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'Probably no phase of coal preparation requires the supervision and care that must be given to shooting practices. The type of explosive used is a safety powder known as "Duobel" and has been selected because it is most suitable for the coal mined in the White Oak Mines. Not only must the explosive be of the best quality and best suited for the work of breaking down the coal, but its use must be supervised and restricted. The proper amount to use; the size of the cartridge; the manner of tamping and many other details are looked after so that a maximum of lump and coarse coal is produced after shooting. This view shows the working place after the 'breaker shot' has been fired.'

25. Breaker Shot

IDNO:
002642
Title:
Breaker Shot
Description:
'Probably no phase of coal preparation requires the supervision and care that must be given to shooting practices. The type of explosive used is a safety powder known as "Duobel" and has been selected because it is most suitable for the coal mined in the White Oak Mines. Not only must the explosive be of the best quality and best suited for the work of breaking down the coal, but its use must be supervised and restricted. The proper amount to use; the size of the cartridge; the manner of tamping and many other details are looked after so that a maximum of lump and coarse coal is produced after shooting. This view shows the working place after the 'breaker shot' has been fired.'
'This miner has just completed loading a mine car of weighing net about two and one-half tons, and is waiting for a locomotive to come along and take it out and give him another empty car. An industrious miner will load about six and sometimes eight of these cars in one day. This is a wooden mine car that is now being rapidly replaced by steel mine car equipment. The number of post shown in this picture indicate again the immense amount of timber required to conduct operations in a safe manner.'

26. Loaded Mine Car

IDNO:
002653
Title:
Loaded Mine Car
Description:
'This miner has just completed loading a mine car of weighing net about two and one-half tons, and is waiting for a locomotive to come along and take it out and give him another empty car. An industrious miner will load about six and sometimes eight of these cars in one day. This is a wooden mine car that is now being rapidly replaced by steel mine car equipment. The number of post shown in this picture indicate again the immense amount of timber required to conduct operations in a safe manner.'
'White Oak preparation begins when the machine leaves and the miner is ready to shoot down his coal. The shooting inspector on the left has not only located the hole for the miner to drill, but instructed him as to what angle he must bore his hole to contain the necessary explosive used in dislodging the coal from the seam. The "kerf" made by cutting machine is plainly visible in this picture and you will note the cutting or "bug dust" have been removed before the coal is shot. The length of the auger used by the miner and the width of the bit which determines the size of the hole bored, is also carefully regulated.'

27. Miners Preparing to Shoot Down Coal

IDNO:
002655
Title:
Miners Preparing to Shoot Down Coal
Description:
'White Oak preparation begins when the machine leaves and the miner is ready to shoot down his coal. The shooting inspector on the left has not only located the hole for the miner to drill, but instructed him as to what angle he must bore his hole to contain the necessary explosive used in dislodging the coal from the seam. The "kerf" made by cutting machine is plainly visible in this picture and you will note the cutting or "bug dust" have been removed before the coal is shot. The length of the auger used by the miner and the width of the bit which determines the size of the hole bored, is also carefully regulated.'
Buildings outside of a coal mine. There are small houses in the background.

28. Coal Mine Facilities

IDNO:
002660
Title:
Coal Mine Facilities
Date:
ca. 1920
Description:
Buildings outside of a coal mine. There are small houses in the background.
Man examines White Oak coal after delivery in the dealers yard in Indianapolis.

29. White Oak Coal

IDNO:
002661
Title:
White Oak Coal
Description:
Man examines White Oak coal after delivery in the dealers yard in Indianapolis.

30. Summerlee Hoisting Room, C. B. Lee, Engineer, at the Controller

IDNO:
002694
Title:
Summerlee Hoisting Room, C. B. Lee, Engineer, at the Controller
Date:
ca. 1900-1920
'All ready-Hoist! This is an end view of one of our new steel mine cars on a cage at one of the White Oak Shaft mines, and the signal has just been given to hoist it to the surface--450 feet up! These electric equipped hoists can hoist a car every twenty seconds and dump it! The cars are placed on the cages automatically by creeper chains and car stops. One man operates the signals and car stops and chains.'

31. Steel Mine Car at One of the White Oak Shaft Mines

IDNO:
002706
Title:
Steel Mine Car at One of the White Oak Shaft Mines
Description:
'All ready-Hoist! This is an end view of one of our new steel mine cars on a cage at one of the White Oak Shaft mines, and the signal has just been given to hoist it to the surface--450 feet up! These electric equipped hoists can hoist a car every twenty seconds and dump it! The cars are placed on the cages automatically by creeper chains and car stops. One man operates the signals and car stops and chains.'
View of the mechanics of a stove coal washer.

32. Stove Coal Washer, Price Hill Colliery Company

IDNO:
002707
Title:
Stove Coal Washer, Price Hill Colliery Company
Description:
View of the mechanics of a stove coal washer.
'Coal at all White Oak shafts mines is handled on self dumping cages, which handle the coal uniformly and with a minimum of breakage. Note how evenly the coal is flowing from the mine car. Much more rapid of course than the picture indicates, but it shows how well designed the equipment must be to handle the coal in such splendid manner.'

33. Self Dumping Cages

IDNO:
002708
Title:
Self Dumping Cages
Description:
'Coal at all White Oak shafts mines is handled on self dumping cages, which handle the coal uniformly and with a minimum of breakage. Note how evenly the coal is flowing from the mine car. Much more rapid of course than the picture indicates, but it shows how well designed the equipment must be to handle the coal in such splendid manner.'
Man working in the Scarbro Mine Hoisting Room and Sub-Station, built in 1915-1916.

34. Scarbro Mine Hoisting Room and Sub-Station, Built 1915-1916

IDNO:
002766
Title:
Scarbro Mine Hoisting Room and Sub-Station, Built 1915-1916
Description:
Man working in the Scarbro Mine Hoisting Room and Sub-Station, built in 1915-1916.
From left to right: Jake Sibloski, Walter Miller, Louis Roncaglione, Andrew Vargo and Fred Lamb.

35. Scarbro Team which Won the International First Aid Contest at Denver, Colorado in 1920

IDNO:
002767
Title:
Scarbro Team which Won the International First Aid Contest at Denver, Colorado in 1920
Date:
1920
Description:
From left to right: Jake Sibloski, Walter Miller, Louis Roncaglione, Andrew Vargo and Fred Lamb.
Crowds gather to watch miners participate in Safety Day exercises.

36. Safety Day Is Important

IDNO:
002768
Title:
Safety Day Is Important
Date:
ca. 1920-1940
Description:
Crowds gather to watch miners participate in Safety Day exercises.