method of settling differences between nations and
individuals, has already achieved great triumphs and secured the best
results. Then why would it not work equally well between employer
and employed? In France and England, arbitration and conciliation
have made gratifying progress in adjusting differences between capi-
talist and worker. The State of Pennsylvania has passed a law pro-
viding regulations to govern arbitration of disputes between employer
84 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [B 4
and employed. Arbitration has been recommended by other States
who are closely connected with both employer and employed, and
whenever it has been adopted it has always prevented strikes and
violence, and promises to do well in the future.
Whenever employer and employed become educated so that they
can lay down their irritations and grievances sufficiently to meet as
equals and discuss frankly and candidly the disputed issues before a
board of arbitration selected by both parties, it will be a great step
gained. Incorporated co-operation has niade the greatest progress in
the Old World. It has been tried to some extent in this country, but
in this country, as wherever tried in the old country, co-operation has
been retarded by lack of intelligence on the part of the wage-workers.
The wage worker, because of his surroundings, has been deprived
of education sufficient to enable him to be intellectually equal with
the employer, and for this reason they have been unable to combine,
as the wage workers have lacked the ability, training and discipline
to manage large or even moderate business enterprises. But educate
the worker, furnish him the opportunities for training and discipline,
and CO operation will be a success. It must not be presumed that the
object sought will bring about an ideal state where all will be equal
in power, wisdom, goodness, position, wealth and influence. This can
never be. Absolute equality is an impossibility. The relief sought
is not equality, but equity and justice. Some will always be wiser,
better and stronger than others. Society, however, should be cast
and formed on such lines that the good, wise and kind shall govern.
This can be done in no other way than by education. Through the
difficulties that environ the industrial question, it is plain that some
adjustment must be reached by which the war now raging between
employer and employed must come to an end, and be superseded by
some system that will unite the interests of the employer and those
employed. They must become and continue partners instead of ene-
mies in the enterprises they operate. During the process of the cre-
ation of wealth there should be such a division between employer and
employed that the latter shall secure at least the three essentials of
existence : food, clothing and shelter ; and in addition, means to
subdue sickness, and by frugality and thrift something over for fee-
bleness that grows as the years come on. The wage worker is entitled
to thip, and should have it. It is a modest, and who will say not a
reasonable, demand ? Nature has made provision for all her sons.
This is an unanswerable reason why all who are worthy should have
18850 REPORT OF STATE MUNE INSPECTOR. 85
enough. The industrial system which does not permit the worthy to
get enough must be at fault, and public opinion all over this country
is beginning to realize the fact. It is the power of public opinion
which is reaching the conclusion that the laws of competition, supply
and demand, as applied to the wage receiver, operate unjustly ; that
the worker does not now, in many cases, get a fair share of what
he helps to produce ; that he is, in effect, a partner with the capital-
ist, though not treated as such.
It must be further considered that the wage worker who heretofore
has had little to say, is helping now through education to make this
pnblic opinion which in the end must stand as the sole judge and final
arbitrator of what is just between him and the capitalist. If the cap-
italist should admit the principle of copartnership, would not he make,
in the way of increased profits, nearly, if not all, that he would be
oalled upon to concede ? The worker, having a direct interest, would
do more and better work. The saving, by better care of property,
tools and machinery, and in diminution in the cost of superintend-
ence, would in the aggregate afiord a large return to increase the
profits. With copartnership between employer and employed, the
worker would feel he was more nearly the equal of the capitalist ; his
pride and ambition would be stimulated to better action, and the
sense of inferiority he is made to feel by having no interest in the
business would largely disappear. Unity of interests would prevent
strikes, and the loss of time and wages and the destruction of prop-
erty incident to them.
The civilization that has proved the best for man, and that has lifteo
him up to higher planes than any other, is that built upon and shaped
by the teachings of Christ: "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" "Do
nnto others as you would have them do unto you."
All correct philosophy, all sound teaching and reasoning, conduct
VLS unerringly to these simple truths, which combine in themselves
every essential principle necessary to the solution of the industrial
problem. A solution based upon these principles would abide, be-
cause it would be founded on simple justice between man and man.
ge REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
THE HYGIENE OF MINES.
The following article on the hygiene of mines is by R. W. Ray-
nond, P. H. D., of New York City, inserted in this report by request:
It is convenient to divide mines with reference to this subject into
two classes, collieries and metal mines. Subteranean quarries, rook-
salt mines, etc., present no conditions requiring them to be separated
from the latter class.
With regard to the hygiene of American collieries (a branch of the
subject which I shall not discuss at length), I take tiie liberty of
quoting some excellent observations contained in a recent artide by
Mr. Henry C. Sheaf er, of Pottsville. Mr. Sheaf er says: **The
working miner usually devotes his whole life to that oooupation.
He frequently, perhaps generally, begins at the age of from eight to
twelve years, as a slate picker in the breaker — ^the building in whiob
the coal is prepared for market — ^where his business is to sit all day
with twenty or thirty companions of about his own age and pick out
fragments of slate f roni a thin stream of coal constantly flowing past
him. The place in which he works is apt to be more or less open
and exposed to draughts; his clothing consists of shirt and panta-
loons, usually old and ragged; a battered cap and a pair of coane
shoes — the last often omitted in summer. His whole costume, what-
ever its original color, is soon stained a uniform black by the thick
cloud of coal-dust which fills the breaker, filters through his cloth-
ing and begrimes his skin and which forms a large compo-
nent part of the atmosphere he breathes. A boy and man has
an invariable practice 'at the close of every working day, to wash
himself thoroughly from head to foot, a custom to which his hardi-
ness and generally rugged health in early life are to be largely at-
tributed. His diet as boy and man is simple ; pork, salt fish, po-
tatoes and home-made bread are its staple constituents, but when
work is good and money sufficient all the luxuries of the local market
are to be found on the miner's table.
He learns to smoke and chew tobacco at an early age ; has few or
no scruples against the use of either malt or alcoholic liquors, and
withal grows to be lusty, sinewy youth who seldom troubles th®
18S5.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 87
doctors unless overtaken by one of the numerous accidents to which
his own recklessness, not less than his somewhat dangerous occupa-
tion, exposes him. At the age of eighteen or twenty, if he has not
previously entered the mine as a driver, or for some other description
of boy's work, he goes in as a laborer, becoming in effect though not
in name an apprentice to a practical miner, with duties so nearly the
same as those of his boss that for the purpose of this article they
may be considered identical.
The miner gets to his work shortly before seven o'clock in the
morning, if on the day shift, or between five and six in the evening,
if on the night shift. He is dressed in flannel shirt, woolen or heavy
duck pantaloons, heavy shoes or boot^, and usually with a coat thrown
loosely over his shoulders. On his head he wears a cap or slouch
hat or a helmet shaped like a fireman's, but of smaller dimensions.
Whatever the head gear, the lamp, a small tin one, shaped like a min-
ature coffee-pot, swings by a hook over the visor, unless the place in
which he works is fiery, when he carries a safety lamp in his hand.
His dinner can and canteen of water or cold tea are swung from a
strap passing over his shoulders. Thus equipped he rides down the
shaft or the slope, and if he is lucky enough to catch a train of
empty mine-wagons going to his working place, he rides in a distance,
it may be two or three miles from the foot of the shaft. If no
wagons are at hand, he walks most of the way through water and
slush, taking small account of wet feet, or, indeed, of wet clothing
at any time, though the roof over him may drip all day long. It is
an exceptional case if he wears a rubber or oil- cloth suit, even in the
vrettest places.
Two miners, or two miners and a laborer, form a gang, and their
wcrk is an alteration of exhausting physical labor and intervals of
rest. They work with drilling-bar, powder and pick, getting down
the coal and breaking it to a size small enough to handle ; with drills
preparing and charging a hole for blasting, with shovels clearing
away the coal and getting it into the mine cars to be sent to the sur-
face ; and then when a particular job is done, or a blast is to be fired,
tbey repair to the nearest place of safety, and in their overheated
condition sit down in the cool, damp draught of the ventilating cur-
rent to cool off as rapidly as possible. Is it any wonder that rheum-
atism, consumption miner's asthma are the common ailment among
tbem? In walking to and from his work, along the mine gangway,
the miner tr!es 'o step on the sills on which the track is laid, thus
88 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. fE4
avoiding the hollows worn by the males' feet between the sillp, and
as these are laid from t\f o and a half to three and a half feet apart,
the effort gives him a long, slow, swinging gait, the head being
thrown forward to counterbalance the body. The t^ame postare is
found best for traversing the manways and other smaller passage?,
the long stride being advantageous in picking the way over rongh
and uncertain ground, while the bent head escapes projections of the
roof and permits the light of the lamp in the miner's cap to fall on
the ground at his feet. The habit becomes fixed, and the old miner
may alway be known by his bent shoulders and swinging stride.
That this natural compression of the chest cannot but be injnrions is
evident. Among the most laborious of the miner's duties is setting
the timbers which support the roof. The gangway or general pass-
ageway of the mine is usually from seven to ten feet in height and
about the same in width, seldom falling below these dimensions in
American mines.
Where thick beds of coal are worked and the cars are drawn by
mule or locomotive power (though in the thin beds of England and
Wales they are often so small that a man cannot stand upright in
them), the gangway timbers, unless the rock and coal are unnsaally
solid, consist of a prop on each side, with a cross-piece uniting them.
They are from ten to fifteen inches thick, of length adapted to the
dimensions of the gangway, and being of green wood are corres-
pondingly heavy, weighing from 300 to 500 pounds, according to
size; yet three men are not only expected to set the side-pieces, bat
to lift the heavy cross-beam into position far above their heads and
fix it there. The work is so hard, performed as it is beyond the
brattice which supplies fresh air, in an atmosphere charged more or
less with powder smoke and carbonic acid gas, that by the time it is
done all three are thoroughly exhausted and over-heated, and in the
most favorable condition for the reception of colds, lung disorders
and rheumatism. If working in a steeply-pitching breast, though
the timbers are not eo large they are quite large enough to tax the
strength of the two men who have to get them up a steep and diffi-
cult manway by sheer lifting and pulling. In this way, which is
almost like working up through a chimney, timbers averaging per-
haps eight feet long by six inches thick, are carried to the top of the
breast, which may be from sixty to eighty yards above the gangway
level.
Mention has been made of the brattice. This is a highly-important
1886.] REPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 89
aid to the ventilation of the mine. It is an air tight partition, gen-
erally carried along one side of the gangway, though sometimes over
its top, and so arranged with reference to the ventilating current that
the fresh air is carried along one side of it while the impure air,
which is to he withdrawn, passes along the other side. Its ohject is
to keep up a circulation of air in the recess formed by advancing
operations at the face of the workings. As every passage or chamber
is poshed forward into the solid coal or rock, it necessarily forms a
bay in which the air is always stagnant unless moved by some such
appliance as the brattice. Communicating passages, called headings,
are made between the working chambers, about thirty yards apart,
for the same purpose; but as the chamber is opened beyond the head-
ing, a brattice becomes necessary here, also.
One great cause of impurity in the atmosphere in which the miner
works, is that the brattice is frequently neglected, and the work
pushed so far beyond it that it ceases almost entirely to affect the air
at the face, which then becomes loaded with powder smoke and car-
bonic acid, or, in fiery mines, carbu retted hydrogen. In either case,
the effect on the miner's health is most injurious.
Of course the principal occupation of the coal miner is cutting and
getting out coal; and here again his work is performed under disad-
vantageous circumstances as regards the preservation of health.
Much of it consists in lying on the side, holing under the mass in a
low cut, where every stroke of the pick dislodges a fresh shower of
dust to be inhaled by the miner. Other portions consist of straining
at arms' length to dislodge a mass hanging from the roof; of lifting
and tugging at heavy weights; of shoveling continuously, hour after
boar (wliere coal has to be shoveled into the mine- cars the filling of
from eight to ten cars, holding three tons each, is considered a day's
irork for a laborer); and of swinging a heavy sledge in drilling by
hand power. His footing is frequently unsteady, having to be main-
tained on a steep-pitching floor of smooth slate, so that, as a miner
Once expressed it to a friend of the writer, it is very much like ask-
ing a man to stand on the roof of a house while working. Therid
^Ye chasams under foot and loose rooks over head, equally to be
^^oided, and the whole shrouded in darkness which the miner's lamp
^^duces only to a semi-obscnrity, and which hides without removing
t^lie danger.
The miner's life when not at ^vrork also has its effect on his general
l^ealth, and, as with every othex* class of men, this varies according
12
90 REPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
to the tastes and temperament of the individual. His house is frame,
plainly but conveniently built, and furnished with the necessary con-
viences of life. Being situated in the country, and in a section
where land is of little or no value for either building or agricultural
purposes, there is plenty of space about the house, and afresh air in
abundance. Even the close neighborhood of frequent hog-pens and
occasional stables, and the universal practice of emptying slops from
the house on the ground at the back door, have little or no deleteri-
ous effect, being neutralized by the abundance of pure air with whicli
their odors and gases mingle. <
The miner's first care on coming from work is to take a tub-batlxy
cleansing his skin thoroughly. He then dresses in a clean suit, ea'te
his supper, and is ready for the duties and amusements of the eve-
ning, both of which are few and simple. Usually the male inhabi-
tants of the patch gather in groups in the open air, in the village
store, or in the omnipresent saloon, and smoke and talk until ttie
ooming of an early bed-time sends them home. Comparatively little
drinking is indulged in except on pay-day, which comes once a mon'th
and is celebrated^by the drinking classes with a spree. In this par-
ticular the miner's nationality makes itself seen. While men of all
nations may be found drinking to intoxication, the practice as a race
is confined to the Irish.
There are few of American descent among the miners, and these
are generally found among the best and steadiest of their class.
The Irish are the most numerous, and they are fond of liquor, drink
to excess, and are very quarrelsome when drunk. Terrible fights
often accompany a pay-day spree among them. Next to the Irish in
numbers are the Welch, a temperate, thrifty and intelligent race, who
form a valuable element in the population. They are industrious
and economical; generally succeed in securing homes of their own,
which they delight in beautifying and keeping in order, and are apt
to be found in positions of trust and authority in later life.
Germans and Poles, too, are industrious and economical, bat less
temperate than the Welch; more careless in their personal habits, and
utterly regardless of the laws of health. They eat unwholesome food,
sleep in ill ventilated rooms, and early acquire a sallow, unhealthy
appearance. Nevertheless, their active occupation, and the enforced
cleanliness of the shifting suit counteract many of the ill effects of
their mode of living, and they will probably be found to average M
long lives as the other races. Less numerous, though making up the
1885.] KEPOBT OP STATE MINE INSrECTOB. 91
bnlk of the population in certain localities are Scotch, English and
Italian miners. The last are much like the Irish in habits, while the
others hold an intermediate place between them and the Welch. It
is, of coarse to be understood that these remarks apply in general to
the nationalities. There are very good workmen and excellent citi-
zens in all classes; and, similarly, there are worthless characters in
all, but the general tendency will be found, as has been stated.
As in every other occupation, personal habits have their effect on
the constitution, and predispose it to invite or to repel disease.
Thus drunkenness causes gray tuberculosis, which the inhalation of
dust and noxious gases predisposes to consumption, a very common
disease in mining towns.
One of the most prominent conditions of a miner's working-life,
certainly the first to be noticed by the casual visitor, is the absence of
sunlight, a very deleterous condition, as many physicians and engin-
eers of large practical experience consider it, while others, as posi-
tively deny that it has any injurious effect.
Dr. J.T. Carpenter of Pottsville, in a paper read before the Schuyl-
kill County Medical Society, says: {Iraruzctiona Medical Society of
Pennsylvania, 1868-9, p. 488.) The deprivation of sunlight must be
a very strongly predisposing cause of disease.
It is to be expected that the results of this deprivation will become
apparent in general anaemia in chronic, nervous irritations, in ten-
dencies (easily to be developed by exciting causes) toward scrofula,
tubercular, phthisic and allied maladies. Other practitioners how-
ever assert that the deprivation of sunlight is atnong the least of the
ttiners' affeotionfe; that no injurious effects from it are perceptible,
and that no accute disease can be traced either wholly or in part to
tliis cause, while physicians will probably continue to differ for ever
^8 to whether or not absence from sunlight during all the working
boars predisposes to prolong any chronic complaint. In this connec-
tion it must be borne in mind that the miners work is carried on
wholly by artificial light, and that usually of a veiy poor quality.
^ot the faintest ray of sunlight can penetrate to him, and about the
&Bt thing the unaccustomed visitor usually remarks is that it is so
«
^ery dark. It needs but a slight exercise of imagination to persuade
Urn that he has at last found a sample of that thick darkness thait
might be felt which once visited the land of Egypt.
In the winter season, especially when the mines are working full
time, their inmates as a rule see but little of the sun during their
92 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
working days. They enter the mine before sunrise and quit it after
sunset. It is however a very common practice among them to work
week about, one week by day and the next week by night. In this
case they have at least from four to six hours of every day's daylight
during their night week, and in any case they usually spend Sunday
above ground. They do not complain of want of sunshine, and it is
difficult to trace any ill effects of its absence upon them. Their com-
plexions are pale but not more so than those of persons who work at
night or in shaded rooms above ground, and their eyesight as a gen-
eral thing considering the miserable light they have to work by is
remarkably good. Few miners are compelled to wear eye-glasses for
either working or reading before reaching old age.
