1898 Coal Mines in Wyoming

Office of State Coal Mine Inspector for Wyoming
Glenrock, Wyo., December 31, 1898

His Excellency,
        William A. Richards,
                Governor of Wyoming.

Sir: --

I have the honor, as Inspector of Coal Mines for the State of Wyoming, to submit this, my report of operations of the coal mines in the State during the year ending September 30, 1898.

During the year ended September 30, 1898, the coal mined in the State, as reported to me by mine operators, was 2,871,846 tons. In addition to this amount, there was mined at small operations at Douglas, Buffalo, Sheridan, Thermopolis, Lander, Casper, and other places, in mines employing from three to eight men, and not coming under my control, 85,000 tons (estimated), making the total output for the year 2,946,846 tons, an increase over the previous year of 283,713 tons.

Very respectfully submitted,

        NOAH YOUNG,
State Coal Mine Inspector.

* I alphabetized and added County Names

**  I can find no record of a Red Canon or a Red Canon Mine in any other documents. There is a steel mine located at Red Canyon, which is between Lander and Atlantic City, and it is believed that  there was a coal mine there in the past. It is possible that this is a reference to this Red Canyon Mine.
**  Update! Site Visitor Austin Moon informs me that Wyoming State Geological Survey website lists Red Canon Mine # 5 as being seven miles from Evanston, in Uinta County. Thanks Austin!

Rock Springs Mine No. 1 -- This mine, the most extensive in Wyoming, is situated at Rock Springs, and is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company. The superintendent is George L. Black of Rock Springs. The mine, in it's busiest season, employs 523 men and boys, the average for the year having been 485. During the year ended September 30, 1898, the mine shipped 162,629 tons of lump; 34,635 tons of stove; 26,502 tons run of mine; 31,463 tons nut; 165,551 tons of slack; total, 420,780 tons. The cost of mining on board railroad cars was $1.30 per ton; the price paid to miners was fifty-five and seventy cents per ton. The number of accidents during the year was one fatal and two non-fatal. The capacity of the mine is 1,800 tons per day. The mine is ventilated by a twenty foot Guibal fan, the volume of air current in cubic feet per minute being 93,852 feet. The improvements and developments during the year have been opening 2,267 additional yards of entry; 2,652 yards of air course, and 553 yards of cross-cut.

The mine is in excellent condition, and well managed. With the increasing spread of the workings additional ventilating power will be required in the future.

Rock Springs Mine No. 7 -- This mine is situated at Rock Springs; is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the superintendent being George L. Black. The mine  employs, at its full capacity, 161 employees [sic], the average during the year having been 122. Production of coal was suspended from this mine during the months of February, March, April, and May on account of temporary dullness of the market. The production for the year was 188 tons of lump; 340 tons of stove; 58,489 tons run of mine; 40 tons slack; total, 59,057 tons. There were no accidents in this mine during the year. The mine is ventilated by a twenty foot Guibal fan, the volume of air current in cubic feet per minute being 44,480 feet. The capacity of the mine is 1,500 tons per day. The improvements and developments during the year have been opening 1,145 yards of entry; 364 yards of air course, and ninety-two yards of cross-cut.

Rock Springs Mine No. 8 -- This mine is situated at Rock Springs; is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the superintendent being George L. Black. The mine  employs 256 employees [sic], this being the average number employed during the year. During the year ended September 30, 1898, the production of coal was 128,934 tons of lump; 325 tons of stove; 42,883 tons run of mine; 15,993 tons nut; 61,832 tons slack; total, 249,967 tons. During the year there were two fatal and four non-fatal accidents. The mine is ventilated by a twelve foot Murphy fan, the volume of air current  being 29,780 cubic feet per minute. The improvements  during the year have been opening 4,223 yards of entry; 2,815 yards of air course, and 1,367 yards of cross-cut. An electric motor for hauling coal has been placed in the mine during the year. The mine is in excellent condition.

Rock Springs Mine No. 9 -- This mine is situated at Rock Springs; is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the superintendent being George L. Black. The average number of employees [sic] during the year was 273. During the year ended September 30, 1898, the mine shipped 67,244 tons of lump; 60,049 tons of egg; 77,276 tons run of mine; 437 tons nut; 37,797 tons slack; total, 244,803 tons. There were no accidents during the year. The mine is ventilated by a twenty foot Guibal fan, the volume of air current  being 34,300 cubic feet per minute. The capacity of the mine is 1,000 tons per day. The improvements  during the year have been opening 1,563 yards of entry; 1,449 yards of air course, 551 yards of cross-cut. The mine is in good condition.

