The bee., 1897-05-06
DOWN IN The MINES.

Regardless OF the fact that coal business
is dull at the best during the spring and
summer season. and miners can not expect
to get steady work. the block coal miners
of Indiana threaten TO strike and even re-
ject the half loaf which is better than
none. Rather than accept a small redue-
ton in wages. they are about to decide to
lay down their pick and shovel and prey
upon the charity OF the public.
Secretary Plat. Of the Woodstock Coal
Company. made trip to Evansville last
week in search, we presume. Of coal trade
as well as pleasure.
John Owen is all RICH, as a miner but
when II comes to taking charge OF a pris-
oner and him safely keep. he is no, great
success.
Jake McEuen. OF the ST. Bernard Com
pany at St. Charles is one Of the lucky ap-
plicants for the post Office position. having
no opponent. and sure to win and is worthy
Of the position be seeks
Mr.. Oscar McEuen. an employee of the
St. Bernard Company at this place was
married at Sacramento last Sunday. and
returned here with bis wife same day.
His many friends offer congratulations.
Thousands OF miners in Alabama have
become dissatisfied with their wages and
threaten TO make trouble by ordering a
strike.
No one appreciates few days recrea-
lion better than the miners and you can
rest assured that large number Of them
from Western Kentucky will spend some
time at the Tennessee Centennial.
Billy Kelly. after a loss Of about six
weeks, the result Of an injury to one Of his
feet. thinks he will be ready for work soon.
The Asphalt mines located in Logan
county is about to fall into the hands Of
Pennsylvania capitalists, who are now ne
gotiasing for the purchase Of them.
We understand the Monarch mines
loaded some coal last week and will again
soon be ready to fill all orders.
A train load Of coke consisting of twenty
six cars left this point for St. Louis one
day last week.
Superintendent Crutch6eld and wife
made brief visit here last week Barton
left the mules at home this time Too
slow for him.
The efforts OF the legislators at Frank
fort to lay additional burdens on corpora
tons. especially local operators. will in the
end If successful, prove an injury to those
whom it is their intention to benefit, namely
the miners. Any extra cost attached to
making payments every two weeks. will
eventually come out OF the miner. for the
simple reason that the expense attached 10
the production Of coal Is now as heavy as
they can bear. and more clerks means
more expense. and to operate their mines
at any profit. wages must be cut. So the
legislature should first count the cost be-
fore they proceed too far. Their hearts
may be right but their calculations wrong.
One of our county coal operators. they
claim. is somewhat alarmed over the re-
port that Hile and Cody make bis mine
their headquarters during the day. and we
don't blame him for keeping sharp look
out for that winchester.
Is II not rather strange that some coal
companies can in the face of the fact that
operators all around them are reducing
wages. carry on prosperous business
without initiating them.
One OF the busiest men at work for the
Hecla Coal Company is John NJ. Hogan,
who is a. good man wherever you place
him.