Too much care cannot be exercised to guard against carbonic acid
gas in mines. It not only exists in large quantities in a natural state,
but is constantly being formed by the exhalations from the lung8 of
men and animals, the products of combustion in the miner's lamps,
the ventilating furnaces, and especially the small locomotive engines
now so commonly employed. When mixed with common air it is
only safe up to the proportion of ^ye per cent, though it is said that
some miners become so accustomed to it that they can breathe an
atmosphere charged with twenty per cent of carbonic acid.
Mr. Andrew Roy, State Mine Inspector of Ohio (Third Annaal
Report, 1876), calls special attention to the insidious workings of
this unseen but deadly foe of the miners. The air, he says in speak-
ing of the comparatively shallow mines of Ohio where natural venti-
lation is depended on to a very great degree, is best in the morning,
because the circulation is partially if not wholly renewed in the night
during the absence of the miners, but in the aitemoon and toward
quitting-time it becomes very foul and miners frequently leave work
because their lights will no longer burn or because they are so op-
pressed with languor and headache that they can no longer stay in
the mine. The black-damp however is more insiduous than direct in
its operations, gradually undermining the constitution and killing
men by inches. By reason of constant habit young and robust miners
are able to stay several hours in a mine after a light goes out for want
of fresh air, where a stranger unused to such scenes would fall in-
sensible, and if not speedily removed would die.
Similarly Mr. J. K. Blackwell, appointed British Commissioner of
Mines in 1849 with instructions to make an inspection of their sani-
tary condition reports. There is another class of injuries resulting
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 93
from defective ventilation to which miners are exposed. The cir-
cumstances producing these injuries are slow in operation and as
(heir effects bring disease and not immediate and sudden death their
existence has been little considered. These effects are the result of
an inadequate supply of air which has become vitiated and unfit for
breathing on account of its having lost its due proportion of oxygen,
which is replaced by the formation of carbonic acid. This gas has
its sources in respiration, the lights of the mine, the decomposition
of small coal in the goaves (cavities of the roof), and of timber in the
workings. Air in this state is also usually found to be loaded with
carburetted hydrogen, yielded from the whole coal or in the goaves.
Sulphuretted hydrogen arising from the decomposition of pyritees
is sometimes present, especially in coat seams, and liable to spon-
taneous ignition.
The gases formed by blasting are also allowed to load the air of
the mines to a very injurious degree. Thomas E. Foster, Govern-
ment Inspector in 1864, says: ^^In collieries that I alluded to as
being badly ventilated they had no inflamable gas and thcU toaa the
reason why they toere not weU ventUated. Although you sometimes
kill a few men by an explosion, these collieries where they have no
inflammable gas kill the men by inches. There are quite as many, in
my opinion, killed where there is nothing but carbonic acid gas as
where there is inflammable gas. The men's health is naturally de-
stroyed and they kill them by inches. They do not go immediately
but they go in for a few years and die."
Attention is especially called to Mr. Foster's remarks. Colliery
managers are altogether too prone to think that fire-damp is the only
damp that is to be feared and force their men to work year after year
in an atmosphere loaded with carbonic acid because in this gas they
die slowly and one by one dropping off without any of the dramatic
circumstances attending death by explosion. It is cause for congrat-
ulation that the improved state of science and the requirements of
the mining laws in all civilized coimtries have greatly improved the
condition of the mines with regard to ventilation.
Another evil too commonly met with in coal mines is the cloud of
dust with which the air is loaded. Where the coal is kept damp by
the percolation of water little dust is made and the miner is compar-
atively free from injurious effect, but it is exceptional for the coal to
be in this condition, and it has been found that the deeper the work-
ings penetrate the less water is found and the drier and more dusty
92
REPORT OF STATE MINE IN8PI
|E4
working days. They enter the mine before sui
sunset. It is however a very common practice
week aboat, one week by day and the next w«
case they have at least from four to six hours
during their night week, and in any case the
above ground. They do not complain of w.
difficult to trace any ill effects of its absent*'
plexions are pale but not more so than tho
night or in shaded rooms above ground, »
eral thing considering the miserable ligl
remarkably good. Few miners are com;
either working or reading before reaohi^
Too much care cannot be exercised t<
gas in mines. It not only exists in lar
but is constantly being formed by the
men and animals, the products of c^
the ventilating furnaces, and espeoi:
now so commonly employed. Wh
only safe up to the proportion of f^
some miners become so aocostom
atmosphere charged with twenty
Mr. Andrew Rov, State Min'
Reporu ISTi^), cM% special at
thU unseen but deadlv foe of '
ing of the comparatively shal
laiion i$ depended on to a vf
beojiuse the oironlation is pr-
during the absence of the
.-.-.ry
.•»ved,
.mil the
>hort of a
ifd air. In-
>ject of mine
xboT in a badly
^ the intellect.
1 list and from breath-
: 1 1 1 d sore and the mind
s i \ years labor in a badly
Mu with a good oonstitn-
. ,. day for several years — ^the
After twelve yean ihey are
L densely black, not a vestige of
: : le better than oarbon itself.
of coal-minei's oonsnmption. Mr.
and other ezpreariona of disoon-
quit:iug.ume it becomes V. ^^:,^. ^^ defective ventilation, saying:
because their lighu will ^-^'^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ .^ ^^ judgment
prvssed with Ungnor anc?^- . ^^J « in tlie evU genin. of the mines,
the mine. The Waek-da- ^^ ^ ^^^,„^ ^^^ ^ ^ lawabid-
it» op««uona, *^'"'''--u:ali« to expel tlie demona of the mines
menbyindm. ^^ '^^^ ii, W»ol«r ag« the pne«ta of Germany
aiv akle to atay aey eni* *^
of f nMk air, where «>i^
-:%c'!
<i^nsibl^ and if not-f^
MmilartT Mr. J, »^
Mitt<« in l$4d wi
Vr Dr. William Thomson show the
lo : D. C aged fifty-eight, miner
Vlaek and of a eaibonaoeons color.
boyhix^i. hings nnifoimly black.
«ttifv>rm!T deep Uaek tfarongh their
^^ 8TATB MINE INSPECTOB. 95
' *^^ oaoutohouo. L. A., aged fifty-
- dyed with black oarbon-
:lfied before the Ohio
'W8 : "I have made two
- carbonaceous solidifica-
all it spurious melanosis,
: no doubt the carbonaceous
<1 them after death because
ck substance whose real char-
ts came to my knowledge."
-•olid carbonaceous matter inhaled
. is very slow to operate as a direct
liseases of the lungs, acting princi-
; the lungs it remains there ever after
J* black sputum in all cases of expecto-
Pottsville, in his treatise before quoted,
: me since, a patient suffering from chronic
>i sputa, who had not entered a coal mine for
gentleman, of Pottsville, under my care is now
umonia with softening and abscess of the lung,
IS was engaged in mines, but has not habitually
r eight years past. During his recent illness the
jack sputum was constant. After what has been said
.:at the greatest necessity for healthful mining is good
With air current sufficient to carry off noxious gases,
ke and at least the most of the dust, mining becomes not
Healthful but an agreeable occupation, notwithstanding all
been said about its perils and drawbacks. The latter may
bold statement to those whose experience in mines is limited
single visit, but it is the testimony of the great majority of
-rs and is confirmed by the well-known fact that men who go
m farms and shops to work for a season in the mines rarely go
ack to the old work.
There is something about the comparatively free and easy life of
the miner, who is to a great extent his own boss, the uniform temper-
ature which in most mines varies little if any with the seasons and
which ranges from 45^ to 65^ Fahrenheit, according to local circum-
stances, the year round — and perhaps the spice of danger which is
96 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. Ifi5
always present that makes the miner onoe initiated cling to th.
work for the rest of his life.
Nor is that life necessarily a short one, though the appalling f r
quency of easily avoidable accidents reduces its average length fs
below what it should be. So far as the writer is aware no compar^^^
tive statistics of the average length of miners' lives or of their liabi^^B'
ity to disease have ever been published ; but old men are commo==ii
among them and men who have worked thirty, forty or fifty years i^^si
the mines and are still hale and hearty for their age are by no mean s
rare. Their principal diseases, as before stated, are miners' asthma ,
consumption and rheumatism, and among those who have workecz^
long in badly ventilated places dyspepsia, tremors, vertigo and othe~
troubles arising from blood-poisoning. The two principal causes an
dampness and bad air. Pumps and precaution obviate the one ant
proper ventilation the other.
In conclusion it is the opinion of the writer, formed from long an«
personal acquaintance with the subject and sustained by the almoaik^
unanimous testimony of practicing physicians, mining engineen^,
colliery owners and miners themselves, that were it not for acc^^-
dental injuries and deaths the mining class would show as goc^^^^l
average health, as fair a percentage of longevity and as low a deafc^li
rate as any other class of manual laborers; that the hygienic conAIi-
tions of American mines are receiving more attention and oonseque:^nt
improvement year by year; and that if the average miner could on. Hy
be taught to exercise common sense about his work the list of fat^ ^1
accidents would lose most or all of the terrors which now inv^ist
it in the miud of the general public.
Coming now to the second class of mines I wish to inquire whetb.er
the general conclusions expressed by Mr. Shafer with regard to col-
lieries are equally applicable to metal mines ?
The chief differences in this country between the sanitary condi- . ,
tions of coal mines and those of metal mines are the following: f
1. The coal mines are, as a rule, neither very deep nor very high {.l
above the sea level, whereas a large proportion of the metal mines- 1 1
are situated at great altitudes (5,000 to 13,000 feet above tide). The
comparative rarity of the atmosphere, though not perhaps injurious
to health, per ae, nevertheless intensifies the changes of temperature
to which both the mountain climate and the underground work ren-
der the miner liable, and thus promotes certain febrile and rheumatic
complaints.
P
\
1885.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 97
2. Although it cannot be said of American metal mines in general
that they are deeper than the coal mines, yet it mast be admitted
that they grow deep faster and that the deepest of them far exceed
yxxT coal mines in this respect. In some cases, notably that of the
Oomstook Lode, the increase of heat in depth is a very serious incon-
venience and injury to the mining work.
3. With rare exceptions metal mines do generate poisonous or
explosive gases in large quantities or brief periods. Slow decom-
position in the rocks of minerals, such as pyrites, may give rise to
sulphurous or sulphydric gases. Carbonic acid may be generated by
ieoaying wood or by the burning candles, or the exhalations of the
workmen, but there is no such imminent danger from these sources
as threatens the coal miner who may be overwhelmed by a flood of
black damp. On the other hand this immunity from sudden catas-'^
trophies^ due to imperfect ventilation, leads in metal mines to a degree
of carelessness in this department of mine engineering of which no
one would dare to be guilty at a colliery.
All a rule, therefore, the air is much worse in metal mines than in
3oal mines. The former are usually left to ventilate themselves
icoording to sarostatic laws, and when changes of wind or season
^aase a reversal or stagnation of the ordinary current the phenome-
lon is submitted to with a kind of fatalism.
Miners say that the air is bad in this or that level very much as
>ne would speak in helpless resignation about the weather out of
loors. When the heat or foulness of the air at any point actually
prevents work remedies are applied, but so long as it is merely an
Inconvenience or a slight enhancement of the price per yard of con-
bract work it is too often neglected, since neglect is not exposed to
the death penalty.
4. The greater expense and completely unremunerative character
of excavations in rock, such as usually inclose metalliferous deposits,
leads to the making of much smaller and less regular passages than
the gangways of collieries, while separately excavated airways may
be said not to exist in metal mines at all. a brattice or an air-box, or
a weather door now and then, being the most that is done for the
artificial direction of the ventilating current. The smallness of the
excavations in metal mines is therefore another cause. of imperfect
ventilation. On the other hand the old workings particularly, if well
packed with deads or waste rock, do not need to be ventilated so
13
98 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [B 4
much, as often the case in coal mines, to prevent the accumulation oi
dangerous gases in them.
5. There is as a rule much more climbing in metal mines. Th.^
miners often descend and ascend through great vertical distances by
means of ladders and stairs.
6. It is in a few localities only apart from the coal regions thsu^
a permanent class of miners exist. Moreover the hygienic condition &
of most American metal mines are not extreme, and finally the effects
often attributed to •underground conditions in other countries may
be largely due to other causes, and it may be that better diet, less
prolonged and exhaustive labor, more comfortable homes and more
rational habits have to some extent rescued the American miner from,
the evils which have been supposed to inhere in his avocation.
The points thus suggested will now be briefly reviewed under the
heads of physical exertion, air, and temperature:
Physical exertion, — The yielding of sledge and pick, the pushing of
cars, the wheeling of barrows, and the lifting of heavy rocks and tim-
bers are forms, of exertions which the miner undergoes, in common
with laborers of many other classes, and which cannot be deemed
apart from the peculiar conditions surrounding them specially inju-
rious to health, though they are doubtless more or less competent to
cause or to aggravate certain organic diseases. The ascent and d»—
scent upon ladders may be considered characteristic of this avoca-
tion, though it is involved also in the ordinary method of raising
bricks and mortar to buildings in course of construction. Here the
hod carrier not only climbs, but climbs frequently, and carries a heavy
load — a practice once common in the mines of Mexico and South
America, but unknown in this country, from which its cost, as well
as its inhumanity, has excluded it. It is the custom now to use wind-
lass or hoisting engines, even for buildings when they exceed one or
two stories in height, and it must be remembered that the highest
buildings come far short of the vertical extension of ordinary mines.
The question, how much the health and efficiency of miners are af-
fected by climbing up and down ladders? has been carefully exam-
ined. The loss of working-time involed in this method of transit is
serious. But the exercise of climbing itself, if taken slowly and with
due caution, and if the heated climber is not afterward exposed to a
chill, is not generally held to be injurious to healthy and strong men.
Added to other enfeebling conditions, it is said to hasten the period
of declining strength, and it is an important objection to the use of
1885.] JIEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 99
ladders in deep mines that they necessitate the employment of the
younger men in the lower levels, and thus deprive the mine at the
points where skilled labor is most desirable of the services of the
oldest and most experienced workmen. Ladders placed at a proper
angle are better than stairs, since they permit the arms to take part
in raising the body.
The loss of time and the waste of strength involved in ladder-
climbing are shown by the relative amount of work done per man in
the upper and lower levels, this amount being, for instance, in lead
mines of the north of England one-fifth greater in the upper levels.
On the question of health it may here be added that sailors are not
reported to suffer from climbing any more than brick-layers do, and
the sum of the whole discussion appears to be that the economical
view of the subject of climbing in mines is more important than the
sanitary one.
This view has led to the introduction of the man-engine, and the
practice of lowering and raising workmen in skips and cages. This
is not the place for a criticism of comparative merits of these devices.
It is sufficient to say that in most of those American mines which are
deep enough to render the use of ladders a matter of hygienic im-
portance, the workmen are lowered and raised by the machinery that
hoist the ore, and the ladders being kept merely as a means of transit
between neighboring levels, or as a resort in case of accident, do not
enter into the hygienic problem.
Air, — The most thorough and satisfactory reports on the air of
metal mines are those of Dr. R. Angus Smith, and Dr. A. J. Bernays,
included in Appendix B to the Report of the Commissioners appointed
to inquire into the condition of the metal mines of Oreat Britain,
with reference to the health and safety of the persons employed in
such mines. (London, 1864.)
Dr. Smith begins with an elaborate discussion of the normal amount
of oxygen and carbonic acid in pure air; after citing many analyses
of distinguished chemists, adopts 20.9^ parts by volume of oxygen,
and 0.04 of carbonic acid, as a fair out-door average, and shows that
in confined spaceis, and under various influences, the amount of car-
bonic acid may be increased indefinitely. At 11 p. m. in the pit of
a London theatre it was «0.32. But many samples of bad air taken
from mines have shown over two per cent of carbonic acid. By a
*The proportion. given throughout this paper are parts in 100 by volume.
100 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. ZJIi
series of most interesting experiments, conducted in a hermeticaiij
closed lead chamber, containing 170 cubic feet of air, Dr. Smith es-
tablished, among other important results, the following:
A person shut up in the chamber for five hours raised the amount
of carbonic acid to 2.25 per cent. In this atmosphere the breathing
was changed from 16 inspirations per minute to 22, and the pulse fell
from seventy-six to fifty-five, becoming at the same time so weak that it
was difficult to find. On another occasion, when the carbonic aoid
had risen to 3.9 per cent the number of inspirations advanced to
twenty-six, and the pulse became so weak as to cause alarm. This is
a symptom of poisoning by carbonic acid. An experiment tried by
blowing carbonic acid into fresh air containing 20.1 oxygen without
removing the oxygen, showed that the pulse of the subject was weak-
ened, though the breathing was not difficult, and the candles burned
moderately well. Four miners candles inclosed in the chamber ceased
to bum at the end of five hours, having raised the temperature from
60^ Fahrenheit to 65^, and vitiated the air until it contained 18.8
oxygen and 2.28 carbonic acid. It follows that men can live where
candles will not bum, but that the poisonous effect of carbonic add
begins before its subject is conscious of serious inconvenience.