Hanna Mine No. 1 -- This mine is situated at Hanna; is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the superintendent being Alexander Briggs. The mine employs an average of 306 employees [sic] during the year. The production for the year ended September 30, 1898 was 164,790 tons of lump; 30,897 tons nut; 29,560 tons slack; total, 225,247 tons. The production was cut down 60,000 tons by a strike of six weeks. There were two fatal accidents during the year. Ventilation is supplied by fan, the volume of air current  being 122,000 cubic feet per minute. The capacity of the mine is 1,500 tons per day. The improvements  during the year have consisted in driving a rock tunnel to catch the coal cast of a fault at No. 17 entry. No. 16 entry was driven 600 yards to open rooms on this level. A drift has been opened on the twelve-foot seam to test the quality of the coal. Prospecting has been done with good results on No. 1 and No. 12 seams. Exhaust steam has been taken up for heating water for boilers with good results. The mine is gaseous, but no accidents from this source have occurred. Great care is taken in providing ample ventilation, and the mine is well managed in all respects. The mine is generally in good condition, with fair prospects for better production. The men are making good wages, and have recently been making overtime.

Carbon Mine No. 2 -- This mine is situated at Carbon; is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the superintendent being Alexander Briggs. The mine employed during the year an average of 157 employees [sic]. The production of coal for the year was 129,109 tons of lump, all of which was used for railroad purposes on the Nebraska and Kansas divisions of the Union Pacific railway.  There were no accidents during the year. The ventilation is supplied by fan, the volume of air current  being 43,000 cubic feet of air per minute. No improvements have been made in this mine during the year. The coal is rapidly being exhausted, and the mine will soon be closed.

Almy Mine No. 7 -- This mine is situated at Almy; is owned by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the superintendent being James Bowns. The mine has employed an average of 100 employees [sic] during the year. The production for the year ended September 30, 1898 was 166,938 tons lump; 15,346 tons slack; total, 82,284 tons. There were no accidents during the year. Ventilation is supplied by a twenty-foot Vulcan fan, the volume of air current  being 94,304 cubic feet per minute. The capacity of the mine is 700 tons per day. One-half of the product of the mine is shipped to Utah. The developments during the year have been driving 133 1-3 yards of slope; 124 yards of entry; 240 2-3 yards of air course, and 90 2-3 yards of cross-cut. Great care is necessary at all times to avoid accidents from gas.

Red Canon Mine No. 5--This mine is situated at Red Canon:  is owned by the Rocky Mountain Coal and Iron Company, the superintendent being A. E. Bradbury.  The average number of employees during the period the mine was in operation during the year was eighty-two.  The production for the year ended September 30, 1898, was 87,244 tons of lump: 6,155 tons slack: total, 93,399 tons.  The mine was in  operation 268 days during the year.  There was one non-fatal accident in the mine during the year.  The mine is ventilated by a suction fan, the air current being over 100,000 cubic feet per minute.  The capacity of the mine is 300 tons per day; all of the product is shipped to Utah.  During the year 901 1-3 yards of entry was driven; 335 2-3 yards of air course; 180 yards of slope; 115 yards of tramway, and 30 yards of cross-cut.  Constant care is required in this mine to guard against accidents from gas and dust explosions.

Red Canon Mine No. 6--This mine is situated at Red Canon; is owned by the Rocky Mountain Coal and Iron Company, the superintendent being A. E. Bradbury.  The average number of employees for  the time the mine was operated during the year was ninety-eight.  The production for the year ended September 30, 1898, was 70,342 tons lump; 15,672 tons slack; total, 86,014 tons.  The mine was in operation 269 days during the year.  There were no accidents.  The ventilation is by suction fan, the volume of air current being 90,000 cubic feet per minute.  The capacity of the mine is 300 tons per day: all of the product is shipped to Utah.  The improvements made during the year consisted of 126 1-3 yards of cross-cut: 1,389 2-3 yards of entry; 192 2-3 yards of air course; 104 2-3 yards slope, and 109 yards of manway.  As in No. 5 mine, constant care is exercised to prevent accidents from gas and dust.

Sweetwater Mine No. 1--This mine is situated near Rock Springs: owned by the Sweetwater Coal Mining Company, the superintendent being F. P. Gridley.  The mine employs 250 men.  The production during the year ended September 30, 1898, was 54,000 tons lump; 40,000 tons nut; 12,000 tons slack; 22,000 tons run of mine; total, 56,400 tons.  No accidents occurred during the year.  Ventilation is by fan and air shaft, the volume of air being 38,000 cubic feet per minute.  Ninety-five per cent of the product is shipped to outside markets.  The mine is in excellent condition.

Rock Springs Mine No. 2 -- This mine is situated near Rock Springs; is owned ny the Sweetwater Coal Mining Company, the superintendent being F.P. Gridley. The mine employs 100 men. The production during the year ended September 30, 1898, was 21,000 tons limp; 1,000 tons nut; 12,000 tons slack; 22,000 tons run of mine; total 56,400 tons. No accidents occurred during the year. Ventilation is by fan and air shaft, the volume of air being 38,000 cubic feet per minute. Ninety-five per cent of the product is shipped to outside markets. The mine is in Excellent condition.

