Vermillion County, Indiana - Chapter 16: The Coal Mining Industry, 1913

Chapter 16: The Coal Mining Industry

Aside from agriculture, the greatest source of annual revenue to the citizens of X'ermillion count)' are its coal mines, which are very extensive and prolific of much output, returning a large revenue to the operators and people in general, who reap from the immense shipments of the best grade of bituminous coal found in the state. As large as the mining interest is already, it has been estimated by experts in coal lands, and b\- geologists, that the zenith of its development will not have been reached for another c[uarter of a century. The six principal coal mining companies are operating nearly a score of separate mines, and are employing upwards of three thousand men. One of the largest and most thoroughly modern, up-to-date collieries in the United States is located near Clinton, the Bunsen Coal Company, a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation. More than three and one-half million dollars are invested in this one plant for mining soft coal. When one contemplates the fact that the coal measure of the United States is limited to a few states, and to a small portion of these few states, and that more than ninety million people are depending largely on these coal mines for their fuel, both for domestic and manufacturing purposes, it will be better understood what a prize Vermillion county has locked up within her hills and valleys. The subjoined table will show the production of coal in Vermillion county, as contrasted with the other great coal-bearing counties of Indiana, in 1910. as per the state reports. Of the total number of tons, there were 17,429,785 tons of bituminous and 875,459 tons of block coal. Accom])anying the item of production, this table also shows the wages paid.

An early account of the development of the coal industry in Vermillion county reads as follows, the same having been compiled, in 1887: "The Norton Creek coal mines are located on the line between Clinton and Helt townships, on section 5 of Clinton township and section 7,2 of Helt township. Their development commenced in the month of December, 1884. F- -^- Bowen was the proprietor and Charles P. Walker, of Clinton, the superintendent and manager. In the spring of 1885, under the general laws of ^Visconsin, the 'Norton Creek Coal Mining Company' was organized, with a paid-up capital of $40,000, with its general offices at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. H. M. Benjamin, of that city, is the president of the company, and Charles P. \\'alker, of Clinton, Indiana, superintendent and treasurer, and general agent for Indiana. Connected with the propertx- are two hundred and fifty-live acres of land. The mines are about two and one-half miles west of the Eastern Illinois Railroad and connected by a spur track. The company also owns the old Briar Hill mines, on section 9, Clinton township, but they are not now being worked.

"On the southeast portion of section 5 is located the company's large mercantile establishment and local offices, which, with twenty-seven tenement hou'^es, constitutes quite a village, called Geneva, named in honor of a daughter of Superintendent Walker. The sales of coal in 1886 reached $160,000, and the mercantile establishment $42,000. Near the mines are several tenement houses, and at the Briar Hill mines elexen houses. All are occupied by emjjloyes of the company. The business is increasing, owing to the excellent quality of coal produced. Commencing with the winter of 1887- 88 an average working force of three hundred men are employed."

Great had been the change by 19 10, when the state reports show that 1,042 miners were employed in this county, who were using the pick in mining bituminous coal ; received $829,000 wages, or $672 average per man during the year named. Then besides these men there were 286 miners engaged in bituminous "machine mines," receiving $228,400 jjer vear.

Average Wages Of Employes

The wages paid here are about in keeping with the average in Indiana, of which the state reports two years ago said : "The total wages reported from the bituminous field being $14,318,196.12, shows an average of $741.87 for each bituminous mine employe, and the total wages paid to block coal miners being $1,209,194.60, shows an average earning of $646.27 for each block coal employe; the aggregate wages for the state being $15,527,390.72 and the total numl)er of employes in the state 21,171, shows an average earning of $733.42 for each mine employe in the state."

The following were the approximate prices received for the Indiana coal product in 1910, according to the last obtainable official reports: The market prices for bituminous coal during the period from January to April i (except yearly contracts) ranged from $1.15 to $1.75 per ton for mine run, free on board cars at the mine, the highest prices prex'ailing during the month of March. More coal was produced in this month than either of the two months preceding: $1.40 would probably l)e a fair average selling price for this period. From May to October i prices ranged from $2.50 down to $1.35: but a fair average for that jjcriod would be $1.95 per ton. From October to January i prices fluctuated, ranging from $1.35 to $1.50 and as low as $1.15; $1.35 would be a fair average for this period, or a probable average of $1.60 per ton for bituminous coal (mine run) for the year. Market prices for l>lock

The cost of production from the bituminous fields of Indiana was figured a fraction in excess of eighty-three cents per ton for the labor cost for the total output of bituminous coal. The total wages for the block coal field was $1,209,- 194. or a fraction over $1.38 per ton for labor cost of production of block -coal.

In reviewing the mining industry for Indiana for the year of 1910, a gratifying condition of affairs was disclosed in many branches of this important industry. A larger increase in the production of coal, stronger and steadier market demands, a higher a\erage selling price for all grades of coal, the highest average wage earned by mine employes, fewer strikes and a much larger tonnage per each fatal, permanent or serious accident to mine emplo}-ees are shown than in any preceding year in the history of the state. In 1910 the production was 18,125,244 short tons, an increase of a fraction over thirty-two per cent, over 1909, the highest previous year in coal production in Indiana.