However, it appears that the presence of carbonic acid is a more nox-
ious agency than the mere diminution of oxygen in an otherwise pure
air.
According to Dr. Smith's experiments respiration is not affected
sensibly by a small or even a considerable diminution of oxygen when
the place of that gas is not taken up by others of a harmful char-
acter.
But we do not usually have to deal in mines with simply rarified
or deoxygenated air. The abstraction of oxygen is due to processes
which load the air with such gaseous products as carbonic acid. The
facility with which water absorbs certain percentages of its weight
of carbonic acid and other gases explains the fact that the air is more
tolerable in wet than in dry workings.
Trickling streams or spray perceptibly improve the ventilation, and
this means is occasionally resorted to for enabling men to continiic
work where it would otherwise be difficult.
Dr. Bemays points out another most important fact, namely: that
there is a great difference in the personal sensations of comfort or
distress occasioned by breathing different atmospheres containing prac-
tically the same proportions of carbonic acid.
1885.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. IQl
This is undoubtedly the effect of organic imparities which greatly
aggravates that of the carbonic acid. A much larger proportion of
the latter may be breathed with impunity when it is the resalt of in-
organic processes and particularly of the slow oxidation of coal than
when it proceeds from animal exhalations, and the quick, smoky com-
bustion of candles.
Dr. Bemays says that he has often foi^d the air of a crowded
room intolerable, though it contained not more than 0.1 per cent of
carbonic acid.
He mentions also, as a curious fact, that a man may continue to
breathe without distress in a confined space so long as it is contami-
nated by his own breath, only though he could not, without great
disgust, enter an atmosphere rendered equally foul by the respiration
of others. But I suspect that the inference he suggests is not well
founded. It is perhaps not the source of the contamination, but the
entrance of the observer from purer air that makes it more repulsive
in the latter case.
Carbonic acid and accumulations of organic impurities are most
troublesome at the ends of galleries or in confined slopes, wings, etc.,
which are not swept by the general current of ventilation.
The operation of blasting in such places has the good effect of
breaking up the stagnation of the air, but on the other hand, it con-
tributes certain imparities of its own, partly volatile and partly in
fine suspended floating particles. Carbonic acid, sulphuretted hydro-
gen, sulphide, and nitric of potassium, etc., are among the products
of explosion from ordinary gunpowder. Gum-cotton is less harmful
in this respect, and was recommended by the British Commission,
but it has never found general application in mines, perhaps because
its use in mines, as a quick and violent explosive has been superceded
or rather forestalled by the various nitro-glycerine compounds.
It is well known that the gases from these produce most distressing
headache, but this appears to be the effect on those persons only who
are unaccustomed to them. I have seen miners return to a stupe
almost immediately after a blast of dynamite apparently without
inconvenience. This was, however, in a well-ventilated mine. With
all explosives it is necessary and customary tt) allow the gases to clear
away before resuming work. Sulphuretted and assemeretted hydro^
gen may be given off by rocks which contain such minerals as p3rrites
of iron or copper mispickel, etc., which undergo decomposition in the
presence of air and moisture. To this cause in part may be due the
102 KEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. |ES
alleged unhealtbiness of the copper mines of Cornwall as compar^<
with the tin mines, in which the ore being already an oxide saffex:
upon exposure no chemical change. Besides the gaseous impuriti et
of the air the dust produced by drilling has been considered a soaroc
of disease. This is probably not a serious evil. The almost invaria-
ble practice is to put water in the box holes to facilitate the work and
there is from this source little or no dust to be inhaled. What has
sometimes been mistaken for mineral duRt in post-mortem examina-
tions of the lungs of miners is finely divided carbon, and this is
almost certainly attributable not so much to the occasionaf inhalation
of gunpowder vapors as to the constant breathing of the products of
the imperfect combustion of candles. Some reported cases of the
lead-colic among lead miners may have been due to the inhalation of
plumbif erous dust or to the drinking of poisoned water.
The effect of all these impurities of the air has been found on the
continent of Europe and in Great Britain to be a peculiar form of
asthma, consumption or ansBmia, known as the miners disease.
It is difficult to say how much the general low tone of vitality,
due to insufficiency of animal food, lack of healthy dwellings, and
reckless habits, contributes to the prevalence of this disease, but it is
probably fair to conclude that these causes weaken the ability of the
workmen to resist the effects of the impure air in which he works.
TempercUure, — There is a gradual increase of temperature in the
rocks of the earth's crust below the zone of uniform temperature
which is found near the surface. The law of this increase in tempera-
ture is not clearly established. It is certainly much affected by the
chemical reactions which may go on in the rock. Mr. Robert Hunt,
in his testimony before the British Commission says, that whatever
may be the temperature of the atmosphere on the surface of the
earth, there is in the Cornish mines a constant temperature throughout
the year at the depth of about 150 feet. Below that point he says
the increase is one degree Fahrenheit for every 60 feet down to
about 150 feet, then one degree in every 15 feet down to about 1350
feet, and below that about one degree to 85 feet. Mr. Henwood
(quoted by Prof. J. A. Church, in his paper published in the previous
volume of Transactions on the heat of the Comstock mines) gives
for different kinds of rock the following distances in feet correspond-
ing 'with each rise of one degree: granite, 51 ; slate, 3*7.2 ; cross veins,
40.8 ; lodes, 40.2 ; tin lodes, 40.8 ; tin and copper lodes, 39.6 ; copper
lodes, 38.4. These figures show how great is the variation due to
1886.J REPOKT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. IQg
local causes. Assaming the iDorease in granite to be at least affected
ia this way, and applying also Mr. Hunt's formula for the rate of
increase, we may adopt as a probable standard of comparison a scale
of depths and rock temperature as follows:
I>BPTH— TEMPERATURE
FEET. OF ROCK.
160 6(P
300 62P
800 660
1,360 * 76^
2,000 840
It will be generally admitted that most mines are hotter than this,
the fact being that the heat given off by lights, explosives, animals
and men is not immediately removed by the ventilation, and hence
the rock is perceptibly cooler than the air. But chemical reactions
and hot springs in the rock may very greatly raise its temperature,
and when this is the case the miners finding that the rocks feel hot
in comparison with the air, say that the lode or the wall makes heat.
Even when the air is still somewhat, the warmer the rock may seem
to be so when touched with the hand. One of the United mines in
Wales is mentioned by Prof. Church, in the paper already cited, as
possessing springs which discharge water at 116^ Fahrenheit, the
depth being 1320 feet. The heat of the air in the workings is given
at 100° to 113^ Fahrenheit.
The hottest mine in Cornwall is, or was in 1862, the Wheal Clif-
ford, concerning which, the Superintendent, John Richards, testified
that the temperature was 102** fifty-one feet below the 1,200 feet level,
and a pretty deal hotter (120° he guessed) at the 1,380 feet level.
At one time, in a confined working, the temperature was known to
rise as high as 128°.
Mr. Robert Hunt, speaking apparently of the same mine, says that
by his personal measurement the air showed 110° in the deep level,
and that tests of the rock made by leaving a thermometer for two
hours in a bore-hole, gave from 112° to 114°. He reports the max-
imum with which he was acquainted as 117°. Mr. Richards says the
workmen can endure 120° perhaps half an hour, but cannot continue
to work for an hour at 102°, while they can make a four-hour shift
"without interruption at 95°. Mr. Hunt gives the average time of
working at twenty minutes, and says that on retreating the men were
employed so that each set had one hour and forty minutes to recover
104 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [IE
from the effects of twenty minutes exertion. Four turns of twenty
minutes thus distributed through an eight-hour shift, constituted a
day's work. It is not surprising that under these circumstances the
labor account was heavy. It is said that three guineas per inch was
paid for driving a cross-cut in this mine.
These remarkable statements are even surpassed by the recent ex-
perience of the deep mines of the Comstock lode, in Nevada. For
many data on this subject, corroborating and completing my own
hasty observations and recollections, I am indebted to the paper of
Prof. John A. Church, already mentioned, and to the unpublished
memoranda of that gentleman, generously placed at my disposal In
the lower levels of these mines (say about 2,000 feet below the crop-
pings of the rock), the temperature is generally about 130^. In freshly
opened ground the air usually varies from 108^ to 116^, but higher
temperatures are not unfrequently reported, as for instance 123^ in
the 1,900 feet level of the Gould and Curry. The water which enters
the drift from the lode and the country rock, is, however, often much
hotter. The vast body which filled the Savage and the Hale and
Norcross mines for many months, had the temperature of 154^. But
the water, like the rock and the air, varies in this respect, in different
in this respect, in different portions of the mines.
The ordinary range of hot drift is 105° to 110**, air temperature.
The ventilatmg current is delivered at a temperature of 90*^ to 95°,
wtich seems to be most conducive to comfort. It is blown upon the
men through zinc pipes, by means of powerful mechanical blowers.
The question of present' interest being the effect upon the health of
the miners working under such conditions, further description of the
peculiar phenomena of the case will be necessary.
Before considering the health of the Comstock miners, it should be
noted that by no means all, or even a majority of them, are employed
in the hot drifts ; and moreover that these mines are provided with
arrangements which enable every miner to bathe and change his
clothing immediately upon emerging from underground.
The diseases of the Comstock miners are mainly typhoid and
mountain fever, rheumatism and erysipelas. There is little or no
consumption, bladder, kidney or liver disease.
The superior ventilation (apart f rem the question of temperature)
in the mines, the hearty and abundant diet of the miners, the con-
stant, enormous activity of their daily baths, seem to have abolished
among them the disease supposed elsewhere to be characteristic of
1885.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 105
tbeir avocation. It is admitted by all observers tbat tbey are health-
ier than their wives and children. As to the immediate effect of the
bigh temperature upon those who work in them, it must be confessed
that while actually working, the men display apparently undiminished
vigor, delivering with seven, eight, or even nine pound hammers, very
rapid and effective blows. Perhaps a third of the time is lost in rest-
ing and cooling. In very hot drifts a relief gang is employed, and in
extreme case^ four and even six men to the pick have been found nec-
essary. In the main, however, the rapid progress in the hot drifts is
remarkable, and shows that the heat does not greatly lessen the power
of work, except by necessitating longer or more frequent rest. At
the usual temperature of 108°, three shifts of three men each, work-
ing in turns of eight hours, advance three to five feet daily, in hard
rock. This is so much better than the efficiency reported from the
hot lode in Cornwall, that we are led to infer that the method of de-
livering air to Comstock drifts affects the temperature and perspira-
tion of the miners in such a manner as to protect them to a large ex-
tent from the otherwise distressing action of the heat. My own sen-
sations, as I recall them in a deep and very hot level of the Crown
Point (about 116° 1 believe), were not specially uncomfortable on the
surface of the body, except when a drop of still hotter water fell upon
me. The principal feeling of distress was internal, and was caused
by the inhalation of the scorching air.
The question whether those who labor in such places are perma-
nently injured is more difficult to decide. One of the physicians at
Virginia City has declared that'there is not a sound heart in any man
on the lode who has worked in a hot drift for two years. This state-
ment is, perhaps, too strong, though it is possibly true that many of
the miners are organically affected, yet this appears not to interfere
^th ordinary and equable work, though it may perhaps develop
into distinct disease under special strain or excitement. After
long work in the hot drifts the men have a waxen color, and are
known as tallow-faces. Prof. Church noticed some men, who, with-
out being lazy, displayed unusual care in handling their work, and
two or three of them told him that they were broken down in hot
drifts. In the only instance in which the time required for breaking
down was given, the workman had been employed underground six
years.
The actual effect of the heart on the men is, first, excessive perspi-
14
106 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR- [K4
ration, and if this is not removed by evaporation with sufficient
rapidity, and great faintness. The pnlse increases, as is shown by
the following interesting data, obtained by Prof. J. O. Whitney and
Prof. Church, in the 1,800 feet level of the Julia mine, the drift be-
ing about 1,200 feet long, and having an air temperature of 108® to
110*=*, while the air temperature at the station or junction of the drift
with the (downcast) shaft was only 84**. The following obserratioiu
were made:
Pulse beat!
per minute.
Carman, after bringing out car, say 1,200 feet| 140
Carman, after resting at station 64
Carman (another case) after partial rest 128
Prof . Whitney, normal rate 60
Prof. Church, after moving about without exertion 88
A case of death is reported as follows: A powerful man, aooiu-
tomed to hot drifts, returned to work after a rest of three months,
and entering the Imperial mine as carman, pushed his first oar to the
end of the drift in the 2,000 feet level — say, 1,000 to 1,200 feet—
loaded it and brought it back to the station, where another man was
waiting to lelieve him; but, instead of taking his turn, he damped
the car and started back without cooling off. He loaded the car
again at the end of the drift and proceeded to return, but was foond
a few minutes later hanging senseless to his oar, and died. I belieye
he could be got to the surface. Another died in the Imperial incline
while that was sinking. Three such deaths in all {have been reported
from this mine, which is an excessively hot one.
Sometimes accidental deaths may be the indirect result of the famt-
ness caused by the effect of the heart on the circulation. Thus a man
fell down the Imperial (upcast) shaft last year, who was probably
overcome by the heat while putting in timbers. In these worst plaoei
strong and healthy men are employed. Fat men seem to stand tlie
heat best, and among visitors, women endure it better than men.
Some men wilt under the work, and are said to have no plaok.
Drinking habits unfit the miner for this severe test. Unaccustomed
men are often unable at first even to reach the end of the drift where
they are to work. An intelligent miner told Prof. Church that the
first month of such work after a long rest is hard, then comes three
months of brisk feeling, and then follows a dragged-out sensation.
The under jound use of machine drills operated by compressed air,
is an important aid to ventilation and cooling, since the expulsion of
Ifi86.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 107
the escaping air absorbs much heat from the immediate neighbor-
hood. Bat when, as in the Comstock, the heat radiated from the
irhole surface of the exposed rook is far in excess of that which men
and lights sapplj, nothing can sensibly redace it or mitigate its
effect except abundant mechanical ventilation. This is carried to a
large extent in the Comstock mines, and to the fact that in counter-
acting the high temperature the impurities of the air are thus re-
movedy the remarkably good health of the Comstock miners may be
partly ascribed. Other causes have been already mentioned, such as
the healthy mountain climate, the good food, and the comfortable
dwellings.
Finally, the fact must not be omitted from consideration that the
miners of our western regions are immigrants, and presumably men
of su«h bodily vigor and health as their adventurous spirits would
imply.
Incidental to the question of temperature is the effect of sudden
changes of temperature, such as are experienced on coming suddenly
from the depths of a mine to the surface. The hygienic conditions
here do not differ from those which any similar change of tempera-
ture produces, and since they may be easily counteracted by the pru-
dent miner they need not be set down as sources of disease inherent
in his occupation.
Another kindred question relates to the effect of barometric press-
ure, whicb varies in mines with the depth of the openings, and also
with the changes of the outside weather. The general experience is,
that bigb barometric pressure, though it permits a greater inhalation
of oxygen with each breath, causes a feeling of distress, and affects
the heart unfavorably.
Dr. Bemays says that undoubtedly the most injurious as well as
the most unpleasant condition of mine air, is that in which a high
temperature is accompanied with excessive barometric pressure and
great humidity. The effect of the pressure alone can best be studied
in the records of work in highly compressed air, as in the sinking of
the caissons for the East River and other bridges. It may be af-
jlrmed as a general rule, that sound men are not permanently injured
by it.
In ordinary mines, the chief sensible effect of the barometric
pressure is the variation it may cause in the natural ventilating cur-
rent. Where the ventilation is wholly or partly artificial, these
changes may be controlled. The introduction of compressed and
108 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
oool air by machinery tends powerfully to rednoe to a minimum the
humidity of hot minep, and thus (as in the Comstock) to give an at-
mosphere in which free parspiration, rapidly evaporating, cools and
refreshes the body. A comparison of the statements above made »
to the Comstock miners and the miners in the hottest mine of Corn--
wall, shows how much more can be endured and accomplished by
workmen when thus protected from vitiated or over-humid air.
The injurious effect of working under artificial light, instead of
sunlight, has been often asserted, but there is no definite proof of it
Where other conditions are wholesome, and the habits of the
workmen are regular, this is not likely to have a traceable effect
At all events, it is subordinate to many other causes.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.
The British Commission to which reference has been made summed
up its volumnious report in a few conclusions and recommendations^
the substance of which I quote below in order to point out how far
they are applicable to miners in the United States. The commission
finds that a large proportion of the diseases affecting miners in the
metal mines is to be ascribed to defective ventilation only. How-
ever various the opinions of physicians concerning the causes of the
disease so well known under the name of miner's consumption or
miner's asthma there is in one respect a remarkable unaniminity
among all the experts, namely, that the health of the miner is chiefly
affected by the quality of the air in which he works. This conclu-
sion is emphasized by the results of very wide inquiry on the part of
the commission.
In the coal mines where special attention is paid to ventilation on
account of explosive gases, the mortality of miners apart from acci-
dents is lower than in the metal mines. Starting from this significant
fact the Commission recommends that some of the methods of arti-
ficial ventilation employed in the former should be more generally
introduced into the latter, and favors particularly the use of furnaces
in upcast shafts to accelerate the natural current by heating the np-
ward-movirg column of vitiated air and to prevent the stagnation or
reversal of the current by change of season or weather. With refer-
586.] BEPOBT or STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 109
Bnoe to other oanses of disease the Commission recommends that
Vfery mine be provided with a conveniently sitaated separate house
fa which the workmen may change and dry their clothes; that boys
voder fourteen be not permitted to work under ground, and that
mechanical means be adopted for transporting the miners into and out
<{ the mines.
