VERNON COUNTY.

Coal is being mined at Bellamy, Bronaugh, Sheldon, Walker, Milo, Moundville, Nevada, Kitterman and Carbon Centre. In fact, coal has been mined in nearly every township in the county. The seams now being worked vary in thickness from 18 inches to 5 feet. At Carbon Centre, I am told, it has been found even 6 and 7 feet in thickness. It is being worked from the surface to a depth of 130 feet, and where it is found near the surface the overlying clay is removed and the coal quarried out. This method of working is called "stripping." There is probably more of this kind of mining (stripping) being done in this county than any other county in the State. Railroad facilities are good. The Missouri Pacific railroad passing through the county from north to south; the M., K. & T. railroad from northeast to southwest, and a branch of the K. C., Ft. S. & M. railroad extends to Carbon Centre, the greatest coal shipping point in the county.

The output during the past year shows an increase of more than 93 per cent over the preceding year.

CARBON CENTRE POSTOFFICE.

Allen, R. E.-Mine located about 1 mile south of Carbon Centre; connected with the K. C., Ft. S. & M. railroad by a switch. This has been a valuable plant, but the mine is now nearly exhausted, most of the work being confined to drawing pillars.

Bryan, Wm. O. & Co.--Strip-pits; located at Carbon Centre; coal consumed in Missouri and Kansas.

Hoss, G. S.-Is operating a number of strip-pits at Carbon Centre, also one slope which was, at date of inspection, being run by Messrs. Orris & Shilling. The coal is about 4 feet thick and worked on the pillar and room plan. Mine is in reasonably good condition. Inspection was made November 11, 1890.

Hurst, E. N.-Slope; located at Carbon Centre; mine was idle at date of inspection (November 11), and had been for several months, but preparations were being made to commence operation again.

KETTERMAN POSTOFFICE.

Timber Hill Coal mine-Operated by A. O. Finley; shaft 63 feet deep; horse power; mine inspected November 11; at that date the company had just completed a new shaft, and were driving entries. preparatory to turning rooms. This shaft is located only a short distance from the old one. It is the intention to drive a roadway from one shaft to the other, to be used as an escapement and ventilating shaft.

MOUNDVILLE POSTOFFICE.

Devore, J. M.-Mine located at Moundville; shaft 35 feet deep; horse power; coal 24 to 30 inches thick; worked pillar and room plan. Hill, W. L.-Mine located 1 mile north of Moundville; shaft 26 feet deep; horse power; ventilated by a small furnace, which was not giving good results at date of inspection (November 18). This was caused by the ventilating furnace not being properly looked after. The air which was being removed by the furnace was not properly conducted around the works. Mr. Hill's mine foreman was notified of this deficiency in the ventilation, and requested to have it adjusted immediately. Mine well drained and otherwise in fairly good condition.

Robinson, W. D.-Shaft 30 feet deep; located at Moundville. The mine was being operated by Mr. Shields at date of inspection; but I understand it has since changed hands. The coal is about 30 inches thick; worked pillar and room plan.

Warner Powell-Mine located about mile west of Moundville. The mine is new, having been sunk during the past year; the coal is about 30 inches thick; worked pillar and room plan; mine operated for home consumption.

Keith & Perry Coal company-John Perry, general manager; Geo. R. Sweeney, superintendent.

The mine is located about 3 miles south of Rich Hill and about mile south of the Bates county line; the shaft was sunk October, 1890, and the machinery removed from No. 6 and erected during the following spring; many of the miners' houses were also removed from No. 6 and placed near this mine. The plant is well equipped for the economical and convenient handling of coal. Owing to some trouble in securing the right of way for a railroad switch, the mine has shipped no coal during the past year. However, this trouble has been adjusted and a connection made with the Mo. P. R. R.

roof.

The coal is about 4 feet in thickness, overlaid with a black slate