100 Years Ago May 26, 1922 Increased demand for coal is causing greater activity in small independent mines, according to James Sherwood, state mine inspector. Many more such mines are working now than immediately after the April 1 start of the national Mine Workers’ strike. Mr. Sherwood today would not venture an estimate of production but the Southwestern Interstate Coal Operators Association recently estimated weekly output of “dinky” mines in Kansas at 40,000 tons.