Newspapers: 1912
"All the news that's fit to resurrect"
Decatur Daily Review, January 28, 1912
LOVINGTON COAL COMPANY WILL KEEP UP THE LICK
It appears that an impression has prevailed in the minds of some that the Lovington Coal Mining company is going on the rocks financially. That impression is not justified for a moment by the facts in the case, say those who are thoroughly acquainted with the situation.
The men behind the Lovington mine are now out of the woods, and that after an investment of over a half million dollars. Those men put up money by the hundreds of thousands of dollars when the prospect was anything but cheering; it is not to be conceived that they will fail themselves in the last stretch.
WHAT THEY HAVE.
The property of the company now consists of:
A main shaft and an escape shaft 902 feet deep.
A coal vein eight feet to eight feet, ten inches thick; quality about the best to be found in Illinois, possibly the very best in the state.
Five thousand acres of coal rights in fee simple.
A mine now developed to the point where 350 to 400 tons a day are taken out by fifty miners and twenty-five company men. Compare this showing with the one that presented itself in this enterprise in May, 1907.
THE GLOOMIEST PERIOD.
At that date considerably more than $200,000, in fact nearly $240,000, had been sunk in two abandoned shafts. It was necessary, if anything was to be accomplished, to start all over again. The wonder is those interested did not give up at that time. But they didn't give up. They hustled among themselves, coaxed and cajoled each other, and since then they have put in more than another $200,000. Now they have something to show for their time and money, in fact have a good deal. It is nonsense, it is insisted to imagine that men who have stood by this enterprise in this fashion will quit with present cheering prospects to urge them on.
CLOSE TO THE HARVEST.
And it is a fact that not a great deal more money is called for to finance the finishing touches of the enterprise. The aim at this time has been to get an additional $20,000, or about that sum; after which there is every reasonable assurance that the enterprise can move right along. And this additional money is wanted from the men who have already invested a half million in cash in the venture. Of course the money will be got.
THEY DID BIG THINGS.
The story of this Lovington coal mine has features that should be interesting to many people. It is a story of struggle against hard luck and abundant adverse conditions, during which battling the good fighting men put up a half million dollars. And that is something that happened right here in the center of the prairie state; it was a display of courage, fighting qualities and hope that should get attention anywhere in the world.
PERSONNEL OF COMPANY.
At the present time the company is composed of eighty stockholders, capital stock $100,000. Then there are 400 registered first lien certificates holders, who hold this form of obligation to the amount of $376,860.
One-third of the capital stock and about $100,000 of certificates are held by Decatur people. In all in this city are seventy-five to one-hundred people who are interested, so it will be seen this is a considerable Decatur venture.
The neighborhoods of Bement and Hammond hold about a third of the capital stock, and also $100,000 [$160,000?] of the certificates.
The remainder of stock and certificates is scattered about in different places, of course a fair share being held in Moultrie county.
THE OTHER DEBT.
In addition to stock and certificates there is an indebtedness of something like $125,000. This is for money borrowed to keep the work going along. This is a demand obligation and bears interest. It is a second lien on the property, coming after the lien of the registered certificate holders. The certificates of indebtedness issued by this company are described as "a from of preferred stock without voting power." They are a first lien on all property of the company, and of course they are supported by a trust deed. Certificate holders are entitled to 80 percent of the net profits from operation of the mine.
ASKED TO TAKE CERTIFICATES
Certificates under the trust deed may be issued to the amount of $300,000 (??? amount not clear), so that $133,000 of these may still be issued. The proposition advanced and now under way is to the holders of notes for the $125,000 of indebtedness to surrender those notes and take certificates in their place. It is said that is seems entirely likely that $100,000 of the indebtedness will be turned into additional certificates, and that will nearly absorb the amount of certificates that can be issued under the trust deed.
DEBT IS TO THEMSELVES.
