Geographji of Ohio 175 



Men have long realized the extravagant methods of operating 

 coal mines in Ohio, as well as in other states. Many years ago 

 Professor Edward Orton, Sr., spoke-^ eloquently on this subject, 

 realizing, however, that nothing could be accomplished without 

 cooperation between the states; he showed how the loss from in- 

 complete or reckless mining ranges sometimes as high as 25 per 

 cent. In most cases, this is an irredeemable loss. As this fuel 

 becomes scarcer, the methods of the earlier generation of coal 

 operators and the conditions that accounted for their negligence 

 and recklessness, may be cataloged among the activities of semi- 

 barbarous men. 



Centers of coal mining. There are many rock horizons in Ohio 

 that produce coal of commercial importance. To discuss all of 

 these would lead this chapter into needless detail. One general 

 principle should be kept in mind. The coal areas first developed 

 and most extensively operated are not always the best seams. 

 Shipping facilities must control mining operations. An important 

 factor in the cost of coal when it reaches the consumer is freight. 

 Railroads or water routes connecting the mines and the consumer 

 make it impossible to operate other coal areas, which do not have 

 these shipping facilities. For this reason, the early mining opera- 

 tions in Ohio were partly confined to areas containing the rela- 

 tively poor coal. 



The Pittsburgh coal seam exists in a few counties of the state. 

 This is the most famous horizon of coal in the Appalachian region. 

 It is worked in Belmont more than in any other county; Jeffer- 

 son perhaps ranks next. To some extent, the Pittsburgh coal is 

 mined also in Harrison, Noble, Guernsey, Washington, Monroe, 

 Morgan, Athens, Meigs and Gallia counties. 



The Pomeroy coal, which lies from 20 to 55 feet above the Pitts- 

 burgh coal, is worked in Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence counties. 

 While this horizon may be located in a few other counties, it is 

 of no practical importance. 



Meigs creek coal, 80 to 100 feet above the Pittsburgh, has been 

 mined in Belmont, Harrison, Monroe, Washington, Noble and 

 Morgan counties. It exists also in Jefferson and Guernsey, 

 and in the latter countj^ has been worked a little at one point. 



The Clarion coal seam attains much importance in Vinton, 



" Geological Survey of Ohio, vol. vii, (1893), p. 268. 