Glenrock Mine--This mine is situated at Glenrock; is owned by the Glenrock Coal Company, John McNeill being manager.  The average number of employees fro the year was sixty-five.  The production for t he year ended September 30, 1898, was 28,195 lump; 18,075 tons nut; total, 46,270 tons.  There was one non-fatal accident during the year.  The mine is ventilated by fan, the volume of air current being 16,000 cubic feet per minute.  Ninety-five per cent of the product of the mine is shipped to Dakota and Nebraska.  The improvements made during the year have been driving the main slope 480 feet; 3,000 feet of main entry work; four coal cutting machines put in; a new 120 horse power air compressor and two new boilers put in.  The mine is in good condition, and has a capacity of 300 tons per day.

Sheridan Mine No. 1--This mine is situated at Higbee; is owned by the Sheridan Fuel Company, the superintendent being Stewart Kennedy.  The average number of men employed is 125.  The production during the year was 60,000 tons lump; 20,000 tons nut; 10,000 tons slack; total, 90,000 tons.  There were no accidents in the mine during the year.  The mine is ventilated by an exhaust fan, the volume of air current being 50,000 cubic feet per minute.  The product of the mine is shipped to Nebraska.  An underground hauling plant has been placed in operation during the year.

The Jumbo Mine--This mine is situated at Cambria; is owned by The Cambria Mining Company.  The average number of employees is 267.  During the year ended September 30, 1898, the production was wor,495 tons of lump; 3,359 tons nut; 47,911 tons slack; total, 256,795 tons.  The production of coke was 9,282 tons.  During the year there were two accidents, one fatal and one non-fatal.  The mine is ventilated by fan, the volume of air current being 56,870 cubic feet per minute.  About 85 per cent of the product of the mine was shipped to South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.  The mine is in good order and well managed.

Antelope Mine Nos. 1 and 2--This mine is  situated at Cambria; is owned by the Cambria Mining Company, and employs an average of 282 employees.  The production for the year ended September 30, 1898, was 200,622 tons lump; 3,280 tone of nut; coke was 9,061 tons.  During the year there were one fatal and two non-fatal accidents.  The mine is ventilated by fans, the volume of air current being 72,650 cubic feet per minute.  The capacity of the mine is 1,400 tons per day.  About 85 per cent of the product is shipped to South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.  The mine is in good order, and will probably increase its shipments during the coming year.

Diamond Mine No. 1--This mine is situated at Diamondville; is owned by the Diamond Coal and Coke Company, the superintendent being Thos. Sneddon.  The average number of employees during the year was 405.  The production for the year ended September 30, 1898, was 128,529 tons of lump; 57,221 tons run of mine; 17,734 tons nut; 56,124 tons slack; total, 259,698 tons.  By reason of a local strike, the production of the mine was cut down 50,000 tons for the year.  There was one fatal accident at this mine during the year.  The ventilation is by a twenty-five foot diameter fan, the air current being 140,000 cubic feet per minute.  The capacity of the mine is now estimated to be 2,500 tons.  Ninety-nine per cent of the production is shipped  to outside markets.  The company is engaged in opening a new mine, to be worked in connection with the Diamond Mine No. 1, which will greatly increase the production during the coming year.

Kemmerer Mine No. 1--This mine is situated at Kemmerer; is owned by the Kemmerer Coal Company, the superintendent being Frank A. Manley.  The average number of men employed is 270.  The production for the year ended September 30, 1898, was 29.000 tons of lump; 22,500 tons nut; 24,000 tons of slack; total, 75,000 tons.  There was one non-fatal accident at the mine during the year.  The ventilation is by a twenty-five foot Guibal exhaust fan, the volume of air current being 52,000 cubic feet per minute.  All of the product is shipped to outside markets.  During the year the following improvements have been made; Fifty new tenement houses erected; two boilers, ventilation fan put in; 400 feet of slope; 800 feet of air course, 1,400 feet of air shaft, 4,000 feet of back entry driven; 4,000 feet of hauling roads put in.  The capacity of t he mine is now 1,200 to 1,500. tons.

Felix Mine--This mine is situated at Felix; is owned by the Felix Coal Company, the superintendent being R. R. Woods.  The mine has recently been opened, and the average number of employees has been fifteen.  The production for the year ended September 30, 1898, was 21,500 tons of lump; 1,000 tons of nut; total 3,500 tons.  There were no accidents at this mine during the year.  The ventilation is provided by furnace.  The capacity of the mine is now 250 tons per day.  Ninety per cent of the product is marketed outside the State.  The improvements made at this mine during the year have been of permanent character, consisting of a tail-rope haulage plant, screens and tipple, bins for storing coal, miners' dwellings, etc.  An air shaft has been driven, and 500 feet of main entry opened.

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