For a proper understanding of the situation is should be stated that for the most part, in fact nearly altogether, the indebtedness of $125,000 is to men who own capital stock and certificates in the company.. There is practically no debt to outsiders; so that with the men who own the notes it is a question of handling their own affair. It is a debt they owe to themselves, and the only question is as to what form it shall assume. There isn't any outside creditor to come along and crowd matters.
REFUSED TO SQUEEZE.
The matter of surrendering notes against the company and taking certificates in their place has been presented in meetings at Lovington, Decatur and Bement. The movement is going along all right; it is the thing that will be done.
It was suggested by some certificate holders that it would be all right with them to let the property go to sale under a court order, say on suit started by holders of notes. This might afford some a chance to buy in the property for a small part of what it is really worth.
That suggestion was frowned upon. It was only a way of "squeezing" some worthy people out, people who up to this time have put up their money in handsome quantity and often under most discouraging conditions and prospects.
A TWELVE YEAR STRUGGLE.
It was about twelve yours ago that the Lovington coal mine enterprise was started. In the rare June days of 1900 A. R. Pifer, J. C. McNight, Joseph Stocks, C. W. Brown, S. F. Drake and L. G. Hostetler got together and raised $5,000 among themselves to prospect for coal in Lovington.
In November of that year they began taking out a 2-inch core, which work was finished the middle of December. That core showed:
At 255 feet, two feet of coal. At 873 feet, three feet, two inches of coal. At 902 feet, eight feet, ten inches of coal.
The coal in the thick vein was sent on for analysis and was found to be high class.
The Moultrie County Coal company was formed in September, 1901. The capital stock was put at $150,000. The neighbors thought it was too much stock, so it didn't sell.
In January, 1902, there was another hitch at it and the capital stock was put at $80,000. This time it sold.
THE FIRST SHAFT.
In June, 1902, the first shaft was started, and then the long session of real grief was under way. In August the shaft was down 100 feet when water showed up. Then came quicksand. It didn't take long to use up the $30,000 available for shaft sinking.
Superintendents and different makes of pumps followed each other in rapid succession. The shaft was abandoned in April, 1903. That was a damper on coal mine enthusiasm in the Lovington neighborhood.
SECOND SHAFT.
Cyrus A. Potts of Taylorville in December, 1903, tried his hand at resuscitation, and it was a tough case. He organized the Lovington Coal Mining company, and those in the first company were either included or their holdings were purchased. No one was left out.
In August, 1904, enough certificates had been sold to start work. Robert Campbell, who had made his reputation in sinking the M. & C. shaft in Decatur, was engaged for the Lovington work. So a second shaft was started.
This was pushed down 75 feet in a month; the next month it was taken through fifty feet of water and quicksand. It was necessary to pump 5,000,000 gallons of water a day. It was slow work, and in August, 195, a depth of 164 feet was reached, and it had been expensive work.
Here the big steel shoe was taken out, against the protest of Robert Campbell. Campbell was right about it, and taking out the shoe later proved disastrous. Superintendents succeeded each other rapidly and everything went to the bad. They got to the point where no headway could be made against the volume of water.
Practically no progress was made in 1906. In April, 1907, Robert Campbell was induced to get back on the job. Cyrus Potts withdrew from the enterprise.
TRIED A THIRD TIME.
There was a meeting of stock and certificate holders in Decatur in May, 1907. Then it was shown that there was an indebtedness of $5,000 and that $231,075 had been invested and lost. Many wanted to quit.
Robert Campbell and W. B. Hudson wouldn't give up. Each of those men put up $1,000 of his own money to meet pressing claims.
There was a meeting in May, 1907, of certificate holders in Lovington. Robert Campbell went there filled with the courage that is born of super-abundant faith. He asked those people to raise another $30,000 and begin all over again.
By July, 1907, they had the $30,000 and work was started on the third shaft. Campbell was in charge this time and proposed to stay in charge. A new location was picked out for the third shaft after making short borings. The third shaft was started in October, 1907. It was necessary to do some more hustling for funds during two months in 1908. More money was got and the work was continued. The shaft was put down 902 feet and that part of the work was finished in April, 1909. Campbell gained more reputation, of course. Then it was a comparatively easy matter to get more money to sink the escape shaft. This brings us up to the present time.
