Mine cars hauled coal from the depths of the mineshaft to the surface, where it was loaded onto trucks. In Appanoose County, there were two types of mines, slope mines and shaft mines. Slope mine cars were usually pulled by Shetland ponies or small mules. A miner could not stand erect because tunnels were usually 28 to 44 inches high. The industry's peak year was 1917, and Appanoose County was the third largest coal producing county with over 400 miles.