The man-engine is praised, but the system of hoisting the men in
ikips and cages is also pronounced satisfactory, provided the ma-
Ainery be properly constructed and carefully tended.
These recommendations are as timely now as they were ten years
igo, except that the inoreasirg use of compressed air in mining has
'amished an aid to ventilation not then considered. There is no
>roof that the metal miners of America are less healthy than other
aborers, and there is no need that they should ever become so. In
ny judgment a wise regard for financial economy alone will cause
capitalists to do all that philanthropic considerations would require in
lealiiig with the problem of hygiene in mines — a problem which con-
badns as the foregoing discussion shows no fatally insuperable diffi-
eolties and no insoluble mysteries
BEPOBT OF STATE MIirB IN8PECTOE.
BECORD or 8TBATAS.
LoviLiA, Iowa, July 25, 1885,
To the Honorable Pabe C. Wilson, State Mine Inepeetor:
Sir.-— We bave the honor of handing yon a. report embracing a part
of the resnltB of our last two years proapecting for coal in Iowa,
StaUmentof Straias passed through for Chaa. Blake, four miUtaoutk-tetst of
OUumvia.
a
HI
28
S
1
8)
6
:
12
1
1S5
R
n
Coal
n
Black oand stone
"b
fi
R
K
H
'^
e
188&]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR
HI
Mat 8, 1885.
Strata passed thrtntgh in dnU hoU No. i, in Monroe oounty, for 0. M. Lidd^ of
Ottumwa.
I
Drift deposit
Blue sandstone
Gray arenaceous shales.
Impure limestone
Light blue shales
Light blue sand shales. :
Dsu-k blue sand shales. . .
Rock, coal and sulphur.
Dark clay shales
Fire clay
• •
Total.
16
5
6
1
32
6
7
8
2
1
79
6
6
6
6
Hole No. 7.
Drift deposit
Buff colored sand rock
Gray sand shales
Light blue shale
Dsirk blue argilaceous shales.
Coal
Fireclay
Total.
80
8
7
30
6
5
82
6
> •
6
6
6
Hole No 8.
Drift deposit
Buff colored sand rock. .
Light blue shales
Dfurk bituminous abides.
Coal
Pire clay
Total.
7
49
21
5
2
85
6
6
6
6
112
REPORT OF STATE MLXB INSPECTOR.
rE4
Hole No, 10^ one mile northwest of Lovilia, Monroe county.
^
OQ
0)
O
Dritt deposit
Dark blue marley shales
Light blue sand shales
Impure limestone
Sand shales
Dark blue carbonaceous shales.
Impure coal
Clay
Total.
18
17
39
7
29
2
4
117
9
• • • •
6
6
Hole No. lly three mites northwest of Lovilia.
Drift deposit
Blue colored shales. . .
Sandstone, light blue
Blue sand shales
Bituminous shales . . .
Coal
Total.
9
5
47
82
4
4
9
101
9
Hole No. 12^ on same lands as No. 11,
Drift deposit
Impure mne rock
Sandstone, light blue
Light blue sand shales
Impure light rock
Light blue sand shales with sandstone partings
Dark marley shales
Impure limestone
Light blue clay shales ,
Light calcareous rock
Li^t blue shales
Dark blue shales
Coal
Clay
Total-^
14
3
26
17
6
21
2
3
10
3
10
5
5
127
6
• • • •
. • t •
• • • t
. • • •
■ • • •
6
■ • • I
■ • I •
• • • •
6
6
6
1885.1
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
118
Hole No. 24^ OM ymU aouihwest of HiAmiUon, Marion County.
Ph
OQ
5
Drift deposit
Gray sandstone
Lifi:ht blue shale
Limestone
Blue shales
Blae limestone
Gray arenaceous shales.
Limestone impure
Gray marlev shales
Limestone blue
Light blue clay shales. .
Dark blue clay shiQes . .
€oal
Fire clay
Total
S
6
19
1
83
1
U
16
2
16
4
8
1
126
6
6
6
6
6
9
May 23, 1884.
Hole No. i, tor KeUogg Coal and Mining Co., one half mile aovih of Kellogg.
Drift deposit ,
Sand shales ,
Blue clay shales
Gray sand shales
Light marley shales
Coal
Light clay shales ,
Gray limestone ,
Blue clay shales
Gray shsAes with hard lime.
Stone partings ,
Total
87
22
13
5
3
4
19
165
6
9
6
6
. • • •
6
9
16
114
REPORT or STATE MIN^E INSPECTOR.
[E4
Hole So. i?, one mile southeast of Kellogg,
4^
^
I
Drift deposit
Blue clay shales
Gray clay shales
Lime and sulphur
Dark blue shales
Gray sand shales
Blue limestone
Black carbonaceous shales
Sandstone with sand shales partings .
Blue limestone -
Gray clay shales
Conglomerate rock with marley partingET.
Total
30
21
2
28
1
10
,18
3
2
24
147
6
9
9
6
6
9
6
■ •
6
8
4
• • • •
Ottumwa, October 16, 1885.
Hole No. £^ six mihs northwest of Ottumwa^ for O. M. Ladd.
Drift deposit . . .
Sandstone
Blue clay shales
Coal
Light blueish marlite
Gray clay shales, laminated
Black clay shales
Black sand shales
Gray clayey shales
Coal
Clay seam..
Coal
Clay
Total
10
2
11
1
4
20
8
2
14
1
'2
1
87
[
9
> •
3
1885.]
RKPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
lis
Teat three miles north of MUtheUvUky Folk wunty.
I )rift deposit
Yellow sandstone
Blue shales
Black bituminous shales
Lime stone
Goal) impure
Gray clay shales
Black carbonaceous shales
Blueclay shales
Sandstone and sulphur
Gray clay shales
Sand shales
Gray shales
Impure sandstone and sulphur . .
Gray clay shales
Calcareous laminated rock .
Limestone with marley partings
Total,
4d
64
4
11
2
1
8
66
21
3
5
4
12
16
6
23
16
263
• • •
• • •
• • •
2
4
9
Material passed through at Valeria^ Jasper county^ for J. Mklde d Co.
Drift deposit
Black shale
Hard ferruginous rock
Blue sand shale
Impure coal and rock
Dark argillaceous shale
lame stone with crevis
Sand rock with lime i>artings
Total
26
• • • •
18
• • • •
2
&
8
• • • •
1
e
6
• • • •
5
• • »
4
• • • •
66
116
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
[E4
Jliateridl passed through in test No, 1 for the Petersen Coal and Mining Company,
tvx> m%les%De8t of Peterson^ day Cotmty^ ontheC,i& N. W. B. B, In this test
there was a washout, as we did not get through the drift deposit, tke drift consist-
ing of
Sou
Yellow clay and sand
Blue clay :
Gray clay with sand pockets
Brown and blue clay with sand
Blue clay and sand of a buff cast,and with compact bands of sand-
stone and shale partings
Total
lest No. f for same Company.
Clay and sand
"Gray clay ,
Pink clay
Blue clay
Blue'sand
Purple clay
Sulphur band
Light clay shale
Impure coal
Fire clay
Argillaceous shale . .
Impure coal
Oarbonaceous shale.
Sulphur band ,
Total
11
9
10
21
44
14
11
140
6
9
> •
6
9
McElhant Bros.
APPENDIX.
1885.]
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
119
COAL SCREENS IN USE AT THE MINES IN OHIO.
The report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has a table giving in
detail and by counties the dimensions of the screens used in con-
nection with the mines represented, and the proportion of the entire
quantity of eoal dug that passes over the screen and thus determines
the miners' wages.
ATHENS COUNTY.
SCBSKNS— DIMBK8ION8 AKD CONSTBUOTION
LBVOTH
(FBKT)
WIDTH
FBST)
OPSK SPACES
BBTWBEK
BAB8
(INCHBS)
MATZBIAL GON-
STBUCTBD OF
PBOPOBTION OP COAIi
MINBD FOB WHICH
THB MINBB BBCBIYBS
PAY
12
12
6
6
li Bound bars.
If Flat bars.
Four-fifths.
Four-fifths.
BBLMONT COUNTY.
14
8
12
11
Flat bars].
Flat bars .
Flat bars .
Flat bars .
Two thirdsT
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
CABBOLL COUNTY.
UIFlat bars iTwo thirds.
10
COLUMBIANA COUNTY.
10
12
8
8
8
6
6
6
6
4i
U
U
u
u
f
Flat bars
Flat bars
Bouud bars. . .
Diamond bars
Diamond bars
Two thirds.
Three fourths.
Ti^^o thirds.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
COSHOCTON COUNTY.
9
4
1
Flat bars
Three fifths.
GUSBNSEY COUNTY.
10
10
101
6
6
5i
U
u
u
u
Flat bars
Bound bars
Flat bars
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
One half.
10
Flat bars
Two thirds.
HOCKING COUNTY.
•
12
6
U Flat bars
Four fifths.
120
REPORT OF STATl: MINE INSPECTOR.
[E4
COAL SCREENS IN USE AT THE MINES IN OHIO-Continued.
JACKSOK COUNTY.
8CBBSNS- DIMENSIONS AND C0N8TBUGTI0N.
MATEBIAL CON-
STBUCTED OF.
PBOPOBTION OP COAI.
MINED FOB WHICH
THE MINEB BE-
LENGTH
(FEET).
WIDTH
(FEET).
OPEN SPACES
BETWEEN
BABS
(INCHES).
CEIVBS PAY.
12
8
5
6
5
6
6
li
li
li
U
If
H
Flat bars
• «•«••••••••
10
Flat bars
Three fourths.
12
Flat bars
10
12
Flat bars
Flat bars
Three fourths.
Three fifths.
16
Round bars
Three fourths.
12
12
12
15
8
12
6
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
8
8 li
. . . Two thirds.
MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
5
3 f
Round bars
. . . Two thirds.
•
PERRY COUNTY.
6
U
6
6i
4
4
6
f
1
li
H
1
li
li
t lat bars
Flat bars . . .
Flat bars . . .
Square bars.
Flat bars . . .
Flat bars . . .
Nine tenths.
Three fourths.
Two thirds.
Three fifths.
One half.
Four fifths.
STARK COUNTY.
li
H
li
li
2
li
li
li
li
li
li
li
li
H
u
If
Flat bars. . . .
Flat bars....
Flat bars...,
Round bars.
Flat prongs.
Round bars.
Flat bars....
Flat bars....
Flat bars....
Flat bars. . . .
Flat bars....
Flat bars.
Flat bars.
Flat bars.
Flat bars.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
Three fifths.
Two thirds.
Three fourths.
Seven twelfths.
Seven twelfths.
Two thirds.
Five eighths.
Three fourths.
Three fourths.
Three fourths.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
SUMMIT COUNTY.
121
121
3I
61
U Flat bars,
li Flat bars.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
1885.1
BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPCTOR.
ISl
COAL SCREENS IN USE AT THE MINES IN OHIO— Continued.
TRUMBITLL COUNTY.
8CSEBNS-DIMBN8I0K8 AND GONSTBUCTION.
MATBBIAL COK-
STBUCTBD OF.
PBOPORTIOW OP OOAl.
MINED FOR WHICH
THE MINER BE-
T.KKGTH
(FKKT).
WIDTH
(FBBT).
OPKN SPACES
BBTWBBN
BARS
(IKCHK8).
CBIYB8 PAY.
16
6
5i
6
4
H
i
Flat bars
7
Flat bars
Two thirds.
8
Flat bars
Two thirds.
9
Flat bars
Three fourths.
TUSCARAWAS C*OUNTY.
20
12
12
12
10
12
12
12
8
5
6
4i
5
4i
5
6
2i
li
U
H
U
li
li
n
Triangular
Flat bars...
Flat bars...
Flat bars. .
Flat bars. . .
Flat bars. . .
Flat bars. . .
Flat bars...
One half.
One half.
Two thirds.
Two thirds.
Three fifths.
Two thirds.
WAYNB COUNTY.
12
lilFlat bars ITwo thirds.
16
1 2 J KEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
IOWA MINING LAW.
CHAPTER 21, LAWS TWENTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
AN ACT to Regulate Mines and Mining, and to Repeal Chapter 202, of the
Acts of the Eighteenth General Assembly.
JBe it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iou>a:
Section 1. That there shall be appointed by the governor, with
the advice and consent of the senate, one state mine inspector, who
«ball hold his office for two years; subject, however, to be removed
by the governor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Said
term of office shall commence on the 1st day of April of each even
numbered year. Said inspector shall have a theoretical and practical
knowledge of the different systems of working and ventilating coal
mines, and of the nature and properties of the noxious and poisonons
gases of mines, and of mining engineering; and said inspector, before
entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take an oath or affirma-
tion to discharge the same faithfully and impartially, which oath or
affirmation shall be indorsed upon his commission and his commission
so indorsed shall be forthwith recorded in the office of the secretary of
state, and such inspector shall give bonds in the sum of two thousand
dollars ($2,000), with sureties to the approval of the governor,
conditioned for the faithful discharge of his duty.
Sbc. 2. Said inspector shall give his whole time and attention to
the duties of his office, and shall examine all the mines in the state as
often as his duties will permitt, to see that the provisions of this act
are obeyed; and it shall be lawful for such inspector to enter, inspect
and examine any mine in this state, and the works and machinery
belonging thereto at all reasonable times by night or by day, but so
as not to unnecessarily obstruct or impede the working of the mines;
and to make inquiry and examination into the state and condition of
the mine as to ventilation and general security as required by the pro-
886.J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 128
isions of this act. And the owners and agents of such mines are
ereby required to famish the means necessary for such duty and
aspectioB, of which inspection the inspector shall make a record
oting the time and all the material circumstances; and it shall be
he duty of the person having charge of any mine whenever any loss
f life shall occur by accident connected with the workings of such
line, or by explosion, to give notice forthwith by mail or otherwise
9 the inspector of mines, and to the coroner of the county in which
aoh mine is situated, and the coroner shall hold an inquest on the
ody of the person or persons whose death has been caused and inquire
arefuUy into the cause thereof, and shall return a copy of the verdict
nd all testimony to said inspector. No person having a personal
Qterest in, or employed in the management of, or employed in any
oal mine shall be qualified to serve on the jury impaneled on the
Qqaest. And the owner or agent of all coal mines shall report to the
Qspeotor all accidents to miners, in and around the mines, giving
anse of the same; such report to be made in writing, and within ten
ays from the time any such accidents occur.
Sec. 3. Said inspector while in office shall not act as an agent or
9 a manager or mining engineer, or be interested in operating any
line, and be shall biennially, on or before the fifteenth day of August
receding the regular session of the general assembly make a report
3 the governor of his proceedings, and the condition and operations
f the mines in this state, enumerating all accidents in or about the
&me, and giving all such information as he may think useful and pro-
er, and making such suggestions as he may deem important as to
irther legislation on the subject of mining.
Sbc. 4. Said inspector shall receive a salary of seventeen hundred
1,700 dollars per annum, payable monthly, necessary stationery,
nd actual traveling expenses, not to exceed $500 per annum; pro-
idedy that he shall file at the end of each quarter of his official year,
dth the auditor of state, a sworn statement of his actual traveling
xpenses incurred in the performance of his official duty for such
uarter. He shall have and keep an office in the capitol at Des
loines in which shall be kept all records and correspondence, papers,
pparatus and property pertaining to his duties, belonging to the state
nd which shall be handed over to his successor in office.
Sbc. 5. Any vacancy occurring when the senate is not in session,
ither by death or resignation, removal by the governor or otherwise,
liall be filled by appointment by the governor, which appointment
124
REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR.
[Ell
shall be good until the close of the next session of the senate, Qnlen
the vacancy is sooner filled as in the first section provided.
Sbg. 6. There shall be provided for said inspector all instruments'
necessary for the discharge of his duties under this act, which shall j
be paid for by the state, on the certificate of the inspector, and shall i
be the property of the state.
Sbc. 1. The agent or owner of every coal mine shall make or cause
to be made, an accurate map or plan of the working of such mine, <m
a scale of not less than one hundreed feet to the inch, showing the
area mined or excavated. Said map or plan shall be kept at theoffioe
of such mine. The owner or agent shall on or before the first day of
September of each year, cause to be made a statement and pUn of die
progress of the workings of such mine up to said date, which state-
ment and plan shall be marked on the map or plan herein required to
be made. In case of refusal on the part of said owner or agent for
two months after the time designated to make the map or plan, or ad-
dition thereto, the inspector is authorized to cause an accurate map
or plan of the whole of said mine to be made at the expense of the
owner thereof, the coRt of which shall be recovered against the owner
in the name of the person or persons making said map or plan. And
the owner or agent of all coal mines hereafter wrought out and aban-
doned, shall deliver a correct map of said mine to the inspector, to be
filed in his office.