WORTH A MILLION, THEY SAY.
It is an easy guess that the people who have stuck to the enterprise and put up their money all this time will do the little that remains. It is claimed they will have a property that is worth a million dollars, that is it will have net earnings on that amount.
THE QUALITY OF COAL.
Concerning the quality of coal taken out of the Lovington mine we give an analysis of it and coal from the Assumption mine, the latter heretofore regarded as furnishing the best coal in the state. The figures are furnished by the state authorities:
Lovington Assumption Moisture 6.45 11.54 Volatile matter 38.79 36.65 Fixed carbon 43.5 42.89 Ash 10.26 8.92 Sulphur 4.59 3.87 Thermal units 11,989 11,631 Total coal units 14,910 14,913 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
Decatur interests are largely represented in the officers and directory of the company. The list shows:
President -- J. M. Duncan, Decatur
Vice president -- John Benson, Decatur.
Manager and treasurer -- J. C. stocks, Decatur.
Secretary -- William T. Kirkpatrick, Lovington.
Superintendent -- J. J. Rittman, formerly with M. & C. in Decatur.
Directors -- J. M. Duncan, John Benson, J. C. Stocks of Decatur; Andrew Swenson, Bement; W. H. Silvers, Hammond; R. S. Knapp, Washington, D. C.
Decatur Review, March 12, 1912
BURGLARS ENTER SULLIVAN OFFICE
Carry Away $5 in Silver and 300 Pennies
Sullivan, March 12. -- Burglars entered Dr. W. P. Davidson's office Sunday night, opening the safe, getting about $5 in silver and 300 pennies. They gained entrance through the back door and the safe being unlocked they had it easy in getting away with the money. No clew was found.
Mr. and Mrs. Will A. Baker came up from Shelbyville Monday noon and parked their household goods ready to ship them to Shelbyville, where Mr. Baker has purchased a clothing store. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker will be greatly missed by both church and lodge people, both being active members of the Methodist church. Mr. Baker was an active lodge worker in the Masonic lodge.
LOVINGTON MINE CASE UP.
All of Monday's session of the circuit court was taken up with the case of Albert Hiser against the Lovington Coal Mining company, and is over a commission which the plaintiff claims is due him from the coal mining company for selling stock in the company. The case will take up most of Tuesday's session.
The case of Laura Van Gundy vs. Willaim A. Steele, James A. Steele and S. W. Wright is set for March 25.
ATTEND CODDINGTON FUNERAL.
The funeral of Mrs. Mary Howe Evans Coddington was held at the United Brethren church at Kirksville Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. B. N. Sypolt. Interment was at Campfield.
She was born Nov. 23, 1837, and died at the home of her son, near Kirksville, March 10 at the age of seventy-four years three months and seventeen days. She leaves four daughters, Mrs. H. Miller, Mrs. Isaac Hudson and Mrs. Edgar A. McKenzie of this city, and Mrs. Scott Bland of Chicago, and three sons, Edward. J. W. and Ben Davis, of near Kirksville. Mrs. Coddington was well known in this city, having spent a great deal of her time here with her three daughters. She is a widow of the late Hiram Coddington of this city.
Several from Sullivan attended the funeral. Among those who went were S. W. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Wright, the latter a granddaughter of the deceased, Miss Stella Van Hise, Miss Lucreta Walker, Mr. and Mrs. William I. Sickafus, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Byrom and Mrs. H. H. Ritchie.
Miss Emma Green returned to Decatur Monday after spending Sunday at home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Green.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Earl Crowder were Decatur visitors Monday.
Dr. Homer W. Marxmiller and wife returned to their home in Findlay Monday morning after spending Sunday here with the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. McClure.
