Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0388Description
A black and white stereograh. Image is of a train with a large steam shovel attached to it. Above the image "44" is printed, below the image "V23249 - Mining Coal by Stripping Process Near Scammon, Kansas." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Underwood & Underwood Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Portland, Oregon, London, Eng., Sydney, Aus." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
V23249
MINING COAL BY STRIPPING PROCESS, NEAR SCAMMON, KANSAS
Lat. 37 (Degrees) N.; Long. 95 (Degrees) W.
The United States is in the leading rank of coal producing countries of the present day. Its coal fields are very extensive, the deposits of a single state sometimes exceeding those of Germany or France in area. They are separated into various regions, the most important of which is the Appalachian region. The western central area, including Iowa, Missourit, Kansas and Arkansas, is also important. A great deal of bituminous coal is found there. Kansas, so far as tried, yields the only coking variety in the area.
There is no definite mtehod of mining which will cover all conditions, although the systems may be divided roughly into open working and closed working; mthat is, the mining of exposed seams and undergound seams. This picture gives an idea of the former process, where the coal is being mined by stripping or quarrying. This can only be done when there is no barren rock or earth on top of the deposit, or where it is of such slight depth as to be easily removed. Any machine which is used for open pit excavations is applicable for this work.
Scammon (pronunciation) is in the extreme southeastern part of the state. While Kansas yields less than one-sixth as much bituminous coal as Pennsylvania, and most of it is non-coking, even this amount is of great value in a state lacking wood for fuel. The surface beds may be thinner and of poorer quality, but stripping has some advantages over undergound mining. Less machinery is required. The problem of ventilation is not present, and there is no danger of suffocation from deadly gases. Neither is the miner's life so much in danger through breathing coal dust.
Copyrigh by The Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection