Ritter Lumber:

• http://www.tngenweb.org/scott/fnb_v01n1_ritter_lumber_co.htm

In addition to its milling operation, Ritter also operated two subsidiary companies in Scott County; one of which the Brimstone Railroad Company ran from New River to Little Creek, hauling lumber and coal. Employees of Brimstone Railroad ranged from 13 to 22. Another subsidiary of Ritter was the Red Jacket Coal Corp., with headquarters at Red Jacket, West Virginia. Red Jacket operated mines along Brimstone Creek until the late 1940's. The operations in Scott County were by far the smallest of any of the mines in any state. At one time Red Jacket planned to build 40 houses in Scott County for its employees. Employment by Red Jacket in Scott County was probably in the 100 range.

In 1965, after acquiring the Guyan Eagle Coal Company, the West Kentucky Coal Company, the Red Jacket Coal Company and a number of other mines, Island Creek was reorganized and restructured, resulting in the formation of four operating divisions. Barker was named President of the Island Creek Division, headquartered at Holden.