Sbc. 8. It shall be unlawful for the owner or agent of any coal
mine worked by a shaft, to employ or permit any person to work
therein unless there are to every seam of coal worked in such mine,
at least two separate outlets, separated by natural strata of not less
than one hundred feet in breadth, by which shafts or outlets distinct
means of ingress and egress are always available to the persons em-
ployed in the mine, but in no case shall a furnace shaft be used as an
escape shaft; and if the mine is a slope or drift opening, the escape
shall be separated from the other openings by not less than fifty feel
of natural strata; and shall be provided with safe and available trav-
eling ways, and the traveling ways to the escapes in all coal mines
shall be kept free from water and falls of roof; and all escape shafts
shall be fitted with safe and convenient stairs at an angle of not more
than sixty degres descent, and with landings at easy and convenient
distances, so as to furnish easy escape from such mine; and all air
shafts used as escapes where fans are employed for ventilation, shall
be provided with suitable appliances for hoisting the underground
Ifl65.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 125
irorkmen, said appliances to be always kept at the mine ready for
immediate use; and in no case shall any combustible material be al-
lowed between any escape shaft and hoisting shaft, except such as is
»beolately necessary for operation of the mine; pravidedy that where
s fnmace shaft is large enough to admit of being divided into an es-
cape shaft and a furnace shaft, there may be a partition placed in
imd shaft, properly constructed so as to exclude the heated air and
<moke from the side of the shaft used as an escape shaft, such parti-
tion to be built of incombustible material for a distance of not less
than fifteen feet up from the bottom thereof; and providedy that where
two or more mines are connected underground, each owner may make
joint provisions with the other owner for the use of the other's hoist-
ing shaft or slope as an escape, and in that event the owners thereof
•hall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of this sec-
tion. And provided furthety that in any case where the escape shaft
is now situated less than one hundred feet from the hoisting shaft
there may be provided a properly constructed underground traveling
way from the top of the escape shaft, so as to furnish the proper pro-
tection from fire, for a distance of one hundred feet from the hoisting
ibaft; and in that event the owner or agent of any such mine shall be
deemed to have complied with the requirements of this section; and
provided fwrthet^ that this act shall not apply to mines operated by
slopes or drift openings where not more than five persons are em-
ployed therein.
Ssa 9. In all mines there shall be allowed one year to make out-
.lets as provided in section eight, when such mine is under two hun-
dred feet in depth, and two years when such mine is over two hun-
dred feet in depth; but not more than twenty men shall be employed
in such mine at any one time until the provisions of section eight are
complied with, and after the expiration of the period above mentioned
idiiould said mines not have the outlets aforesaid, they shall not be
operated until made to conform to the provisions of section eight.
Sjbc. 10. The owner or agent of every coal mine, whether it be op-
erated by shaft, slope, or drift, shall provide and maintain for every
-•ach mine an amount of ventilation of not less than one hundred
cubic feet of air per minute for each person employed in such mine,
and not less than five hundred cubic feet of air per minute for each
mole or horse employed in the same, which shall be distributed and
eirculated throughout the mine in such manner as to dilute, render
harmless, and expel the poisonous and noxious gases from each and
126 REFOBT OF STATE MINE INBPEGTOS. PB4
every working place in the mine. And all mines govemed by the
proyisions of this act shall be provided with artificial means for pro-
ducing ventilation, snch as exhaust or forcing fans, furnaces, or ex-
haust steam, or other contrivances of such capacity and power as to
produce and maintain an abundant supply of air for all the require*
ments of the persons employed in the mine ; but in case a furnace is^
used for ventilating purposes it shall be built in such manner as to
prevent the communication of fire to any part of the works by lining
the upcast with incombustible material for a sufficient distance up
from said furnace to ensure safety.
Sxc. 11. The owner or agent of every coal mine operated by a
shaft or slope, in all cases where the human voice cannot be distinctly
heard, shall forthwith provide and maintain a metal tube, or other
suitable means for communication from the top to the bottom of said
shaft or slope, suitably calculated for the free passage of sound therein,
so that communication can be held between persons at the bottom and
top of the shaft or slope. And there shall be provided a safety catch
of approved pattern and a sufficient cover overhead on all carriages
used for lowering and hoisting persons, and on the top of every shaft
an approved safety gate, and also approved safety spring on the top
of every slope, and an adequate brake shall be attached to every dram
or machine used for raising or lowering persons in all shafts or slopes,
and a trail shall be attached to every train used on a slope, all of said
appliances to be subject to the approval of the inspector.
Sec. 12. No owner or agent of any coal mine operated by shaft or
slope shall knowingly place in charge of any engine used for lower-
ing into or hoisting out of such mine persons employed therein, any
but experienced, competent and sober engineers, and no engineer in
charge of such engine shall allow any person except such as may be
deputed for that purpose by the owner or agent, to interfere with it,
or any part of the machinery ; and no person shall interfere or in any
way intimidate the engineer in the discharge of his duties ; and the
maximum number of persons to ascend out of or descend into any
coal mine on one cage shall be determined by the inspector, but in no
case shall such number exceed ten, and no person shall ride upon or
against any loaded cage or car in any shaft or slope except the con-
ductor in charge of the train.
Sec. 13. No boy under twelve years of age shall be permitted to
work in any mine ; and parents or guardians of boys shall be required
to furnish an affidavit as to the ages of their boys when there is any
1886.] BBPORT OP STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 127
doubt in regard to their age, and in all cases of minors applying for
work the agent or owner of the mines shall see that the provisionb of
this section is [are] not violated.
Sbc. 14. In case any coal mine does net, in its appliances for the
safety of the persons working therein, conform to the provisions of
this act, or the owner or agent disregards the requirements of this
act for twenty days after being notified by the inspector, any court of
competent jurisdiction, while in session, or the judges in vacation,
may, on application of the inspector, by civil action in the name of
the State, enjoin or restrain by writ of injunction, the said agent or
owner from working or operating such mines with more than ten per-
sons at once, except as provided in sections eight and nine, until it is
made to conform with the provisions of this act, and such remedies
shall be cumulative, and shall not take the place of, or affect any other
proceedings against such owner or agent authorized by law, tor the
matter complained of in such action ; and for any willful failure or
neglect to comply with the provisions of this law by any owner, lessee,
or operator of any coal mine or opening whereby any one is injured,
a right of action shall accrue to the party so injured for any damage
he may have sustained thereby ; and in case of loss of life by reason
of such willful neglect or failure aforesaid, a right of action shall ac-
crue to the widow, if living, and if not living, to the children of the
person whose life shall be lost, for like recovery of damages for the
injury they shall have sustained.
Sec. 15. Any miner, workman or other person who shall know-
ingly injure or interfere with any air-course or brattice, or obstruct,
or throw open doors, or disturb any part of the machinery, or disobey
any order given in carrying out the provisions of this act, or ride upon
a loaded car or wagon in a shaft or slope except as provided in sec-
tion twelve, or do any act whereby the lives and health of the per-
sons, or the security of the mines and machinery is endangered ; or if
any miner or person employed in any mine governed by the provis-
ions of this act, shall neglect or refuse to securely prop or support the
roof and entries under his control, or neglect or refuse to obey any
order given by the superintendent in relation to the security of the
mine in the part of the mine under his charge or control, every such
person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dol-
lars, or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding thirty days.
Sbc. 16. Whenever written charges of gross neglect ot duty or
128 REPORT OF STATE MINE mSPECTOR. [E 4
malfeasance in office against any inspector shall be made and filed
with the Governor, signed by not less than fifteen miners, or one or
more operators of mines, together with a bond in the sum of five hun-
dred dollars, payable to the State, and signed by two or more respon-
sible freeholders, and conditioned for the payment of all costs and ex-
penses arising from the investigation of such charges, it shall be the
duty of the governor to convene a board of examiners, to consist of
two practical miners, one mining engineer and two operators, at such
time and place as he may deem best, giving ten days' notice to the
inspector against whom charges may be made, and also the person
whose name appears first in the charges, and said board when so con-
vened, and having first been duly sworn or affirmed truly to try and
decide the charges made, shall summon any witness desired by either
party and examine them on oath or affirmation, which may be admin-
istered by any member of the board, and depositions may be read on
such examination as in other cases, and report the result of their in-
vestigations to the governor, and if their repcrt shows that said in-
spector has grossly neglected his duties, or is incompetent, or has
been guilty of malfeasance in office, it shall be the duty of the gov-
ernor forthwith to remove said inspector and appoint a successor, and
said board shall award the costs and expenses of such investigation
against the inspector or person signing said bond.
Sbc. 11. In all coal mines in this state the miners employed and
working therein shall at all proper times have right of access and
examination of all scales, machinery or apparatus used in or about
said mine to determine the quantity of coal mined for the purpose
of testing the accuracy and correctness of all such scales, machinery
or apparatus, and such miners may designate or appoint a competent
person to act for them, who shall, at all proper times, have full right
of access and examination of such scales, machinery or apparatus, and
seeing all weights and measures of coal mined, and the accounts kept
of the same, provided not more than one person on behalf of the
miners collectively shall have such right of access, examination and
inspection of scales, weights, measures and accounts at the same
time, and that such person shall make no unnecessary interference
with the use of such scales, machinery or apparatus.
Sbc. 18. The owner, agent or operator of any coal mine shall keep
a sufficient supply of timber to be used as props, so that the workmen
may at all times be able to properly secure the workings from caving
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 129
in, and it shall be the duty of the owner, agent or operator to send
down all such props when required.
Sec. 19. Any person willfully neglecting or refusing to comply
with the provisions of this act when notified by the mine inspector
to comply with such provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misde-
meanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not
exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail
not exceeding six months, except when different penalties are herein ^
provided.
Sec. 20. Chapter 202 of the acts of the Eighteenth General As-
sembly is hereby repealed.
Sec. 21. This act being deemed of immediate importance shall be
in force on and after Hs publication in the Iowa State Register and
Iowa State Leader, newspapers published in Des Moines, Iowa.
Approved, March 18, 1884.
PENNSYLVANIA MINING LAW.
AN ACT Relating to Bituminous Goal mines and Providing For the Lives,
Health, Safety and Welfare of Persons Employed Therein.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly
met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the
owner, operator or superintendent of every bituminous coal mine,
shall make, or cause to be made, an accurate map or plan of such
ooal mine on a scale not exceeding one hundred feet to the inch,
which map or plan shall exhibit all the openings or excavations, the
shaft, tunnels, slopes, planes, gang- ways, entries, cross-headings,
rooms, et cetera, and shall show the direction of the air currents
therein, tod shall accurately delineate the boundary lines between
said coal mine and adjoining mines operated by other parties, and
show the relation and proximity of the workings thereto. The maps
shall also show the changes of level of the lowest entry in use for
drainage connecting with each independent opening. The said map
or plan, or a true copy thereof, together with a record of all the sur-
17
180 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. . [E 4
veys of said boundary lines, and openings and excavations aforesaid^
shall be kept at such mine by the said ow^ner, operator or superintend-
ent for the use of the mine inspector, and , for the inspection of any
miner working in said mine, whenever said miner shall have cause to
fear that the working place where he is working is becoming danger-
ous by reason of its proximity to other workings, which may be sup-
posed to contain water or dangerous gas. The said owner, operator
or superintendent, shall as often as once in every six months, accu-
rately place or cause to be placed on the map or plan of said coal
mine, a plan of the excavations made of all the working places or
other parts of such coal mine during the preceding six months, and
whenever the workings or excavations of said coal mine or any part
of the same have been driven to within ten feet of the boundary line,
or when said coal mine or any part of the same is abandoned, the
owner, operator or superintendent thereof, shall furnish the mine
inspector within three months after the proximity to the boundary
line as aforesaid, or after abandonment of the said mine or any part
of the same, with a correct copy on tracing muslin of the map or
plan of said mine, which shall accurately show all excavations and
workings of such mine to date, exhibiting clearly the part or parts
abandoned; and the part or parts in proximity to the boundary line
aforesaid. The maps or plans of the several coal mines in each dis-
trict, which are furnished to mine inspector as last aforesaid shall be
the property of the Commonwealth, and shall remain in the care of
the inspector of the district in which the said mines are situated to
be transfered by him to his successor in office, and in no case shall
any copy of the same be made without the consent of the owner,
operator or his agent If the mine inspector shall find or have good
reason to believe, that any map or plan of any coal mine made or
furnished in pursuance of the provision of this act is materially inac-
curate or imperfect, he is hereby authorized to cause a correct map
or plan of said coal mines, to be made at the expense of the owner or
operator thereof, the cost of which shall be recoverable from said
owner or operator as other debts are recoverable by law; JFVotndW,
h&uieo^y That if the map or plan which is claimed to be inaccurate
shall prove to have been correct then the Commonwealth shall be
held liable for the expenses incurred in making said test and survey
and the same shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants of
the Auditor General, who shall require proper vouchers and satisfac-
tory proof of the same.
1885.1 BEFOBT OF STATE MINE INSPBOTOB. ]81
Sbo. 2. It shall not be lawful for the owner, operator, oontraotor,
lessee or agent of any bitaminons ooal mine, or for any firm, com-
pany, corporation or association, their clerks, servants, agents or
employes to employ any person at work within said coal mine or
permit any person to be in said coal mines for the purpose of work-
ing therein, unless they are in communication with at least two open-
ings, if the mine be worked by shaft or slope, which two shafts or
slopes shall be separated by natural stvata at all points by a distance
of not less than one hundred and fifty feet except in mines already
opened, such distance may be less if in the judgment of the mine
inspector one hundred and fifty feet is impracticable, and if the mine
be worked by drift two openings ezclasive of the air shaft and not
less than twenty-four feet apart shall be required except in drift
mines heretofore opened where the mine inspector of the district
shall deem it impracticable: Providedy howeoer^ That an aggregate
number not exceeding twenty persons may be employed in the mine
at any one time until the second opening shall be reached and made
available, which said second opening the mine inspector shall cause
to be made without unnecessary delay, and in case of furnace ventila-
tion being used before the second opening is reached, the furnaces
shall not be placed within forty feet of the foot of the shaft, slope or
drift, and shall be well secured from danger from fire, by brick or
stone walls of snfKcient thickness while being driven for making and
perfecting the second opening.
Sbo. 3. When the second opening or outlet is made which does not
exceed sixty feet in vertical depth from the surface to the seam or
stratum of coal that is being mined, it shall be set apart exclusively
for the purpose of ingress or egress to or from the mine by any
person or persons employed therein, and it shall not be clogged or
obstructed with ice, machinery, pumps or currents of heated air or
steam, and if the opening is a shaft it shall be fitted with safe and
convenient stairs not less than two feet wide, and to not exceed an
angle of sixty degrees descent, and landings of not less than eighteen
inches wide and four feet long at easy and convenient distance, and
tfll water coming from the surface or out of the strata in the shaft
shall be conducted by rings, casing or otherwise, and be prevented
from so falling down the shaft as to wet persons who are ascending
or descending the stairway of the shaft ; if the second opening is a
slope it shall not have a greater angle of descent than twenty degrees
and may be of any depth, but when the seam or stratum of coal at
132 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
main outlet or seoond opening, or esoapement shaft, in connection
with any mine exceeds sixty feet in vertical depth from the surface,
the miners or other employes in the mine shall be lowered into or
raised from said mine by machinery, and when the employes are low-
ered into or raised from said mine at the main outlet, the escapement
shaft or second opening shall be fitted with safe and available
machinery or other appliances by which persons employed in the
mine may readily escape in case of accident. The hoisting machin-
ery and other appliances used for lowering or raising the employes
into or out of the mine shall be kept in safe condition and inspected
once each twenty-four hours by a competent person employed in
whole or in part for that purpose. And such machinery and the
method of its inspection shall be approved by the mining inspector
of the district where the mine is situated ; provided that when miners
are not at work in the mine the said second shaft or slope may be
used for the purpose of lowering material; provided ftn^hety that the
requirements of this section shall not be applicable to stairways now
in use when in the judgment of the inspector they are sufKcient. The
owner, operator, lessee or agent shall provide and maintain a metal
tube from the top to the bottom of the shaft suitably adapted to the
free passage of sound through which conversation may be held be-
tween persons at the bottom and at the top of the shaft; also, the
ordinary means of signaling to and from the top and bottom of the
shaft and an approved safety catch and sufficient cover over head on
every carriage, used for lowering and hoisting persons, and the said
owner, operator, lessee or superintendent shall see that sufficient
flanges are attached to the sides of the drum of every machine that is
used for lowering and hoisting persons in and out of the mine, and
also that adequate brakes are attached to the drum, the main link
attached to the swivel of the wire rope shall be made of the best
quality of iron and shall be tested by weights or otherwise to the sat-
isfaction of the inspector of the district, and bridle chains shall be
attached to the main link from the cross pieces of the carriage, and
no single link chain shall be used for lowering or raising persons into
or out of the mine, and no greater number of persons shall be lowered
or hoisted at any one time than may be permitted by the inspector of
the district, and notice of the number so allowed to be lowered or
hoisted at any one time shall be kept posted up by the owner, opera-
tor or superintendent in a conspicuous place at the opening of the
shaft.
