E. S. Martin to J. J. Tracy 12/17/1891

E.S. Martin J.M. Roan 

Martin & Roan 

Successors to Straitsville Co-Operative Coal Co.,

Miners and Shippers of

Straitsville Coal Lower Vein 

New Straitsville, Ohio, Dec 17th 1891

James J. Tracy <Esq> 

Dear Sir 

I will take full charge of your coal lands on Last Run in <Ward> <Township> Hocking Co Ohio the same so far as <> by the proposition being the West ½ of section No 24 and the West ½ of the North east quarter of the same section with the purpose of developing them by <building> a Railroad switch and necessary sidings up Last Run <from> its month into these <lands> at your expense and leasing them to responsible coal operation <lesses>  under your approval and the collection of all royalties and <rents> whatever, and the <car> of said lands Railroad switches and coal mines are they are in operation. Taking faithful care of all your interest that may arise under this arrangement and making prompt and honest returns to you of all <conditions> in the terms <commence> on the date we actually start to build the said Railroad switches or <commence> operations on Last Run by putting a sawmill <then> to saw railroad trails <ac> as <contemplated> <> as to pay me at the rate of $250.00 per calendar month and to so continue until the switch is completed and the mines loading and sending coal over it. Should then be any <serious> interruption of the work causing a total stopping my pay as stated is to stop and start again <> the work starts after the completion of the Railroad switch and the opening of the mines under the said <lesses> my pay from you in my <cares> and <duties> as <above> stated to be on the basis of one cent per ten of 2000 <pounds> on each ton of lump coal that said <lesses> pay you a <royalty> in. This arrangement is to continue providing I discharge all my duties in you <faithfully>, until terminated by mutual consent. 

<Your> to take actual charge <building> the <necessary> Railroad switches and to push all the work to as speed completion as possible <drawing> on you in the necessary <hands> to meet labor bills of all sorts as they accrue and you to pay bills in material need when due and approved by me. All my accounts and <books> relating to this work to be open to your inspection at any and all times and the joint arrangement I <propose> making with the <CU and HKY> Co as to sharing expenses of <> said switch to be approved by you before being put into effect <> I <> shall be the <> whether I <discharge> my duties faithfully and honestly. Edwin S. Martin

I accept this as the agreement between Edwin S. Martin and myself 

Cleveland July 17 1892

James J. Tracy