Glen V. Gladville, formerly of Bruce but who has been holding a position as operator for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois at Danville, has been checked in as agent for the same company at Tuscola.
Ray Rose of Strasburg visited his parents here Monday.
Miss Grace David returned to her school in Decatur Monday after spending Sunday at home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Milton David.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Corbin entertained the members of the Owl club and a few other friends at their home on West Jackson street Monday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Chaney, Miss Alice Chaney and sister, Mrs. O. C. Weger, went to Easton Tuesday morning to attend the funeral or their great aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory.
FARMERS' ELEVATOR FOR CADWELL
Arthur, March 12. -- It is rumored that the farmers in the vicinity of Cadwell are organizing a farmers' grain company for the purpose of building an elevator at that place or buying one of the two already there.
YEARLING COLT BRINGS $300.
J. L. Herschberger's farm sale Thursday amounted to $5,300. The property disposed of consisted almost entirely of horses.
One yearling colt, a Shire, sold for $300, and a team of Shire mares was brought by an Indiana man for $750. The colt weighed 1650 pounds and the mares 1960 and 2029.
Decatur Daily Review, May 8, 1912
WOULD PROHIBIT SUNDAY BASE BALL
Lovington People Would Also Censor Moving Pictures.
Lovington, May 8 -- The new village board met Monday evening and authorized the payment of bills against the village and organized for the coming year. No other business was transacted at this meeting but an adjournment was taken until next Monday evening when they will appoint a treaturer, village attorney and police officers, and take up the regular grind.
One of the main things to be considered at the next meeting is a petition asking for an ordinance to prohibit Sunday baseball and requesting a village board of censorship to regulate Lovington amusements. The petition was circulated by the local preachers and was signed by about twenty of Lovington's business men and church members. There are two clauses in the petition the first requesting the city dads to pass an ordinance prohibiting Sunday ball games and the second for them to permit the churches to appoint a committee of five members together with the village board, for the purpose of regulating all amusements, including the inspection of all motion pictures before they be allowed to be shown to the public.
The petition was submitted to the board at their first meeting but it was tabled until next Monday. They have not announced what their action will be but Mr. Selby, president of the board, says he will place it into the hands of the ordinance committee for them to decide upon.
NEW BOARD PERSONNEL
The new board consists of the following members:
Robert Selby, president; A. L. Wilt, clerk and J. W. Dawson, J. W. Mitchell, J. T. Rittman, L. G. Hostetler, M. C. Davenport and W. B. Dawson trustees.
President Selby has appointed the following standing commitees:
Finance -- J. W. Mitchell chairman, L. G. Hostetler, M. C. Davenport.
Street and alleys -- J. W. Dawson chairman, J. J. Rittman, M. C. Davenport.
Health and nuisance -- W. E. Dawson, chairman, L. G.Hostetler, J. J. Rittman.
Fire light and water -- L. G. Hostetler chairman; W. E. Dawson, J. J. Rittman.
Public buildings -- J. W. Mitchell, chairman; W. E. Dawson, M. C. Davenport.
Ordinances -- M. C. Davenport, chairman; L. G. Hostetler, J. J. Rittman.
Police -- W. E. Dawson, chairman; J. W. Mitchell, J. J. Rittman.
Railroads and drainage -- L. Hostetler, chairman; J. J. Rittman, M. C. Davenport.
NEW ADDITION LAID OFF
Byron Cheever has laid off an addition of forty eight lots adjoining B. Cheever's second addition to Lovington and lying north of the coal shaft. He is offering the lots for sale at prices ranging from $165 to $200 each. The West Lawn addition, which was opened Monday by Int Stanley and A. A. Brown, is located in the west end of town, and the lots are being sold at prices ranging from $175 to $350. Nine of these West Lawn lots were sold on Monday and three of the purchasers will begin the erection of residences this month.
