The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-06-28
LEXINGTON COAL MINES,

/
| Hon. Lee Meriwether, state labo,
commissioner, has the following TO SAY
in regard to the Lexington coal mines
and miners, in his late report to the
governor:
| LAFAYETTE COUNTY--LExINaToN
General Remarks.-The employees OF
the coal mines around Lexington live
both IN the town of Lexington and in
camp called Riverton, three miles
from Lexington, located above and
over the mines. In this camp are
abont sixty houses, owned ky the Lex
iBgton Coal Mining Co. They are box
houses of three rooms each. renting tor
$5 per month. In most parts of the
camp the houses are far enough apart
to allow each family garden. which
Is enclosed by neatly made rustic fences.
showing no little industry on the part
of the miner. Some OF these houses.
on account of the hills which rise on
either side OF them, are extremely hot
In summer. They are also said TO be-
| very cold in winter. though some of
the miners say that they find them
quite comfortable. Most of the houses
| nave an air OF comfort aud refinement {;
on the outside. flowers and vine cover.
cd archways lead up TO vine- covered
doorways. Inside, the floor of the
front room Is covered with rag carpet,
an organ or parlor melodion is some
times part of the furniture, white
curtains ornament the windows. a
white spread covers the bed with nil.
low shams braided in red, while the
centre oil the room is set off by crystal.
ornamented hanging lamp iinglipp
with brass chains, with little stand
underneath.
During the summer months, in this
camp, malaria prevails to some extent.
IL Is attributed by some Of the miners
to the relative location OF the wells and
sewers-the wells in some cases being
at the foot OF the hills, the houses and
other cOnveniences somewhat above
them. The superintendent of these
mines attributes most OF the sickness 10
carelcssness in disposing of refuse of
all kinds, also non attention TO the
laws of health.
The houses In one halt OF the Camp
are in the midst OF an orchard belong
ing to the company. The fruit of this
orchard is free to all, as Is pasturase
for their cows in the company's pss-
ture.
Contented, happy looking wives are
not lacking in these houses, though.
owing to the Incorporate habits of
many OF the miners, there are some
unhappy exceptions. One of the
miners wives expressed a wish thai
payday came but once a month, her
reason being that then only two days
out OF the month instead OF tour, would
be spent by her husband in drinking.
Payday with far too many miners
means the beginning of a two days'
carousal. As no liquor is allowed to
be sold in the camp, the miners are
compelled TO go to town for their liauor.
some remaining away from home until
their money Is all gone. Some of the
Young men save out of their earnings
only enough to pay for their board:
the remainder goes for drink.
The other half OF the camp contains
most OF the foreign element, compris.
ing all nationalities- French, Bohemian,
Italian, Welsh, Scotch, Swedish, Irish
and German. Here the houses are
closer together and some are without
gardens, and nealness is not so general
as in the English speaking part of the
community. Most of the French are
unable to speak a word of English.
These foreigners are said to drink con.
siderable, having beer constantly on
tap, but they do not seem to be affected
by what they drink. Their general
appearance is that of contentment.
The only store TO be found in con.
nectlon with any OF the mines hear
Lexington is located in RIverton. This
store originated in a desire on the part
oil those in authority TO make things
more convenient for the miners and
their wives. Before this store was
opened the miners or their wives were
compelled TO walk TO Lexington every
time they required any household sup
plies. The prices III this company store
are about the same as store prices i'm
the town OF Lexington.
Up to November |, 1889, wages were
paid In cash once every two weeks, ,un-
less the employe desired any part OF
his wages i'll advance, in which case he
was given an order on any store he
might designate. II the order was on
any other store than that of his employ |
er he was charged 5 per cent. on the |
amount advanced him.
Commencing, however, on the 1st
November, 1899, any employe of this |
can get his cash whenever he
wants it. No order, no discount, no
store. Cash any time.
The company has blacksmith shop |