Frosty, thank you for your kind response. I have actually called several "blacksmiths" and farriers within about a 50miles radius of me... know these where folks I could find on the internet. I know of none personally. I was only able to talk to one fella, he was the only one that would talk to me. all the others either were rude or did not call me back. he told me to get in touch with the blacksmiths association of Missouri. haven't had any luck there. the Central States Metal Artisans same boat. however I posted the same question on another forum and got in touch with another newbie smith who has helped with the coal situation. he pointed me straight to the mine. the Phoenix Coal Company located in Vinita, Oklahoma has a mine that is only about a 3 hour drive. they sell to the public @ $125 a short ton with no min. buy.
Thomas, I did not mean for the question to seem odd.......I was just running out of places and people to ask, I apologize. both the BAM folks and the CSMA folks are ABANA affiliates and both groups meet at locations that are about 3 to 4 hours away from me....im right in the middle of both.
thank you both for you responses