Coal Mine #2 opened in 1891 and was the largest of Madison Coal Corporation's four mines in the Glen Carbon area. It remained in operation the longest, closing in 1931. A coal report for 1910 stated that Mine #2 produced 195,218 tons of coal and employed 250 miners. Among the deadliest tasks miners faced was "shooting down the coal," when a miner lit fuses inserted into the face of the coal seam about 3 p.m. and waited in a safe place for the charges to fire, counting the blasts because returning after a misfire could lead to an explosion. Blasting was done at the end of the workday to reduce the amount of coal dust miners had to breathe. Besides blasting, major dangers included falls of slate, rock, or clay from the roof of the workplace. Mule drivers also faced very dangerous work, riding a tail chain about five feet long between mule and coal car, keeping it taut as the mule pulled forward, especially difficult on down slopes where the car could overtake the mule. Because the driver's hands were occupied, the mule had to respond to commands of "gee" and "haw." At the end of the day, the driver collected miners for a "man trip" as the mule ran quickly toward the barn through total darkness, making for a frightening ride.