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34 photos of turn of the century gold mining
derryb
Posts: 37,587 ✭✭✭✭✭
derryb
Posts: 37,587 ✭✭✭✭✭
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In the Wallace photo 32, the miners are all loaded into a "man train" to get into the adits of the mines nearby. Then usually they would get out of those horizontal or level conveyances and get into "man cages" to be hoisted down to lower levels. Some were at 45-degree angles and other hoists were vertical. They mostly mined "galena" which is lead, zinc, and silver and it was very heavy ore.
I worked underground at the Bunker Hill and Lucky Friday mines near Wallace more than 50 years ago and lived in a tiny room of a Wallace hotel that did not even have a private toilet or shower in it. Those were down the hall and used by everyone on the same hotel floor. Used Sterno to heat cans of food in my room to save money for college. Rent was $30/month, and I made $2.00/hr. which was pretty good at the time, but work was very physical and hot. You change into your "diggers" which are your mining clothes and then after the shift all the miners take showers together. We had lockers with hanging baskets to put the clothes in overhead so they would dry out in time for the next day. Washed them once a week on days off. Experiencing it, gives one a better appreciation of what it really takes to get these shiny coins and bars.
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
Wallace's house of ill-repute was still in operation in the early 90s. It is a museum today. The bottom of each bed had a canvas sheet so the miners wouldn't have to take their boots/pants off. There were egg timers on all the night stands - you were there you were still on the clock - when that timer dinged you better have as well. The price list in the madam's room was extensive - didn't realize how à la carte a cat house was...
The virginia City street shot still looks much the same as today. I love visiting that place.
I was in Wallace a few years back, it's a neat little town still with lot's of history to see. We toured one of the Sunshine mint (if I remember right) mines.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.