From Bushnell, Hugh P., Mesozoic Stratigraphy of South-Central New Mexico, in NEW MEXICO GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, SIXTH FIELD CONFERENCE. November 1955.

"In the Carthage area at the north end of the Jornada del Muerto there is the redbed section encountered between the Dakota and San Andres. These beds crop out near Carthage where the section is probably about 500 feet thick.

"Here the coal beds are just above the base of the Mesaverde. The Carthage bed is 5 feet thick and consists of good grade bituminous coal. All the mines at Carthage mined this bed--a considerable amount of coal was extracted, part of which was used for coking. It was carried first by wagons, then by a railroad which was built and abandoned twice, and finally by truck to San Antonio where it went by railroad to El Paso and other markets. Carthage area mines are now (1955) closed or are operated only sporadically."