The bee., 1902-03-13
DOWN IN The MINES.


open up a coal mIne at or near Rob-
ards, KY, and now the fact leaks
out that the work thus far existed
only on paper, and that although the
option on 22,000 acres, or rather the
coal rights, had been secured, the
parties supposed to have held the
same allowed the time to expire, and
for that reason it is said that a por-
tion Of the contract entered into in
order to buy the rights above referr-
ed to was of such nature that the
men of means refused to be bound
by it. The clause that met with the
strongest objection, we understand,
was the one that indicates that the
farmers of that vicinity attempted
to make good bargain, In fact, one
that would have virtually placed
them in control of the mines pro-
duction after 1t was opened and left
the investors holding the sack. This
clause read that the wagon trade
without limit should be supplied
with coal at one cent above the costs
of mining. 1t is now said that an
effort will be made to again secure
an option on the same coal field,
leaving out the Objectionable clause,
but that the outlook is rather
gloomy.
Foreman Toombs was the recipient
of a letter last week that caused him
to put on his studying cap. 1t con-
tanned an offer from Mr.. Ed Robin
son, formerly of this place, but now
an official on a Northwestern rail-
road. He was offered a handsome
salary to take charge of a bridge
crew. After a consultation with
friends, and some figuring on the
cost of the move, and additional ex-
pense of living while there, he wise
ly declined the offer and will remain
with the St. Bernard.
Superintendent Harris, in fact,
the whole force of the South Dia-
mond Mine, are justly feeling proud
over the good record made during
the month of February, when an
average of over 12;4OO bushels per
day was loaded for market, and we
understand that the good work thus
far this month fully equals that of
the past month. Miners who are
contented and happy will work and
you can't keep them back.
Mr.. Gabriel Stokes, one of the
trusty guards at South Diamond
Mine, was compelled to undergo a
painful operation last Saturday by
having one of his toes amputated.
The u. M. w. are again using a
form of intimidation. When they
see a young man from darlington,
or other mines that they have thus
far failed to influence, they begin
plying him with questions about
what time he goes to work and what
time he returns home, and how
many work with him. All such
questions are propounded to fright
en-, if possible, the timid and keep
them from work, but such implied
threats have long ago lost their ef-
feet upon the working miners of
Hopkins county, and the most prob
able outcome of such efforts to in
timidate is that Uncle Sam will call
the intimidators to account.
The general opinion among those
in position to make a close esti-
mate as to the outcome of the con-
ference being held this week at
Owensboro between the operators of
Muhlenberg county and the U. NJ.
W., now virtually in control of those
mines, will be compromise or that
will remain about as at
this time. 1t is believed that the
agitators will fight against launch
ing themselves into more trouble In
Western Kentucky.
The few men who have left their
best friends, the coal companies of
this county, to join the army. of
idlers, injure no one but themselves
and make room for other men who
are numerous and apply for work
daily.
A friend, writing from Tennessee,
who keeps in close touch with af-
fairs in this coal field, expresses
much Joy over the success attending
the coal operators in their fight
against the agitators in running
their own business, in a just and
equitable manner. This is only one
Of thousands who see the injustice
attempted by the U. M. w. to con-
troll and direct the use of capital of
which they are not the possessors.
The Oak Hill mine now comes up
with a machine record which seems
to lay all other crack cutting in the
shade. jeff Hale, machine runner,
and Jno. Sharber, hostler. in one ten
hour shift cut 2l5 feet in that mine
recently. There were two breaks in