1886.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. igg
Sbo. 4. The owner or agent of every bitnminons coal mine, whether
shaft ot Blope or drift, shall provide and hereafter maintain for every
saoh mine ample means of ventilation, affording not less than one
hundred cnbio feet per minute for each and every person employed
in said mine, and as much more as the circumstances may require,
which shall be circulated around the main headings and cross head-
ings and working places to an extent thai will dilute, carry off and
render harmless the noxious or dangerous gases generated therein,
and all mines generating iire-damp shall be kept free of standing gas
in the worked-out or abandoned parts of the same, and the entrance
thereto shall be properly closed and cautionary notice shall be posted
to warn persons of danger, and every working place and all other
places where gas is known to exist or supposed to exist shall be care-
fully examined by the fire boss immediately before each shift with a
safety lamp, and in making said examination it shall be the duty of
the fire boss at each examination to leave at the face of every place
so examined evidence of his presence, and it shall not be lawful for any
miner to enter any mine or part of a mine generating fire-damp until
it has been examined by the fire boss as aforesaid and reported by
him to be safe.
Sbo. 5. In order to better secure the proper ventilation of every
coal mine and promote the health and safety of the persons employed
therein, the owner or agent shall employ a competent and practical
inside overseer to be called mining boss, who shall be a citizen of
this Commonwealth and an experienced coal miner, and shall keep a
careful watch over the ventilating apparatus and the air-ways, travel-
ing-ways, pumps and pump timbers and drainage, and shall see that
as the miners advance their excavations all loose coal, slate and rock
overhead are carefully secured against falling therein or on the trav-
eling-ways, and that sufficient props, caps and timbers are furnished,
of suitable size and cut square at both ends, and as near as practica-
ble to a proper length for the places where they are to be used, and
such props, caps or timbers shall be delivered and placed in the work-
ing places of the miners; and shall see that all water be drained or
hauled out of all working places before the miner enters, and as far
as practicable kept dry while the miner is at work. And it shall be
the duty of the mining boss to see that proper cut-throughs are made
in the room-pillars of the miners' places at regular intervals of six-
teen yards each for the purpose of ventilation. And in all traveling-
ways and road-holes for shelter shall be made at least every thirty
184 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
yards and be kept whitewashed, when a space two feet six inches be-
tween the wagon and the rib, shall be deemed sufficient for shel-
ter. And the mininji: boss shall measure the air-current at least
once a week at the inlet and outlet, and at or near the face
of the headings; he shall keep a record of such measurements,
which shall be placed by him in a book kept for that purpose, the
said book to be open for the examination of theinspector of the
district. He shall also, on or about the 15th day of each month,
mail to the inspector of his district a true copy of the air measure-
ments given, stating also the number of persons employed in or about
said mine, the number of mules and horses used and the number of
days worked in each month. Blanks for such purpose shall be fur-
nished him by the inspector of the district.
It shall be the further duty of the mine boss to immediately notify
the agent or owner of the mine of his inability to comply with the
provisions of this section. It shall then become the duty of said su-
perintendent, operator, lessee or owner, at once to attend to the mat-
ter complained of by the mining boss to comply with the provisions
hereof. The safety lamps used for examining mines or which may
be used in working therein shall be furnished by and be the property
of the owner of said mines and shall be in charge of the agent of
such mine; and in all mines the doors used in assisting or directing
the ventilation of the mine shall be so hung and adjusted that they
will close themselves, or be supplied with springs or pulleys so that
they cannot be left standing open; and bore-holes shall be kept not
less than twelve feet in advance of the face of every working-place,
^nd, when necessary, on the sides of the same if euch working-places
are being driven toward and in dangerous proximity, to an abannoned
mine or part of a mine suspected of containing inflammable gases or
which is inundated with water. The mining boss or his assistant
shall visit and examine every working-place in the mine at least once
every alternate day while the miners of such place are or should be
at work, and shall direct that each and every working-place is prop-
erly secured by props or timber, and that safety in all respects is as-
sured, and that no person shall be permitted to work in an unsafe
place unless it be for the purpose of making it safe. All owners and
operators of bituminous coal mines shall keep posted in a conspicuous
place about their mines printed rules, submitted to and approved by
the district mining inspector, defining the duties of all persons em-
ployed in or about said coal mines and coUeries, which said notices
1886.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 185
shall be printed in the language or languages used by the miners
working therein.
Sbo. 6. Any miners, workmen or other person who shall inten-
tionally injure any shaft, lamp, instrument, air-oourse or brattice, or
obstruot or throw open air-ways or carry lighted pipes or matches
into places that are worked by safety lamps, or handle or disturb any
part of the machinery, or open a door and not close it again, or enter
any place of the mine against caution, or disobey any order given in
carrying out the provisions of this act, or do any other act whereby
the lives or the health of persons or security of the mines or the ma-
chinery is endangered, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
may be punished in a manner provided in the twenty-first section of
this act. All machinery about mines shall be properly fenced off, and
there shall be cut in the side of every hoisting shaft at the bottom
thereof a traveling-way sufKciegtly high and wide to enable persons
to pass the shaft in going from one side of the mine to the other with-
out passing over or under the cage or other hoisting apparatus.
Sbc. 7. If any person, firm or corporation is or shall hereafter be
seized in his or their own right of coal lands, and it shall not be
practicable to comply with the requirements of this act in regard to
drainage and ventilation by means of openings on his or their own
land and the same can be done by means of openings on adjacent
land, he or they may apply by petition to the court of common ses-
sions of the proper county after ten days' notice to the owner or
owners, their agent or attorney, setting forth the facts under oath or
affirmation particularly describing the place or places where such
opening or openings can be made, and that he or they cannot' agree
with the owner or owners cf the land as to the amount to be paid for
the privilege of making such opening or openings, whereupon the
said court shall appoint three disinterested and competent citizens of
the county to view the grounds designated and lay out from the
point or points mentioned in such petition a passage or passages for
air and water not more than sixteen feet in diameter by the shortest
and most convenient route to the coal of such person, firm or corpo-
ration, preferring in all cases an opening through the coal strata
where the same is practicable.
The said viewers shall at the same time assess the damages to be
paid by the petitioners to the owner or owners of such lands which
damages shall be fully paid before such opening is made. It shall be
the duty of the petitioner or the viewers to give notice by at least
1S6 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. IB4
three written or printed hand-bills posted on the premises at or near
the place where suoh opening is proposed to be made at least five
days prior to the time of meeting to attend to the duties of their ap-
pointment setting forth distinctly the time, place and object of their
meeting and also to give personal notice to the owners, their agent
or attorney, if residing in the same county, and the said viewers shall
within thirty days after their appointment make report of their pro-
ceedings to the said court stating the amount of damages awarded
accompanied by a map or plan of the proposed openings, and if no
exceptions be filed to the said report within ten days after notice to
the opposite party, his agent or attorney, of the filing of said report
it shall be marked, confirmed by the clerk, and the petitioner or
petitioners may proceed to mak«9 said opening or openings and shall
have the right to use the same for the purpose of ventilation and
drainage as aforesaid and as a passage way. The proceedings shall
be recorded in the road docket of the proper county and the pay of
viewers shall be the same as in road cases. If exceptions be filed
they shall be disposed of by the said court as speedily as possible
and both parties to have the right to take depositions as in road
cases. If, however, the petitioner desires to make such opening be-
fore the final disposition of such exceptions he shall have the right
to do so by giving bonds to be approved by the court, securing the
damages as provided by law in the case of lateral railroad.
Sbc. 8. In the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine
and every four years thereafter the Governor shall as hereinafter pro-
vided during the month of February appoint two mining engineers
of good repute and of known experience and practice at the time.
He also shall as hereinafter provided during the same month and
every four years thereafter notify three president judges of the courts
of common pleas of the judicial districts of tlie State containing
bituminous coal mines, whose duty it shall be, each of them, to ap-
point one reputable miner of at least five years' practical experience
in the mining region of Pennsylvania, in practice at least three
months prior to his appointment, and a citizen of the Commonwealth
not less than five years:. Provided^ That any person having been
employed five months prior to the meeting of the examining board
as superintendent, State or county officer, shall not serve on examin-
ing board. The two engineers and the three miners so appointed
shall constitute a board of examiners whose duty it shall be to in-
quire into the character and qualifications of candidates for the office
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. I37
of iiiBpeotor of mines ander the provisions of this aot. The examin-
ing board so constituted shall meet in the city of Pittsbarg on the
first Monday of April, and when called together by the Governor for
extra occasions at such time and place as he may designate, and after
being daly organized and having taken and subscribed before any
ofiioer authorized to administer the same, the following oath, namely:
We the undersigned do solemnly swear or affirm that we will per«
form the duties of examiners of applicants for appointment as
inapectors of bituminous coal mines to the best of our abilities, and
that in recommending or rejecting said applicants we will be gov-
erned by the evidence of the qualifications to fill the position under
the law creating the same, and not by any consideration of political
or other personal favor, that we will certify all whom we may find
qualified according to the true intent and meaning of the act and
none others, shall proceed to the examination which shall be in
writing, of those who may represent themselves as candidates for
said office and they shall certify to the Governor the names of all
such applicants as they shall find competent to fill the office under
the provisions of this act, which names with the certificates and their
percentage and the oath of the examiner shall be mailed to the Sec-
retary of the Commonwealth and be filed in his office; provided^
that no person shall be returned as competent whose percentage
shall be less then ninety per cent, and such certificate shall be valid
only when recommended by four of the examining board, the quali-
fication of candidates for said office of inspectors of mines to be
inquired into and certified by said examiners shall be as follows,
namely: That they shall be citizens of Pennsylvania, of temperate
habits, of good repute, as men of personal integrity, shall have
attained the age of thirty years, and have had at least five years
practical experience in the workings of the coal mines of Pennsyl-
vania, and upon the examination they shall give evidence of such
theoretical as well as practical knowledge and general intelligence
regarding mines and mining and the working thereof, and all noxious
gasecr, as will satisfy the examiners of their capacity and fitness for
the duties imposed upon inspectors of mines by the provisions of this
act. The board of examiners shall also at their meeting or when at
any time called by the Governor together for an extra meeting divide
the bituminous coal counties of the State into eight inspection dis-
tricts as nearly equal to the labor to be performed as is possible, and
at any subsequent calling of the board of examiners, this division
18
188 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
may be reviEed as ezperienoe may prove to be advieable, and they
shall immediately after the examination furnish each person who
came before said examination board to be examined, all questions
which were given at the examination, on printed slips of paper and
to be marked solved right or wrong, as the case may be. The board
of examiners shall each receive five dollars per day and all necessary
expenses to be paid out of the State treasury.
Upon the filing of the certificates of the examining board in the
office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Governor shall from
the names so certified, commission one person to be inspector of mines
for each district, as fixed by the examiners in pursuance of the act,
whose commission shall be for a full term of four years, to be computed
from the fifteenth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-
five. Always provided, however, the highest candidate or candidates
in percentage shall have priority to be commissioned for a full term
or unexpired term, before those candidates of a lower percentage,
and in case of a tie in percentage, the oldest candidate shall be com-
missioned, as often as vacancies occur in SMd offices of inspectors of
mines, the Governor shall commission for the unexpired term from
the names on file the highest in percentage above ninety per centum,
in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, until the number
shall be exhausted, and whenever this may occur the Governor shall
cause the aforesaid board of examiners to meet, who shall examine
persons who may present themselves for the vacant office of inspector
in the same manner as herein provided, and the board of examiners
shall certify to the Governor one person highest in percentage to be
commissed by him for the office of inspector for the unexpired term,
and any vacancies that may occur in the examining board shall be
filled by those or their successors in whose jurisdiction the vacancy
occurred.
Each inspector of mines shall receive for his services an annual
salary of two thousand dollars and actual traveling expenses, to be
paid quarterly by the State Treasurer upon warrant of the Auditor
General, and all nine inspectors hereafter appointed shall make their
residence and keep an office in the district for which they are com-
missioned. Each inspector is hereby authorized to procure such in-
struments and chemical tests, stationery, and to incur such expense
of communication from time to time as may be necessary to the dis-
charge of his duties under this act at the cost of the State, which
shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon accounts duly certified by
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 139
him and &adited by the proper department of the State. All mstra-
ments, plans, books, memoranda, notes, et cetera, pertaining to the
office shall be the property of the State and shall be delivered to
their successor in office; that in addition to the expense now allowed
by law to the mine inspector in enforcing the several provisions of
this act to which this is supplementary, they shall be allowed all nec-
essary expenses by them incurred in enforcing the several provisions
of said laws in the respective courts of the Commonwealth, the same
to be paid by the State Treasurer on warrants drawn by the Auditor
General after auditing the same. All such accounts presented by the
mine inspector to the Auditor General shall be itemized and first ap-
proved by the court before which the proceedings were instituted.
Sxc. 9. Each inspector of bituminous coal mines shall, before en-
intering upon the discharge of his duties, give bond in the sum of
five thousand dollars with sureties to be approved by the president
judge of the district in which he resides, conditioned for the faithful
discharge of his duty, and take an oath (or affirmation) to discharge
his duties impartially and with fidelity to the best of his knowledge
and ability.
But no person who shall act as a manager or agent of any coal
mine or as a mining engineer, or to be interested in operating any
eoal mine, shall at the same time act as an inspector of coal mines
under this act.
Sbo. 10. The inspector of bituminous coal mines shall each de-
vote the whole of his time to the duties of his office. It shall be his
duty to examine the mines in his district as often as possible, which
fihall not be less than once in three months, and report how often he
has visited each mine in the year to see that all the provisions of this
act are observed and strictly carried out, and he shall make record of
all examinations of mines, showing the condition in which he finds
them, especially in reference to ventilation and drainage, the number
of mines in his district, the number of persons employed in each
mine, the extent to which the law is obeyed, the progress made in
the improvement sought to be secured by the passage of this act, the
number of accidents and deaths resulting from injuries received in or
about the mine, with cause of such accident or death, which record
completed to the Slst day of December of each and every year, shall,
on or before the first day of February following, be filed in the office
of the Secretary of Internal Affairt*, to be by^him recorded and in-
oluded in the annual report of his department.
140 KEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
Sxc. 11. That the inspectors may be enabled to perform the da-
ties herein imposed upon them, they shall have the right at all times
to enter any bituminous coal mine, to make examination or obtain in-
formation. They shall notify the owners, operators, lessees, superin-
tendent, or mining bosses immediately of the discovery of any viola-
tion of this act and of the penalty imposed thereby for such violatioD,
and in case of such notice being disregarded for the space of five days
they shall institute proceedings against the owner, owners' agent or
lessee or mining boss of the mine, under the provisions of section
twenty-one of this act. In case, however, where in the judgment of
the inspector of any district, delay may jeapordize life or limb, he
shall at once notify one of the int^^poclors of the other districts, where-
upon they shall at once proceed to the mine where the danger exists
and examine into the matter, acd if after a full investigation thereof
they shall be agreed in the opinion tha*; there is immediate danger,
they shall apply> in the name of the Commonwealth, to the court of
common pleas of the county, o.* in case the court should not be in
session, to a judge of said cour:; in chambers, in which the mine may
be located, for an injunction to sui^pend all work in and about such
mine; whereupon said court or judge shall at once proceed to hear
and determine speedily the same, and if the cause appear to be suffi-
cient after hearing the parties and their evidence as in like case shall
issue their writ to restrain the working of said mine until all cause of
danger be removed, and the cost of said proceedings, including the
charges of the attorney prosecuting the same, shall be borne by the
owner, lessee or agent of the mine; pravidedyiliBt no fee exceeding
the sum of twenty-five dollars shall be taxed in any one case for the
attorney prosecuting such case; provided further^ that if said court
shall find the cause not sufficient, then the case shall be dismissed and
and the costs be borne by the county.
Sbc. 12. Whenever by reason of any explosion or other accident
in any bituminous coal mine, or the machinery connected therewith,
loss of life or serious personal injury shall occur, it shall be the duty
of the person having charge of such mine or colliery to give notice
thereof forthwith to the inspector of the district, and if any person is
killed thereby, to the coroner of the county, who shall give due no-
tice of the inquest to be held. If the coroner shall determine to hold
an inquest the mine inspector shall be allowed to testify and offer
such testimony as he may deem necessary to thoroughly inform the
said inquest of the causes of the death. And the said inspaotor shall
1885.] BEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 141
have authority at any time to appear before suoh coroner and jury
and question or oross-qnestion any witness, and in choosing a jury for
the purpose of holding such inquest, it shall be the duty of the coro-
ner to impanel at least thrjee experienced miners upon such jury. It
fihall be the duty of the inspector upon being notified as herein pro-
vided, to immediately repair to the scene of the accident and make
such suggestions as may appear necessary to secure the future safety
of the men, and if the results of the explosion or accident do not re-
quire investigation by the coroner he shall proceed to investigate and
ascertain the cause of the explosion or accident and make a record
thereof, which he shall file as provided for, and to enable him to make
the investigation he shall have power to compel the attendance of
persons to testify, and to administer oaths or affirmations. The cost
of such investigation shall be paid by the county in which the acci-
cident occurred, in the same manner as costs of inquests held by the
coroners or justices of the peace are paid,
Sbc. 13. The court of common pleas of any county in the proper
district, upon a petition signed by not less than fifteen reputable cit-
izens, who shall be miners, owners or lessees of mines, and with the
affidavit of one or more of said petitioners attached, setting forth
that any inspector of mines neglects his duty, or is incompetent, or
or that he is guilty of malfeasance in office, shall issue a citation in
the name of the Commonwealth to the said inspector to appear, on not
less than fifteen days notice, upon a day fixed, before said court, at
which time the court shall proceed to inquire into and investigate the
allegations of the petitioners. If the court find that the inspector is
neglectful his duties, or is incompetent to perform the duties of his
office, or that he ii^ guilty of malfeasance in office, the court shall cer-
tify the same to the governor, who shall declare the office of said in-
spector vacant and proceed in compliance with the provisions of this
act to supply the vacancy. The costs of said investigation shall, if
the charges are sustained, be imposed upon the inspector, but if the
charges are not sustained they shall be imposed upon the petitioners.
