Prosper is a mining town of 909 people in the northeast corner of Crocker County. Since the deep-shaft coal mine was opened in 1901, it has provided a major source of employment for the town's people, and the last 18 years has brought more than 800 people from other towns to work every day at the mine, United Coal Company's Mine No. 3, known locally as Hellpit. The company announced yesterday that the mine will close in two weeks for an indefinite period. Since 1980, when Prosper was incorporated and became eligible for coal tax revenue, its budget has risen from $40,000 to $300,000 ($125,000 in coal severance tax monies, $125,000 in federal matching funds for capital improvements.) Mayor Lester Jenkins tells you that "With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone." Some tax money will continue to dribble in as stockpiles of coal are depleted, but Wilima Foster, the city clerk, foresees a cutback for the fiscal year, which starts in 30 days, to $60,000. "That will cover essential services like police protection and utilities at city hall and the new ball park," she adds. Council Ed Barnes tells you that most of the coal money went into building projects. "And we've got the city hall and park paid for, so at least we're not in debt." The town council will talk about a new budget at its meeting tomorrow night. The mine employed 1,000 people. The shaft is a quarter-mile deep, the deepest in the state. Company officials cannot be reached by phone, but a statement delivered to you gives the reason for the closing as a severe cutback in demand for coal because of a shutdown in manufacturing national wide. It quotes Wilson Standridge, company president: "We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will remain sealed."

Prosper is a mining town of 909 people in the northeast corner of Crocker County. Background

Since the deep-shaft coal mine was opened in 1901, it has provided a major source of employment for the town's people, and the last 18 years has brought more than 800 people from other towns to work every day at the mine, United Coal Company's Mine No. 3, known locally as Hellpit. Background

The company announced yesterday that the mine will close in two weeks for an indefinite period. News peg

Since 1980, when Prosper was incorporated and became eligible for coal tax revenue, its budget has risen from $40,000 to $300,000 ($125,000 in coal severance tax monies, $125,000 in federal matching funds for capital improvements.) Background

Mayor Lester Jenkins tells you that "With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone." Quote -- Impact

Some tax money will continue to dribble in as stockpiles of coal are depleted, but Wilima Foster, the city clerk, foresees a cutback for the fiscal year, which starts in 30 days, to $60,000. Budget -- Impact

"That will cover essential services like police protection and utilities at city hall and the new ball park," she adds. Budget -- Impact

Council Ed Barnes tells you that most of the coal money went into building projects. Background -- Budget

"And we've got the city hall and park paid for, so at least we're not in debt." Quote -- Impact

The town council will talk about a new budget at its meeting tomorrow night. Time Element

The mine employed 1,000 people. Jobs -- Impact

The shaft is a quarter-mile deep, the deepest in the state. Background

Company officials cannot be reached by phone, but a statement delivered to you gives the reason for the closing as a severe cutback in demand for coal because of a shutdown in manufacturing national wide. Background Background – Reason for Closing

It quotes Wilson Standridge, company president: "We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will remain sealed." Quote – Mine Future