Wesley City Coal Co. v. Healer

There came into force, on the 1st day of July, 1872, a statute of the State of Illinois, by which, among other things, it was enacted that, “In all coal mines * * * in operation prior to the 1st day of July, 1872, which are worked by or through a shaft, * in which more than fifteen miners are employed, if there is not already - * * a communication between * * * said coal mine and some other contiguous mine, there shall be an escapement shaft, making at least two distinct means of ingress and egress for all persons * * * permitted to work in such coal mine. * * * Such escapement shaft, or…