Brinker, Ruth (Forest Archaeologist, Wayne Hoosier National Forest)and Quentin
Gorton (Purdue University)
FRIAR TUCK; INNOVATION IN EARLY 20TH CENTURY COAL MINING
The history of Sherwood Templeton mining in many ways reflects the history of
mining in Indiana. Commercial mining began underground, but as surface machinery
improved and developed, more mining was done from the surface. Two mines existed
near Dugger, Indiana, overlapping in time and space. Templeton mined underground
while Sherwood strip mined the same area. Each mine had its own processing facilities
and there were duplicate functional buildings, sitting side-by-side in the valley
of the tipples. The partners did cooperate on one grand achievement, the New Hope
Power Plant. Both mines needed electricity, Sherwood for his electric shovel and
processing, Templeton to mechanize his entire operation from lifting the coal
by conveyor from the mine, to crushing, sorting, washing; drying, and loading.
The large, impressive Power Plant was fueled by fines (fine coal) which until
this time was considered a waste product. The two mines produced sufficient fuel
to power both mines and to sell excess power to surrounding towns. Today, almost
all power in Indiana is produced by burning fines. Innovations in coal mining
which began at the two mines include: first use of permanent processing facilities;
first simultaneous surface mining of two seaams; first use of coal reserve areas
for farming; first tree planting on mine spoils; invention of horizontal drilling
for blasting overburden; first use of fines as fuel, and the development of furnaces
made to use fines; first company built power plant; and invention of the Baughman
coal dryer. All that remains today of the mines are 25 to 30 ruined buildings,
331 acres of barren spoil, 138 acres of gob, ten acres of slurry, a slurry pond
of 172 acres, 20 acres of acid ponds, water filled mine shafts, and several highwalls.
The historic significance of the Sherwood Templeton enterprise resides in several
factors: 1. The fact that so many ruins exist, permitting an opportuity for study;
2. The importance of the coal industry and its development in southwest Indiana;
3. The way of life reflected in the ruins; 4. The numerous innovations which had
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