1880 Boone County History
COAL MINES
(from Chapter IX, pages 454-460)
The following annual reports of the condition of mines, and extent of mining operations in Boone county will be of interest to the reader. The coal interests of the county are among the most important branches of industry, and as we apprehend that these full and official reports are of sufficient importance to be preserved will give them in full.
"BOONESBORO, Iowa, Jan. 1st, 1879.
"To the Honorable Board of Supervivors of Boone County, Iowa:
"GENTLEMEN – In conformity with an act of theGeneral Assembly, State of Iowa, chapter 31, title XI of the Code, approved March 18th, 1874, I have the honor to submit to you the result of the labor which the law
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY. 455
imposes upon me as inspector of coal mines for Boone county. The general condition of the mines are safe and according to law, with two (2) exceptions and those are, in my opinion, safe to work, with a little extra care on the top in regard to tires. I could not get the amount of coal mined forsome cause, bnt I find that there is a large falling off from last year.
"MOINGONA COAL COMPANY,
"Last year, worked 350 men; this year, from 65 to 70 men, all told. This same company last year worked two (2) shafts, Nos. 4 and 5 respectively. ShaftNo. 4 is 6x14 feet in the clear and 130 feet deep, with one hoisting engine 11x20; one (1) two- fined boiler 44 inches by 24 feet long; geared 4 to 1, with 57 drum and one-inch wire ropes, and ventilated by a largebrick furnace on top of shaft, and working only six men at pres ent. "Shaft No.5 is of the same dimension as No. 4, with the exception of the depth. No. 5 is 115 deep and working 60 men and 7 boys, over ten (10) and under sixteen (16) years of age, and three mules; ventilated by a large brick furnace on top of shaft. The ventilation in this shaft is good, being a little over 70 cubic feet of air per minute per man working. This coin pany is working what is known as upper vein; thickness of vein 3 feet and worked on the long wall plan.
NORTHWESTERN COAL COMPANY,
"At Coal Valley. One shaft 54x18 feet in the clear and 130 fcet deep; work ing 40 men and 10 boys, over ten (10) and under sixteen (16) years of age. Dimensions of themachinery are as follows: One 12x24 hoisting engine; geared 4 to 1 with 54 feet drum, and three -fourth inch steel ropes; one two flued boiler 4x24 feet long; 1 steam pump at bottom of shaft; cylinder 12 inch and 18 inch stroke; water cylinder 71 inch and 18 inch stroke; one 7 foot fan. Ventilation driven by 7x6 inch engine. This company have another shaft in progress of sinking, for an escape shaft or the better to ventilate. he ventilation in this shaft is 74 cubic feet per minute per man. This mine is worked on the long wall plan and working what is known as upper vein. I find this inine in good shape, considering the amount of water it makes and the long time the shaft has been idle. Mr. M. D. Morganı, the agent, deserves great credit for the able manner in which he hasmanaged the shaft, and when the other shaft is finished it will add much to its comfort.
"BOONE AND MARSHALL COAL COMPANY.
"They have one (1) shaft 6x14 feet in the clear and 90 feet deep, and work 36 men. Machinery used for hoisting is a one (1) two-horse ginn. Ventilated by a brick furnace on top of shaft. This company have but one opening as yet. I would advise them to sink another shaft as soon as spring opens or the weather permits. I think it safe at present by being careful of fire on the outside and around the platform. I find plenty of air in this mine, 77 cubic feet per minute per man working. The plan of working is room and pillar work. This company work the lower vein coal altogether, Thickness of vein 3 to 4 feet.
456 HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
"LOWER VEIN COAL COMPANY.
"This company have one shaft 6x14 feet in the clear and 248 feet deep. Dimensions of machinery are as follows: Two (2) hoisting engines 9x14 inch with 5 foot drum and one-inch wire ropes; two (2) cylinder boilers 31x24 feet long; one 7 foot ventilating fan driven by 7xil engine, and have in fact the best hoisting machinery in the county, This company work 83 men and 8 boys, over ten (10) and under sixteen (16) years of age, and 3 mules. This company are working the coal measure known as the upper vein on the long wall plan. Ventilation is good; I find 42 feet per minute per man working.
"LOGAN & CANFIELD'S MINE.
"Consists of one shaft 6x14 feet in the clear and 243 feet deep. Ma chinery nsed for hoisting is as follows: One engine 9x16; one tubular boiler 4x10 feet, and fire-foot drum, geared 7 to 1 with one three-fourth inch steel rope, and one (1) inch wire rope, and working 70 men and 12 boys, over ten (10) and under sixteen (16) years of and 8 inules. Ven. tilated by a 7 foot fan, driven by 7x11 engine. This mine is worked on the room and pillar plan, and it is the oldest mine in the county and work only the lower vein coal. The ventilation is 68 cubic feet per minute perman working age,
ROGERS AND CROW'S COAL MINE
"Is located at Milford on Robert Oline's land. It consists of one shaft 6x14 feet in the clear, and 58 feet deep, and working twenty men; hoisting ma chinery a one (1) two (2) horse ginn. They have a good quality of lower vein coal; their mine is in good shape with the exception that they have no escape shaft for men in case of fire on top of shaft. These gentlemen had bad luck by having their shaft and outhouses burned about the first of December, 1878, although it was lucky, it being Sunday morning, and there were no men at work. I would advise them to sink another shaft as Boon as spring opens or the weather permits.