J. M. Shepherd, president of the Shepherd National Bank, returned Tuesday morning from a business trip to Chicago.
Miss Nellie Munch was the guest of her brother, the Rev. Curtis Munch, at his home in New Holland over Sunday.
B. E. Bowers transacted business in Decatur on Monday.
Decatur Daily Review, June 6, 1912
SUNDAY BASEBALL OPPONENTS LOSE
Lovington Village Board Rejects Ordinance - Township Buys Road Tractor.
Lovington. June 12. -- The village board turned down an ordinance prohibiting Sunday baseball at their meeting Monday evening, the vote standing 4 to 2. Those voting in favor of the ordinance were J. W. Mitchell and W. E. Dawson. Those voting "nay" were L. G. Hostetler, M. C. Davenport, J. W. Dawson and J. J. Rittman. This action will end the controversy so far as the board of trustees are concerned.
In determining the matter the members who voted against the ordinance gave as a reason for their stand that public sentiment ie largely in favor of Sunday games as long as they are conducted in an orderly manner and that, should the games result in disorder or become a disturbance, the statute of the state affords ample protection to the public.
The opposition to Sunday games has been led by Rev. R. B. Hubbart, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, under whose direction the ordinance presented Monday evening was prepared.
BUYS A TRACTOR.
The commissioners of highways of this township on Monday contracted for a 46 horse power crude oil tractor from the International Harvester people for use on the public highways. The machine will be delivered this week. The price of the tractor is stated at $2,400.
Workmen are installing a private electric lighting plant at W. 0. Wood's farm residence near this city this week.
Decatur Daily Review, August 22, 1912
LOVINGTON MINE OWNERS TO MEET
Letter to Stockholders Says Changes Must Be Made.
Lovington Aug 22 -- The stock and certificate holders of the Lovington Coal Mining company have been notified that a special meeting of the capital stock and registered first lien certificate holders of the company will be held at the office of the company in Lovington on Wednesday, Aug 28, commencing at 10 a. m.
THE PURPOSES
The following purposes for the meeting as outlined in the notice served are:
- For the purpose of informing the capital stock and registered first lien certificate holders as to the physical condition of the property and the financial condition of the property since the fire which occurred on Sunday, Aug. 11, 1912.
- Also to make reports as to the physical and financial condition of the company in general.
- Also for the purpose of determining the wishes or the capital stock and certificate holders as to what is to be done In reference to continuing the business of the company under the present conditions and under the constant struggle for existence unsupported by working capital.
URGES PRESENCE
The notice which was in the form of a letter urged the stockholders to be present and become informed with the exact conditions of the company. It also made the statement that it is impossible to develop a sufficient output to make any money for the capital stock and certificate holders under the present conditions, and that something must be done at once, or the property would probably be lost to the present holders.
LOVINGTON BOY OUT FOR WILSON
Ralph Collette On Stump in New York State.
Lovington Aug 22 -- Word has been received by relatives in this city that Ralph Collette, a former Lovington boy is now associated with the Wilson presidential campaign in New York and is making stump speeches in his interests throughout that state. Mr. Collette lived and attended school in Lovington about twenty-five years ago and is a nephew of Miss Minnie McCravey, and a brother of Misses Vera and Vivian Collette and Bernard Collette, all of this place.
HARVARD GRADUATE
He graduated from Harvard university in 1910, and the year following was admitted to the bar and was a member at the New York state supreme court until about a year ago when he became associated with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, 49 Wall street, New York city, which he is with at present.
Mrs. J. A. Elliott has purchased the Fletcher Foster farm on which he now resides, and will take possession of it on March 1, 1912. The land is located just a short distance west of the corporate limits of Lovington and not more than a half mile from the business section of town. The consideration was $219 per acre, which is consildered a low price for the land.
Miss Madge Kearney and Miss Mabel Turner, who reside north of here, are the guests of C. A. Turner and family in Martin, Tenn.
Edson Hoggard and Newton Conn were in Chicago Wednesday.
Charles McCravey and family of Decatur, are visiting relatives here.
