Several coal companies have recently had a corps of land agents at work taking up all available coal lands in the county. Handy Bros. and the Hecla Portland Cement & Coal Co. are the two most active concerns, they having now under lease practically all the coal lands in the county west of the Detroit & Mackinac line. The Wenona. Coal Co. Is negotiating further leases and although Handy Bros. have just completed a new shaft. Destined to be the largest in the state, it is said they will sink another next spring. The Hecla Co. is also said to have another shaft in contemplation.
The latter company is installing a compressed air plant and will place fourteen pneumatic drills in their mine, working two veins of coal. Local mining firms are now taking up leases in Midland County and drilling test holes.