Sbg. 14. The inspector shall exercise a sound discretion in the
enforcement of the provisions of this act, and if the operator, owner
or miners shall not be satisfied with any decision, the inspector may
arrive at in the discharge of his duties under this act which said
decision shall be in writing, signed by the mine inspector, the said
owner, operator, miner or miners shall forthwith appeal from such
decision to the court of quarter sessions of the county wherein the
143 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPEOTOU. [B4
mine is located, and said coart shall speedily determine the qnestion
involved in said decision, and appeal which said decision shall be
binding and conclasive. The coart in its discretion may appoint three
practical, reputable, competent and disinterested persons whose daty
it shall be, under instructions of the said court, to forthwith examine
such mine,and make report under oath of the facts as they exist, or
may have been together with their opinions thereon. The report of
said board shall become absolute, unless exceptions thereto shall be
filed within ten days after notice of the filing thereof to the owner,
operator, miner or miners or inspector, and if exceptions are filed the
court shall at once hear and determine the same, and the decision
shall be final and conclusive. If the court shall finally sustain the
decision of the inspector then the appellants shall pay all costs of
such proceedings. And if the court shall not sustain the decision of
the inspector, then such costs shall be paid by the county, or by the
appellant and county in such proportion as the court shall determine.
That no appeal from any decision made by any mine inspector shall
work as a supercedeas to such decision during the pendency of such
appeal but all such decisions shall be in full force until reversed or
modified by the proper court.
Sbo. 15. On the petition of the mine inspector of any district,
the courts of common pleas in any county in said district, shall at the
first term after the passage of this act, appoint an examining board
consisting of a mine inspector, an operator and a miner, who are
citizens of the United States, and shall have at least five years experi-
ence in the bituminous mines of the State, who shall examine any
person applying thereto as to his competency and qualifications to
discharge the duties of mining boss. The said board of examiners
shall meet at the call of the inspector, and they shall grant certificates
to all persons whose examination shall disclose their fitness for the
duties of mining boss; and Euch certificates shall be sufficient evidence
of the holder's competency and qualifications for the duties of the
said office: Provided^ That any person who shall have been employed
as a miner at least five years in the bituminous mines of Pennsylvania,
and as mining boss continuously by the same person or firm for the
period of one year next preceeding the passage of this act, shall be
entitled to a certificate without undergoing said examination, but he
shall not be employed by any other person or firm without having
undergone such examination. The examining board shall hold
their office for the period of four years from the date of their appoint-
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 143
ment, and shall receive five dollars per day for each day necessarily
employed, and mileage at the rate of three cents per mile for each
mile necessarily traveled, to be paid by the Commonwealth. For
each certificate granted the board shall receive the sum of one dollar,
which shall be for the use of the Commonwealth.
No person shall act as fire boss in any bituminoas mine unless
granted a certificate of competency by any of the mine inspectors of
the bituminous region of Pennsylvania, and it shall be unlawful for
any owner, operator, contractor, superintendent or agent to employ
any person as fire boss who has not obtained such certificate.
After January first, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six, no
owner, operator, contractor, lessee, superintendent or agent shall em-
ploy any mining boss or fire boss who does not have.the certificate of
competency or service required by this section.
And if any accident shall occur in any mine in which a mining
boss shall be employed who has no certificate of competency or ser-
vice as required by this section by which any miner shall be killed or
injured, he or his heirs shall have a right of action against such ope-
rator, owner, superintendent, contractor, lessee or agent, and shall re-
cover the full value of the damages sustained.
Sbg. 16. No boy under the age of twelve years, and no woman or
girl of any age shall be employed or permitted to be in any bitumin-
ous coal mine for the purpose of employment therein, nor shall any
boy under the age of ten yea^s, or any woman or girl of any age be
employed or permitted to be in or about the outside structure or work-
ings of any bituminous mine or colliery for the purpose of employ-
ment: Providedy hovyever^ that this provision shall not effect the
employment of a boy or female of suitable age in an office or in the
performance of clerical work at such mine or colliery.
Sec. 1*7. For any injury to person or property occasioned by any
violation of this act or any wilful failure to comply with its provis-
ions a right of action against the party at .fault shall accrue to the
party injured for the direct damage sustained thereby and in any
case of loss of life by reason of such violation or willful failure a
right of action against the party at fault, shall accrue to the widow
and lineal heirs of the person whose life shall be lost for like recov-
ery of damages for the injury they shall have sustained.
Sec. 18. It shall be the duty of owners, operators, contractors, su-
perintendents, lessees or agents, to keep at the mouth of the drift,
shaft or slope, or at such other place as bhall be designed by the mine
144 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
inspector, stretchers, properly oondaoted, for the purpose of carrying
away any miner or employe working in and about such mine who may
in any way be injured in and about his employment.
Sbo. Id. It shall be the duty of the mine inspector on each visit
to any mine to make out a written or partly written and partly printed
report of the condition in which he finds such mine and post the same
in the ofKce at the mine. The said report shall give the date of the
visit, the number of visits during the year, the total number of mineB
in his district, the number of feet of air in circulation and where
measured, and such other information as he shall deem necessary.
And the said report shall remain posted in the office for one year and
said report may be examined by any miner or person employed in and
about such mine.
Sec. 20. On or before tthe fifteenth day of January in each year,
the owner, operator, or superintendent of every mine or colliery shall
send to the inspector of the district, a correct report specifying with
respect to the year ending the thirty- first of December, preceding
such report the name of the owner or operator and officers of the
mine and the quantity of coal mined the report shall be in such form
and give such information as may be from time to time required and
prescribed by the mine inspector of the district. Blank forms for
such reports shall be furnished by the Commonwealth.
Sec. 21. The neglect or refusal to perform the duties required to
be performed by any section of this act by the parties therein required
to perform them or the violation of any of the provisions or require-
ments hereof shall be deemed a midemeanor, and shall upon convic-
tion, be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars
and not exceeding five hundred dollars, at the discretion of the court
And in default of payment of such fine and costs for the space of ten
days the defendant shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the county
jail for a period not exceeding six months.
Sec. 22. The provisions of this act shall not apply to any mine
mine employing less than ten persons in any one period of twenty-
four hours.
Sec. 23. All acts or parts of acts supplied or inconsistent herewith
are hereby repealed.
1885.1 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 145
MINING LAWS OF OHIO.
INSPBCTOB OF MINES.
•
Section 290. The inspector of mines shall be appointed by the
Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall
hold his office for four years; and no person shall be appointed unless
he is possessed of Ja competent knowledge of chemistry, geology, and
mineralogy, and has a practical knowledge of mining engineering,
and of the different systems of working and ventilating coal mines,
and of the nature and properties of the noxious and poisonous gases
of mines, particularly fire-damp.
Sbg. 291. Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of the
office, the Inspector shall give bond to the State in the sum of five
thousand dollars, with sureties, to be approved by the Governor,
conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties; the bond, with
his oath of office, and approval of the Governor indorsed thereon,
shall be forthwith deposited with the Secretary of State.
Sbc. 292. The Inspector shall give his whole time and attention
to the duties of his office, and shall examine all the mines in the State
as often as his other duties will permit, to see that the provisions of
this chapter are obeyed; and the inspector may enter, inspect, and
examine any mine in the State, and the works and machinery belong-
ing thereto, at all reasonable times, by night or by day, but so as not
to unnecessarily obstruct or impede the working of the mine, and to
make inquiry into the state and condition of tha mine, as to ventila-
tion and general security; and the owner and agent of such mine are
hereby required to furnish the means necessary for such entry and
inspection, of which inspection the inspector shall make a record, not-
ing the time and all the material circumstances; and the person hav-
ing charge of any mine, whenever loss of life occurs by accident
connected with the working of such mine, or by explosion, shall give
notice forthwith, by mail or otherwise, to the inspector of mines, and
to the coroner of the county in which such mine is situated, who shall
hold an inquest upon the body of the person or persons whose death
has been caused, and inquire carefully into the cause thereof; and
shall return a copy of the finding and all the testimony to the inspec-
tor.
19
146 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
Sec. 293. The inspector, while in office, shall not act as an
agent, or as a manager, or mining engineer, or be interested in oper-
ating any mine ; and he shall annually make report to the Governor
of his proceedings and the condition and operation of the mines of the
State, enumerating all accidents in or about the same, and giving all
such other information as he things useful and proper, and making
such suggestions as he deems important as to further legislation on
the subject of mining.
Sec. 294. The inspector shall have an office in the State house, in
which shall be carefully kept the maps and plans of all mines in the
State, and all records and correspondence, papers, and apparatus, and
property pertaining to his duties, belonging to the State, and which
shall be handed over to his successor in office.
Sec. 295. There shall be provided for the inspector all instra
ments and chemical tests necessary for the discharge of his duties
under this chapter, which shall be paid for on the certificate of the
inspector, and which shall belong to the State.
Sec. 296. The owner or agent of every coal mine shall make, or
cause to be made, an accurate map or plan of the working of such
mine, on a scale of not less than one hundred feet to the inch, show-
ing the area mined or excavated, and the location and connection with
such excavation of the mine of the lines of all adjoining lands, and
the name or names of each owner or owners, as far as known, marked
on each tract, a true copy of which map the owner or agent shall
deposit with the inspector, and another copy of which shall be kept
at the office of such mine ; and the owner or agent shall, every four
months thereafter, file with the inspector a statement and plan of the
workings of such mine up to that date, which statement and plan
shall be so prepared as to enable the inspector to mark the same on the
original map or plan herein required to be made ; and in case of re-
fusal on the part of the owner or agent to make and file the map or
plan, or the addition thereto, the inspector is authorized to cause an
accurate map or plan of the whole of said mine to be made, at the
expense of the owner thereof, the cost of which shall be recoverable
against the owner, in the name of the person making the map or
plan, which shall be made in duplicate, one copy being delivered to
the inspector and the other left in the office of the mine ; and he
shall, on being paid the proper cost thereof, on demand of any person
interested in the working of such mine, or owner of adjoining landp,
1885.J REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 147
fnrnish an accurate copy of any map or plan of the working of such
mine.
Sbg. 297. It is unlawful for the owner or agent of any coal mine
worked by a shaft, wherein over fifteen thousand square yards have
been excavated, to employ or permit any person to work therein, un-
less there are, to every seam of coal worked in each mine, at least
two separate outlets, separated by natural strata of not less than one
hundred feet in breadth, by which shafts or outlets distinct means of
ingress and egress are always available to the persons employed in
the mine; but it is not necessary for the two outlets to belong to the
same mine; the second outlet need not be made until fifteen thousand
yards have been excavated in such mine; and to all other coal mines,
whether slopes or drifts, two such openings or outlets must be pro-
vided within twelve months after fifteen thousand yards have been
excavated therein; and in case such outlets are not provided as herein
stipulated, it shall not be lawful for the agent or owner of such mine
to permit more than ten persons to work therein at any one time. In
case a coal mine has but one shaft, slope, or drift, for the ingress or
egress of the men working therein, and the owner thereof does not
own suitable surface-ground for another opening, he may select and
appropriate any adjoining land for that purpose and for approach
thereto, and shall be governed in his proceeding in appropriating
such land by the provisions of law in force providing for the appro-
priation of private property by corporations^ and such appropriations
may be made, whether he is a corporator or not; but no land shall be
appropriated under the provisions of this chapter until the court is
satisfied that suitable premises cannot be obtained by contract upon
reasonable terms.
Sbg. 298. The owner or agent of every coal mine, whether shaft,
slope, or drift, shall provide and maintain for every such mine, an
amount of ventilation of not less than 100 cubic feet, per minute,
per person employed in such mine, which shall be circulated and dis-
tributed throughout the mine in such a manner as to dilute, render
harmless, and expel the poisonous and noxious gases from each and
every working place in the mine, and no working place shall be
driven more than one hundred and twenty feet in advance of a break-
through, or air- way; and all breakthroughs, or air-ways, except those
las made near the working faces of the mine, shall be closed up and
made air-tight, by brattice, trap doors, or otherwise, so that the cur-
rents of air in circulation in the mine may sweep to the interior of the
148 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. fEi
mine, wiiere the persons employed in such mine are at work, and all
mines governed by the statute shall be provided with artificial means
of producing ventilation, such as forcing, or suction fans, exhaust
steam, furnaces, or other contrivances, of such capacity and power,
as to produce and maintain an abundant supply of air, and all mines
genersting fire-damp shall be kept free from standing gas, and every
working place shall be carefully examined every morning with a
safety-lamp, by a competent person, or persons, before any of the
workmen are allowed to enter the mine.
Sec. 299. The owner or agent of every coal mine operated by
shaft, in ^11 cases where human voice cannot be distinctly heard,
shall, forthwith, provide and niaintain a metal tube from the top to
the bottom of such shaft, suitably calculated for the free passage of
sound therein, so that conversations may be held between persons at
the bottom and top of the shaft; and there shall also be provided an
approved safety catch, and a sufficient cover overhead, on all ca^
riages used for lowering and hoisting persons, and in the top of every
shaft an improved safety gate, and an adequate brake shall be attached
to every drum or machine used for lowering or raising persons in all
shafts or slopes.
Sec. 300. No owner or agent of any coal mine operated by a shaft
or slope shall place in charge of any engine used for lowering or
hoisting out of such mine persons employed therein, any but experi-
enced, competent, and sober engineers; and no engineer in charge of
such engine shall allow any person, except such as may be deputed
for that purpose, by the owner or agent, to interfere with it or any
part of the machinery, and no person shall interfere or in any way
intimidate the engineer in the discharge of his duties; and in no case
shall more than ten men ride on any cage or car at one time, and no
person shall ride upon a loaded cage or car in any shaft or slope.
Sec. 301. All saftety lamps used for examining coal mines; or
which are used in any coal mine, shall be the property of the owner
of the mine, and shall be under the charge of the agent thereof, and
in all mines, whether they generate fire-damp or not, the doors used
in assisting or directing the ventilation of the mine, shall be so hung
and adjusted that they will shut of their own accord and cannot
stand open, and the mining boss shall keep a careful watch over the
ventilating apparatus and the air-ways, and he shall measure the ven-
tilation at least once a week, at the inlet and outlet, and also at or
near the face of all the entries, and the measurements of air so made
1885.] RJKPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 149
shall be noted on blanks, famished by the mine inspector; and on
the first day of each month the mining boss of each mine shall sign
one of such blanks properly filled with the said actual measurements
and forward the same to the mine inspector.
Sec. 802. No boy under twelve years of age shall be allowed to
work in any mine, nor any minor between the ages of twelve and six-
teen years, unless he can read and write, and in all cases of minors
applying for work, the agent of such mine^shall see that the provis-
ions of this section are not violated.
Sec. 303. In case any coal mine does not, in appliance for the
safety of the persons working therein, conform to the provisions of
this chapter, or the owner or agent disregards the requirements of
this chapter, any court of competent jurisdiction may, on application
of the inspector, by civil action in the name of the State, enjoin or
restrain the owner or agent from working oi* operating such mine,
with more than ten miners at once, until it is made to conform to the
provisions of this chapter; and such remedy shall be cumulative, and
shall not take the place of or affect any other proceedings against
such owner or agent authorized by law for the matter complained of
in such action.
Sec. 304. When written charges of gross neglect of duty or mal-
feasance in office against any inspector is made and filed with the
Grovemor, signed by not less than fifteen coal miners, or one or more
operators of mines, together with a bond in the sum of five hundred
dollars, payable to the State, and signed by two or more responsible
free-holders, and conditioned for the payment of all costs and' ex-
penses arising from the investigation of such charges, the Qovemor
shall convene a board of examiners, to consist of two practical coal
miners, one chemist, one mining engineer, and one operator, at such
time and place as he deems best, giving ten days' notice to the in-
spector against whom the charges are made, and also to the person
whose name first appears in the charges, and the board, when so con-
vened, and having been first duly sworn truly to try and decide the
charges made, shall summon any witnesses so desired by either party,
and examine them on oath, which may be administered by a member
of the board, and depositions may be read on such examinations, as in
other cases; and the board shall examine fully into the truth of such
charges, and report the result of their investigation to the Qovemor;
and the board shall award the costs and expenses of such investiga-
tion against the inspector or the persons signing the bond according
150 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
to their finding, against said inspector or in bis favor, which costs
and expenses shall inclade the compensation of snch board, of five
dollars per day for each member, for the time occupied in the trial,
and in traveling from and to their homes; and the attorney general
shall forthwith proceed to collect such costs and expenses, and pay
the same into the State treasury, being in the first instance paid out
of the State treasury, on the certificate of the president of such
board.
