Coal Mines in 1908 -- Steam locomotives

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The story on the steam locomotive in the mine has a number of different facets.

First, steam locomotives were used in most of the mines in the Pocahontas coal field before 1900.  They varied in size from five tons to 11.5 tons.  There seemed to be no concern about fire hazards or safety hazards as long as there was adequate ventilation.  What made the steam locomotive attractive was it could do the work of 20 to 30 mules, with an operating cost of four times a single mule (according to a H.K. Porter website.)  As electric locomotives became more common in the mines the West Virginia Dept of Mines worked on legislation to outlaw steam locomotives inside mines and it was eventually passed.

Second, Mine Inspectors were not hesitant to write summons for mine operators whom they felt were operating the mine unsafely.  Given that Turkey Gap was probably operating with steam locomotives since the mine opened in 1888 it would be hard to say it was an unsafe practice 20 years later even though the use of steam locomotives was prohibited by the state legislature.  (Turkey Gap was operating with two 8-ton steam mine locomotives in 1896).

Third, minor crimes and civil actions were normally taken before a local magistrate rather than a county court for  a hearing.  Given that Turkey Gap was in Elkhorn District, it was inappropriate to take the case before the Keystone mayor who may have been a magistrate in the Brown's Creek district of McDowell County.

Fourth, the local magistrate quite often would side with the local operator rather than the mine inspector.  A possible reason for this was the magistrate was an elected official and the mine inspector was not necessarily a voter.  On the other hand the WV Dept of Mines annual reports would often note that the mine inspector had attempted to take an operator to court and what action the local magistrate did or not take.  The lack of action by a magistrate could be used in the next election if a tragic mining incident resulted from the magistrates inaction against the operator.     

I have attached a picture of a steam locomotive used in the McDowell Coal & Coke operation on North Fork Branch circa 1900.  The photo is from the Eastern Region Coal Archives at Bluefield, WV.

Alex Schust
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  Subject: Coal Mines in 1908 -- Steam locomotives


  Bluefield Daily Telegraph
  January 24, 1908

  CAN USE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
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  Turkey Gap Company Victor in Suit Brought by State
  ------
      The Turkey Gap Coal and Coke Company was the victor in a suit brought by the state to prohibit them from using steam locomotives in the mine in McDowell county owned and operated by that company.  Several months ago the state mining department attempted to prohibit the use of steam locomotives in mines because of the danger to the health and safety of the men.  The Turkey Gap Coal and Coke Company was charged with the offense and while they were awaiting a hearing before Mayor Epling a writ of prohibition was secured by the coal company restraining the mayor from trying the case on the ground that he was without jurisdiction and the rule was made returnable in February.
      The state mining department then instituted proceedings before Mayor Epling of Keystone, using a warrant in which the offense was charged as being committed on another day.  Judge Johnston, of this city, represented the company and the judgment of the mayor was against the mining department.

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  [Alex Schust tells me that some mines used steam storage locomotives charged from a stationary steam plant, but others did use coal-fired locomotives, such as this case obviously involved.  Even the most rabid steam locomotive fan should have second thoughts about the operation of coal-fired steam locomotives in a coal mine.]

  Gordon Hamilton


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