1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

140 ANNUAL REPORT OP THE
No. 64.
Pioneer South.— Jones & Co., Operators.
The colliery is situated south of Ashland, on the estate of the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It consists of a small out
crop, working as a land sale operation, used for supplying families in the
neighborhood, giving employment to some 10 hands. The work is in a
safe condition.
No. 65. Myers.— Myers, Operator.
This colliery is opened on the west out crop of the Pioneer vein, on the
estate of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, west of
Ashland. It consists of a small land sale colliery for supplying families,
giving employment to some 10 hands in winter season.
In concluding my report on these collieries, I am pleased to say they are
all in a much Jbetter condition for health and safety than was the case in
previous years ; hut I deeply regret the large increase of my death rolls
and serious injuries that have occurred during the year ; in mitigation of
which complaint it is proper to refer to the verdicts rendered by coroners'
inquests, based upon evidence adduced by witnesses, going to show that
many of these injuries were occasioned by the sufferers, and not the fault
of the employer s. But there is some excuse for the sufferers, so far as it
is true, that many persons are permitted to work in the mines, such as are
common in the anthracite regions, that ought not to be employed in the
capacity of mining, driving or laboring, but who have little practical experience
in mines at all. But the relation existing, and indeed will exist
between the parties who need employment and those who have the employment
to let, are of such a nature that often the unskilled will occupy the
place of the practical person ; hence it is evident the impractical man is
the least incompetent to take proper care of himself, or use such due diligence
as is necessary in his arocation. Ignorance, rashness, misjudgment
and kindred instances involves him in difficulties by which he loses his life
or receives serious injuries. Instances have occasioned many deaths and
serious injuries to parties that have taken mometary advantages contrary
to law and to the public regulations of the colliery, in riding on loaded
wagons, crowding on slope and shaft cages, entering places with naked
lights, mining under bad roofs without propings, and doing such acts that
often result in death.