SQUAW CREEK MINES, JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
"J. Clemens' inine consists of one shaft 6x12 and 44 feet deep and work. ing 10 men; also one slope 6x6 feet and 90 feet deep and f pitch and working 20 men. Ventilation is not as good as might be by placing two doors which he promised to do. Hoistingmachinery is a one-horse ginn at each place. Thickness of vein 4 feet and worked on the room and pillar order.
HUTCHINSON BRO'S MINES
"Consists of one slope 6x6 feet and 150 feet deep with a § pitch and work ing 35 men and 2 males. This slope is in fine working order, with good coal 4 feet thick and good roof. Mr. Hutchinson has another slope working 7 men. Hoisting machinery one-horse ginn for both slopes.
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY. 457
JOSEPH YORK'S MINES
" Consist of one slope 54x6 feet and 130 feet deep, and working 14 men.' Ventilated throngh Mr. Hutchinson's main slope. The coat is good, being 4 feet thick, but rather wet. Mr. York has another slope working 7.men. Hoisting machinery one-horse ginn for both places.
"There are several smaller mines in the county working from 2 to 10 or 12 men. These smaller mines I have not visited, as they do not come under my observation at present, but think someof thein will come for the in. spector to inspect the coming year, as they increase, and the approval of county supervisors.
"In a table below will be found the fatal and non- fatal accidents:
"February 11th, Win. Clinepeter, fracture of an arm while at work for the Lower Vein Coal Company. The manager not complying with section (6) I failed to see him or find the cause. September 20th, again, at the samemine, Geo. Miller, while underinining at the face received a fracture of a leg by falling coal, caused by his own neglect. December 17th, Mr. Mooney received a fracture of his leg at the samemine by a clod or top rock that lays over the coal, and is from 12 to 15 inches thick; cause, not securing his room properly. Themanager coinplied with section (6) in the two latter cases. October 3d, Stephen Till received a fracture of his ankle at themines of Logan and Canfield, by fire-clay, falling from the side while loading a car of coal.
"Rumor states that an accident occurred at Moingona last week, bnt re ceiving no official notice I did not respond; and other accidents may have happened in the county withontmebeing notified, through the ignorance or neglect of superintendent or manager in complying with the law. Therefore, I would here call the attention of all superintendents and man agers to section (6) chapter 8 title XI of the Code of the State of Iowa. I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
"E. D. ROBERTS,
"Inspector of Mines."
"BOONESBORO, Iowa, January 18t, 1880.
"To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Boone County, Iowa:
"GENTLEMEN - In conformity with an act of the fifteenth General Assem bly, State of Iowa, chapter 31, title XIof the Code, approved March 18th, 1874, I have the honor to submit to you -my second annual report, which the law iinposes upon me as inspector of coal mines for Boone connty, Iowa. The general condition of the mines has improved since my last re port, there having been 4 new escape shafts sunk.
"There are niveteen different coalmines in the county, employing 575 men, 100 of whom are colored, and 30 boys over 10 and under 16 years of age. There were but two fatal accidents during the year, of which I will speak more directly in another place.
MOINGONA COAL COMPANY.
"I have but little change to make from my last report. They are working but one shaft (number 5); working eighty men and boys. The machinery is same as last year, and in good condition, with two new wire ropes, work ing full time at present.
458 HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
NORTHWESTERN COAL COMPANY
"At Coal Valley are working 60 men and boys. The only change from last year is that they have their escape shaft in good shape for men to escape in case of danger.
"LOWER VEIN COAL COMPANY
"Are working 75 men, 70 of whom are colored. The general condition of themines is the same as last year; also the machinery is the same, except the addition of two new wire ropes. There was a serious accidenthappened at this mine on the 22d of September, 1879, in which a colored man lost his life, caused by not having a man at bottom of shaft to give the proper signals for hoisting men and coal, which was proved to my satisfaction in the coroner's inquest. For further particulars of the saine you will find in copy of the coroner's inquest.
"BOONE AND MARSHALL COAL COMPANY
"Are working 30 men and boys; there is no particular change from last year's report. I notified them on the 11th of January, 1879, to construct another shaft to afford egress and ingress to their mines. Said shaft to be not less than 4x4 feet in the clear, and to be completed within 70 days. To this notice they paid no attention, and owing to the strike last suminer I allowed them to go on without interruption until the last term of the dis trict court when I served an injunction upon them, when Judge McKenzie extended their time four months from the 11th of December, 1879.
"BURLINGHAM'S MINE
"Formerly owned by Rogers & Crow at Milford, is in good condition,having constructed an escape shaft, which makes his mine safe. He is working about 16 inen; no other change from last year.