Sec. 305. In all coal mines in the State, the miners employed and
working therein, the owners of the land or other persons interested
in the rental or loyalty of any such mine, shall at all proper times
have full right of access and examination of all scales, machinery or
apparatus used in or about such mine to determine the quantity of
coal mined, for the purpose of testing the accuracy and correctness of
all such scales, machinery or apparatus; and such miners, land-own-
ers, or other persons may designate or appoint a competent person to
act for them, who shall at all proper times have full right of access
and examination of such scales, machinery *or apparatus, and seeing
all weights and measures of coal mined, and the accounts kept of
the same; but not more than one person on behalf of the miners col-
lectively, or one person on behalf of the land-owners or other persons
interested in the rental or royalty jointly, shall have such right of
access, examination and inspection of scales, weights, measures and
accounts at the same time, and that such persons shall make no un-
necessary interference with the use of such scales, machinery or ap-
paratus; and the miners employed in any mine may, from time to
time, appoint two of their number to act as a committee to inspect,
not of tener than once a month, the mine and the machinery connected
therewith, and to measure the ventilating current, and if the owner,
agent, or manager so desires, he may accompany said committee by
himself or two or more persons whom he may appoint for that pur-
pose; the owner, agent or manager shall afford every necessary facil-
ity for making such inspection and measurement, but the committee
shall not in any way interrupt or impede the work going on in the
mine at the time of such inspection and measurement, and said com-
mittee shall, within ten days after such inspection and measurement,
make a correct report thereof to the inspector of mines, on blanks to
be furnished by said inspector for that purpose; and if such com-
mittee make to the inspector a false or untrue report of the mines,
such act shall constitute a violation of this Eccticn.
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 151
Sec. 306. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or
aiffeot any coal mine in which not more than ten men are employed at
the same time; bat on the application of the7 proprietor of or miners
in any such mine, the inspector shall make, or cause to be made, an
inspection of snch mine, and shall direct and enforce any regulations
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter that he deems
necessary for the safety of the health and lives of miners.
Sec. 306 (a). The inspector of mines may, with the approval of
the governor, appoint an assistant, who shall be a practical miner of
not less than five years' experience, and who shall perform such du-
ties as may be required by the inspector, and receive a salary at the
rate of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) per annum, and the inspector
may, with the consent of the governor, remove such assistant at
pleasure and appoint a successor, and may allow the assistant travel-
ing expenses out of his contingent fund.
Sec. 6871. Whoever knowingly violates any of the provisions of
sections two hundred and ninety-eight, two hundred and ninety-nine,
three hundred, three hundred and one, three hundred and two, and
three hundred and five, of the revised statutes, or does any act
whereby the lives or health of the persons or the security of any mine
and machinery are endangered, or any miner or other person em-
ployed in any mine governed by the statute, who intentionally and
willfully neglects or refuses to securely prop the roof of any working
place under his control, or neglects or refuses to obey any order given
by the superintendent of a mine in relation to the security of the
mine in the part thereof where he is at work, and for fifteen feet back
from the face of his working place, shall be fined not more than fifty
dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than thirty days,
or both.
MINES.
Sec. 4374. A person owning land adjoining a mine worked for
the production of coal, ore, or other mineral substance, or a person
having an interest in such mine, having reason to believe that the
protection of his interest in the mine, or in like minerals on his ad-
joining land requires it, upon making affidavit to that effect before a
justice of the peace or other proper officer, may enter such mine and
have an examination or survey made thereof; but such examination
or survey shall not be made until one day's notice thereof is given to
the parties in interest, nor at unreasonable timep, but in such time
152 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
and in such manner as will least interfere with the workings of the
mine, if the same is being operated at the time.
Sec. 4875. When the affidavit has been made and notioe given, the
parson in charge of ^ach mine shall, on the application of the party
giving the notice, transport by the ordinary method in use at such
mine for entrance and exit, a surveyinii: party of not more than five
persons, famish to such party a competent gnide, and sapply them
with approved safety lamps; and for every person so transported, he
shall be entitled to receive, from the person requesting such survey,
the sum of fifty cents, unless the shaft exceeds two hundred and fifty
feet in depth, when he shall be entitled to the sum of one dollar for
each person, and five dollars per day for the guide.
Seo. 4376. If the parties working or occupying such mine sustain
any damage, for which compensation should be made by reason of
such examination or survey having been made at unreasonable times,
or in an improper or unwarrantable manner, the person making the
same, or causing the same to be made, shall be liable therefor.
Sec. 4377. The parties working or occupying or working such
mine shall not hinder or obstruct the examination or survey, when
made at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, under a pen-
alty of not less than fifty nor not more than five hundred dollars for
each offiense, to be recovered before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 4378. The party who makes the application for the survey,
may, upon refusal of the owner or person in charge of the mine to
comply with the foregoing provisions, recover judgment, as upon
default, in a court of competent jurisdiction, against the owner of such
mine, in such sum as such party may declare, under oath, he believes
to be justly due him for coal or other mineral belonging to him, taken
by the owner of such mine without his permission ; and the statute
of limitation shall not be operative as against such claim ; but the
demand and refusal to enter such mine, shall be first proven to the
satisfaction of the court or jury, and the refusal of the party in
charge of the mine, shall be held to be the refusal of the owner.
Sec. 4379. The provisions of this cbapter shall be available to
any person who, on his oath, states that he is the owner or author-
ized agent of any owner of land which he believes contains coal, or
other valuable mineral substance, within one mile of such shaft;
although it do not adjoin any mine of the owner of such shaft ; the
affidavit required shall be sufficient if it state that the lands in which
the affiant is interested, are in the vicinity of such shaft, and not
1885.] BEPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 15J
more than one mile distant therefrom ; and service upon any owner
or saperintendent of saoh shaft shall be sufficient.
OFFBNSES AGAINST FBOPSBTT.
Sbc. 6881. Whoever, in mining for coal or other minerals, will-
fully and without lawful authority, trespasses upon the lands of
another, shall be fined not more than one hundred nor less than five
dollars, or imprisoned not more than ten days, or both ; and any con-
tinuation of such trespass, for twenty-four hours after the commence-
ment of any prosecution under this section, shall be deemed a sepa-
rate offense, and all prosecutions hereunder shall be commenced
within one year from the time the offense becomes known to any
owner of the property injured.
OFFBNSBS AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH.
Sec. 6925. Whoever throws or deposits, or permits to be thrown
or deposited, any coal dirt, coal slack, coal screenings, or coal refuse
from coal mines, or any refuse or filth from any coal-oil refinery or
gas works, or any whey or filthy drainage from a cheese factory, upon
or into any of the rivers, lakes, ponds, or streams of this State, or
upon or into any place from which the same will wash into any such
nver, lake, pond, or stream, shall be fined in any sum not more than
two hundred or less than fifty dollars.
FRAUD.
Sec. 7070. Whoever sells and delivers any stone coal, except at
the weights and measures prescribed by law, shall be fined not more
than fifty nor less than five dollars, or imprisoned not more than
thirty nor less than five days.
WEIGHTS AND MEASUSES.
»
Sec. 443. A bushel of the respective articles hereafter mentioned
shall mean the amount of weight, avoidupois, in this section speci-
fied, viz :
Of coke, forty pounds.
Of bituminous coal, eighty pounds.
Of cannel coal, seventy pounds.
Sec. 4444. The standard bushel of stone coal, coke and unslacke^
lime, shall contain twenty-six hundred and eighty-eight cubic inches ;
20
1-4 REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E4
and the lawfnl measure for measuring such articles shall contain two
bushels, and be of the following interior dimensions : Twenty-four
inches diameter at the top, twenty inches at the bottom, and fourteen
and one-tenth inches deep.
Sec. 445. When facilities can be had, all sale of coal shall be by
weight, and two thousand pounds, avoidupois, shall constitute a ton
thereof ; but, where coal cannot be made, it may be sold by meas-
urement.
Sbc. 446. Whoever sells stone coal in violation of the provisions
of this chapter shall be liable to the person to whom the coal is sold
and delivered, in treble damages, to be collected in a civil action
before any court of competent jurisdiction ; if the defendant in such
action does not reside in the county where the mine is located, ser-
vice may be had upon him by copy of the summons left at his place
of business ; and any judgment recovered in such case shall be a lien
upon all property of the defendant, in the county, from the day of
service ; but this section shall not apply to any person or corporation
mining or selling less than fifteen thousand bushels of coal annually.
SCHOOL OF Mn^S.
Sec. 8435. That the trustees of the Ohio Agricultural and Me-
chanical College be, and they are hereby required to establish in said
college a school of mines and mine engineering, in which shall be
provided the means for studying scientifically and experimentally the
survey, opening, ventilation, care, and working of mines, and said
school shall be provided with complete mining laboratories for the
analysis of ores, coals, and other minerals, with all the necessary ap-
paratus for testing the various ores and coals, and also with the mod-
els of the most improved machinery for ventilating and operating all
the various kinds of mines with safety to the life and health of those
engaged.
(8436) Sec. 2. Said trusteei^i may require one of the professors
now authorized to be employed in said institution to give instruction
in the most improved and successful methods of opening, and opera-
ting, and surveying, and inspecting mines, and in the methods of
testing and analyzing coals and other minerals, especially those
found in the State of Ohio. It shall also be the duty of such pro-
fessor to register all experiments made in testing the properties of
coals and other minerals, and such results shall be published in the
annual reports of said trustees. It shall also be the duty of said
1886.] BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 155
professor to preserve in a cabinet, suitably arranged for ready refer-
ence and examination, suitably connected with the school of mines,
samples of the specimens from the various mines of the State, which
may be sent for analysis, with the names of the mines and their
localities in the counties from which they were sent, and the analysis
and a statement of the properties attached. It shall also be his duty
to furnish analysis of all minerals found in the State, and sent to him
for that purpose by residents of this State.
(8437) Sec. 3. There is hereby appropriated out of the general
revenue fund the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars, to be
expended in providing apparatus, equipments, cabinets, etc., as men-
tioned in the first and second sections of this act.
Sec. 4. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its
passage.
AMENDMENTS TO THE OHIO MINING LAW, PASSED MAY 1, 1885.
An Act to amend and supplement certain sections of the Revised Stat-
utes therein named.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State
of Ohio, That sections two hundred and ninety-three, two hundred
and ninety-five, and two hundred and ninety-nine of the Revised
Statutes of Ohio, as amended by an act entitled " an act to apportion
the state of Ohio into mining districts, to provide for adequate and
efficient inspection of mines, and to amend and repeal certain sections
of the Revised Statutes therein named," passed April 12, 1884 (81 y,
153), be and the same are hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Section 293. The chief inspector shall issue such instructions,
make such rules and regulations for the government of the district
inspectors, not inconsistent with the powers and duties vested in them
by law, as shall secure uniformity of action and proceedings through-
out the different districts; and he may order one district io specter to
the assistance of any other district inspector, or make temporary
transfers of district inspectors, when in his judgment the efficiency
or necessity of the service demands or permits; and he may, with the
consent of the governor, remove any district inspector at pleasure;
the district inspectors are hereby invested with all the powers and
authority of county auditors, as sealers of weights and measures in
the different counties of this state, and for any service performed as
156 BEPOBT OP STATE MINE IN8PECTOB. [E
saoh sealers they shall receive the same compensation as now pro-
vided by section ten hundred and sixty-two of the Revised Statutes;
but said inspector shall exercise said authority in connection with
weights and measures, only at mines in their respective districts; the
chief inspector shall render such personal assistance to the district
inspectors as they, from time to time may require, and shall make
such personal inspection of mines as he may deem necessary and his
other duties will permit; he shall keep in his office and carefully pre-
serve all maps, surveys and other reports and papers required by law
to be filed with him, and so arrange and preserve the same as shall
make them a permanent record of ready, convenient and connected
reference; he shall compile and consolidate the reports of district in-
spectors, and annually make report to the governor of all his pro-
ceedings, as well as those of the district inspectors, the condition
and operation of the different mines of the state, the number of mines
and the number of persons employed in or about such mines, the
amount of coal, iron ore, limestone, fireclay, or other minerals mined
in this state; and for the purpose of enabling him to make such re-
port, the owner, lessee or agent in charge of such mine, or who is en-
gaged in mining, is hereby required to give accurate information as
to the foregoing facts on blanks to be furnished by the chief inspector
under penalty of one hundred dollars, to be recovered at the suit of
the chief inspector in the name of the state of Ohio, for refusal to
furnish such information on demand of the chief inspector; he shall
also include in such report such facts rela.tive to the mineral resources
of the state, and the development of the same, as shall, in his judg-
ment, be of public interest, he shall enumerate all accidents, and the
manner in which they occurred, in or about mines, and give all such
other information as he thinks useful and proper, and make such sug-
gestions as he deems important relative to mines and mining, and any
other legislation that may be necessary on the subject for the better
preservation of the life and health of those engaged in such industry.
Section 295. There shall be provided for the inspectors, weights
and measures and all instruments and chemical tests necessary for
the discharge of their respective duties under this chapter, which
shall be paid for on the certificate of the chief inspector, and shall
belong to the state.
Section 299. The owner or agent of every coal mine operated by
shaft, in all cases where the human voice cannot be distinctly heard,
shall forthwith provide and maintain a metal tube from the top to
1886.] REPORT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. 167
the bottom of such shaft suitably calculated for the free passage of
sound therein, so that conversation may be held between persons at
the bottom and top of the shaft ; there shall also be provided an ap-
proved safety-catch, and a sufficient cover overhead, on all carriages
used for lowering and hoisting persons, and in the top of every shaft
an approved safety gate, and an adequate brake shall be attached to
every drum or machine used for lowering or raising persons in all
shafts or slopes ; and there shall also be provided in every shaft a
traveling or passage way from one side of a shaft bottom to the
other, so that persons working therein may not have to pass under
descending cages ; and all slopes or engine-planes, used as traveling
ways by persons in any mine, shall be made of sufficient width to
permit persons to pass moving cars with safety ; but if found im-
practicable to make any slope or engine-plane of sufficient width,
then safety holes of ample dimensions, and not more than sixty feet
apart, shall be made on one side of said slope or engine-plane. The
said safety-holes shall always be kept free from obstructions, and the
roof and sides shall be made secure.
Sec. 2. That the following section shall supplement section two
hundred and ninety-nine:
Section 299a. From and after May 1, 1885, no boiler used for
generating steam, and no hopper, or other inflammable structure for
the preparation or dumpage of coal, shall be erected nearer than one
hundred feet to the mouth of any shaft or slope; but this section
shall not be construed to prohibit the erection of a fan for the pur-
pose of ventilation, or of a trestle for the transportation of cars from
any shaft or slope to such hopper or structure ; neither shall it apply
to any shaft or slope, until the same be sunk to its proposed limit, or
until the work of development and shipment of coal has commenced.
Sec. 3. That sections three hundred and one and six thousand
eight hundred and seventy-one of the Revised Statutes be and the
same are hereby amended so as to read as follows :
Section 301. All safety lamps used for examining coal mines, or
which are used in any coal mine, shall be the property of the owner
of the mine, and shall be under the charge of the agent thereof, and
in all mines, whether they generate firedamp or not, the doors used
in assisting or directing ventilation of the mine, shall be so hung or
adjusted that they will shut of their own accord and cannot stand
open; and all main doors shall have an attendant, whose constant
4uty shall be to open them for transportation and travel, and prevent
158 BEPOBT OF STATE MINE INSPECTOR. [E 4
them from standing open longer than is necessary for persons or oars
to pass through; and the mining boss shall keep a careful watch over
the ventilating apparatus and the air-ways, and he shall measure the
ventilatioii at least once a week, at the inlet and outlet, and also at
or near the face of all the entries, and the measurements of air so
made shall be noted on blanks, furnished by the mine inspector; and
on the first day of each month the mining boss of each mine shall
sign one of such blanks, properly filled, with the said actual measure-
ments, and forward the same to the mine irspector.
Section 6871. Whoever knowingly violates any of the provisions^
of sections .two hundred and ninety-eight, two hundred and ninety-
nine, three hundred, three hundred and one, three hundred and two,,
and three hundred and five of the Revised Statutes, or does any act
whereby the lives or health of the persons or the security of any mine
and machinery are endangered, or any miner or other person employed
in the mine governed by the statute, who intentionally and wilfully
neglects or refuses to securely prop the roof of any working place
under his control, or neglects or refuses to obey any order given by
the superintendent of a mine in relation to the security of the mine
in the part thereof where he is at work, and for fifteen feet back
from the face of his working place; or any person having charge of a
mine, whenever loss of life occurs by accident connected with the
working of such mine, or by explosion, who neglects or refuses to
give notice thereof forthwith, by mail or otherwise, to the chief in-
spector of mines, and to the coroner of the county in which such
mine is situate, or any such coroner who neglects or refuses to hold
an inquest upon the body of the person whose death has been thus
caused, and return a copy of his findings and all the testimony to the
inspector, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars, or imprisoned in
the county jail not more than thirty days, or both.
Sec. 4. That sections 293, 295 and 299, as amended April 12^
1884, and original sections 301 and 6871 be and the same are hereby
repealed.
Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after
its passage.
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