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Adair County Coal Mine Records

 Collection
Identifier: MS A8

Scope and Contents

This collection contains sales slips, paychecks, and worker time cards and other documents including some land leases from Adair County coal mines and companies including Baiotto Coal Company, Inc., Billy Creek Coal Mine, Blacksmith Coal Corporation, Corrigan Coal Company, Kansas City Midland Coal & Mining Company, Orek Coal Company, Rose Hill Coal Mine and Simler Bluff Coal Mine, as well as the Adair County Coal Operators Association.

Dates

  • Creation: 1930-1947, 1954-1956

Creator

Use of the Collection

This collection is open to the public; however, the library reserves the right to restrict access to its collections. Researchers agree to abide by any restrictions placed by the library on its collections. Learn more about our policies and services.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Governors for Truman State University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Researchers further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Truman State University, Pickler Memorial Library, and their officers, employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of collections held by the library.

Historical Note

From 1880 to 1966, Adair County, Missouri, had more than 50 bituminous coal mines based around Novinger, Connelsville, Stahl and Kirksville. The State Bureau of Mines first recognized Adair County coal production in 1888, when 8,000 tons of coal were produced by one shaft mine and one drift mine. By 1905, there were a total of 23 mines which produced 708,000 tons. In 1912, Adair County was the third largest coal producer in the state. Production peaked around 5 million tons, but by 1950, was waning, and the last deep shaft coal mine in Missouri, the Billy Creek Coal Mine west of Novinger, closed in 1966.

Extent

3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The bulk of this collection was donated in October 1967 by Bill Baiotto, who, along with his father Marion, operated the Billy Creek Coal Mine, which closed in 1966.

Subject

Author
Finding aid prepared by Cheryl Musch.
Date
2025
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Truman State University, Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections Manuscripts Repository

Contact:

660-785-4537