A certain per cent, of this increase came from every county in the state, except Fountain and Perry counties, with one mine in each, which were idle or working less than ten men. The largest increase came from Vermillion, Vigo and Sullivan counties, and was produced by machine mines. Sullivan county, with 1,539,000 tons, showed the largest increase of all the counties, while Knox and A'ermillion were not far behind.

Distribution Of The Product

Of the bituminous coal output in the state in 1910, 7,968,732 tons were in Indiana and 9,281,048 were shipped to other states, and of the block coal, 266,918 tons were consumed in Indiana and 608,541 tons shipped to other states, or a fraction over fifty-four per cent, of the entire production shipped to other states.

The following table gives the name, owners, the geological number of the dififerent coal seams, character, thickness of seam and depth over overhing strata, of the mines being operated in Vermillion county in 1910:

New Mine

In ]C)io there were two new mines opened and their first shipments of coal were made in the early days of December of that year. These mines are Crown Hill No. 4 and 5, both owned and operated by the Clinton Coal Company. No. 4 is located on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 29, township 14. range 9. in Clinton township: No. 5 is located on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, township 14, range TO, Clinton township. No. 4 mine is a machine mine, while No. 5 is a hand producing mine, both bituminous coal, running from four feet six inches to five feet in thickness of vein.

Miners And Appliances

The state reports give in 19 10 the following concerning the miners and appliances with which they work in getting out the vast tonnage of coal :

The Last And Largest Mines

The most exlensixe coal mines within the county, or state, are the property of the Bunsen Coal Compan_\', which corporation opened their works in the month of October, 191 1, on section 31, township 14. range 9 west. The president of the compam- is T. H. L)-nch; the secretar\- and treasurer, W. S. W'ardley: the general supenntendent, C. F. Lynch, and the superintendent, Charles Karral. The present machinist is George h'innigan. These mines are about six miles to the southwest of the city of Clinton. Three hundred and twenty men are now employed at the works, which are constantly de- \-eloping and widening out. Twenty-six mules are used under the ground for drawing the cars to the shaft opening, from which it is hoisted by powerful, modern machinery to the surface and then dumped into the waiting coal cars of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, which line transjjorts most of the product to South Chicago. More than tliree and one-half million dollars ha\e iieen in\-ested in this plant, wliich now consists of Uni\'ersal Mine Xo. 4, which is one hundred and sixty-fi\-e feet beneath the surface, and has a vein of foiu' feet and eleven inches in thickness; L'niversal Mine No. 3, two hundrefl and thirty-six feet deep, with a vein thickness of four feet ten inches. These mines bear the geological numbers of four and five.

The output in December, 1912, was about eighteen hundred tons ijer day, and it is expected that soon the tw^o mines, w hich are \ery near one another, will have a daily output of three thousand three hundred tons daily. The motto of this company is "Safety, the First Consideration." The scientific care exercised about these immense coal-producing mines is indeed wonderful, even to the casual oliserver. Every appliance of safety, convenience and comfort is gi\en the miners. The buildings consist of sexenteen residences for the use of the ofificers and superintendents; the offices, power house, bath house, fan houses, boiler house, blacksmith shops, granary, mule barns, supply house, two tipples and two engine rooms. The bath house, as well as all other buildings around the plant proper, is constructed of cement and is fire proof. The bath house is built on modern plans for miners. Here are afforded hot and cold w-ater, the year round. Here the miners and other helpers go and removing their good clothes, put on their rough working suits. the suits not in use being suspended high up in the spacious bath house, fastened by a strong chain and lock, the key being carried by the miners, so nothing can be stolen, even to money in the pockets, as all are hung high up to the ceiling and no one but the owner can get them down. Upon coming from the mine the men go at once, if they choose, to this bath room, and there take a wash and shower bath before putting on their better suits, when they come forth not looking like ordinary miners, but neat and clean. One hundred and sixty-five miners, in December, 1912, were availing themselves of the free use of this bath house. . The owners and managers of this plant have profited by the experience of the past methods employed in coal mining, and bettered every condition as far as safety and comfort is concerned, that is possible, tinder present conditions and knowledge. A high class of men are employe' From officers down, the mines are run by men of intelligence and sobriety.

At the site of the mines has been located a village, in which there are already numerous business houses and a postoffice called Universal, which was established in October. 1912. The coal company has no interest in this village, its site or Ijusiness interests. They do not conduct the usual "mine store," out of which so much dissatisfaction has come in other mining places. Less than two years ago there was not a house on the present site of Bunsen : it has grown like magic and is destined to grow rapidly as the development of the mines increases. It may be added that both "hand" and "machine" mines are operated - Universal No. 4 is machine, while No. 5 is hand mined coal.