The Butte inter mountain., 1902-01-02
SEVEN WERE KILLED
COAL MItJE INSPECTOR WEIGH
FILES HIS ANNUAL REPORT.
MANY TONS OF COAL MINED
Value Of Coal Mine Product in Mon Z.
tana Last Year Was Nearly
Two Million and Half
Dollars.
Especial to Inter Mountain)


Helena, Jan. Goal Mine Inspector
ernor J. *. Toole his annual report upon
his inspection of the coal mines of Mon
tana. During the year In the 10 coal
mine properties of the state 80 accidents
occurred, Of which seven were fatal. In
each case coroners juries were en-
paneled and In no instance was the COM
pany IN whose mine the accident oc-
Cured held negligent.
Mr.. Welch reports that he has made
many suggestions as to additional safe
guards around the lives of the men en-
ployed in the mines and in each case his
requests have been cheerfully complied
with. He suggests that a law be passed
requiring operators of coal mines In
Montana to make a report to the state
mine inspector whenever an accident oc-
ours.
Statistics On Mines.
Mr.. Welch has compiled figures upon
the coal mine industry in Montana as
follows:
capital invested. ed.............. IS, $3.50, 800
Wages paid during year....... 1,748, $50
Tons of coal mined. ............ /, 1886, ,O35
Total value of coal.............. 2,377, $3.50
Tons OF coke manufactured. ~. 133.651
In coal production Carbon co:nty
leads with product in value amounting
to $511,616 Park county comes next and
Cascade county Is a close third.
Made Personal Inspection.
Mr.. Welch makes an individual report
upon each group of mines In Montana.
In nearly every case he compliments the
management upon the safeguards they
have thrown around their employees
Speaking Of the coal mines operated by
the Anaconda Copper Mining company
the state mine inspector says:
'FThese mines are located ut Belt on
the Neihart branch Of the Montana Cen
trail railway. +. w. C. Whyte is man
ager and J. ]. Kinney Is superintendent.
The vein Is from six to seven feet thick
and Is developed by main entry nearly
two miles long. In this mine is installed
one of the most efficient and pliable
rope haulage systems in the country.
Ventilation Is carefully looked after and
the management deserves special credit
for the way In which they maintain all
runaways. The upper branch OF the vein
is steam coal and the lower branch Is
cokeng coal The cokeing coal is all
washed. The washer In operation con-
sists of both Uuehrlng and Robinson
type and is capable Of handling about
600 a day"
Seven Fatal Accidents.
The following Is a report OF the fatal
accidents In coal mines In Montana dur
ing the last year.
Oscar Padala, killed February by
falling rock in the mines of the Rocky
Fork Coal company.
Arthur Gon, killed March 2 by
heavy timber falling and crushing his
skull, In the same mine. He placed the
timber upright In an insecure position.
Henry c. Smith, killed December by
being caught while oiling fan in the
plant which runs the Clark Fork COM
panys mines.
Bridger mines by having his head caught
between the car and the roof timbers
while entering the mine.
John Jelonka, killed May 20 by a fall
of slate In the mines of the Cottonwood
coal mines in Cascade county.
Lavid Lindsay, killed September 21 by
fall Of coal in Sand Coulee coal mines.
Mike Sader was killed April 21 in the
mine of the Anaconda Copper Mining
company.
Mr. Welch comments upon the condi-
ton of the coal mine industry In Mon
tana and of number of improvements
that have been made by the larger oper-
stors in their properties during the year.
The mines are not nearly exhausted and
will supply coal for consumption at
years to come.