"ROGERS AND CROW'S COAL MINE
"Is situated on the east side of the Des Moines river, on the Lower Vein Coal Company land. This shaft is 6x14 feet in the clear, and 35 feet deep, and are working 35 men; they work the lower vein coal; hoisting ma chinery is a two-horse ginn; they have but the one shaft yet, but will sink another in the spring.
"LOGAN & CANFIELD COAL MINE
"Is about the sameas in my last report, with the exception of ownership; they work 50 men, 30 of whom are colored. They work about one-half lower vein and half upper vein; machinery the same as last year.
"ZENORVILLE COAL MINES
"Jackson township, J.Clemmen's mine. I could see nothing new from last year, all in good shape, working 50 men, and all doing well. Hutchinson Bros. coal mine is the saine as Mr. Clemmen's inine; the sameas last year,
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working about 35 men. Joseph York's mine has improved from last year, by having an escape shaft, whiob improves his mine very much; working only 8 men; in other respects the same as last year. A. McKenna and P. Brinn have sunk a shaft on George Western's land, about three-fourths of a mile west of the Clemmen's mine. The shaft is 6x12 feet in the clear, and 114 feet deep. They have 4 feet 2 inches of coal and of excellent quality. Hill and Fellows of Boone are at work patting up an engine at this mine now for pumping water; they are not mining much coal at pres ent, owing to the amount of water the coal is inaking, likely draining a large coal field. They are both poor men, and I hope that they may have good luck and overcome the water, and all will be well with them. "BOONE LOWER VEIN COAL COMPANY. "This mine is situated in the southwest corner of Boone county, and is owned by Duncombe & Richards, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. It consists of one shaft, 6x14 feet in the clear, and is eighty -three feet deep from surface or 123 feet from top landing. The machinery consists of two engines 9x12 inch, geared 3 to 1, and 4 foot drum; one cylinder boiler 44 inch by 28 feet long, and two one-inch wire ropes; 1 steam pomp at bottom of shaft, cylinder 12 inch, and 18 inch stroke, water cylinder 75 inches, and 18 inch stroke. Ventilated at present by a steam pipe running from boiler to bottom of shaft; the ventilation is not as good as it ought to be owing to the amount of powder consumed in inining the coal — it being nearly 1 of a pound of powder used to every ton of coal mined. But I am in hopes that the ventilation will be better from the fact that they have just completed another shaft for the purpose of egress and ingress, also the better to ventilate. Its hoisting capacity is about 225 tons per day, but only working at present from 65 to 70 men and boys. This mine has a railroad switch from the Des Moines and Fort Dodge road about three fourths of a mile in length.
"THOMAS LYNCH COAL MINE
"Is situated in Pilot Mound township, and consists of one shaft 6x7 feet with one foot partitioned off for an air shaft and 65 feet deep. This mine is in the worst condition of any mine in the county, not having enough air for measurement, and carbonic acid gas in such a large quan tity that I consider it very dangerous to life and health, so I notified Mr. Lynch to sink another shaft or I would serve an injunction and stop him. He sold out to Wm. Zunkle, so I had to extend the time 60 days to a new man. This is the mine that Thomas Teighe lost his life in on the 11th day of July, last, the particulars of which you will find in a copy of the coroner's inquest.
"ELI MYERS' COAL MINE
"Is situated in Pilot Mound township, and consists of one slope of 50 feet in length and working 12 men. The ventilation very poor, not having corrent enough of air to carry the powder sinoke away and this is due to him not having knowledge enough aboutmining to keep air courses open 80 as to allow the air to follow the miner. Mr. Myers has a small shaft
460 HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
which he uses to hoist water ont of the mine and for the return of the air. Machinery for hoisting a one-horse ginn; coal 4 feet in thickness and of good quality.
"WILSON AND SPEER COAL MINE
"Is situated in Dodge township, but on the east side of the river, their mine consists of one slope 85 feet in length. They work 7 men. This mine is in good shape and good coal 44 feet in thickness; machinery for hoisting a one-horse power ginn.
"DALLAS SMITH COAL MINE
"Is situated in Dodge township, and is known as the Green's Mills coal mine. It consists of one shaft 6x12 feet in the clear and 75 feet deep. This mine is in good shape and is working 4 men. Machinery for hoisting is a one-horse ginn.
"JAMES BUCKLEY'S MINE
"Is situated in Yell township, three-fourths of a mile above Centerville, and consists of one shaft 5x10 feet in the clear, and is 65'feet deep. Working 4 or 5 men. This shaft is in good shape, he having an escape shaft in good order. Machinery for hoisting is a one-horse ginn.
"DAVID BARDWELLS' MINE
"Is situated in Yell township, and consists of one drift running in the bluff. This 'mine is all right and is working 10 men.
"CONOWAY'S
“Or what is known as the Diamond mine, is situated in Des Moines town. ship, and consists of one shaft 54x12 teet in the clear and 45 feet deep. and working 14 men. This mine is not in good shape, from the fact that it has been working for some three (3) or four (4) years and yet has but one (1) shaft, but he promises to sink another in the spring. Machinery for hoisting is a one-horse power ginn.
"I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
"E. D. ROBERTS,
"Inspector of Mines for Boone County,Iowa."